hirsutism

[codrina]

i'm so hairy!!!! i have hair everywhere, on my face(and not only moustache, but also on my beard, on my cheek, under my eyes), on my legs, arms, breast, stomach....everywhere....on my breast the hair is horrible, i've got boyfriends whose chest hair was smaller then mine: and if i wax it, instead of every thread of hair a small pimple appears and it doesn't disappear for two weeks....and it's horrible....
i've done lots of tests and doctors don't know why i'm so hairy cause the level of testosteron is normal...all the hormones in my body are in normal levels(i had very high prolactine, but now it is normal)i don't have PCOS(my ovaries are fine, they are healthy and working well, my period is ok, 28 days)...i was told that maybe BC, diane 35, could help. but i should take that permanently in order to have results, and because i have a small tumour on my hypophysis i can't take that for ever...and anyway, the doctor told me that it's not sure that diane would work for me...i took it for 4 months 3 years ago and it didn't work at all and my doctor told me to stop taking it....and i don't want to take that because i've read lots bad things about it....
do you know anything that could help???i'm so tired of this situation....yesterday i waxed my moustache and now i'm full of pimples and they won't go until next week or even more....i would love not to have hair everywhere......i have to admit that i'm desperate do you know anything that could really help??

[snowqueen67]

I hope someone has some ideas re supplements etc....you know you should consider dowsing this...check out alternative threads.

But otherwise....have you thought about laser?...i know its expensive.....but at least to get your face done....I have had amazing results. And you might find someone, just starting out etc that would do it cheaper!

rebecca

[codrina]

i tried to dowse, but i can't do it...so i gave up on that method...
about laser....i can't afford that....no way....and here, in romania, i wouldn't trust to do that, even if i had the money...but i don't have them, so....i need another idea...thanks anyway:-)

[Peachy]

Codrina,

Have you ever tried taking spironolactone? It is a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill) that also is an androgen blocker. Many endocrinologists prescribe that to their patients for hirsutism. It usually takes 12-18 months to see an effect.

Also: have you had a fasting blood glucose checked recently? Make sure you're not insulin resistant. This is also sometimes associated with androgenic effects.

And honestly, I agree with Snowqueen - I know laser is expensive, but if you go one small area at a time, for example, upper lip, then it won't be quite so much. It would take 4-6 treatments to get rid of all of the hair. Once you're done with one small area, you can start another one - for example, your chin. Ask your doctor if he/she can recommend a dermatologist to you for laser hair removal.

Good luck to you -
Peachy

[twilightsrose]

Hey there, below is some info I found online. I am interested in this as well, although I only have a minor form of hirsutism. By the way, Hirsutism can also be caused (apparently) by hair follicles that are more sensitive than usual to normal androgen levels. As well, some women can have more hair follicles than others (I have a higher number of hair follicles than average - part of my problem) - and if you have dark hair - normal body hair looks thicker and more noticeable.

"Serenoa repens (saw palmetto), pygeum africans (15), urtica dioca (stinging nettles) (16-17) all inhibit the action of testosterone. There have been many studies of men with testosterone disorders that demonstrate the effectiveness and safety of these herbs. There aren’t yet any studies of hirsute PCOS women. However, naturopathic physicians using these herbs for PCOS are seeing consistently favorable results. (18-19)

Vitex agnus-castus (chastetree berry) has traditionally been used to treat menstrual irregularities and improve fertility. It is thought that vitex normalizes LH (luteinizing hormone). High levels of LH contribute to androgen production.(20) Vitex is an important herb for natural treatment of PCOS. "

- www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/hirsutism.html
also see
- www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/saw-palmetto.html

"Hirsutism, abnormal growth of hair, for example on a woman's face, is caused by an excess of testosterone in the blood stream. The prime herbal remedy for balancing hormones is Vitex agnus-castus (chasteberry). This herb balances hormones from the pituitary gland. It is often used in menopause to reduce menopausal symptoms by balancing the female sex hormones.

Thomas Bartram, in "Bartram's Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine" (available at Richters) lists the following herbs and supplements for hirsutism: Vitex agnus-castus, evening primrose oil (500 mg. three times daily), red clover tea, vitamin E capsules, zinc supplement, and vitamin A rich foods (orange vegetables like carrots, pumpkin etc.; dairy, fish liver oils, whole grain cereals, dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, broccoli; butter, apricots peaches).

There is some debate amongst herbalists on whether or not saw palmetto berries have a hormonal effect. However, they have been used with some success in hirsutism when used in a low dosage: 0.6 to 0.7 ml. of the tincture, twice daily. Because the quality of saw palmetto tinctures varies widely, ask at your health food store for a top quality brand."

- www.richters.com/newdisplay.cgi?page=./QandA/Medicinal/20040213-1.html&cart_id=14660.523

And

"Two other hormonal tests, prolactin and 17-OH progesterone may also be ordered especially if the excess hair growth has been present since puberty, there is a strong family history of hirsutism, ethnic background is Ashkenazi Jewish, a woman is shorter than other family members or there is evidence of defeminization such as a decrease in breast size. These risk factors can be associated with genetic causes of adrenal hirsutism that do not always result in elevated DHEA-S levels"

from a really informative page, and I highly suggest reading this page:
www.wdxcyber.com/ninfer07.htm



Unfortunately there isn't much research on using natural routes for the problem.

Take care!

[twilightsrose]

Hey, has anyone tried using Saw Palmetto topically for this problem? I'm sure it couldn't hurt to try it....

Take care!

[snowqueen67]

twilight rose...i was going to ask the same thing....I might give it a try on my face ( where I have a small problem - related to ageing I think )

rebecca

[twilightsrose]

I'm thinking I will try it for my acne, which I absolutely know is caused by excess androgens for me...

Take care!

[codrina]

thanks for the info

after reading your posts and the links you gave i've done some search on google today and finally i decided to start taking spironolactone.i started today with 25 mg, i'll increase the dose in two weeks.

i looked for vitex but couldn't find it yet, but i'll keep looking in the stores(cause i can't afford to buy it from the internet).i hope i'll find it.

and of course i'll take Saw Palmetto

i read some good things about Yasmine too, but i am affraid to take it...

[ally]

I also have the same hirsutism problem, although mine is caused by high androgen (testosterone) levels. I take Diane-35 for the problem, and it seems to be helping (although I've only been on it for three months). The acne I had is completely gone!! The hair situation is improving. I also am taking Vitex and Saw Palmetto, so that I can go off Diane-35, because it is a dangerous BCP from what I heard. You could try Saw Palmetto, but you said your hormone levels are alright. Maybe it's genetic? Hope this helps somewhat!

[ally]

BTW - I've also gone for laser treatments. Four full face treatments for $500 CDN and it permanently removes the hair. You could try that.

[nic]

Don't have a lot to offer but wanted to mention that I believe Chaste Tree is another name for Vitex. Maybe you'll have more luck finding it under that name in the herb section of your stores. Good luck!

Nic

[sarasa]

I hope you have discussed the spironolactone option with your doctor... it is usually used as a drug to lower blood pressure and may have adverse effects if you have any other medical condition. It is also wise to consult a doctor about the dosage.

[adryx]

try evening primose oil or borage oil topically ...it might work
adri ( im from ro. too)

[niki123]

hi. i have the same problem as you..infact im indian and i have tried laser and i'm done with my sixth session already but there is still about 40 percent of hair growth left..but the reason its taking me longer/more sessions is because i hv tanner skin/darker hair which makes it harder when it comes to laser because you need more treatments..

besides saw palmetto you could also try a product called Kalo..if u google it you can find out more..it basically inhibits hair from growin back