Nova Galaxia from Virginia, USA, first noticed hair on her chin at the age of 12. Back then the girl was way more concerned with the aesthetic aspect of the problem. 4 years later she was diagnosed with a serious medical condition – polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

With time, the hair kept growing denser and thicker. For years Nova suffered mockery and taunts of her peers. She started to shave her face. Nova recalls:

The girl had to shave every morning before school. At sleepovers she would panic if she forgot her razors – she thought she couldn’t survive being seen with a beard.

It went on for 9 years. The girl had to shave chest and back as well.

But one day it changed. Nova Galaxia met a model, Ash Byrd. They found a lot in common and for the first time, Nova felt accepted for what she is.

The girl stopped shaving and started living a full life. She continues to wear dresses and puts makeup on. She also got involved in charity work.

Although scary at first, she says she now loves her beard.

What caused the hair growth on her face and body?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a health problem, which causes abnormal function of ovaries, leading to irregular or absent ovulation. One of the symptoms is an increase in androgens – male hormone, which in turn increase hair growth. Among other complications of PCOS, there is obesity, infertility, alopecia, acne, and depression.

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This condition affects one in 10 women of childbearing age. Unfortunately, PCOS remains incurable, and the only thing that can be done in this case is to relieve symptoms as they appear. 

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