PCOS - Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Support Blog

PCOS is finally getting some coverage on “Oprah.”

It was mentioned today during a segment on hirsutism with Dr. Mehmet Oz.

At the moment, there are numerous posts on Oprah’s Message Board about PCOS. Many women are writing in, several of whom have suggested that Oprah should dedicate an entire show to the condition. Exactly!

Here’s the link: http://www.oprah.com/community/thread/21515?start=150&tstart=0

If you can, please post a comment. PCOS needs greater awareness!

Your Editor, Catherine

By Angi Ingalls
PCOS in ConnecTion
 
Previously, you read about the challenges dealing with excess hair growth and how to manage this tedious symptom.  Now let’s discuss just the opposite – losing hair. 
 
For many women, receding hair lines and balding are big issues. It is more difficult to hide hair loss problems than it is to hide excess hair.  The hair-on-our-heads makes up a huge part of our image and if that becomes a problem, not only does the amount of hair plummet but so does the self-esteem.
 
There are options available to improve the appearance of hair loss and some things you can do to try to reverse hair loss.
 
First option is wigs. Believe it or not, a lot of women wear wigs, even if they don’t have problems with hair loss. Wigs have come a long way in quality and style.  With the right budget, you can get a wig that will be just right for you. They even make human-hair wigs.  The upside? Well there are several. Less need to wash, less pull with pony holders and you will protect your head from the sun. The downside? I can only think of one -  if it gets pulled off. For this reason, make sure you find one that will maintain a secure fit. You may decide to opt for another solution to avoid  possible wig-loss which are extensions.
 
Extensions are a great alternative to ensure a secure fit and to eliminate the putting on and taking  off every day. There are a few ways this can be done. Extensions can be sewn in, glued, weaved or clipped into your natural hair. Each has pros and cons and I suggest doing your homework before investing the money into extensions. Because the majority of this business goes to African Americans and their hair is stronger, make sure your salon has experience working with your type of hair if you are not African American.
 
Lastly, you have hair pieces. These are clumps of hair that you can clip onto your natural hair to give it more volume.  They also come in styles which can be attached to ponytails.  Hair pieces are a quick fix but a lovely alternative, especially for those nights out on the town. Turn any style into glamour in two minutes flat.
 
While these are great temporary solutions for hair loss, there are some things we need to discuss for long term hair health. 
 
Are you aware that consistently wearing ponytails can actually damage your hair?  The constant tension on the scalp without relief can force the hair to pull and break at the root. You can also break the hair and essentially suffocate it at the point of the elastic.  My suggestion for an alternative is to use a hair-claw. This will keep your hair pulled back without the tension and pull.
 
Massaging your scalp daily is a great way to stimulate circulation to the scalp which will also help feed your hair follicles. Recently, a blogger has posted an oil she uses to help with hair loss. The ingredients are lovely and definitely worth a shot. It’s also a great way to encourage you to massage your scalp. http://pcos.insulitelabs.com/blog/index.php/?cat=22
 
Try to avoid gimmick shampoos and conditioners. First, many of them do not have the right pH balance which can actually damage healthy hair. Next, they are more likely to create build-up giving you the false impression that your hair is healthier. Lastly, they tend to have more unnecessary chemicals which absorb into your body and we all know what chemicals do to our bodies, right?  It’s best to stick to Suave, V05, Dove, etc.
 
Diet, water and exercise!  When you maintain a healthy diabetic diet, your body can improve the PCOS which in turn may improve your symptoms.  It’s also vital that your body gets the necessary nutrients to be able to function as it should.
 
I hope you have found something in this article you can use. Don’t be ashamed of your misfortunes, turn them into solutions. You are not alone in this. We are all in this together and we are all here to help each other. 
 
If you have found something that works, please feel free to share your experiences at our blog thread called “Works for Me”.  http://pcos.insulitelabs.com/blog/index.php/?cat=22
 

To read “Hair We Grow” by Angi Ingalls: http://pcos.insulitelabs.com/blog/index.php/?cat=17 
 
REFERENCES:
1.    Wig sources: http://www.wigs.com; http://www.wilshirewigs.com; http://www.wigshop.com; http://www.yaffawigsoutlet.com; http://www.ultimatelooks.com  
2.    Extensions: http://www.hairextensions.com; http://www.hairboutique.com/tips/tip034.htm
3.    Hair Loss Blog: http://pcos.insulitelabs.com/blog/index.php/?cat=17
 
 
Angi Ingalls; PCOS in ConnecTion
Guest PCOS writer
pcosinct@yahoo.com
Educator for over 18 years
Diagnosed in 1985 at 12, living with PCOS since 1981
 
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this article and the Insulite Labs website is for the sole purpose of being informative. Information obtained is not and should not be used or relied upon as medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician, nurse or other qualified health care provider before you undergo any treatment, take any medication, supplements or other nutritional support, or for answers to any questions you may have regarding a medical condition

Hirsutism simply means excessive hair growth in females where hair is normally absent or minimal. While it’s certainly troubling and can cause self-consciousness and emotional distress, hirsutism can also indicate a more serious condition, like Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).

 
Excessive hair growth is a common symptom of PCOS. This is due to the relatively high levels of testosterone found in women suffering from PCOS. It is normal for all women to have some amount of testosterone, but those with PCOS have excessive levels, causing unwanted hair growth. Some of the most common areas affected are the chin, cheeks, neck, and chest. Masculine hair on the arms and legs is also possible.

 
In addition to hirsutism, symptoms of PCOS can vary widely from woman to woman and may include: irregular or completely absent periods, ovarian cysts, male-pattern hair loss, obesity, acne, skin tags, dark skin patches, high cholesterol levels, exhaustion or lack of mental alertness, decreased sex drive, excess male hormones and infertility. If you feel you may be suffering from PCOS try this self-test available at Insulitelabs.com.

 
Too much hair in the wrong places can be embarrassing and emotionally painful. While treatments like waxing, bleaching, tweezing, laser hair removal and electrolysis provide relief from symptoms, they do not treat the underlying cause of PCOS – a hormonal imbalance brought on by insulin resistance.

 
Insulin resistance is a hormonal imbalance linked to the way the body processes insulin, ultimately affecting blood sugar levels and the way the body processes food and stores fat. Women who are insulin resistant typically carry excess weight in the abdominal area, causing an “apple” shape, rather than a “pear” shape, where excess weight is carried in the hips and buttocks. While many women who suffer from insulin resistance and PCOS are overweight, this is not always the case. Women of a normal weight may also be affected.

 
Typically, harsh pharmaceuticals, like Metformin (also known as glucophage), are prescribed by doctors to treat PCOS and insulin resistance. While these drugs can be effective, they also carry the risk of side effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Metformin may also increase the risk of heart attack. [1]

 
If your unwanted hair growth is caused by PCOS, correcting insulin resistance is likely to alleviate your symptoms because you are addressing the underlying cause. Many women successfully reverse their insulin resistance and PCOS symptoms naturally with proper nutrition, exercise, nutraceuticals, and support. To learn more visit: http://pcos.insulitelabs.com

1. Patent Information for Glucophage®
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Princeton, NJ 08543 USA
Revised June 2006
http://packageinserts.bms.com/pi/pi_glucophage.pdf

by Fighting Back in Colorado

A Woman with PCOS tells her Laser-Hair-Removal Story

I just finished my fifth round of laser hair removal treatments. Yes, it was expensive. Yes, it kind of hurts. Yes, it was worth it!

Like many women with PCOS, I suffer from Hirsutism, which is just a fancy word for women sprouting goatees and chest hair.

Things definitely improved when I followed the Insulite PCOS exercise and nutrition plan and took their nutraceuticals. I lost weight and my excess hair was dissipating.

But I still had enough growth on and around my chin to be embarrassing. Tired of waxing and plucking, I finally decided to have it permanently removed.

After much Googling on the subject, I found that having dark hair and fair skin makes me the perfect candidate for successful laser hair removal. Apparently, the contrast helps attract the laser to the hair. I called a nearby clinic and made an appointment for a consultation.

I was surprised when the esthetician I consulted with was familiar with women and PCOS, who she said were “some of my best clients.” I was told I would need three to seven rounds of thirty-minute treatment sessions to achieve maximum results. Much to my dismay, she also informed me that results are not always permanent and that maintenance sessions may be necessary. With the treatments costing about $150 each, I prayed for permanence! I left the clinic that day with a tube of topical anesthetic (numbing cream) and an appointment for the following Monday.

As instructed, I applied the anesthetic to my chin thirty minutes prior to my appointment. When I slathered the cream onto my freshly shaved face, as instructed, at the red light of a large intersection, I began feeling a little nervous. If it was only “mildly painful,” why did I have to apply a numbing cream?

Palms sweating, I positioned myself into the treatment chair. The esthetician came in and handed me a pair of pink eye glasses. “For eye protection from the laser,” she said. She then donned a pair herself and went to work on me. The description of the pain I had read on the Internet, “a rubber band snapping against your skin,” was pretty close to how it felt, not unbearable, but certainly annoying. Over the course of twenty minutes she moved the laser gun systematically across my chin and jaw line. Afterwards, she applied some sort of soothing gel to calm the irritation.

Once home again, I inspected my chin in the mirror. Even though I had shaved, some of the hairs, looking rather fried, had literally popped out of their follicles. I could just pull them out. Slightly disgusting, nevertheless, this seemed like progress!

After four more rounds of treatments I am happy to say that I am virtually beard free! Now, when I kiss my husband I know I am just feeling his stubble, not our stubble.

To be continued…