ask: Why am I getting hair in new places (e.g. neck, chest, nipples)?

Anon - It's hard to know what you're dealing with. It may be as simple as a shift in hormones that's sparking the hair growth, or you could be dealing with Hirsutism which is a term used for excess hair growth in women and children.This can be caused by a number of factors, including:

* Polycystic ovary syndrome
* Defects in the enzymes made by the adrenal glands
* Ovarian tumors
* Adrenal tumors
* Some forms of Cushing's syndrome
* Luteoma of pregnancy
* Excess growth hormone
* Certain drugs, including:
o Minoxidil
o Cyclosporine
o Phenytoin
o Anabolic steroids
o Diazoxide
o Progestin-containing medications
o Oral contraceptives
Symptoms and signs of some disorders associated with hirsutism may include:
* Excess hair growth (on the face, arms, legs, or chest)
* Abnormal or absent menstrual periods
* Decreased breast size
* Male-pattern baldness (in a woman)
* Deepened voice
* Increased size of clitoris
* High blood pressure
* Enlarged ovaries
* Enlarged adrenal glands
* Abnormal cholesterol and glucose intolerance

I'd suggest reading our reference information on this topic to find out more about it. http://www.empowher.com/condition/hirsutism

Do you have any other problems besides the hair growth or are you generally in good health?

I feel pretty healthy for the most part.However, I think I may have a couple other symptoms which could be related to this.... I have a non-stop yeast infection...I mean beyond chronic. I've tried the diconazole/fluconazole pill, monastat, etc.Since eating yogurt hasn't really done the trick, I want to try the plain yogurt on a tampon trick...

I also get these swollen sub-cutaneous cysts on my thighs, bikini line, labia, and arm pits, as big as a grape at times. (oh, and tiny ones on my nipples) At first I would go to the doctor to have them drained, but now I pop/drain them myself. a lot of times the won't pop at all. they never really go away either, they just swell up (usually around the time I'm ovulating) and then reduce. I have had some of them for years. Sometimes tender to the touch, sometimes not.

I haven't shaved my bikini line or armpits in years.

I've asked my Drs. for years and they all say not to worry about it. Though, I go to the student health center at my university and question their diagnosis. Should I just pop them? I don't want staff infections... also, i'm a healthy weight... no folds. I'm also pretty clean - daily showers.