💪 The Hairy Chin Newsletter #15

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Hello and Happy Monday to everyone!

Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s edition:

• Your Advocacy Toolkit: The Reality of Self-Advocacy

• Body Talk 101: What Wrinkly Fingers Can Mean For Your Health

• Health Truths: When IBS Isn’t IBS…

• Told By Her: ‘Doing Harm’ by Maya Dusenbery

Let’s learn together! 💪

Spencer Moore
Founder, The Hairy Chin
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The Reality of Self-Advocacy

This week, I’m not handing out another checklist - no appointment hacks, no prep tips - just a moment to name the truth.

Self-advocacy is powerful work - but it’s not easy. In fact, it’s pretty darn hard.

It takes a toll that’s hard to describe. It’s not just the symptoms, it’s the second-guessing, the silence in exam rooms, the exhaustion of feeling unseen. It’s carrying the weight of your own care while trying to hold everything else together.

And here’s what most people won’t say out loud: no one can walk this path for you. You are the only one in your body, the only one who can feel what’s off, what’s missing, what’s not right. And while that kind of awareness can be empowering, it can also feel isolating.

But here’s what’s also true: you’re not alone. Even if it sometimes feels that way. There are women (so, so many women) who know exactly what that weight feels like. And we’re walking this path beside you.

So whether you’re in a season of speaking up, or one of resting, listening, and rebuilding your strength - it’s still self-advocacy. You’re doing what you can with what you have, and that’s more than enough.

The Bottom Line: This journey is hard. But you don’t have to do it all at once, or alone. Keep going, in your time and in your way. 💪

Why Your Fingers Wrinkle In Water & What Your Skin Might Be Telling You

Ahh those pruney fingers and toes from summer pools, baths and frolicking in the salt water at the beach. But why do they wrinkle? And can it mean different things for different people? Let’s ‘dive’ in!

Research shows that water-induced wrinkling is not just your skin absorbing water, it’s actually a nervous system response. When submerged, your sweat ducts open, triggering nerve signals that cause blood vessels to constrict. This creates 'volume loss’ beneath the skin, pulling it into folds. And here’s what cool, this change appears to improve grip in wet conditions. Evolution at it’s best, right?!

But, this response also tells us something about health and what wrinkling can mean for different people. In the BBC article, “Why Your Fingers Wrinkle In Water (and what it can reveal about your health),” there is some strong scientific data shared re: this phenomenon. Such as:

• Women actually take longer to wrinkle than men.

• Delayed or reduced wrinkling may indicate nerve damage, type 2 diabetes, or heart failure

• Excessive wrinkling is seen in people with cystic fibrosis, and even carriers of it.

• Asymmetrical wrinkling (more on one hand than the other) may signal early signs of Parkinson’s.

• Skin conditions like psoriasis or vitiligo may also slow the response

To read more about those pruney fingers and toes, check out the BBC link above, it’s got great info to walk you through the latest scientific findings.

The Bottom line: If something feels off, like wrinkly (or non-wrinkly) fingers and toes, don’t ignore it. Your skin might be giving you an early signal this summer, you just have to notice. 💪

Too Often, IBS Isn’t IBS - It’s Something More

Many women receive an IBS diagnosis, but for too many, that label becomes a dead-end instead of a solution. 

According to a large meta-analysis, women with endometriosis are nearly three times more likely to be diagnosed with IBS than those without it (PMID: 32949284).

And in one UK-based study of over 5,500 women, those with endometriosis had a 3.5-fold higher chance of receiving an IBS diagnosis - and even after endometriosis was confirmed, they remained 2.5 times more likely to still carry that IBS label (PMID: 18715239).

This matters because IBS and endometriosis share overlapping symptoms: bloating, pelvic pain, bowel changes. It’s easy to mistake one for the other. But missing an endometriosis diagnosis delays treatment and prolongs suffering. You can learn more about those overlapping symptoms in the article, “Endometriosis vs. IBS: What Are Their Similarities and Differences?”

Here are some red flags to pay attention to:

• Symptoms that fluctuate with your cycle

• Pain that doesn’t improve with IBS treatment

• Additional symptoms like fatigue, painful periods, or bloating that feels hormonal

The Bottom Line: If standard IBS treatments aren't working, ask questions. You deserve a deeper investigation. Don’t settle for a convenient label when your body is asking for more. 

Another Summer Read: ‘Doing Harm’ by Maya Dusenbery

Ahh, summer reads! I love curating a mix of light and fun books for those beach days when my toes are in the sand and the breeze is doing magical things to my wavy hair.

But every now and then, it’s worth leaning into something that wakes us up, especially if you’re searching for answers, or supporting someone who is.

Enter ‘Doing Harm’ by Maya Dusenbery. It’s not a memoir, but it carries the urgency of lived experience. After being diagnosed with an autoimmune condition, Dusenbery set out to understand why women are so often misdiagnosed, dismissed, or delayed in care.

What she uncovered is a system shaped by deep-rooted gender bias. Through journalism, historical context, and patient stories, she exposes how women's symptoms are too often minimized - and what that means for trust, treatment, and healing.

You’ve heard me talk about this before - and spoiler, I’m not done.

‘Doing Harm’ is validating, sharply researched, and essential reading for anyone navigating the realities of women’s health today. Because as many of us are learning: education is a form of advocacy.

The Bottom Line: If you’re ready to see your female health journey (or someone else’s) with clearer eyes, this one is definitely worth packing. 💪 

Ok my amigas, that’s a wrap. Self-advocacy has never been easier - from To-Do to TA-DA - just like that! 💪

Bravo for being here,
Spencer Moore

_{DISCLAIMER: The information shared here, which can include affiliate links, is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not be treated as such. Always consult with a qualified provider before making any medical decisions, changing your health routine, or starting a new treatment. This content is meant to help you learn about yourself and advocate for your well-being. What you do with this information is entirely up to you.} 💛

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