PCOS

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Hormonal Hair Growth

ELECTROLYSIS TO TREAT HORMONAL HAIR GROWTH IN WOMEN

At Anagen Therapies we can help and resolve unwanted hair growth caused by hormonal conditions.

Are you looking for a solution and unsure which way to turn?

I am the only electrologist in the Hull, Humber, East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire area who is:

Registered with the BIAE (British Institute and Association of Electrolysis)
A registered NHS provider of electrolysis for permanent hair removal

BIAE members are specialist electrologists that complete rigorous electrolysis assessments and examinations on top of electrolysis qualifications, giving clients the reassurance of quality treatments by specialists in their field of work.

Book your free confidential consultation now by calling 01482 688329 or use the form on our Contact Page.

Hormonal conditions that trigger unwanted hair growth:-

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) / Stein Leventhal Syndrome
Cushing’s Syndrome
Other adrenal or thyroid disorders – Adreno-genital syndrome, Archard Thiers Syndrome

Heavy facial hair isn’t discussed openly

“I spend half an hour every morning plucking out hairs from my face, otherwise I can’t bear to let anyone see me.”

“My husband doesn’t know about my facial hair.”

“It controls my life. I can’t be spontaneous because I’m always worrying about 5 o’clock shadow.”

“I’ve tried everything and nothing works for me. I have to shave twice a day just to keep it under control.”

“No-one understands what I’m going through.

All my confidence has gone and I can’t see any way out.”

Can you relate to any of these comments?

We know what you are going through.

Hormonal hair growth, especially on the face, is not limited to just PCOS.

Where there is an imbalance of hormones caused by glandular disorder or disease such as: Cushing’s Syndrome, Adrenogenital Syndrome, Archard Thiers Syndrome, Stein Leventhal Syndrome. The most common disturbance likely to be encountered in dealing with electrolysis clients is called Stein Leventhal Syndrome but is probably better known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a condition where the ovaries contain many small cysts, which lie just under the surface of the ovary. The cysts are the remains of egg follicles that have not grown large enough to release an egg.

Facts about Polycystic Ovaries

Polycystic Ovaries tend to produce too much male hormone which can cause hair to grow more strongly in a male pattern. Male hormones, or androgens, also increase the activity of the sebaceous glands, which can lead to acne. Polycystic Ovaries can affect any woman of a reproductive age. It is estimated that up to 20% of women have Polycystic Ovaries to some extent or another. Most common symptoms are excessive hair growth, heavy irregular periods or no periods at all. Polycystic Ovaries can be hereditary. Being overweight can affect the balance of the hormones in the body and trigger the symptoms of Polycystic Ovaries and can make them worse. Very often, the electrologist is the first person to be alerted to the symptoms of Polycystic Ovaries and, she is in a prime position to suggest that the client consult her doctor for advice. In severe cases drug therapy is administered which serves to block the production of the male hormones, so in conjunction with electrolysis treatments the results are most favourable

Adrenogenital Syndrome

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is a term used to represent a group of inherited adrenal gland disorders. Patients with this condition produce an excess of the androgen hormone and insufficient amounts of cortisol and hormones. It is a condition that results in a lack of a specific enzyme, necessary for the adrenal glands to make the necessary cortisol and aldosterone hormones within the body. When a lack of these two hormones is present, the body instead produces an excess amount of androgen, a male sex hormone. With this androgen excess, early or inappropriate appearance of male characteristics are present.

Facts about Adrenogenital Syndrome

1 in 10,000-80,000 are affected Achard–Thiers syndrome Affects mostly postmenopausal women and comprises diabetes mellitus, deep voice, hirsutism or hypertrichosis. Patients often also have amenorrhoea, hypertension and osteoporosis.

About hormonal hair growth and other symptoms

This type of hair is tough to the touch, like plastic toothbrush bristles. It is deeper and more strongly rooted than typical facial hair. The hair itself is sometimes not particularly thick, but the roots are very large which cause a noticeable shadow under the skin. Not surprisingly many sufferers pluck the hairs out to stop this shadow appearing, but sadly this can lead to ingrown hairs and damaged skin. A vicious circle then starts up where the sufferer can’t stop plucking, even though she knows it’s making her skin look worse.

On top of all this there are other symptoms such as receding scalp hair and weight gain or loss. Thick hair can also spring up on the body, especially the abdomen, across the chest and the backs of the thighs.

While your GP may have prescribed medication to help you control your other symptoms, none of them can reverse the hair that has already grown. Eflornithine (aka Vaniqa tm) can reduce the size of the hair but doesn’t work for everyone, and the effect wears off once you stop using it. Laser/IPL offers temporary relief, but again isn’t suitable for all, and in a small number of cases can trigger more hair growth*.

Electrolysis is the only permanent method of hair removal recognised by the British Medical Association

It’s likely you know about every hair removal method under the sun, and have tried almost all of them (including the dubious ones). You may even have started electrolysis but didn’t stick with it because it didn’t seem to be working. No wonder you feel angry, depressed, exasperated and just plain fed-up about your situation. You may feel elated from the instant relief when it’s gone using temporary methods, but when it grows back you feel back at square one.

The only way to deal with a large problem like hair growth is to cut it down into small, manageable steps. Instead of trying to ‘just get rid of it’ all in one go (which can’t happen without taking your skin with it!) electrolysis correctly treats the problem by working with the hair growth, using it to prevent more hairs from growing. It won’t provide dramatic results in the first few weeks but if you stick with it then you’ll be left with permanent results and a real sense of achievement. As the beauty pioneer Helena Rubinstein once said, “Nothing worthwhile happens in a hurry.”