Hi there.

I suffer with PCOS and have facial hair that makes me so miserable and self conscious. I hate that i started shaving the hair on my neck and now it looks awful and i have the dreaded 'shadow'.
I was wondering if any anyone knows whether laser hair removal is available on the NHS in the UK? I cant afford it myself and until i get it done im never gonna be happy.

answer:no it isnt because its considered "cosmetic"

the nhs wont pay for cosmetic things. then i told the doctor, "howcomes the NHS do cosmetic inplants?"... and he told me that the NHS doesnt do laser hair removal. i told them that the same way that people without breasts have psychological issues, so do people with excess body hair... his reply: the only thing he can do for me is give me tablets and i didnt accept them. i dont have PCOS nor am i a hirsute, but i didnt take them because i dont want to upset the normal functioning of my hormones. my hormone levels are normal and there are bad side effects.

so basically, NO they dont do it, which is a shame, but now im thinking about getting private medical health care done and get lsaer done by that... but by the time i do that it would take a long time so ive decided to go for laser when ive scraped enough cash

good luck sister! and if you do get it done by the NHS let us know because id like to get it done too

Hey,

I have medical insurance in the UK and they have told me that they wont cover Laser unless you have an underlying hormonal problem. And also they will not cover existing conditions. So talk to the insurance company before you pay for your cover as they dont all pay for hair removal.

For those on NHS here is a link that will be of interest to you.

NHS

hi hi there, i also suffer from pcos and feel like it controls my life i find it hard to be conifdent because i have also got facial hair i also have hair on my stomache n lower back. i dont think laser is on the NHS but think it should. its not our fault we have pcos so y is no one helping us to feel normal and helping us to fit in with our community x

Hi

I am also in the UK and had always hoped that electrolysis would be made available on the NHS. I was told by my GP that this was not the case. Despite having to shave on a daily basis due to PCOS, the clinical need for treatment is not addressed.

It is my understanding now that it is dependant on which PCT you fall under & it also seems possible to attain 'exceptional funding' under some circumstances, via a case presented to the local INNF panel (for Interventions Not Normally Funded).

I should think this would be made available to those with hormonal disturbances on diagnosis but hey who am I?

It would always be dependent on just how willing your health care professional is to go to bat for you on getting you the treatment you require.

It is the same in the US, in that it is technically covered, but one will only get it if the doctor will fight for you, and you won't let them put you off with delays and false denials.