Have you ever seen a lady with substantial facial hair growth in this part of the world? Just as we have different views about several topics based on our culture, religion, and so on, we also have weird comments about bearded ladies.
While growing up, I was scared whenever I see females having hairs in their faces. It got bad when one of my subject teachers’ in the Primary school had hairs lining her chin which scared a hell out of me because of what I have heard about bearded ladies. My belief concerning ‘bearded females’ however changed when I got to learn more about Science.
In a country where our cultural and religious beliefs overshadow our thoughts, we have come to use spiritual matters to judge many things including people we see as ‘abnormal’. Females with facial hairs have therefore been stigmatized in the Nigerian culture.
Beliefs of Some Nigerians About Bearded Ladies
Here are what some Nigerians are saying about ladies who have naturally occurring beards;
“Its not normal for ladies to have beards. People assume that ladies with beards are difficult and can be wicked but I don’t believe this” _ Miss Ayo Spencer
“Before now, in the olden days, society attaches so many things to it (bearded females). Like saying women with beards don’t normally bear fruits (of the womb) or they are mostly wicked“_ Jacintha.
“Growing up, I remember watching movies in which women who have hairs growing on the chins were considered witches. Often than not, they were truly witches in those movies. It was then easy for me to assume that any female that has beards is possessed with a demon“_ Mr Bosun
“It’s principally caused by excess androgen hormones. Some women suffering from PCOS also have excess hair“_ Barrister Bukola.
“It is not the nature of ladies to have beards just like guys having boobs. I just believe people should be proud of whom they find themselves to be because that’s how nature wants it. I think it’s an abnormality no one could do anything about it.” _ Alunsi Obi
Facts About Bearded Lady/Woman
A bearded lady is a term historically used to advertise female sideshow performers with naturally occurring beards, however, the term is often genetically applied to any woman with substantial facial hair growth.
Ladies who have hair on their faces (moustache, chin, etc.) have a condition known as ‘Hirsutism‘, or alternatively ‘Hypertrichosis’.
Hypertrichosis is an abnormal amount of hair growth over the body which may occur in a male or female while Hirsutism excessive body hair in men and women on parts of the body where hair is normally absent or minimal.
Facial hair is in females is as a result of an underlying endocrine imbalance, which may be adrenal, ovarian, or central. It can be caused by increased levels of androgen hormones.
It can be treated and treatments include birth control pills that contain estrogen and progestin, antiandrogens, or insulin sensitizers.
It is also important to know that this condition affects between 5-15% of all women across all ethnic backgrounds. Research also state that approximately 40% of women have some degree of facial hair.
Bearded ladies should however not be stigmatized by seeing them as a alien, witches, or what have you.
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