It should come as no surprise to the many women affected by excessive facial hair growth that the unwanted hair is only one part of the challenge. Dealing with Unwanted Facial Hair (UFH) can involve much more than simply the efforts to remove the hair. UFH can be emotionally distressing for some women. In fact, in a recent survey, the vast majority of UFH sufferers surveyed (91%) agreed that UFH can have a negative effect on someone's quality of life. Many women with UFH feel extremely self-conscious about having UFH and are even uncomfortable discussing it with others including their own family doctor or other healthcare professional.
Your dermatologist and family physician will appreciate if you are open and honest about how you feel, not only physically, but emotionally, socially and psychologically. He or she will be able to confirm what you have is a common condition and that you are not alone. Most importantly, they will be able to help you to understand that your feelings are in fact valid. Studies report the anxiety and depression associated with excessive facial hair can affect quality of life in much the same way as a diagnosis of gynecological or breast cancer. Taking steps to treat UFH has been shown to help restore confidence and contribute to the overall well-being of those who are affected by it. Speak up: take charge of your overall health by addressing the issues, like UFH, that affect your day-to-day happiness. You are your best health advocate.
Preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time with your doctor. For Unwanted Facial Hair (UFH), some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
- What are other possible causes?
- Is it normal that my UFH is impacting my self-confidence and overall happiness?
- What kinds of diagnostic tests do I need?
- What are my treatment options?
- If the first treatment I try isn't effective, what will we try next?
- How much will treatment improve my physical signs and symptoms?
- Will I need to be treated long term?
- What are the possible side effects of the medications you're recommending?
- Will the medications you're recommending affect my ability to have children?
- How will you monitor my response to treatment over time?
- Are there alternatives to the primary approach you're suggesting?
- I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
- Are there any restrictions I need to follow?
- Should I see a specialist?
- Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What websites do you recommend?
Don't hesitate to ask your doctor any other questions you have about your condition.
