Question
I'm a 16 year old girl from england.
I first discovered I have hirsutism about one and a half years ago... except I didn't know what the f**k it was, I had hair growing in all the wrong places and I used to try and ignore it. But im very fair skinned and dark haired so its hard to miss it, and I am so self-concious about it and never wear clothes that might reveal it. I avoid having a bath and take a shower instead so i can avoid seeing my own body as it disgusts me. So after some research into 'hirsutism' i've half worked out what it is and reasons as to why i might have it. I've read all sorts of things about electrolysis and laser treatment and taking drugs with scary long names alongside the pill, I mean, I cant even swallow paracetamol. I have to have the dissolvable kind, how the hell could i take all these pills everyday, and what do they even do?
I mean should i go to the doctor or something? hell, i dont even know who my doctors is, I cant ever remember going to the doctors apart from to go for a jab once... i dont even know how to make an appointment. And he would probably just say im sorry but i cant help you.
This all sounds really dumb i know, but in a world full of 'hair-less' models it can be kind of depressing for a hormonal teenager who is too embarrased to talk to anyone. I'm disgusted with my own body let alone what anyone else thinks about it. And as for guys, dont even go there, they dont get any where near my body.
I know all this treatment like electrolysis is expensive, and i dont even earn yet so thats that one out the window.
I dont know where to turn to first, feels like i need a daily dose of prozac sometimes.
Was anyone else in my position at my age?
sugar xx

Answer
I'm a 16 year old girl from england.
I first discovered I have hirsutism about one and a half years ago... except I didn't know what the f**k it was, I had hair growing in all the wrong places and I used to try and ignore it. But im very fair skinned and dark haired so its hard to miss it, and I am so self-concious about it and never wear clothes that might reveal it. I avoid having a bath and take a shower instead so i can avoid seeing my own body as it disgusts me. So after some research into 'hirsutism' i've half worked out what it is and reasons as to why i might have it. I've read all sorts of things about electrolysis and laser treatment and taking drugs with scary long names alongside the pill, I mean, I cant even swallow paracetamol. I have to have the dissolvable kind, how the hell could i take all these pills everyday, and what do they even do?
I mean should i go to the doctor or something? hell, i dont even know who my doctors is, I cant ever remember going to the doctors apart from to go for a jab once... i dont even know how to make an appointment. And he would probably just say im sorry but i cant help you.
This all sounds really dumb i know, but in a world full of 'hair-less' models it can be kind of depressing for a hormonal teenager who is too embarrased to talk to anyone. I'm disgusted with my own body let alone what anyone else thinks about it. And as for guys, dont even go there, they dont get any where near my body.
I know all this treatment like electrolysis is expensive, and i dont even earn yet so thats that one out the window.
I dont know where to turn to first, feels like i need a daily dose of prozac sometimes.
Was anyone else in my position at my age?
sugar xx

Answer
Im 15 and i've been in your position since i was about 11-12, but was diagnosed with something called polycystic ovarian syndrome at 13, and one of the symptoms is hirsutism... along with weight gain, infertility, acne and depression... lovely symptoms, huh?
Anyway, i do suggest you go to the doctor no doubt this is a hormone thing since you started noticing it around puberty. Please do talk to your doctor, he may be able to help - the pills are honestly ALOT smaller than paracetamol tablets. and if he put you on something like the pill then its only once daily. I'm on Estelle at the moment and that once-daily pill is around the size of half a dried lentil, maybe a bit smaller. and if you really cant hack the unsugar coated pills that you have to have for 7 days, then you might be able to mash them up with some jam or honey.
How to book an apointment? well do you know what area the medical centre you went to as a child is in? Say i lived in edgewater... and the medical centre i used to go to was in the same area.. then its likely to be called 'edgewater medical centre'. or at least this way you could look them up by area.
Then once you know what area they are in, then look up their number (chances are your parents might have it somewhere around the house or in the address book). It helps if you call one that already has a file with your name and info in it, so maybe you could just casually ask your mum 'hey mum, what medical centre did i go to as a kid? i dont really remember it' or something like that. that way you know to call the one that has a file on you!
Basically when i called my medical centre last i said 'hi, i'm megan, my mum just cut her finger badly and i was wondering if i could make an appointment for the soonest time possible?'
You could use something like 'Hi, im ____, im 16 and this is my first time making an appointment so i dont really know how it works, but i'd like to discuss a hormone test with a doctor' and see where that gets you.
If all else fails - speak to your mum about it. Try not to be embarressed, i know its hard but just say to your mum that you'd like to go to the doctors because the excessive hair and that you've done some reading on it and feel the doctor might be able to have something to offer.
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