Anything I can do at home to reduce hair? - PCOS UK (Verity)

PCOS UK (Verity)

10,047 members2,430 posts

Anything I can do at home to reduce hair?

15 Replies

So I've been going untreated for a while now, since November. The gynes I saw over the summer prescribed Microgynon which is hands down the worst pill ever for PCOS so I refuse to take it because I went suicidal for *no reason* after ten days, and it's been known to make hirsutism happen in normal females which is like the OPPOSITE of what I want. I can take spironolactone but my GP recommended not to until I get my fainting issues sorted.

And it's horrible. My hair has gone out of control on my face. My diet is doing okay and I've lost some weight but it seems to have made it *worse*. My husband hates the hair, and I hate the hair, and my cats hate the hair. On Dianette it almost disappeared and in less than a year it's exploded again. Shaving isn't practical any more.

Is there anything aside from shaving/waxing and threading I can do? I've also tried Vaniqa, which doesn't work for me and I'd need buckets of it anyway, and electrolysis is out of the question since we simply can't afford it.

I should clarify I'm interested in reducing the overall load of hair being produced in general rather than skin surface treatments and looking at possible supplements to curb hair growth.

Read more about...
15 Replies
Hols969 profile image
Hols969

Wet and dry epilator can help as they now do one for the face - would you consider going back on the combined pill (yasmin is a good alternative) - obviously laser is good if you have dark hair but takes on average about 15 sessions for pcos ladies. SK:N used to do a discount for pcos ladies, they also do interest free credit. Ive had 22 now and now done any maintenance for about 3 years and could do with a top up now as the goaty area ones are sprouting back!

in reply to Hols969

Thanks for the suggestions! Unfortunately even interest free we simply can't afford electrolysis right now. Visa applications are worth a small fortune and I have to be ready for extra charges in 18 months. I actually can't take estrogen anymore. Or rather the docs refuse to give me any.

Hols969 profile image
Hols969 in reply to

Try the wet and dry epilator as it's pretty good

in reply to Hols969

That's where you run a gizmo to pluck all the hair out like threading?

Hols969 profile image
Hols969 in reply to

lol yes

in reply to Hols969

I thought about it I'm trying to avoid shaving and anything that would take more than an hour in the bath. The one time I had threading done I was so unprepared for it(it isn't a thing we do in the States) I freaked out the poor girl because I started to cry from the pain.

Hols969 profile image
Hols969 in reply to

I find waxing better (I tried it on my face and the threading didnt do such a good job as waxing and quite a lot of the blond ones were missed)

in reply to Hols969

I swear I have nerves directly attached to my hair so I've never been a big fan of the yank. I'm thinking about trying to find some Nair or maybe import it. I don't remember if its usable on the face though.

Hols969 profile image
Hols969 in reply to

I have quite a high pain threshold ! You can use hair removing cream on the face nowadays.

Dizykrssy profile image
Dizykrssy

Have you tried spironolactone? It helps to lessen my hair growth rate and I won't I seem to have less hair growing there. My primary care physician put me on that because of my high testosterone levels. I guess the medicine is supposed to lower the testosterone.

Dizykrssy profile image
Dizykrssy in reply to Dizykrssy

Oh also it'll take a while for it to work. The pill have to be in your system for at least a month or so before it actually starts working. You will notice a big difference within three months

in reply to Dizykrssy

It's an anti-androgen hormone they use for transitioning. I can't take it because it's also a diuretic and I have fainting problems. I'd be reluctant anyway to try another hormone after my migraine nightmare coming off Dianette. That's why this post lol. I'm more in the market for non GP-involved, natural things.

Dizykrssy profile image
Dizykrssy in reply to

I'm sorry that stinks

Dizykrssy profile image
Dizykrssy

Oh also it'll take a while for it to work. The pill have to be in your system for at least a month or so before it actually starts working. You will notice a big difference within three months

Edinlass profile image
Edinlass

I've been trying for 50 years without success. I was told I could get medication once I was past childbearing age. I'm still having to shave every day sometimes twice. I can't have a physical relationship with a man because of my extreme embarrassment. It's hellish!

You may also like...

Can laser help the hair even if you have shaved?

with the hair on my face. I started waxing but couldn't keep letting it grow so I went to shaving...

Facial hair getting me down

excessive facial hair. I have always had issues with excessive hair since being diagnosed with PCOS...

Help - I feel like a man :(

have tried shaving, plucking and waxing but these leave my face red and I get bad ingrown hairs. I...

I have PCOS and had no period for over a year...what should I be doing?

I have PCOS in both ovaries, I have been diagnosed for two years but never had normal periods. I...

What can I/can't I eat?

fatigue/acne/generalized aches and pains/increased hair growth