New to website and in need of some support.

[Fletcher_88]

Hi, my name is kerry and I am new to this site. I was diagnosed recently with polycystic overies. This confirmed what I thought to be true, I have all the symptoms of the condition. But what is killing me is the Excessive facial hair, even writing about it sends shivers down my spine, I feel so ugly and I'm disgusted with myself for having it. It stops me living, I've been suicidal over it for the past five years, but only recently have I approached my GP about it, I applied for funding for laser treatment but did not get it. I have tried everything to fix the problem, I've spent over a grand trying different treatments but nothing has worked. I can't have a proper relationship with my boyfriend or my family who I love so much. I currently shave but doing it everyday irritates my skin and I get razor bumps. I can't even enjoy going in the sea on holiday because if I have cut my skin the salt water irritates it badly. I'm at my wits end, I feel like giving up because I feel someone who is like me is not worthy of living, I'm constantly thinking of how I look. Please if anyone can help me who is going through a similar thing please help me. I'm 28 and due to this condition I suffer from severe depression and anxiety. Please help. X

[Hols969]

Did you try laser (not ipl) - what is your hair colour? Laser does work if you are dark haired but it is not permanent. The combined contraceptive pill can help slow down the growth, there is also a cream called vaniqa which you can get from your GP which will slow the hair growth too. The other option is electrolysis as this is the only permanent way of dealing with it but it is a long old job.

I had laser done about 7 years ago now and it is the best thing I ever did, I know totally where you are coming from though, you need around 15 sessions to get the majority of it but then you do need to maintain it as well. I haven't had anything done for about 2-3 years and need to go back as the goaty area on my chin is starting to sprout back.

The other option is a wet and dry epilator as they are designed to be used on the face now (you do get used to the pain but do it in the shower as it reduces the pain further).

Are you on anti depressants ? If not then I would recommend going on them as they do help (and its pretty common symptom with pcos too), they help me hugely.

As for your partner and family, they love you for you, hair and all - my hubbie used to help me pluck awkward ones. So don't push them away....

[Fletcher_88 in reply to Hols969]

Hi thank you so much for your reply. I am yes taking anti depressants- I am on venlafaxine and the mood stableiser aripriprazole. Sometimes I feel they don't help but I guess if I stop taking them I could feel a whole lot worse. I suffer from borderline personality disorder for which I am due to recieve therapy.

I want to approach my GP about perhaps being prescribed the cream that you mention and perhaps the contraceptive pill but every time I mention it out loud I tear up and become an emotional wreck. I feel like a freak and a fool, I have talked to my GP only twice about the situation, gosh I wish I had more courage!

My hair is dark and I am fair skinned, I'm not sure which treatment I tried. I think it was a type of laser treatment, cost about £70 per treatment if that helps narrow it down.

I did finally tell my family and I even told my two best friends, I had to explained that because I have to shave on the days I meet them, I need advance notice because my skin needs time to heal after each shave, needs a few days so that's why I don't like doing things two days in a row because I get extreamly irritated skin, everyone I told where so supportive, but I have absolutely no idea how to tell my boyfriend without him thinking I'm an ugly freak and running for the hills. Any ideas on how to broach the subject and tell him would be great!

Also can I ask what is a wet and dry epilator? I have never heard of it? If you could give me some more info I'd appreciate it.

Thank you for taking the time to respond I really appreciate it.

Kerry xx

[Hols969 in reply to Fletcher_88]

No that would have been IPL for that cost - your skin type is perfect for laser (I use SK:N as they do a discount for pcos ladies) - you have to go every 6 weeks for the first 6 or so sessions - it made such a difference to my life and self confidence, I wish I had it done in my mid 20's not mid 30's as it would have helped me confidence wise. SK:N also do interest free credit too which helps spread the cost.

Epilator is basically a plucking machine (Braun do one, you don't need all the fancy attachments just the basic wet and dry, but make sure you get that one rather than just a dry one as it is considerably more painful out of the shower). Take a pain killer 20 mins before you do it. You do get used to it though, so do little bits on your legs first (armpits are the most painful for some reason). Face is ok (top lip makes your eyes water :-))

Can your mum go with you to the GP to ask about the combined pill (yasmin is good), sometimes you do feel a bit intimidated by GP's so sometimes you do need someone else with you to help you along.

Your boyfriend wont think you are a freak, if he suddenly developed acne, would you go off him !! You basically have an endocrine issue so you have an imbalance of hormones (I wouldn't mention pcos as it is not ovary related and a lot of men think 'oh period stuff' and then switch off. Men can have the condition too, we are pretty sure my hubbie has it and also my son too who is 11 (he had a full set of pubes when he was born which the midwife was quite surprised about). So he has a hairy mum and dad lol!! He wouldn't bat an eyelid if he saw his future girlfriends shaving their face that is for sure !! I still have blond ones on my face so still shave once a week (blond ones don't get course).

If you do go for laser you must shave and not pluck for 6 weeks prior to it to have the best results. It honestly changed my life considerably. Make sure you exfoliate your face regularly to help with any ingrowing hairs too.

You are not a freak - or if you are, we all are, who wants to be normal anyway that's what I think !!

Good luck, remember you are loved for you hair and all and it honestly is the truth.