Feminine Facial Hair???

Question

I have annoying facial hair. I'm trying to concieve and am not having any luck...could this have something to do with it? My family is italian, so hair is sort of normal...but could it mean something else is going on? Does anyone have this problem? Please help and advise...Thank you

Answer 1

It took me 4 years to concive with my first one and I do not have any facial hair.

Answer 2

It's worth getting checked out for the possibility of PCOS which can lead to difficulty conceiving and to facial and body hair.

Facial (and also body) hair on women comes about in the same way as on men because of

1) your body being sensitized, before you were even born, to testosterone -- doesn't happen to all girls, but does to many

2) your body producing high levels of testosterone

The growth rate and coarseness of the hair depends on just how much testosterone is circulating in your bloodstream.

As far as the facial hair itself is concerned, apart from the possiblity of it being related to PCOS, If there's not too much of it, do you really need to do anything? Most people are OK about women with, for example, a slight moustache.

If you do decide you have to do something, then there isn't a simple answer.

Steer clear of bleaching -- when someone sees you against the light you'll look as if you have a glowing moustache and/or beard.

As far as removing it is concerned it's worth remembering that

* Waxing, plucking, threading, epilating all pull the hair out by the roots and where the growth is hormonally-driven can actually stimulate a dormant follicle into producing more hair quicker. They also distort the root if done repeatedly, leading to hair growing at strange angles. And you've got to let the hair grow to quite a length before you can repeat the exercise. It can also damage the skin and discolor it. Long-term use of waxing also causes bad wrinkles.

* Chemical depilatories strong enough to remove the hair are very likely to burn the skin, cause swelling and cause long-term discoloration of the skin.

* Laser is also liable to cause burning and discoloration and in any case only works effectively on a dark hair/light skin combinantion.

* Electrolysis is very liable to cause scarring and discoloration of the skin.

Which, like it or not, leaves shaving which does not damage the skin. Best done with a men's-style electric razor, the best of which, for women, are probably those from the men's range of Norelco razors (Philishave outside the US). Most women who try a men's Norelco wonder why nobody ever told them about it before.

Answer 3

When a woman has excessive facial or body hair it is a condition called hirsutism. Hirsutism either runs in the family, showing itself in growth spurts at menopause and puberty, or it is an indicator of a larger underlying problem. If it is hereditary it is largely a cosmetic rather than health concern. When it is not hereditary it is most probably the result of excessive male hormone production (adrenal virilism), or an increased sensitivity of the hair follicle to normal male hormone levels. It is important to both a woman's health and her self-confidence to have this condition diagnosed by a doctor. Hirsutism, and any hormone imbalance that may underlie this condition can be treated.

Every woman's body produces both "male" and "female" hormones, which act in balance. If it is indeed a hormone imbalance that is the root cause of a woman's hirsutism, a doctor will determine the source of the overproduction of male hormones and suggest a course of treatment that targets that source. An underlying hormonal problem might have larger consequences than just hair growth and any treatment of the hair growth alone will only act as a response to the symptom, not the cause itself.

Some of the symptoms that indicate if a woman's hair growth is tied to a hormonal imbalance are the following: 1) irregular menstruation 2) obesity 3) deepening of the voice 4) decreased breast size, and 5) baldness. If a woman experiences a sudden worsening of her hirsutism, or first experiences hair growth after 25 years of age, it may be an androgen-producing tumor which is the source of hormonal imbalance. Androgen-producing tumors usually show symptoms over months rather than years, and are only found in women on the ovaries or adrenal gland. Typically women with hirsutism begin to have symptoms in their teens and early twenties, and their symptoms get worse gradually with age. Hormonal imbalances can be brought on by the use of oral contraceptives, the onset of menopause, or problems in the adrenal or pituitary glands.

Most cases of hirsutism that are related to hormone imbalance can be treated through hormone therapy, or in the case of a tumor, through surgery. The condition itself, excessive facial and/or body hair, can be managed. Electrolysis is a popular means to managing excess facial hair, but there are also laser procedures that are said to be less painful. A woman might consider bleaching her facial hair, which makes it less visible. All of these methods should be used as means to treating the symptom, but any woman with progressing hirsutism should consult a doctor for a diagnosis in order not to compromise her health, or her self-confidence.

Answer 4

Sometimes, the facial hair could mean you have a hormonal balance, that yes could effect your getting pregnant. It could also mean something more, If I were you I would make an OB appointment just to make sure, My aunt had cervicial cancer for 13 years, with facial hair being one of the symptoms, Good Luck!

Answer 5

I've had this for years. In my case it's hereditary (mom and grandma both have it) but, facial hair on a woman also called hirsutism can be a sign of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in a woman. Check out the details of PCOS on Web MD if you have PCOS it could indicate the reason why you're having trouble getting pregnant. Also, I would suggest checking with your Gynecologist for more help.

Answer 6

Yes, difficulty conceiving + facial hair grown ("hirsuitism") raises a few clinical red flags. First thing that comes to mind as a common possibility is polycystic ovarian syndrome (affects up to 6-8% of the female population). Could be a number of other things...or nothing. Get together with your ob/gyn and get it figured out.

Answer 7

sometimes excess hair can signal a hormonal problem. its a common symptom of polycystic ovarian syndrome. if you have irregular periods, thinning scalp hair, acne or excess belly bulge in addition to the facial hair, you may want to ask your doctor about it as there are different medications they can give you to help you conceive.

BUT if you are italian its probably just genetic :)

I'm sure you are just fine...

Answer 8

Having excess facial hair CAN be a sign of Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome. If you are having trouble conceiving, ask your doctor if he/she can test you for this condition.

Answer 9

It is one of a list of many symptoms of PCOS, which is a hormonal imbalance. Women with this have trouble conceiving because they have irregular period which means they aren't ovulating regularly. Go to your gynecologist and she could do some hormone testing.