QuestionHello,
I'm Darlene from Canada. I have an embarrassing question and I find it easier to ask over the internet than in person. My husband and I have been trying for 12 months now to get pregnant. I'm 34 and know that we will likely have to get some help now if we are ever going to get pregnant since we haven't had luck. I've used Ovulation Prediction sticks that do show an LH surge each month and then this is confirmed by a basal body temperature rise a few days later. I've done this for 12 months. I have periods regularly (almost always 28 days apart). The only problem I know I may have is low progesterone as I have spotting a couple days before my period and ovulate a little late (sometimes day 15 - 17).
I have delayed seeking help as I have heard you have to go very often (daily) for cycle monitoring, etc. I've always had a problem with excess body hair (excess dark hair and light skin and some in places where females don't usually have hair). I know this could be a sign of PCOS, but I also have regular periods and am not overweight and have no insulin resistance so I don't know if I would have that. It is nearly impossible for me to have smooth legs/bikini line/stomach/rear every day as I can shave one day and if I shave I get terrible bumps due to the thickness of the hair. The next day it is impossible to shave again.
I'm very embarrassed by this and can't imagine going to the fertility clinic daily and having the staff and doctor seeing this hair. My question is - have you ever come across this before - are there other women like me. Am I being silly for putting off treatment due to something like this? I've always been embarrassed about this.
Thank you.
AnswerHello Darlene from Canada,
I don't think that you need to feel embarrassed about showing your body to your doctor. We would not be offended nor surprised by anything, especially body hair. There are certain racial groups that tend to have increased body hair, and if the hair is dark it is more visible. Almost all women have body hair but the lighter racial groups, such as northern Europeans, have blond hair so that it is not readily visible. Increased hair is seen in middle eastern races, southern Europeans, Latin races, Africans and certain Asian races. So in answer to your last comment, I think you are "being silly for putting off treatment due to something like this". In addition, infertility evaluation and treatment does not require daily visits. It does require interval visits and certain types of treatment will require daily visits as you get close to ovulation (such as IVF).
If you hair is so significant to have this affect on your persona, you might want to consult a dermatologist or plastic surgeon for treatment. There are various treatments that can be used such as a medication called "Vaniqa" in the U.S. or laser hair removal. The latter is almost permanent, but may require repeat visits.
Good Luck,
Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
for additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com check me out on twitter with me at @montereybayivf and facebook @montereybayivf
