Question:
Hello, I am a 42 year old woman & my problem is, I have a lot
of excess hair growth that iv'e been dealing with for several year's
now. I think it's the excess hair on my face that bother's me the
most. Although I do have a lot of hair on my chest, back, neck, tummy,
you name it, I have it just about everywhere! It's a rather
embarassing problem. I know I had my testosterone level checked a few
year's back & I believe it was pretty high (109?). As I said, the
hair on my face is what bother's me the most. Ive tried shaving,
plucking & hair removal cream's. I have to shave my chin area
because there's so much there. I also tweeze the area just below my
chin & the problem im having when I do this is, the area then
scab's over & turn's red. This makes a rather embarassing problem
even more noticeable because of the redness, coupled with the fact
that then the skin try's to heal from being tweezed & it's really
noticable..and I even have some scarring on my neck now from the
tweezing. Iv'e also noticed in the past couple of year's that I can
see the hair even before it comes up through the skin...it looks like
it's laying sideways, so it looks almost like someone took a pen &
made a 1/4 inch blue line across areas on my chin. I think because the
hair hasn't come up through the skin yet. Please don't tell me to get
laser treatment's or that I should let the hair grow out & then
wax it! I can't afford hair treatment's & im pretty sure it's not
covered through health insurance. I have no idea why I have this
problem..Im mostly Norwegian & German & maybe that has
something to do with it. My mother also has some hair issue's, but not
nearly like I do. My sister doesn't have this problem at all. Why ME!?
:)

Answer:
What about trying those home electrolysis treatments? I have never
used them myself but wonder if anyone out there has and if they work?
Have you seen a doctor to inquire about a medication that might adjust
your hormone levels?

Answer:
I haven't tried electrolysis treatments, Im not sure how that works,
but I will look into it. I think I will head back to my doctor &
ask about medication for my hormones. Do you know if I should see a
specialist & if so, what type of doctor that would be? Or should I
just go to my primary care doctor? I would prefer a specialist.
Thanks!

Answer:
Hey, you're welcome! Since your testosterone level is high, I
would get the opinion of an endocrinologist first. I don't think your
primary doctor would be much help here except of course, as the avenue
for the referral to the specialist. There are many medications that
are effective in limiting and controlling hair growth and this type of
specialist will work you up extensively to determine which medication
would be best for you. There is also a cream out there that is
fairly new called "Vaniqu" known to work but it is still in the
process of getting approval from the FDA so that might be something to
ask the doctor about also. If I were in your shoes, I would see the
endocrinologist first. You need to rule out some causes (thyroid
problems, etc. ) before you should be treated.

Answer:
Hey Luddeckens, how are you doing? Treatments for hyperandrogenism
include oral contraceptives, spironolactone and flutamide. A
prescription cream that stops facial hair growth, Vaniqa (pronounced
Van-ih-KA) is also available. For most women, the tendency towards
hirsutism is inherited and you are not losing your femininity.
Hirsutism is usually caused by an increased sensitivity of the skin to
a group of hormones called androgens (testosterone and
androstenedione) or increased production of these hormones.
Hyperandrogenism is increased levels of male hormone production in
women. The most commonly seen symptom is irregular menstrual cycles.
Northern, fair-skinned Europeans have the least amount of terminal
hair, whereas southern, dark-skinned Mediterranean women have the
greatest amount of terminal hair. The prevalence rates of hirsutism in
northern Europe are similar to those in the United States; in other
places, rates are not known with certainty. Best wishes,

Answer:
I have a similar problem and I read that saw palmetto can help to
reduce the amount of testoterone in your system naturally. You can buy
it at Sam's Club, Costco or vitamin store. It will take a month or two
of use before your suppose to notice less hair.