Dianette, PCOS & Facial Hair

LegacyUser

I was diagnosed with PCOS years ago. In the past two years I've finally come back around to having an almost regular cycle (although the first two days are severe).

Anyway, the one thing - above period problems, weight, etc - that just ruled my life was facial hair. Most people who know me or who have interacted with me won't know that it's a problem... they won't even know it's there, but it's at a cost.

I went through IPL for months, when it didn't work the salon manager said it 'might' be down to a slight red 'tinge' to the hair root.

So then I hit electrolysis.

For three years I had sessions three times per week.

There may have been a very slight improvement - but it's hard to tell because of the hair growth cycle... in the long term, as of right now, it looks exactly as it always does.

Right now I shave twice per day. One day per week I pluck as much as possible. I'd love to wax but I can't deal with the dark coarse regrowth needed.

I won't stay over at friends houses... or even share hotel rooms while on holiday... because of this. I won't stand beside anyone or anyway close to a person.

I went to my GP recently and said that I really wanted to try something. ANYTHING.

He is normally great so I'm going to put it down to a bad day, but he gave me a lecture about how it was really all in my mind, how it wasn't as bad as I thought (from across his desk with his glasses sitting on his prescription pad), how I'm only aware of it on other women because I'm self-conscious, blah, blah, blah.

Fast forward another couple of weeks. I'm in Holles St at a normal gyne appointment (because of the PCOS) and I explain this to the Doctor. She prescribes Dianette.

I was familiar with it. I knew it was used for acne, facial hair, etc. I heard both good and bad. I said I'd try it.

I'm nearly three weeks into my first pack. I am assuming it is a side effect but I am constantly starving. My stomach is full. I can't fit in another bite and I'm standing in front of the fridge looking for SOMETHING... ANYTHING!!! It never ends and it seems to be getting worse! My energy is really low. To the point where last week I took lunchtime naps in my car

I don't think I can continue with the Dianette. The doc said it would take 4 months before I could see a difference. I read some forums online and various people noted that their doctors advised them that it would take several weeks/months before their hormones settled down. Which makes sense.

It's just that I have struggled to lose an awful lot of weight because of the PCOS and I won't risk regaining any of it.

I would be interested to know if anyone else had similar side effects with it.

My smear is due soon and I'll talk to my (other, lovely, female) GP about it when I make the appointment.

I'm interested to know if there is a route out there I haven't looked at in regards the facial hair: IPL, Electrolysis, Vaniqa, (home) waxing, plucking, shaving, epilating and hair removal cream.

Is there some sort of magical nasa-grade laser that I don't know about?

I have VHI. Is there a mysterious expert out there who specifically deals with PCOS? Is it worth seeing a dermatologist?

Women of Boards! Lend me your wisdom!!!

(And if you read this far I really do appreciate it!)

Goldenlady

I feel your pain... Im not sure if I have any advice or helpful anecdotes, but I was in your exact position. I have PCOS, was put on dianette and to be honest, it certainly helped with the facial hair element. I suppose I had been on dianette so long, I didnt realise how good it was.... until I came off it three years ago (Clots in lungs, off pill for life!) Facial hair is a disaster now.... I just pluck, dont want to go down the waxing road as my hair itself if quite thick and coarse already, I believe it will be worse if I wax.
Like you, people say they dont see it and Im too conscious of it, but believe me, if I did nothing for a week they would certainly notice it.... I could possibly have a full goatee in a week, not kidding!

Im really not offering advice, but I just pluck its annoying but works. I would be very interested if you do find a better way...

Good luck
GL

LegacyUser

Ask your doctor if the Mirena coil is suitable for you, and would help in your situation. I have it at the moment, and the facial hair is better than with nothing (though not quite as good as when on the dianette).

The other thing to ask about is whether glucophage would be of any use to you (though the initial side effects can be rotten for a week or two until you're used to it). Ask your GP if a visit to an endocronologist would be of any use.

ChewChew

OP, sorry to read about your PCOS woes. Have to say, I've been on dianette for nearly 2 years now and I would be LOST without it. I don't suffer with facial hait at all, so I can't advise on that aspect but for me my issue was acne. And it took a good 3 months for it to improve and by god did it what!! It's a fantastic drug, so I would say to try and stick with it for as long as you can!

LegacyUser

Hi OP, I had similar problems and also tried everything you tried. IPL from a wellknown and expensive dermatologist - no effect. Vaniqa the same. Dianette too.

I finally had success on my second attempt at electrolysis. I had progress after 6 months of minimum 2x60mins per week. After 4 years I still need 30mins every 2 weeks. From what I've read, it does seem the most reliable method for most hirsute people. Did you get it done at a salon with a good reputation? Its important that it is done right, a lot of therapists don't do it correctly. Try get a recommendation from someone with excess hair if you didn't already. Did you stop plucking/waxing during that time? That would also hold you back.

By the way my GPs were not understanding at all either. One told me, 'sure a day in the sun would bleach it all!' My electrologist on the other hand was shocked the first time she saw me at how bad it was - which was embarrassing but at least she didn't think I was imagining things.

LegacyUser

I also wanted to add my experience with dermatologists (both with good reputations)

First one advised me to get electrolysis done and put me on Vaniqa. I did the electrolysis but was only doing 20 mins a week and didn't get anywhere. Vaniqa didn't help.

Second one did IPL which was ineffective and told me to get the root cause (PCOS) treated that he would not be able to do anything about that. He suggested seeing a endocrinologist (I didn't in the end).

lorebringer

I have PCOS, was on Dianette for ages (years!) and it did nothing for the facial hair. I was plucking and waxing the living bejesus out of my face (I won't even go into the sh!t skin I had at the time) just to keep on top of the growth.

Have since been on lots of different pills - Dianette, Cilest, Microlite, Cerazette, Yasmin... am currently on Yasminelle (had to be taken off Yasmin because my BMI was too high - I cried in the doctors office). So far, Yasmin has been the best pill for periods and hair growth, it was a small miracle. My periods have never been "normal" so I don't really know what to compare them to but they did get better crap, flow etc. wise. If you are unhappy with the pill you are on, ask about other options - there are so many out there and there could be one that works well for you.

On the hair removal situation - I use an epilator and I find it fantastic. It can be used on the face (apart from the eyebrows) and it's like a combo of waxing/plucking. I then go over and pluck any hairs it has missed (usually one or two). I use it twice a week, sometimes three times if I am having a bad week, but at the start I was using it nearly everyday. Once the hair growing back calmed a bit, I reduced the uses. It can also be used all over the body - legs etc. - and works great everywhere! I surprised myself as to how chained to hair removal I was but now I feel (a bit more!) freedom.

I have had people tell me it's all in my head too - and I knew it wasn't, I could see it! The weight gets me down a bit (I'm not huge or anything, but would be bigger than average (and being 4'11'' doesn't help) and hate how I look in the mirror) but the hair growth really got to me, just felt gross and unattractive (and unlike skin problem, it can't be covered!). I still have crap skin but get over that and am working on the weight (my big goal in life - bit sad!). There are loads of women out there struggling with the same stuff regarding PCOS but others just look at us and think "girlfriend needs to lose weight/wax/stop bitching about periods" and really don't understand. Keep on plodding away at it and hopefully you will find something that works for you!

tweety4386

I suffer with pcos also and one of my main characters is Hirsutism (excess coarse hair) and excess weight but because of my height 5,11 you wouldn't notice my weight except for the tummy area. Ive been of the pill for 2years now and was placed on glucophage and spermalactone to help with weight loss and excess hair and have found both work well. I get my facial hair waxed and in between waxing i pluck. Of course my hair is thick but i dont let it stop me for the small bits of hair i cant get with a tweezers i bleach so you wouldnt know i had the problem. Am going to try laser treament soon enough as really it is my last resort for treating the problem.
I think you should ask your doctor to make a appoinment with a endocrinologist as they have more knowledge of pcos then your normal gynae dr. I know i wouldnt of known im at risk of diabetes if it wasnt for the endocrinologist who explained everything on pcos in terms that i am able to understand.

LegacyUser

Hi guys I am so relieved to hear people have the same problem as me and I am not alone. One lady said how she can't share a hotel room or get too close to a person out of fear they will notice the hair- I am the exact same. It has been 2 years since you guys posted. Is there anything that has worked for ye? My doctor has put me on dianette and after reading all the reviews I'm terrified To start it. I've lost half a stone through tough exercise and dieting regime the last few weeks and would hate to put the weight back on. But then again the hair on my face has overtaken my life. I would be delighted to hear any words of wisdom. Thank you ladies x