It has stopped me from a lot: Brandy Maina shares painful struggle with hirsutism
By Paulette Mboga, September 13, 2026Singer Brandy Maina has opened up about her struggle with hirsutism, saying the condition has affected different parts of her life, including her music career, shows, being seen and dating.
The singer shared her experience while speaking about PCOS Awareness Month. She said she has what she described as PMOS, which she noted is commonly called PCOS, and also has hirsutism.
PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (recently also referred to as Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome, or PMOS). It is a common hormonal and metabolic health condition affecting women and people with ovaries during their reproductive years
“I have something called PMOS, but people call it PCOS. And if I am getting into details, I have something called hirsutism. I hope I am saying it right,” Brandy Maina said while speaking to Ciku Muriuki on Saturday, September 12, 2026.
Undiscovered with Ciru Muriuki/YouTube
Brandy said her experience with the condition started while she was in high school. She recalled noticing a strand of hair and initially thought it would go away, only for another one to appear later.
“Actually, this is PCOS awareness month. Crazy actually. It was in high school, and remember how I saw a strand over here. And then I was like, ah, it will go, and then another one came,” Brandy Maina explained.
Brandy opens up on the impact
The singer said the hair continued growing as she dealt with the changes. She recalled joking about the situation while also sharing how much it had affected her over time.
“I said, ‘ Whoa. God, did you confuse? Was I supposed to be Brian or Brandy? It kept growing,” Brandy Maina said.
Brandy explained that although she may joke about the experience, the condition has affected her confidence and choices. She said it has made her stop doing shows, releasing music and being seen.
“Let me tell you I might joke about it, but this has stopped me from doing shows, releasing music, being seen,” Brandy Maina said.
She further said the condition has affected other areas of her personal life. According to the singer, dating has also been among the things that she has struggled with because of her experience with hirsutism.
“It has stopped me from a lot. Even dating,” Brandy Maina said.
Hirsutism is a medical condition in women that causes excessive growth of dark, coarse hair in a male-like pattern, such as on the face, chest and back. Brandy’s comments came as she spoke about her own experience during PCOS awareness month, connecting the condition to changes she first noticed while she was still in high school.