Confession #1 - I have to shave my face every single day. I have hirsutism, which is a symptom of my PCOS - "polycystic ovarian syndrome is the most common identifiable cause of hirsutism". Man, I hate PCOS!! The fact that I have to shave, like a man, every day is humiliating, but I have to do it - if I didn't I would be sporting a mustache and beard. It's hard to feel like a woman when by mid day I have a 5 o'clock shadow going. I hate when anyone gets too close to me because I don't want them looking at my face because when your close enough it's clear to see that I shave. I've tried to let the hair grow long enough to wax, but it's so coarse I couldn't even wax it off. My doctor wanted to prescribe Vaniqa cream to slow the growth, but the small tube of cream is almost $200/ month - out of pocket. And laser treatments would cost even more than that, so I'm stuck with shaving. So, why am I sharing this information about myself? Well, this blog is about my struggles w/ obesity, and I want to be honest about every struggle I face, so, yea, some of my confessions may be a little too much information for some of you, but it's my blog and I'll say what I want to!! Did that sound childish? Well....too bad! It's my blog, and I'll be childish if I want to!! :-)
So far, today, I've done the 30 Day Shred, and I walked 1 mile on my treadmill. Tonight, when it gets dark, I will attempt the run 2 miles! Wish me luck!
Update: I forgot to mention that I weighed myself this morning - 224! My last weigh-in number was 226, so I managed to lose 2 pounds while I was away at our cabin for 9 days! Yay!
I don't have PCOS but have some symptoms, including coarse neck hair that I occasionally pluck but it's usually easier to shave. My sister has PCOS and hirsuitism too - I feel for her, because she's very self-conscious about it. We bleached hers at first, then she just gave in and started shaving, too. You are not alone! ♥
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary!
ReplyDeleteFirst off.. congrats on the loss! Yay!
ReplyDeleteHirsuitism is a symptom I have too. I half jokingly say I have to shave everything below my eyebrows to my toes. If I could afford laser, I so would do it. I spend so much time and money on this issue. You are definitely not alone! ((HUGS))
Oh my gosh, Jacqui, I can so relate! Yup, it's from my eyebrows down to my toes, too! Having to shave my fingers, and toes, and, pretty much, everything else totally sucks, but, for me, the face is the worst because it's what's most visible. I hate it! I'm sorry you have to deal with it, too! So, (((HUGS)) for you, too!
ReplyDeleteI have never been brave enough to admit that I have this symptom as well because it's embarrassing. It makes me feel like less of a woman. My husband has NEVER said a word about it but I feel self conscious even with him sometimes. I shave my neck, chin, and forearms because I'm just not comfortable letting them be natural and still wear short sleeved shirts.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for having the courage to tell this world about yourself. Personally, I honestly have never even discussed it with my doctor (stupid, right?) because of my embarrassment.
Hi, Colleen. I'm sorry you have to deal with this issue, too! My husband knows I have to shave, but he couldn't care less - he loves me no matter what. Thank goodness, for loving husbands, right?
ReplyDeleteI sure wish there was a cure though because it is such a humiliating thing to have to deal with!