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Doctor insights on: Pcos Excessive Hair Growth

That is possible: Hirsutism is not uncommon with PCOS.

Cause and effect: Pcos is a syndrome of increased androgen levels and Insulin resistance. The excessive hair growth is not a cause of pcos, but rather a symptom. Laser hair removal will work, but you also need to decrease androgen production through a combination of birth control pills and weight loss if overweight. ...Read more

PCOS and hair: Laser hair removal affects the follicle and root of the hair so should remove it permanently. However, patients with pcos may have thicker and more persistent hair growth so it may take more treatments to achieve the desired results. Furthermore, there are no long term studies evaluating the long-term effects of laser hair removal in pcos patients. ...Read more

Simple: With pcos there are many, many small cysts on each ovary. Each of those cysts produce estrogen, but they also produce testosterone. The excess testosterone can cause hirsutism, it can also cause acne. See your doctor for treatment. ...Read more

Treatment: You need treatement. First you need to verify you have PCOS by seeing a specialist. Treatment: Birth control -> Increased (SHBG) Sex hormone binding globulin that binds excess testosterone, reducing hair growth. Spironolactone -> decreases Testosterone levels Weight loss -> Reduces insulin levels which can cause elevated testosterone Laser/Electrolysis treatment: -> permanent treatment. ...Read more

Yes: You need not have excessive hair growth to have PCOS. ...Read more

Difficult access: I agree someone with these problems should be seen.A huge issue in this country is being uninsured, despite recent changes in law.And adults with pre-existing conditions are at particular risk for being able to be covered for 2 more years.Health departments, community health care cneters can help.Many areas have free clinics, or a physician can make arrangements if you ask. ...Read more

Absolutely : Pcos is the most common cause of hirsutism, but androgens are also secreted by the adrenal gland. A block in the metabolic cascade of these hormones can cause androgen elevation. Cushing's syndrome can also cause hirsutism. Some medications can cause hirsutism. There are also androgen-secreting tumors which can cause hirsutism. Occasionally no cause can be identified. ...Read more

Not at all: No! 10% of all women have pcos worldwide and that should not in any way prevent you from having children. Depending on your ovulation, it might alter how you go about it. And you may require fertility treatment. But generally that is very easy to do. ...Read more

No need for why: If your periods are normal and you are reasonably physically fit, then it is most likely that this is simply you. If you dislike the hair, removing it by electrolysis is a simple matter. Should you later develop other problems, such as hypertension or infertility, a real medical workup might be worth trying once again. ...Read more