Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) go through endless struggles that not only undermine their health but also challenge the societal notions of the perfect body image.
After a 14-year-long struggle of regularly shaving to hide her facial hair, 26-year-old Nova Galaxia decided to proudly embrace her real self.
Nova Galaxia has been struggling with PCOS ever since she was a teenager. For the past 14 years, she had been shaving her hair regularly. But last year in November, she decided to participate in No Shave November, an awareness campaign towards embracing facial hair, which a lot of cancer patients end up losing.
As the days passed, Nova had a new-found confidence in her facial hair growth. Even as No Shave November ended, Nova decided not to shave her hair and even coloured them to match her hair.
In a Facebook post directed towards people who called her an attention seeker, she wrote:
All these people out here calling me an attention seeker. You’re right! I’m seeking attention for people with my condition. I want people with the polycystic ovarian syndrome to see me and perhaps realize, “hey, I’m alright. There’s nothing wrong with me, and I can be confident in my own body if I choose to.
Nova Galaxia aims to promote a body-positive image and empower women whose struggles are similar to hers.
In a Facebook post, she wrote:
You are not alone. You are never alone. And whether you choose to keep shaving or grow it out, you are beautiful and wonderful.
More power to you, Nova!