He grabs life by the beard.
A Canadian mother-of-two is proud to wear the title of “bearded lady” after claiming she defied her doctor’s predictions that she would never have a child resulting from polycystic ovary syndrome.
Gennevieve Vaillancourt revealed that on the age of 14, she began developing facial hair that started off as thick sideburns and mustaches before eventually evolving into a full-fledged beard.
“I’ve all the time been a kid with thicker body hair than others, and my facial hair began developing across the age of 14 or 15,” Vaillancourt, 39, told Media Drum.
The Ontario native said she felt “really confused and embarrassed” about her consistently growing hair.
“I’ve tried every part in my power to cover my hair and what is going on on with my body, which has caused me a lot of stress and anxiety for a lot of years.”
It wasn’t until the age of 18 that Vaillancourt fully realized one other huge difference between her and other girls – she hadn’t yet gotten her first period.
![Gennevieve Vaillancourt revealed that at the age of 14, she began developing facial hair that started out as thick sideburns and mustaches before eventually evolving into a full-fledged beard.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/NYPICHPDPICT000012220403.jpg?w=768)
“As an alternative of specializing in all of the things your body is not doing, focus your attention on what it is doing Is do – and change into your body’s biggest cheerleader.”
Gennevieve Vaillancourt, 39
This discovery prompted the already fearful teenager to further isolate herself from others.
“Then I had one or two cycles naturally a yr, and in some years I did not have any in any respect,” Vaillancourt said. “Along with hirsutism, the symptoms I’ve experienced include weight gain, insulin resistance, mood swings, thinning hair, and difficulty getting pregnant.”
Based on to a clinic in Clevelandpolycystic ovary syndrome is a common condition amongst women that affects their hormones and might occur anytime after puberty.
As well as, PCOS causes irregular periods, excessive hair growth, pimples and infertility.
“Probably the most painful thing I was told was about my PCOS; when I was first diagnosed, the doctor told me I probably would not have the ability to conceive,” Vaillancourt said. “It broke my heart and haunted me for many of my adult life because I all the time desired to be a mom and it instilled doubts in me.
“Every missed period, failed attempt, or miscarriage over the years added to that fear.”
![According to the 39-year-old, she felt](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/NYPICHPDPICT000012220401.jpg?w=1024)
![Gennevieve with her co-parent Marty and their son Duncan](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/NYPICHPDPICT000012220398.jpg?w=1024)
![Gennevieve with her son Duncan](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/NYPICHPDPICT000012220400.jpg?w=1024)
Vaillancourt later proved doctors unsuitable after she and her former partner Marty Robitaille, 49, gave birth to a baby boy in 2019.
Based on the lady, she learned to administer her condition by “calming my nervous system to scale back stress, specializing in my mental health, and using weight-reduction plan and exercise to assist regulate my menstrual cycles, blood sugar levels and hormones.”
“A very powerful thing I do to take care of PCOS is to attenuate the stress in my life,” added Vaillancourt. “It has helped me lower my cortisol levels, stabilize my blood sugar, and improve my mental health.”
![Gennevieve has embraced her beard and now wears it in public](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/NYPICHPDPICT000012220393.jpg?w=1024)
“It also helped me have a successful pregnancy. Other things I do include eating mostly low carb and high protein meals, limiting my sugar intake, getting regular sleep to combat fatigue and prioritizing my mental health,” she said.
The mother also said her “altered mindset” helped her carry her baby to term until the tip of her pregnancy.
Vaillancourt also expressed a desire for doctors to stop telling those affected that they are going to never change into moms because “it’s simply not true anymore and it takes away our hope.”
![Genevieve Vaillancourt](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/NYPICHPDPICT000012220402.jpg?w=1024)
Since giving birth, Vaillancourt has change into an advocate for others living and thriving with PCOS.
“When I first shared my story online, I shared it on several social networking groups for girls. I shared a picture of myself and a short story about PCOS and my beard, and got it a whole bunch comments from women who cheered me on, shared their support, called me brave, beautiful and brave,” said the mother of two.
“I was delighted with the support that helped me go from being afraid of being seen to having the courage to be authentic.”
![It wasn't until the age of 18 that Vaillancourt noticed another huge difference between her and other girls because she hadn't yet gotten her period.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/NYPICHPDPICT000012220395.jpg?w=1024)
Vaillancourt said the stories are a great reminder that she is just not alone in her struggles and has since began growing a beard in public.
She said, “99.5% of the feedback I’ve gotten since growing a beard has been incredibly positive.”
“I’m so grateful to live in Canada and I feel proud to live here knowing I can go grocery shopping with my family, walk on nature trails and in our community without fear of other people’s reactions.”
Based on the mum, every time someone has a negative response to her appearance, she is reminded that she is “shedding light on her own insecurities and programming.”
While working as a motivational speaker, Vaillancourt said she encouraged several women with PCOS to discuss their condition.
“Speak about it with people you trust; it doesn’t need to be a secret,” she said. “Search for a supportive community of women who ‘get it’ because it’s hard to navigate alone and far easier once we know we now have a community around us that’s on a similar journey.”
“As an alternative of specializing in all of the things your body is not doing, focus your attention on what it is doing Is do and change into your body’s biggest cheerleader,” she continued. “Specializing in mindset and mental health has the potential to vary your life and significantly improve PCOS and hirsutism.”
“If I can do it, so are you able to,” concludes Vaillancourt.