Spearmint for Slowing Hair Growth

I have often heard positive things about using spearmint to slow down facial and body hair growth.  I wondered whether the claims were true, or if it was just another product hocked by the health-food and supplement industry to get us to spend our money.  Of course, when looking into a new product, I always check Amazon's Customer Reviews first.

First, I looked at spearmint tea.  I liked the reviews, so I decided to buy a box.  The tea was very good.  My plan was to drink 1 cup nightly before bed.  I'm not a big fan of hot beverages, particularly later in the day, so I did not stick with the tea for long.  I found myself forgetting to drink it, or just simply not wanting to bother with it.  In the end, I decided that the tea was not for me.

Then I found the spearmint capsules.  These were more my style.  I was able to simply swallow them and go on with my day.  Occasionally I took these on an empty stomach, which I do not recommend doing.  I burped up literal spearmint dust, and it was very unpleasant.  To avoid that, I just take the capsule with food or a good deal of water.  I did not notice any side effects at all, but that's not to say that there aren't any.  As with everything you put into your body, do your research.

Let's talk about my results.  Of course, since I didn't stick to the tea, I cannot offer you any real results.  But I can tell you what happened with the capsules.  I took them for two months.  Since I don't really have any excess facial hair, I decided to document my progress on my leg hair growth.  First, I took a photo of what the typical three days worth of hair growth looks like closeup (on the calf of my right leg).  Then after taking the spearmint capsules for two full months, I took another photo three days after shaving (again, on the calf of my right leg).  I was FLOORED.  I thought that I had "felt" less hairy, but I wasn't really sure as I shave my legs almost every day.  Letting the hair grow out and actually being able to see the proof in photographs was what really convinced me.  Here are the photos of my little experiment.  Both photos were taken of the same section of leg (right inner calf), and I tried my best to take them in the same spot at the same time of day (for similar lighting effects).  Please ignore the fact that my legs are SO white!  LOL  I don't get a lot of sun.

In conclusion, I think if you haven't yet tried spearmint to slow down your hair growth, you should probably give it a go.  No, it's not going to work for each and every person out there, but it's cheap enough to give it a try.


            

Birth Control & the Horrors of Cystic Acne

I had acne as a teenager.  Big surprise.  Most teenagers get acne.  I didn't really start breaking out until I was about 16, and at that point, my mom ordered me Proactiv.  It worked wonderfully!  My face was super-clear, and I had not an acne-worry in the world.  I used Proactiv for more than 10 years because "if it's not broke, don't fix it."

After I had my child I started taking the birth control pill, because I wasn't too keen on popping out more babies anytime soon.  I took the pill for about a year, and then stopped.  I wasn't try to conceive, and I was still using other methods of birth control, but I didn't want to deal with the hassle of the pill.  Shortly after stopping the pill, my face began to break out - BAD.  I wish I had pictures to show you just how awful it was, but at that time I was so self-conscious about the acne that I allowed no pictures to be taken of me at all!  The acne was primarily located on my cheeks and jawline.  The jawline was the most concentrated area.  My face was in constant pain.  More than once I was positive that I had a tooth or gum abscess because the pain in my jaw was so excruciating!  I remember telling my dentist once about my "tooth" pain only to find out (by x-ray) that the cause was not dental.  I spent hours trying multiple products, remedies, and supplements to help the acne and the horrible scarring it was leaving on my face!  I spent literally hundreds of dollars on more products than any one person should ever try.

Little did I know that the reason for my acne could be related to the birth control pill.  I stayed off the pill for two full years and suffered from this horrible, cystic acne the entire time!  When my doctor put me back on the pill, the acne improved drastically in a matter of months.  I was told that the acne would subside after I had been off the pill long enough for my body to adjust.  Well, that never happened.  In the two years I was off the pill, my body never adjusted.

Now that I've had time to reflect, I have been able to do some research about PCOS, the birth control pill, and how the two react to one another.  Many women have reported that their PCOS symptoms have improved with the birth control pill, but after stopping the pill, the symptoms have returned with a vengeance! Ah-ha!  Some women are lucky, though.  They can start the pill and stop the pill, and never really suffer any repercussions.  I wish I had known all this going in, because honestly, I would have never even started the pill.  I would have found another method of birth control from the beginning.  Because my body will never adjust now, I am pretty much stuck taking the pill indefinitely.  I wish I had it to do over, and I wish someone would have warned me.  If you don't absolutely have to take the pill, please don't start! 

Now, let me just share with you a list of things I tried for my cystic acne.  This is not a complete list; I am sure I am forgetting some, but it is everything I can remember using.  If only I could have that time (and that money) back!

SensiClear System
KlearAction System
Clearasil
Oxy Pads
Mama Lotion
M2 Skin System
Proactiv (Original)
Proactiv (Sensitive)
Avon Clearskin System
Avon Clearskin Professional System
AcneFree Kit (Original)
AcneFree Kit (Sensitive)
AcneFree Kit (Severe)
AcneFree (Terminator 10)
Equate Acne System
Clean & Clear Advantage
Yes to Tomatoes Acne Kit
Nature's Cure Papaya Skin Care System
Nature's Cure 2-Part Acne Treatment (Tablets for Females)
Nature's Cure 2-Part Acne Treatment (Tablets for Males)
Burt's Bees Acne Targeted Spot Treatment
Murad Vitamin C Products
Mario Badescu (Special Cleansing Lotion C)
Mario Badescu (Buffering Lotion)
Mario Badescu (Ance Facial Cleanser)
Mario Badescu (Drying Lotion)
Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Acne Wash
Neutrogena Acne Therapy System
Mejier-Brand Acne System
Thylox Sulfur Soap
Desert Essence Cleanser
Prid Drawing Salve
African Black Soap
2% Pyrithione Zinc
Hydrocortisone Cream
Diaper Rash Ointment
Preparation H
BioOil
Noxzema
Biotin Supplements
Tea Tree Oil
Lemon Juice
Egg Whites
Coconut Oil
Olive Oil
Aspirin (crushed with water and applied topically)
Toothpaste
Baking Soda
Apple Cider Vinegar
White Distilled Vinegar
Diluted Bleach
Witch Hazel
Chlorinated Water
Rubbing Alcohol
Hydrogen Peroxide
Aloe Vera
Rose Water
Tea, Black (applied topically)
Tea, Green (applied topically and taken internally)
Sunlight Exposure/Tanning

The Dangers of Biotin Overdose

If you have spent any time in a PCOS group on Facebook, you probably will have seen the term "Biotin" being thrown around.  Biotin is vitamin B7 (or also called Vitamin H).  It is used by people to grow hair quickly (or stop hair from falling out), reduce acne, and grow stronger, longer fingernails.  It is often recommended to those suffering from hair loss and acne due to PCOS.  I had heard about it a lot before I finally decided to take the plunge.  I had heard how it made your skin positively glow, and I wanted that effect, too!  So I bought a bottle of Biotin.  The Biotin I purchased had 1250mcg per pill, and I began to take one pill every morning.  I simply couldn't wait for my skin to glow, my hair to shine, and my nails to grow!  I was ecstatic!

Immediately after beginning the pills I began to get migraines, but it also coincided with the start of "Aunt Flow," so I determined the migraines were just regular hormonal headaches.  But "Aunt Flow" had ended and the headaches still persisted.  After about 1 week on the Biotin, I started to notice acne.  Bad acne.  Cystic acne like I haven't had in at least 2 years since starting the Spironolactone.  My face hurt badly, but I assumed that the "toxins" were working their way out through my pores and causing skin eruptions.  Two weeks after starting the Biotin, I noticed something very peculiar.  I was running my fingers through my hair, when I pulled out what looked like at least 15 hairs.  "That's certainly not normal," I thought.  I had an appointment to get my hair cut the following day.  When the beautician washed/combed my hair, she noted that I had a lot of hair loss for just a simple wash and recommended that I take some Biotin for it.  (Ironic?)  It was a few days later that I realized all these symptoms could be from the Biotin.

My doctor told me to stop the Biotin temporarily and see if it made any difference at all.  Immediately after stopping, the migraines were gone.  Hmmmm.  About 2-3 weeks after stopping, the acne started to clear up (though I have some pretty nasty scars I'm still working on).  Ahhhhh!  Then the hair loss!  It took over a month for the hair to stop falling out of my head!  It has started to grow back, and it's currently at that "omg-so-itchy" length that makes me scratch my head like I have lice!  *Shakes head*

So the doctor was right, as was my intuition.  Some people (albeit rare) can suffer from a Biotin overdose.  Not everyone has the same symptoms, either.  I have since done quite a bit of research on the effects (and side effects) of Biotin, and there are other unpleasant symptoms as well!  Some people have noted weight gain, increased appetite, higher blood sugar, and more stubborn insulin resistance!  WHAT?!?  As a woman with PCOS, those side effects are the very last thing I would possibly want! 

BIOTIN OD SIDE EFFECTS:
     - Headaches/Migraines
     - Acne or Skin Rash
     - Hair loss
     - Weight Gain
     - Increased Appetite
     - Raised Blood Sugar
     - Stubborn Insulin Resistance
     - Increased Thirst
     - Excessive Urination
     - Insomnia or Lack of Sleep
     - Diarrhea (Lovely!)
     - Eosinophilic Pleuropericardial Effusion (in extreme cases)

If you are looking to increase your Biotin naturally from foods (which is really how you should be getting your vitamins to begin with), there is a list of Biotin-rich foods that can help.  In fact, I regularly eat things from this list, so that's probably one of the reasons I overdosed on Biotin to begin with.  I never took into consideration all the foods I ate that already supplied me with Biotin!  I recommend getting your Biotin naturally when you can, and avoiding the supplement altogether if at all possible!

FOODS RICH IN BIOTIN:
     - Mushrooms
     - Tuna
     - Avocados
     - Salmon
     - Sunflower Seeds
     - Cheese
     - Peanut Butter
     - Cauliflower
     - Whole Wheat Bread
     - Sardines
     - Bananas
     - Soybeans
     - Beef
     - Yeast
     - Pork
     - Turkey
     - Egg Yolks
     - Organ Meats (Liver, Kidney, etc.)
     - Nuts (including nut milks)
     - Legumes
     - Milk
     - Chocolate (Um, YAY!)
     - Cereal
     - Carrots
     - Swiss Chard
     - Berries
     - Halibut

Chlorophyll for Keto Breath & Body Odors

For those of you who are eating low-carb or have ever done an Egg Fast, you may be familiar with the term "ketosis."  Ketosis is the state in which your body begins to burn fat.  For low-carbers, ketosis is "the place to be."  Because ketosis causes a breakdown of chemicals in your body, sometimes it can leave a nasty side effect - keto breath.  Keto breath is gross.  Imagine having morning breath.  All the time.  And at least 3x worse.  It's incredibly hard to get rid of keto breath.  You can brush, floss, gargle, and oil pull until you are blue in the face, but keto breath is one stubborn jerk.  As long as you are in ketosis, it will keep on comin' back!  Because the problem is internal, it's best to attack it internally.  Many people have reported using Chlorophyll as an internal deodorizer, and it WORKS!  Chlorophyll (if you remember your 1st or 2nd grade science class) is the stuff that makes plants green.  It comes in pill or liquid form.  It is used as an internal deodorant to treat not only keto breath, but also odors from sweat, gas, and shall we say "potty" odors.  It takes about 1-2 weeks to build up in your system completely, but from there on, it's smooth sailing.  The best thing about chlorophyll is that it is 100% natural.  You don't have to be in ketosis to use it, either!  Anyone can take chlorophyll!  People who sweat all time can use it.  People who love asparagus can use it!  People who live on garlic can use it!  Now, I will give you fair warning that it may turn your poo green for a while, so don't be too alarmed if that happens.  To avoid stomach upset, it's also best if you start with the lowest possible dose and work your way up. 

Now when someone accuses you of acting like your (*ahem*) stuff doesn't stink, you can cockily reply, "Nope! It sure doesn't!"  ;)

June 5, 2015 Giveaway! Free PCOS Jewelry!

I am SO excited about this Giveaway!  About a month ago, I commissioned some PCOS-themed jewelry at Rocker Girl Jewelry.  The items I received are absolutely GORGEOUS!  Over the next few weeks, I will be giving away these lovely jewelry sets (all have a different design, so stay tuned for more!).  If you'd like to enter the Giveaway, all you have to do is Like Us on Facebook, and Like/Share the Giveaway post on our Facebook page.  The winner will be announced on June 5, 2015. For further details, please see the "Terms & Conditions" section at the bottom of this post. This is the prize that the winner will receive:

PCOS Earrings & Pendant Set

Terms & Conditions:

One winner will be selected in a random drawing. No purchase necessary. This particular offer is only open to US residents. Only persons over the age of 18 are eligible, and you may be asked to provide proof of age or identity at any time. The offer ends on June 5, 2015.  The winner will be announced on Facebook and notified by Facebook PM on how to redeem his/her prize.  The winner will have 72 hours to claim their prize - no exceptions. If the prize is not claimed within 72 hours, a new winner will be drawn. Odds of winning will depend upon the number of eligible entries. The prize may not be exchanged for money or money's worth. Winner assumes all liability for any injury and/or damage caused, or claimed to be caused by participation in this promotion or redemption of any prize.

Have questions? Leave a comment!

PCOS by Any Other Name...

What's in a name?  That which we call "PCOS," by any other name would still suck.  ;)  Apparently, there is a group of people who want to change the name of PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) to something that doesn't focus so much on the "ovary" part of the disease.  They want to draw attention to the fact that it also has something to do with metabolic, adrenal, hypothalamic, and pituitary functions.  All in all, it's not a horribly bad idea.  However, if we're going to change the name of it, we need to stick with whatever we decide.  After all, it's already been changed once from "Stein–Leventhal Syndrome."  I don't care if they change it or not, honestly, but I'm NOT changing my blog name! 

To read the full article, click here.

PCOS Tote - Stand Tall & Proud!

Show your support for PCOS with this tote that reminds us to be like trees, standing tall and proud!

PCOS Tree Tote - Stand Tall and Proud by Emmys_Place
Check out Pcos Bags online at zazzle

PCOS Water Bottle

Here is a great way to get your daily water and support PCOS at the same time!

PCOS Strength Water Bottle by Emmys_Place
Check out another Water Bottle

Meal Replacement Protein Shake Comparison

I love meal replacement shakes!  They're the easiest thing I can make/eat for breakfast, and they are down-right tasty!  I especially like that they can be prepared and taken with you if you are in a hurry.  I have tried so many different kinds, and I have charted a comparison for the 10 most popular ones.  If you're considering a meal replacement or protein shake and have no idea where to start, I hope this chart can help you decide which shake is right for you.

Of all the shakes I have tried, ViSalus is by far my personal favorite!  The taste is amazingly sweet for a shake with so few carbs!  Some of the tastier shakes only taste so good because they are loaded up with sugar.  If you're trying a low-carb lifestyle (generally under 20g carbs daily), stay away from both Shakeology and Slimfast as they will both use up more than half of your daily carbs by the end of breakfast.

Some of these shakes may contain soy, which some people believe is bad for PCOS.  Go here to see why soy is not bad for PCOS.  Not convinced?  Take a look at this article!  Need one more?  Try here!  But if you're still not willing to risk it, I have included data to show you which ones do contain soy as a primary protein source if you are trying to avoid it.  Obviously, any person can have adverse reactions to any food, so always monitor yourself and what you are consuming.  I personally have no issues with soy and consume small quantities (generally under 10g) almost daily.  For me, it has not hindered weight loss or fertility.  It should also be noted that the FDA recommends the daily intake of soy to not exceed 25 grams.

 

BRAND (Click to View)	PRICE (monthly)	TASTE	CALORIES (per serving)	PRIMARY PROTEINS	PROTEIN (grams)	NET CARBS (grams)
ViSalus	$49.99		90	Soy & Whey	12g	2g
Designer Whey	$24.99		100	Whey	18g	6g
Shakeology	$129.99		130	Whey & Pea	16g	11g
Slimfast Protein	$39.90		110	Whey	7g	11g
Quest Protein	$37.78		100	Whey & Casein	22g	3g
Dream Protein	$29.22		86	Whey	20g	3.4g
Syntrax Matrix	$29.95		110	Whey & Casein	23g	2g
Pure Protein	$27.99		150	Whey	25g	8g
Isopure	$42.79		210	Whey	50g	0g
Ensure	$34.99		130	Whey & Casein	20g	9g

*For the sake of simplicity, I only rated the Vanilla flavor of each brand.  The price for each shake is an average and may change over time.  I rated the taste according to my own personal palate, which means that some flavors that I find enjoyable, others may not (and vice versa).  Calories, protein, and carbs are all established before adding additional ingredients (such as milk, almond milk, fruit, veggies, etc.).

May 2015 Giveaway! FREE Shakeology 3-Pack!

Would you like to win the May 2015 Giveaway? How do you enter? Easy... all you have to do is Like Us on Facebook and Enter the Giveaway by clicking here and following the required steps. The winner will be announced on May 15, 2015. For further details, please see the "Terms & Conditions" section at the bottom of this post. This is the prize that the winner will receive:

Shakeology Samples 3-Pack

Terms & Conditions:

One winner will be selected in a random drawing. No purchase necessary. This particular offer is only open to US residents. Only persons over the age of 18 are eligible, and you may be asked to provide proof of age or identity at any time. The offer ends on May 15, 2015.  The winner will be announced on Facebook and notified by email on how to redeem his/her prize.  The winner will have 72 hours to claim their prize - no exceptions. If the prize is not claimed within 72 hours, a new winner will be drawn. Odds of winning will depend upon the number of eligible entries. The prize may not be exchanged for money or money's worth. Winner assumes all liability for any injury and/or damage caused, or claimed to be caused by participation in this promotion or redemption of any prize.


Have questions? Leave a comment!

To Low-Carb or NOT to Low-Carb?

One of the most frustrating aspects of PCOS is figuring out the perfect diet for your body.  Everyone's body is different, and some things will work better for some than others, but with PCOS you will hear people talking quite a bit about a low-carb lifestyle.  Some people with PCOS swear that living low-carb is the only way they can take off weight (or keep it off).  Others swear that carbs don't matter in the slightest, and it's a solution as easy as "eat less, move more."  But who is right?  Of course, it depends entirely on the individual, but the truth usually lies somewhere in between for most of us.

The biggest drawback of living low-carb is that when carbs are too restricted, generally others areas become unbalanced.  Carbohydrate restriction can increase fat, cholesterol, and sodium while it can decrease fiber, energy, and water.  Does this always happen?  Absolutely not!  Cutting down your carbs (especially the bad ones) has very healthy results in most cases - and this is true in people without PCOS as well!  The trick is to find your middle ground.  Never eliminate your carbs!  It is dangerous and will not give you the results you desire if your goal is to become healthier.  When you do eat carbs, try to make them the "good" kind and as with everything in life, don't overdo.  If you have trouble identifying which carbs are "good" and which are "bad," check the fiber content.  If a food has a high fiber content, it is usually the "good" kind of carbohydrate.  Whole grains, beans, veggies, fruits are all examples of "good" carbs.  Keep those carbs!  Get rid of the refined (white) foods like white breads, white pasta, white rice, white flour, etc. Another thing to cut down on is unnecessary added sugar.  Does this mean that you can't eat that decadent fudge at Christmas that you utterly adore and look forward to all year long?  No!  But you can make it a point to eat less of it - and if you really want to make it worth your while, you might even want to add a little extra activity to the days that you do indulge in such goodies.  These little pleasures should be considered "treats" and not "cheats." 

Make healthy choices and substitutions where and when you can.  There are things in life that I cannot, nay, will not, live without.  One of those things is chocolate.  Instead of giving up chocolate altogether, I have made some lifestyle changes so that I may still be able to enjoy it on a semi-regular basis.  First, I have switched to dark chocolate, which is much better for you than the milk chocolate variety.  Second, I watch my portion size.  Instead of eating a 1/2 bar (or a whole bar on especially "sinful" days), I stop after a couple of squares.  Third, I don't just mindlessly devour it.  I love chocolate.  I enjoy it.  I savor it.  I take smaller bites, eat it slowly, and actually taste it.  I think it's made me appreciate chocolate more, particularly if we're ever going to have a chocolate shortage.  *Gasp*  At the end of the day, I'm a firm believer that you can enjoy anything you want in moderation, but that you should still try to be wise in your day-to-day food choices. 

New Facebook Page!

I have finally made an official Facebook page for this blog!  It's about time, innit?  I'm still building it up, but you can visit and/or like it.  Do it now!  Go there!  Like it!  :P

Like/Follow Polycystic (I'm Over It) Syndrome on Facebook!