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facial hair

Hi Wray
I have found your site very helpful and wanted to get your perspective on my issues.
A little history: I’ve never had PCOS (my symptoms searches often lead to that), out of the ordinary cycle troubles (besides some months with heavy bleeding and cramping but nothing over the counter meds couldn’t help), or weight issues. I have 3 children. I have had a miscarriage and an ectopic pregnancy. In my mid to late twenties I began developing facial hair and causing me to major stress. I have noticed over the years a pattern during my cycle that there was less growth but didn’t keep an accurate account so I can’t be certain of when during the cycle it was less growth. A few weeks ago I was thinking back to the ectopic pregnancy. During that time my dr gave me progesterone. It was during taking it, my facial hair cleared up and I remember feeling very calm. After recently recalling that, I did some research on progesterone and came across your site and ordered immediately.
From reading on your site I have other things I feel the need to share:
I was on birth control pills in my early twenties.
During stressful times I have a major increase in facial hair growth.
My growth is primarily on my chin and my neck. I do have some on my upper lip but waxing keeps that under control.
I do believe I have blood sugar issues- I get shaky between meals and if I eat something sweet, I feel better.
I’m still breastfeeding. Even though I wasn’t having periods, I started the cream as soon as it arrived. Then a few days later I got my first period. Is it likely that the progesterone that I just started using made me start back or just a coincidence that it happened at the same time? Is it safe to use it while nursing? She nurses 6-8 times a day.
I’m applying the cream 3-4 times a day and using around 200-250 ml.
As I mentioned, I just started my period back after an absence of about 22 months. Should I stop using it after ovulation? So far with this period it has been very heavy but no cramping. I’m pretty surprised and hoping it the cream working!
I am desperate to get this facial hair under control! What is your recommendation for me on using the cream (my whole cycle, part of the cycle??)? Do you have any other ideas on what I can do?
I apologize for the length. Thank you in advance for any help or insight!

Comments for facial hair

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Apr 25, 2012
 facial hair
by: Anonymous

Also interested in comments to this post.
Apr 25, 2012
 facial hair
by: Wray

Hi there Firstly let me reassure you we never use names unless the person gives it. We also never give emails on the site, as it invites spam. It's interesting your symptom searches lead you to PCOS. Apart from the hair problem, you don't seem to have any issues with it. The excess hair is caused by testosterone, has anyone thought to check your levels? Each month women make more androgens than oestrogen, luckily most of it is converted to oestrogen by the enzyme aromatase. Otherwise we'd be as hairy as men! It's very interesting you had an ectopic pregnancy, and that you should have requested progesterone. The few papers I've found on ectopic pregnancies all say progesterone is low. But oddly they say it's a result of the ectopic pregnancy, I believe it's the cause, see here, here, here, here and here. The very long BMJ paper is more a synopsis of ectopic pregnancies, but oddly no mention is made of progesterone, only hCG. One thing I find interesting is they said it's increasing, this could well be due to the low vitamin D levels that are now being found the world over. Vitamin D is essential for normal cell functioning. It's also significant that the facial hair cleared up, progesterone does suppress excess testosterone. It's also a very calming hormone, whereas oestrogen is an excitatory hormone. I had facial hair in my late Peri-menopause years, which I found embarrassing too. I had it waxed off once only, as I broke out in spots after it! It all stopped growing after I started the progesterone, which I only found when I was about 48. Progesterone is dropping during P-M, very low in late P-M, but testosterone and oestrogen are still being secreted. Stress drops progesterone levels, so it's understandable the hair growth increases then. Blood glucose problems are widespread, often caused by Insulin Resistance. This in turn is caused by a lack of vitamin D, excess oestrogen and/or testosterone. I'm delighted you're still breastfeeding, I fed my daughter until she was three. It is safe to use it while you are, see here.
Continued below.
Apr 25, 2012
 facial hair Part 2
by: Wray

Hi there Although you're no longer pregnant, you might like to read the page we have on Pregnancy. It's impossible to tell if the progesterone caused the bleeding, or it was a coincidence. Periods can start from 8 weeks after birth if not breast feeding, to 20 months or more if breastfeeding. I'm so pleased you're using a good amount of progesterone, too little only causes adverse symptoms. I'm pleased too you didn't get cramping during your period, progesterone is a potent analgesic. You might like to see our page on Menstruation, it explains heavy bleeding. One of it's roles in the uterus while pregnant is to keep it quiet', ie it suppresses the inflammatory cytokines and hormones which cause contractions. Normally progesterone should be used from ovulation, ie when we are also making it during the 12-14 day luteal phase, and stopped once we bleed. But I feel your most urgent issue is the facial hair, so suggest you use it daily, through any bleeding. Try this for 2-3 months to get progesterone levels up, I do hope it helps. We do have more info on our page How to use progesterone cream. Please have your vitamin D levels checked. I have this theory that it also stops facial hair, but have to do more experiments with it. For more info on vitamin D levels, test kits etc see the Vitamin D Council, GrassrootsHealth, Birmingham Hospital and Vitamin D Links websites. Blood levels should be 70-100ng/ml or 175-250nmol/L and not the 30ng/ml or 75nmol/L most labs and doctors regard as adequate. The minimum daily dose should be 5000iu's per day, although the latest research indicates it should be 10,000iu's per day, see here. Take care Wray
Apr 27, 2012
 Thank you
by: Anonymous

I just wanted to thank you for your response. I am definitely upping my Vitamin D and continue with the cream.
Apr 27, 2012
 Contact
by: Anonymous

Wray- can you please contact me via my email address? I have a concern that I don't want to post. Thank you!
Apr 28, 2012
 Contact
by: Wray

Hi there I've sent you an email, hope you have it by now. If not please look in your junk box. Take care Wray
May 02, 2012
 constant bleeding
by: Anonymous

Hi Wray, ive been using the Natpro for 6months or more. I turned 52 mid March. For the last couple of months i have constant bleeding, not a lot just enough to be very annoying i usually only need use a panti liner. The bleeding seems to be old blood, brown in color instead of red. when i first started the Natpro i would measure the amount using an actual teaspoon 2 times a day but as of late i just put a good size dollop in my palm and rub it in my inner thighs or lower belly. should i be using more, less or what? This is really starting to concern me, have you ever heard of this problem before? your response will be greatly appreciated.
May 03, 2012
 constant bleeding
by: Wray

Hi there It appears you're right at the end of Peri-menopause when cycles not only become disrupted but have an odd turn to them too! I never had the constant slow 'drip' but I did experience spotting some cycles, to be followed by an embarrassing waterfall 2 weeks later! The old brown blood coming away appears you've had a build up which has not fully bled away in the normal fashion. Are you using it daily, through any bleeding, or trying to follow your cycle? I use a dollop now too, never measure it, but suggest you use at least 200mg/day (6ml of cream) or more. This might stop it, although I can't guarantee it. Alternatively if you are following your cycle, use at least 200mg/day the few day before you should have a period, and then stop. This higher amount (that's if you're using less now), should cause the lining to shed, including the old blood. You could also consider taking 2000mg/day N-acetyl cysteine. This inhibits the MMPs which break down the lining. There's more info about this on our Menstruation page. There's no need to only rub it on your thighs or belly, it's excellent for the face too, see here. The skin comprises 95% kerotinocytes, these have ample progesterone receptors. Plus the hair follicles absorb it well too, see here. Take care Wray
Jun 21, 2015
 Imbalance from extreme anxiety
by: Anonymous

Hi Please can I e mail you. You helped me before. Belinda
Aug 16, 2015
 Facial hair
by: Anonymous

I hv been reading all these comments and see you say progesterone rrduces tostesterone and facial hair .i hv a lot of facial hair on chin and neck its really getting me down i am a serial plucker now and ruining my skin .of i leave it it almost makes a goaty beard. I hv been on the progesterone only contraceptive pill gor about ten yrs i dont hv periods which is good my boobs are a lot bigger and i hv put on some weight . I always had hair on top lip which i wax out but the hair on chon and neck only really started and is getting worse and worse when i started the progesterone pill . Please help
Sep 07, 2016
 Facial hair
by: Anonymous

Hello. I am a 24 year old woman who has facial hair on lip, chin, and neck. I have had my testosterone checked and it was "normal". My doctor said my hair folicles are sensitive to testosterone? I find this hard to believe. However, a little back story, 4 years ago went 3 months without a period. During this time my facial hair started to appear. I Was put on birth control to jump start my period. I gained a 35 lbs. Decided I didn't want the animal hormones in my body and I have now been off the birth control for a year and a half. I have lost all the weight I gained but, the facial hair is still a problem. I have tried laser hair removal, electrolysis, waxing, plucking, shaving, and spironolactone. Will this cream help? I clearly am willing to try anything.

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