PCOS Awareness Month
“As a woman with confidence issues, this is a total nightmare. ”
I was on my way out to dinner with some friends one evening this summer and I was feeling really good about how I looked. I had a cute summery outfit on, my hair was the perfect beach wave (the type of beach wave I feel like we all strive for), and I was in a great overall mood. I pulled my truck’s rear-view visor down to apply some lip stick and then it hit me… The eternal fear that I have been holding onto for SO many years. The fear that literally made me lose all my self confidence in not only how I looked but also how I felt. I was in such a good mood but now suddenly I was panicking… I forgot to pluck/shave my chin, moustache, and other facial hairs.
Now this may seem silly to some but as a woman with confidence issues this is a total nightmare. Just for context I am not talking one little blonde chin hair that no one sees (you know the one that’s literally 1-1/2” long that is just waiting to be noticed). I’m talking a mid-size collection of black hairs that everyone WILL take notice of and think “wow… she’s really let herself go” or “does she not wear her glasses, Markie literally has a goatee”.
So, the story above is a true story and it’s not the first time I’ve felt this way because to be honest, I feel this way about every other day when I look in the mirror which is why I decided to use my voice and talk about PCOS awareness month.
Many people know what this is because they either have it, know someone who has it, or have come across it by doing their own research but PCOS is a genetic, hormone, metabolic, and reproductive disorder that effects women and girls. I’ve known about having this disorder for many years because as a young girl I battled hormones constantly and often wouldn’t get a menstrual cycle for months and even years unless I was on birth control to regulate it. As I got older, I kept thinking… hmm it’s not so bad not having this annoying issue women face every month but as time went on my symptoms changed. I started putting on weight (that I can just never seem to lose). I grew hair from places that are not deemed “sexy” by society for a woman to have (it’s not just my face). I was moody, anxiety-ridden and often depressed because of my hormone fluctuation. There were/are so many other weird side effects that I was always trying to put a hypothetical bandage on to try and hide my little “secret”. Why I was trying to hide this and not speak out about it was mostly because I was embarrassed and to be honest, I’m still embarrassed.
PCOS effects about 5-10% of women and girls between the age of 15-44 or for some, during the years they can have children. There currently is not much treatment or even talk of finding a treatment for it because woman’s health and reproductive rights are somehow “non-essential” (this is just my opinion, some may disagree). I have had bad experiences with trying to manage my symptoms from having to be put on birth control permanently to control it or to be simply told to live with it (which neither of these are a solution because in my opinion once again, birth control is not healthy to be on for a long period of time because of side effects and to do nothing is well doing nothing).
I have gone to a naturopath doctor, and they did offer some suggestions which do help but unfortunately it wasn’t enough to diminish my major issues. On top of it all, if you read my blog post “A Year of Grief” you would know that I have fertility issues and have been longing to be a mom but have yet to be able to do so because of my PCOS and some other issues my husband and I face.
So, if I have your attention now, I urge you to be your own advocate for your physical and mental health. If you have an issue no matter how embarrassing or scary the issue may be, speak up. No one is going to do it for you, and this is the literal reason we have awareness months for causes because they aren’t getting the eyes from professionals who can help.
If you’re still reading this which if you are, thank-you once again for letting me share my truth and tell you about my untreatable hair growth, hormone issues and lack of menstruation. I find humour often helps me in these situations and I shouldn’t feel ashamed of any part of my PCOS disorder because it’s out of my control and I’m just trying to convert to the “societal norms” that are thrust upon us as women.
As always, I’m open to chatting about this further and sharing any resources I’ve found that have helped me become more aware that in return could help you or someone else you know with PCOS. Community and support are sometimes the best cure for the things that ail us and now that I’ve shared this, I feel like I no longer have to be so worried about hiding my facial hair.
Your friend,
Markie.