Thread: abnorml hair growth, stress and absent period

Hi,

I am 26, fair skinned and have alot of longish hair on my inner thighs, back of legs around my anus and vagina. It is quite long and on the vaginal mound it is very course and bushy like mens.
I also have a line of hair on my stomach leading to the navel.

I have felt very ashamed about this ever since puberty, and it has deterred me from having sex and entering into relationships. While I look perfectly normally, and quite attractive in other ways, I also dont feel feminine beacause of this and it is heart breaking.

The hair has become thicker as i got older and over the last year i also have developed very fine fair hairs appearing on my upper lip (above mouth). But it is not very noticble.

I thought it was PCOS - but had my ovaries checked, and they are fine. My hormone levels also appear normal. However I have not only had 3-4 periods over the last 2 years.

I feel extremeley stressed alot, and have been living in many countries over the last few years, in highly busy work.

I also was also diagnosed with hyperthyroidism some time ago, and have developed a small amount of lumpy tissue around the notch in my throat. I also have some other lumpy glads around my groin that have become somewhat sensitive.

I am a size 38, so not at all underweight.

I try to wax/shave my thighs and vaginal area but my skin is very senstive, and reacts badly with ongoing redness and ingrowns. I have heard about laser treatments for hair. Do they work for everyone?

Can anyone think of a reason this could be happening?
I am very embarrased about going to gyno and waxers etc.
It is having a big impact on my self image, relationships and confidence.

Please, help a sister in need.
Thank you.

I'm kind of wondering about the thyroid issue, is it possible the medication has sent you slightly hypo instead? That can create excessive hair growth. It seems odd you've only had a handful of periods in the last few years too, did they check all hormone levels or just a couple? If they haven't checked them all I'd ask for a full hormone test. Stress could play a part in that but it wouldn't create the hair growth. The other thing is that some people are just naturally hairier than others.