Invisible illnesses disrupt millions of women's lives, but one segment on "The Doctors" showed how devastating a diagnosis can be. The December 7 episode featured Diamond, a Black woman who began sprouting facial hair at age 15.
She said she shaved once a week, but the facial hair became uncontrollable in 2013. That's when her life completely changed.
"About three years ago, it started getting really bad. I had to start shaving every day," she said on the show. "I've tried hair removal creams, waxing, but every day, it comes back. It takes me about three hours to get ready. I shave my beard, I pluck my sideburns, and start to do my makeup trying to get the perfect coverage."
No matter how much effort Diamond put in, the facial hair grew back every night. The excess hair led to relentless bullying.
No matter what I do to hide it, people still notice. When I go into stores, I do see the stares, looks, comments. I've moved from job to job to job to get away from the bullying. I haven't been to a doctor because I'm embarrassed. I fear what the results might be. If I never would have shaved my face, maybe it wouldn't have grown as bad as it did. What mistake did I make?
While Diamond's situation seems unique, the actual diagnosis is familiar for millions of women: She has polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal disorder that impacts 5 million women, according to the PCOS Foundation.
Some of the symptoms of PCOS include increased weight gain, painful ovarian cysts, and of course, excess facial hair.
Fitness blogger Tina Marie-Beznac drew attention to the invisible illness on Facebook by sharing photos of herself shaving her face.
"I've always been super self-conscious about it, but really just have to put this out there because I want create more awareness around this syndrome and how much it can impact someone's life especially if they don't know they have it," she wrote.
Similarly, Diamond sharing her experience on "The Doctors" will surely reach women who are also struggling with the illness.
She's already getting support from high-profile PCOS sufferers, like model Harnaam Kaur.
The 24-year-old model recently won a Guinness World Record for being the youngest woman with a full beard. She shared Diamond's story on her Facebook page with a message of support: "I just want to hug her, I know her pain and journey! She is still soooooooo beautiful!"
Plus-size model Tess Holliday also supported Diamond on Facebook:
This makes me so sad. My beautiful friend & Effyourbeautystandards admin Harnaam Kaur has PCOS & a lady beard (what she calls it) & she loves it! It's transformed her life, heck she is in the Guinness Book of World Records because of it. Please embrace who you are & realize that you are perfect the way you are.
Now that's a message we can all get behind.
Watch Diamond's full segment on "The Doctors" below:
