I don’t want to put my real picture, because I’m ashamed.  Chewbacca, Hairball, Grizzly, have all been nicknames of mine, and not for affectionate reasons.  I’ve had to shave my face twice daily for most of my teenage and adult years.  I had a permanent razor rash and black dots in my skin.

Baruch Hashem, I came up with enough money to have laser on my legs (I haven’t finished treatment yet) and electrolysis on my face.  I’d shaved so much that the red hair on my face became black, but because the roots were still red, laser wouldn’t work on my face.  Over the years I’ve spent thousands of dollars on treatments.  I still have hair on my face and other unwelcome places.  It’s better than it was, but I still need help getting rid of it.    

And that’s not the worst of it.  I had hair everywhere I didn’t want it, except for the top of my head! In high school, they took an aerial picture of us for the yearbook.  On my head, you see a bald spot the size of a yarmulke.  Even one of my educators seminary was like, “Can’t you take the hair from the sides of your head, and pile it on the top of your head?”

I also have severe osteoarthritis in my knees and borderline sugar problems which can all be attributed to PCOS.  I’ve lost fifty pounds and I do my best to eat right, but even if I do that, it’s very hard for me to lose that last 30 pounds because of the PCOS. 

I’m ashamed to go on shidduchim.  I don’t even want to think about how hard it is going to be for me to conceive, G-d forbid. 

I’m 30 years old and I’m a wreck.  Help. 

Three years, ago Mrs. S. began treatment for her PCOS related facial hair, at her own expense. She went for 8 sessions over the span of one year. She is now all clear, 2 years later.

If anyone would like to speak to her personally, she very kindly offered her time. Please send an email to info@pcosfund.com with your contact number and preferred time. Mrs. S. will be so kind and return your call.

I was diagnosed with PCOS at age 14.  The immediate signs were excessive facial hair, sudden obesity, lack of menstrual periods and other side effects due to the hormonal imbalance.

I got married at age 19.  I couldn’t conceive because I wasn’t ovulating. The OB/GYN performed tests to determine if I could conceive at all.  I can, but this hormonal disease targets different areas.  It has taken a huge financial toll on me, and it has taken a huge mental toll on me as well.

Insecurity, depression, and the stress of going to different doctors caused financial issues and marriage problems.

I couldn’t even let my ex-husband look at my face closely, nor touch it.  The hair on my face is not the only problem.  I keep my arms and legs covered because of the thick hair on them.  I was so desperate to get rid of the facial hair, I shaved.  Big mistake.  Then I tweezed.  Another big mistake.  I waxed as well but that isn’t permanent and can also make the hair much thicker, depending what part of the body it is.  Because I have olive skin and dark hair, from what I know, electrolysis is best for me.  But it’s very expensive, and with all of my financial problems, I can’t afford it.

Every single day (except Shabbos) I shave my face.  The hair grows every day from both sides of my face, chin, upper and lower lip area. 

For some this is just an image problem.  For me it’s a big deal.  No matter how confident a woman can be, it’s so unpleasant, so uncomfortable to have facial hair.  People stare at me like I’m some kind of a freak.  What I went through in my marriage and in the rest of my life is something that you, G-d forbid, can only live through to understand.

After I got divorced, I tried to look for alternative ways to get rid of the PCOS.  In 2005 I had an ovarian wedge removal.  They also scraped the ovaries of cysts.  This surgery, according to some doctors, was supposed to help the menstrual periods to come normally and diminish the facial hair.

It worked for six months.  The facial hair was getting thinner.  I got some periods with a few days’ delay, but now I’m back again in the same or worse situation.

Now I’m waiting for a new endocrinology treatment.  The usual Metformin treatment instead of helping me, caused me liver problems, along with other health issues.

Thanks for taking the time to read my story.

Located right near Monroe NY, a popular office for laser hair removal in the Orange County area.

(845)-783-2920 Dr. Joseph Tuchman, Dr. Steven Wolinsky, Dr. Hutman 503 State Route 208,  Monroe, NY 10950
http://www.orangederm.com (click for map) (click for forms download) (about the laser treatment)

Reduced price and superior service for our first profile, Malky - $450!

Thank you happyone for the referral.

I called this doctor’s office: Dr. Marc Avram. 905 5th Ave, New York, NY 10021-2650 (click for map) (212)-734-4007

Michelle, the nurse at at Dr. Marc Avram’s Office was happy to give me some more information:

• 5 – 7 treatments is recommended for a significant permanent reduction of 70% – 80% (manageable hair growth)
• 8 – 10 treatments for permanent hair reduction.
• Price: $350 per session.
• The doctor might consider a significant discount for treatments purchased in bulk.
• Dark hair and light skin has the best results. It is important not to be tan. Don’t do it while you are tanned, so you shouldn’t get discolored (white or dark spots on face).

Thank you, Dina Leffel for the referal:
Dr. Susan Katz, 1578 Williamsbridge Road 2nd floor Bronx, New York 10461 http://www.susankatzmd.com (718) 518-8888, Judy Heiser, office manager judy.heiser@verizon.net

Laser treatment

Treatment cost is a one-time expense of $2,000 - $3,000 (rough estimate). For a one-time investment, a woman can get her dignity and her life back in order; won’t you help be a part of this mitzvah?

The LMX Topical Anesthetic Cream needs to be applied before the laser treatment. It is available from Ferndale laboratories. We are trying to get some donated. The website is http://www.ferndalelabs.com

• 11 years of feeling self conscious every time I step out of the house
• 11 years of questions and comments from little 5 year olds to married woman.
• Boys and girls, they all want to know why I’m sprouting  a beard. what am I supposed to tell them?

Over the years I have tried many different types of hair removal options. I have waxed, did electrolysis, used creams, medications, bleach, tweezers and what not. I went to numerous doctors (before I was diagnosed with PCOS) and tried countless things. None of them helped for more then a couple of days, and then I started shaving.

In the beginning, I had to shave about once in 2 weeks but over the years it has gotten so bad that if I don’t shave it every other day I go out of my house looking like a guy who shaves.

I’m tired!

I’m tired of all those stares, the glances, the questions and the stupid remarks and comments. I’m tired of lugging around my shaving kit, creams, razors, extra blades and cotton balls. I’m tired of being afraid to go out to a party or wedding, when even after shaving there is still something noticeable.

I want this all to end.

There is only one thing left that I hadn’t tried yet. And that is Laser hair removal treatment.  Laser is the only thing that will hopefully clear me once and for all from this facial hair and from the embarrassment. But there’s a problem within the solution. Where does one get the money to pay for 3-4 sessions of laser treatment. One laser treatment session can cost anywhere between a few hundred dollars to $3,000 dollars for a permanent treatment.

My friends, we ask of you - Please join me in this quest! Donate some money, every dollar will help me look more decent and like the beautiful young LADY I can be!

Thank You and Tizku Lemitzvos!

Malky, April 2007