“We feel rejected”: experiences of women with hirsutism consulting physicians

Abstract

The aim of the study was to describe how women with hirsutism experience their relationship with health care. Data were collected by tape-recorded individual interviews, which were analyzed by means of qualitative content analysis. The results showed that the relationship with health care, from the perspective of patients with hirsutism, is suboptimal.

Declaration of interest: There are no competing interests.

Current knowledge on this subject

• There are no previous studies addressing the patient-physician relationship involving women with hirsutism.

• It takes a great effort for women to seek health care.

• Women with hirsutism often have low quality of life, low self-esteem and are often depressed.

What this study adds

• The women call for information about the condition and to be offered medical treatment.

• They feel rejected when referred to self-treatment, to other physicians and when they are not taken seriously.

• They feel ashamed when showing their hairy bodies to the physician.