The taboo of facial hair: ‘I felt like a circus freak because I had hair on my face’

Growing up with PCOS made writer Azmia Riaz feel like less of a woman at times. Now celebrities like Adele are helping to change the conversation about facial hair.

Azmia Riaz has struggled with polycystic ovary syndrome. Photo: Mark Condren

Azmia Riaz

The year I got my first period, I also grew a 12-year-old girl’s version of a five o’clock shadow.

I was learning about the wonders of being a woman and excited about it, raring to experience what I had just read Anne Frank describe as her ‘sweet secret’ long before I walked into high school.

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