💪 The Hairy Chin Newsletter #3

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Hello and happy Monday to you all. We’ve got an exciting partnership this week with Morning Brew! ☕️ If you aren’t one of the over 4 million that already read their newsletter, you might want to be! It’s a great read, bringing you quick and informative business insights straight to your inbox. You can click on the image/links above to learn more and subscribe.

Here’s a quick run through of what you’ll find in today’s entry:

• Your Advocacy ToolKit: What To Say To A Dismissive Doctor

• Body Talk 101: Hirsutism

• Health Truths: Oral Health and Heart Disease

• Told By Her: The Antibiotic Ciprofloxacin And ‘Floxing’

• On The Podcast: Metabolic Health Advocate Denise Tueller

• The Supplement Scoop: Coming this Friday - Magnesium

Let’s get to work! 💪

Spencer Moore
Founder, The Hairy Chin
Host, The Hairy Chin Podcast

What To Do When Your Doctor Dismisses You

Ah yes, the dismissive doctor. If you’ve been in the system long enough, chances are you’ve met one. Maybe more than one. But let’s be clear, not all doctors are dismissive - many are downright amazing. But when you come face to face with one who minimizes your concerns, shuts down your questions, or just doesn’t seem to hear you… it’s not just frustrating, it’s disempowering. And after talking about Medical Misogyny last week, it can really feel like you’re in between a rock and a hard place.

So, what’s a gal to do? Try these out…

1. Stay Calm & Speak Directly
   “I’m genuinely concerned about this and would appreciate a deeper look.”

2. Ask for Their Reasoning
   Instead of accepting a flat “no,” try: “Can you walk me through why you’re not concerned?”

3. Push for a Thorough Evaluation
   Not sure what to ask for? Say: “I just want to be sure we’re covering our bases. What can we do to rule things out?”

4. Know When to Walk Away
   Dismissed again? Get a second opinion - seriously. You deserve to be heard.

If your doctor won’t listen, find one who will. Your voice is your strongest tool - use it.

Let’s get into some chin hair talk - because it’s more than just a cosmetic annoyance, it can be a clue. And one that many women overlook or feel too ashamed to talk about. So let’s talk. 

Excessive hair growth in areas where women typically have minimal hair - think the face (chin), chest, stomach or back, is called hirsutism. 

You can find hirsutism showing up in conditions like: PCOS, Cushing’s Syndrome, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia and also from certain medications. It can be a sign of underlying hormonal imbalances (like higher than normal androgen levels) or metabolic issues that deserve your attention.

That pricey laser hair removal might make it go away - but perhaps it’s not addressing the underlying cause. (And spoiler: laser hair removal isn’t highly effective for hormonal hair growth.)

Keep an eye out for an upcoming episode of The Hairy Chin Podcast: Chin Chats about hirsutism and heritage - where I’ll talk about how ethnicity, hormones and bias can shape our view of female body hair. (You can subscribe to the podcast for alerts on new episodes here. 🎙️)

Because sometimes it isn’t a hormone imbalance at all. However, if you do have excessive hair growth that’s uncommon or new for your body, pay attention to changes and other symptoms. Talk to your doctor about what you’re experiencing and if they dismiss your concerns, find one who won’t.

You can read more hirsutism here. 

Here’s a stat that might surprise you: Heart disease is the #1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths. 

That’s more than all forms of cancer - combined.

And here’s something most women don’t know: Your oral health might be part of the problem.

How, you might ask? Certain bacteria that live in the mouth can travel through the bloodstream and spread to other parts of the body, like your heart. For instance, the bacteria streptococcal can cause infective endocarditis. And that’s not the only instance, poor oral health can lead to a handful of heart problems. 

This doesn’t mean your toothbrush or a tooth cleaning is a cure-all, but it does mean oral health matters, a lot. So if you’ve been skipping the dentist or ignoring bleeding gums, it might be time to listen up. Your body’s sending signals, and your heart just might be tuning in.

If you want to learn more, you can start here. 

Talia Smith, a woman in her twenties, was prescribed the antibiotic Ciprofloxacin for a simple UTI (Urinary Tract Infection). What should have been a routine treatment turned into a full-blown health disaster. You can read her story here. 

Talia was ’floxed’ - a term used by patients who experience severe, and sometimes permanent, side effects from a class of antibiotics called Fluoroquinolones (names you might recognize are Cipro or Levaquin).

Fluoroquinolones are known to damage the mitochondria, aka the powerhouses of your cells. And when your mitochondria stop working properly, your body kind of starts to fall apart. For Talia, that meant nerve damage, muscle weakness, chronic pain, and eventually needing a wheelchair. Other reactions to fluoroquinolones can be tendon rupture, nervous system disturbances and more. 

So who’s most at risk for reactions like this? According to the Mayo Clinic, people over 60, those with kidney disease, or anyone taking corticosteroids are more likely to suffer tendon ruptures or nerve damage. But cases like Talia’s show that even young, otherwise healthy people can be affected. The BBC recently covered stories just like hers, you can read their article here.

The big takeaway? These antibiotics have their place, but they are routinely prescribed for minor infections when safer options exist.

You have every right to ask questions about what you’re putting in your body. And you absolutely have the right to demand safer alternatives when they exist.

It’s your body, advocate for it. Because if you don’t, who will?

Last week, I planted a seed about the link between Alzheimer’s and insulin resistance (remember Type III Diabetes?!) and this week, we’re going deeper. I’m joined by Denise Tueller, a mother of four, former high school math teacher, and passionate metabolic health advocate. (You can find her on IG here.)

Denise shares her personal journey with insulin resistance - and how her mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis motivated her to dive deep into understanding metabolic health. We’ll explore how she learned to manage her blood sugar and insulin levels, and how she’s now using that knowledge to help educate and empower others.

🎙️ Catch the episode this Wednesday at 9 AM EST on all major podcast platforms and now, in an exciting upgrade, on YouTube! You can subscribe to The Hairy Chin Podcast here to receive alerts when new episodes release. 🎙️

This week, we’re diving into one of the most talked about supplements out there: Magnesium.

Here’s a sneak peek of what’s coming to your inbox Friday:

From migraines and menstrual cramps to sleep issues, anxiety, and blood sugar imbalances, magnesium touches nearly every system in the body. It can even help with things like heart health, restless legs, insulin resistance, bone strength, and ringing in the ears. Yes, really. 

We all know I don’t believe in magic pills, but for women navigating stress, fatigue, and hormone shifts, it’s a heavy hitter that you’ll want to understand. 

Keep an eye out this Friday. And if you haven’t seen it yet, check out our first installment of The Supplement Scoop here, about Vitamin D.  

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, see you soon!
Spencer Moore

DISCLAIMER: The information shared here is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not be treated as such. I am not a doctor or licensed healthcare professional. Always consult with a qualified provider before making any medical decisions, changing your health routine, or starting a new treatment. This content is here to help you learn and advocate for yourself, what you do with it is entirely up to you. 💛