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.