what is a way to keep down facial hair growth in a woman with pcos?

Question

polyscystic ovary syndome

Answer 1

Unless you get your hormone balance out of the typical male range and into the typical female range there's not going to be any method will work even reasonably well.

You're really best-off acknowledgin that you have male-type growth and adopting shaving accordingly.

However, for the sake of the record the options are

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

* 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 2

The hair growth is related to a hormone imbalance caused by the PCOS. You kind of have to treat the root cause of the problem which is the PCOS so you'll need to see a GYN who will undoubtedly recommend weight loss since most women with PCOS are overweight while also trying to reverse insulin resistance and possibly some sort of hormone therapy depending on other factors specific to you so see a doctor if your not already.
Now, the hair specifically, you have a variety of choices. You can wax, use depilatory creams, bleach, or shave but it's all going to come back. Electrolysis may be more permanent but it usually takes several treatments and those treatments are pretty costly. Check with a dermatology office for pricing.

Answer 3

Hi. I have PCOS also and suffer from this problem. I was prescribed spironolactone (goal is to take 200 mg a day, so I am building up to it) Its fairly inexpensive, I have just "ok" insurance and it costs me 8$ for a month's supply.

This drug mixed with the birth control (loestrin) has significantly reduced the amount of hair growth. It didnt take away what I already had but is preventing new hair from growing. It takes like 6 months before I noticed a change but it was worth it.
The spironolactone is a little harsh on your stomach, so you must eat with the pill.

I pluck every morning still but am finding there is less and less of it to get rid of, its just daunting to stay so patient while waiting for the meds to work, but its worth it.

Good luck!

Answer 4

I took medication for it for a while and I found that it actually helped the hair growth. I was taking a medication called Aldactone. The reason I'm not taking it right now is b/c of the cost of it.

I was initially prescribed the Aldactone (which is a medication that reduces the amount of testosterone our body makes b/c of the PCOS) by the endocrinologist that diagnosed me back in Nov of 1996.

Answer 5

I got tired of trying to keep it bleached, removed, etc.. After years of fighting it, and starting to react to the chemicals to do it. I treated myself to laser treatment. Costly, but I figured that in the long run I would be spending that money on all the chemicals. With very dark hair, it can be taken care of in only a few treatments. Apparently light hair is much more difficult to treat. I was told that every few years I might need to have another one round of treatment. Trust me, if you can afford it, it is well worth it!!

Before laser, I plucked and even had gotten to the point of shaving at times. Have done medications, creams, waxing etc... I know it is a difficult thing to deal with. I hope it helps. I had my face done last year and life is so much better and I look (and as a result feel) so much better.

Answer 6

There are many methods to make our hair grow faster, shine , glitter in natural ways without using chemicals. Learn here https://bitly.im/aMLez Men, and sometimes women, notice that their hair is thinning prematurely for several different reasons. Age, menopause, pregnancy, genetics, illness, and other factors all play a role in hair loss. Sure, you can use drugs or you can go in for a hair transplant or fusion, but sometimes the easiest, most inexpensive solution, is to try to stop hair loss naturally.

Answer 7

If you get treatment for the PCOS, the facial hair growth should subside, because your hormones are going to return to somewhat normal levels.

Answer 8

Electrolysis