Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Support Group
Polycythemia is a condition in which there is a net increase in the total circulating erythrocyte (red blood cell) mass of the body. Primary polycythemia occurs when excess erythrocytes are produced as a result of a proliferative abnormality of the bone marrow. Secondary polycythemia is caused by increases of erythropoietin that result in an increased production of...
Hello all, my name is Crystal. I am 24 years old, and last Easter I was diagnosed with PCOS. For the past two years I suffered from menstrual problems. The longest I have gone without a period was 9 months. I was with my boyfriend at the time, and I swore I was pregnant. I was nauseous, irritable, emotional, the works. I was switching to a new insurance so I wasn't able to go to the GYN yet so we decided to play around with the idea. I had always knew my main purpose in life was to be a mother. At a very young age I pretty much turned my room into a nursery and pretended my dolls were my future children. People say that I can do just about anything I wanted to do with my talent, but I honestly really want to be a Mother (Writer on the side!) My boyfriend at the time and I were very excited. Just the thought that I could be pregnant excited us. I wanted to be married before I had a child, but I knew that things happen spontaneously. So we waited. I couldn't wait for a doctor's test so I purchased a HPT. It was negative. I must have taken about 6 in a matter of 3-4 weeks. Every time I saw the negative sign I became more and more depressed. We started to argue. (Mostly because his attitude was changing, and did things I didn't approve of which made me question his wanting to be a father.) I ended up breaking up with him, and hoping to move on in life.
A month later I got my Doctor's appointment set up. As I waited in the room, I was thinking about how upset I was that my ex had betrayed me. He was supposed to be here with me! Luckily my Mother was there having her annual checkup. Finally the Doctor came in and explained to me that I have PCOS. I almost passed out. I didn't know what they meant or what it was. I caught a panic attack, and then she explained what it was. In her words I "can't get pregnant naturally. It's not completely impossible, but if I decide I want kids I would just need a little help from the doctor." I was in shock.. She didn't give me that much information. She told me that I have to be on medication to jump start my period every month. I had a choice. Either hormone pills or birth control pills. I had always been against BC pills for personal reasons, but she kept insisting. She said "At your age you should really be on BC pills. It's just the smart thing to do." I disagreed and took the hormone script. Medroxyprogesterone 2 pills a day for 5 days at the start of every month. It's been 6 months and so far the medication is amazing. I get my period every month at the same time. I'm due back at the end of this month for a check-up. I can't believe it's been 6 months already.
I've read up about PCOS and there are many different stories. I haven't had any bad side effects. I have gained a little more weight, and my hair falls out from time to time. (Probably from stress) But, so far the medication has been treating me well. I want to start getting myself healthy, and taking control of this situation. I am tired of being stressed out, depressed, and worried about this. I've heard success stories of girls getting pregnant naturally. I have also heard of their PCOS disappearing, but then again it's said that it never goes away? I might change my doctor after this month because she isn't very warm, comforting, or informative. I'm looking forward to meeting other women with this condition. Will it ever go away? What are some of the things you women do to get to a healthier state? Hopefully I can learn from you, and get tips if you have the time! Thank you so much for reading this!
Much love,
Crystal
A month later I got my Doctor's appointment set up. As I waited in the room, I was thinking about how upset I was that my ex had betrayed me. He was supposed to be here with me! Luckily my Mother was there having her annual checkup. Finally the Doctor came in and explained to me that I have PCOS. I almost passed out. I didn't know what they meant or what it was. I caught a panic attack, and then she explained what it was. In her words I "can't get pregnant naturally. It's not completely impossible, but if I decide I want kids I would just need a little help from the doctor." I was in shock.. She didn't give me that much information. She told me that I have to be on medication to jump start my period every month. I had a choice. Either hormone pills or birth control pills. I had always been against BC pills for personal reasons, but she kept insisting. She said "At your age you should really be on BC pills. It's just the smart thing to do." I disagreed and took the hormone script. Medroxyprogesterone 2 pills a day for 5 days at the start of every month. It's been 6 months and so far the medication is amazing. I get my period every month at the same time. I'm due back at the end of this month for a check-up. I can't believe it's been 6 months already.
I've read up about PCOS and there are many different stories. I haven't had any bad side effects. I have gained a little more weight, and my hair falls out from time to time. (Probably from stress) But, so far the medication has been treating me well. I want to start getting myself healthy, and taking control of this situation. I am tired of being stressed out, depressed, and worried about this. I've heard success stories of girls getting pregnant naturally. I have also heard of their PCOS disappearing, but then again it's said that it never goes away? I might change my doctor after this month because she isn't very warm, comforting, or informative. I'm looking forward to meeting other women with this condition. Will it ever go away? What are some of the things you women do to get to a healthier state? Hopefully I can learn from you, and get tips if you have the time! Thank you so much for reading this!
Much love,
Crystal
Be ready for a waterfall of help and support. Seriously, I've been a member since Aug 26th and I know so much about what to do and expect now. You'll love it here!
Your experience is touching. Can completely relate to your reaction, mine was literally the same! I was also diagnosed around 6 months ago.
Well, from what I've learnt, it may never go away. It's just that our ovaries are built a little differently to other womens' and we've got a bit of a tougher ride ahead. BUT, as women told me when I first joined this support group - we are all fully capable of having kids, it's just about how or when it happens that is a mystery.
Hope this helps, please message whenever!
Kiran
I will share a couple of the "puzzle pieces" of information that gave me my "ah ha" moment.
PCOS is not actually a problem of the ovaries. There is nothing wrong wrong with your ovaries (WHAT?!). PCOS is a problem with the pituitary gland. (Here is a great link that explains what the pituitary gland does http://www.becomehealthynow.com/article/bodyendocrine/734/). The pituitary gland basically tells your body which hormones to release. Women with PCOS have a pituitary gland that is releasing the WRONG hormones. There in lies the problem. Hormones dictate your cycle, help the follicles to mature and tell the eggs when to release. With the wrong hormones being released, the follicles are never "told" to release the eggs. A follicle that doesn't release an egg turns into a cyst. That is why PCOS women's eggs are "cystic" and that is also the root of the fertility issues (can't get pregnant if the egg never comes out to play).
The other light bulb moment for me, was to learn that insulin is a hormone (is your mind blown? Mine was). I was so confused when I was told to go on a diabetic diet and take the diabetic pill Metformin, and then be told I wasn't diabetic? The Metformin and diet will regulate the insulin in your body, which is way out of whack if you have PCOS, and is at the root of most of the other PCOS symptoms.
Does PCOS go away? No. Do I believe there are stories of women whose PCOS went away? Absolutely. But realize there is an exception to EVERY rule.
What can you do to get to a healthier state? Live a diabetic lifestyle. Even out your blood sugar, get treated with BCP or Metformin or anything else that will help even out your hormones, and you will feel like a brand new woman! RESEARCH what that means. And experiment with what works for you. Make sure you have a doctor that is willing to TREAT it and not pass it off as something that "some women just have."
If you are looking for hope, I can tell you this. While I am not pregnant yet, we have started our TTC journey this year and I can tell you that all of my hormones have tested in the "normal" to "perfect" range and I can say with 100% certainty that I ovulated this month!
Good luck on your journey to understand this syndrome!
One of my favorite books out there about PCOS is "A Patients Guide to PCOS", it told me a lot about PCOS. And I have even shared it with my doctor and showed her things about PCOS that she did not even know.
After 2 miscarriages my husband and I were able to have a son naturally, without the help of medication from my doctor. So don't feel like it is impossible to have a child when you have PCOS. More and more women are taking control of their PCOS and finding ways to become pregnant, so don't ever think that it can't happen for you too. I'm happy that you found a medication that helps you get your period on time. :)
Weight gain, stress, hair loss, anxiety and the like are all symptoms of PCOS, but they can all be helped in one way or another.
The one thing that I have found that helps the best is the correct diet, exercise and supplements/vitamins. With this combo I have been able to help keep my PCOS at bay, and most of my symptoms are gone. But if I do mess up and don't follow my diet, or don't take my vitamins, I feel crappy and all of the symptoms of PCOS are right back again. So that is no fun, but at the same time it helps me to remember to stay on track and keep going.
Keep us posted with your progress and best of luck to you :)
Much love,
Crystal