I feel so bad

[LovebugLPN]

I just started working in an ab/gyn office and yesterday the doctor went in to see a patient. This young woman (approx 30 years old) asked the dr if there was anything that could be done about the hair around her nipples. She showed it to the doctor and it was dark hair that she obviously felt uncomfortable about. He told her nothing could be done because tweezing it would lead in ingown hairs and depilatories would be too strong to use in that area. His behavior seemed very uncaring. I was sure it must have been difficult for this woman to speak up. She looked so upset and the doctor and I left the room to allow her to get dresses. Can nothing really be done to remove this hair and could this be a sign of something more serious?

[CRNI-ICU20]

You are all starting to sound like my neighbor.....whom I hardly know....who told me that she dyes her pubic hair to match her head of hair....she said this to me without the benefit of alcohol or valium....HA! (people tell nurses anything....we are such safe listeners!!)

But....SINCE YOU BROUGHT THIS UP....AND I AM READING THIS AND RESPONDING....(oh...bruther)

tweezers hurt....laser is good

but the other issue you brought up is good!!

The increased hair growth on chin, chest, and other parts of the body could be a hormone imbalance, and the doc could be nudged?? to consider some blood tests? Like a pituitary gland that isn't working due to TUMOR??

Sometimes, after the birth/pregnancy a woman's body has trouble getting the hormonal balance back...and too much testosterone is being hung on to....and not enought estrogen and progesterone in balance...

This can be due to lots of reasons....but bear in mind, they are not to be just 'blown off'.....so I think your gut instinct about this woman was correct...

If she's getting whacky periods, or no periods....

If she's developing more male characteristics...like a deeper voice, etc...

If she's having weight changes that involve more muscle mass, and less body fat mass

If she's growing hair in places women usually do not grow hair

If she's changing metabolically.....like thyroid function...etc...

These are cardinal signs....

I would lean on that doc a little...and ask him in a nice way if he could reconsider doing some blood work on her....

you might throw in a few good articles on the subject....tell him you ran across these and 'they reminded me of so and so...thought you might like to see these, let me know what you think about them"....

He may not be approachable....

If she comes in again, or developes further symptoms....I would push for her to get some tests done....after all, you are her ADVOCATE....

good luck....and great question...heheheh!!

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

What is PCOS ???

I'm sorry. Poly-cystic ovarian syndrome.

The hair on the chest and chin is what immediately made me think of that...