PCOS

[sleepflowers]

What do you guys use for facial hair removal? Mine isn't terrible but I have a lot of strong peach fuzz with random long dark hairs and it makes me feel soooo self-conscious Atm I use a mini trimmer thing, tweezers, I need to start electrolysis again but just wondering if anyone had any good products to recommend in particular

 

[LurkTwice]

Hi all, I’m hoping this thread will help! I’m 24 and never been officially diagnosed with anything (although my GP did say approx 3/4 years ago he thought I had “early stage PCOS” despite no testing and deciding not to look further into it as “I’m not looking to have children right now” . Basically ever since I started my period (around about 10/11) I’ve had bad periods. Particularly in high school/ sixth form it was absolute hell every month, the pain. Never passed out but was damn close to - sweats/nausea/starting to black out/shivers. Admittedly the bad ones have become slightly less frequent but they do still hit me sometimes. My periods aren’t hugely irregular but wouldn’t say they’re spot on we very 4ish weeks. I do struggle with excess hair - chin, neck, chest, around the nipples etc. And have always struggled with hormonal acne. I am of a normal weight, another reason why it has been a struggle to get this looked into more (even though I have been reading that “lean pcos” is a thing. I’ve been on and off at the doctors for years but they don’t do anything about it - I’ve been prescribed a few different contraceptives to help butI hate being on them as they make me utterly miserable. Honestly I would rather just have testing done so I can at least have some answers whether good or bad!!!

anyway, Sunday just gone I had terrible ovulation pain (I do sometimes get this but it’s never been as bad as it was on Sunday). I also had very heavy discharge, it seriously felt like a period it was gushing . The pain was terrible, it was my right ovary (normally I only get pain on this side). It felt like my ovary was on fire and being twisted and stabbed with a firey rod. I nearly called 111 as I was so thrown by it. I’ve also been struggling with anxiety and heart palpitations (nearly every day and throughout the day!) this past year which I’ve read can also be a symptom of PCOS.


i just want some peace of mind really - should I fight for myself to get testing, or does this not sound like pcos to you all? I feel so silly like I’ll be wasting resources but I am so tired of this affecting my life and not being taken seriously because I’m not looking to have kids right now!! I hate it

 

[wat3rmel0n]

I think I might have PCOS but no idea where to start really. I've always suspected that i've had it but never dealt with it. Is it easier to go through your doctor or does anyone recommend going straight to a gynae specialist?

 

[Curly]

Who would be best to go see for more treatment?

I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 19 (I'm 42 now). At the time, all the doctor did was put me on the pill (as my periods were irregular and heavy) which I eventually came off a couple of years later because they were playing havoc with my body.

Since then I've not really done anything for it. My weight is high (230lbs), still get facial hair and heavy bloating. During lockdown I managed to lose 30lbs and in the process really helped with some of those symptoms but then with work and commitments it's blown back up. But I think it's time to try and sort this out. But with my doctors being useless I've decided to go private, but who do I go to. Should I try a gyno or endro?

I know you asked this a month ago but I recently had a private consultation with a GP. She was absolutely amazing and listened to my worries re weight gain, facial hair, lack of period.
She prescribed me medication for 14 days to induce a bleed. Has referred me to both gyno and endro and asked for my own GP to give me blood checks for diabete, thyroid etc.
It’s the first time since being diagnosed that I feel anyone has listened

 

[noseybirdxo]

I take both together and have done for a while my endocrinologist told me to get inositol

thank you! i’m not due to see my endocrine till end of march! where do you get yours from/what dose?

 

[bbbbbbb123]

Hey, I came off my period 2 weeks ago and ever since I’ve had bloating and cramps quite bad. Not sure if anyone else with PCOS has had this, I’ve never had it before. I’m not sure whether it could be a cyst or something? Any advice would be fab

 

[glitter tits]

Sorry to jump on this thread and de-rail slightly but I think it might be the best place to ask this question! I recently went for a scan and internal as my GP thought I had PCOS (haven’t had a period in a year, struggling to lose weight ) however the doctor who did the scan and internal confirmed it isn’t PCOS and that everything looks as it should. Given that most the people on this thread have had similar problems to me - does anyone know what it could be? I’m waiting to be seen by my GP and then no doubt gynae but god knows how long that will be and google isn’t really giving much away - it all points to PCOS. Obviously appreciate that none of you are doctors and no one woman is the same but it is making me anxious to have no clue what the issue is!

 

[ohwowsers]

When I was going through the pre-diagnosis journey, I had an external ultrasound as well as a transvaginal one and an ‘assessment of symptoms’. I can’t recall if I had blood tests, possibly. That was through the NHS in England. Not sure if the process within other healthcare systems. I know you’ve already had some answers from people but just providing another experience. Hope everything goes well at your scan.

Thank you that helps. Can I ask if you don't mind, how uncomfortable is the transvaginal scan? Should I ask for a xanax or is that dramatics.
---

Diagnosis is usually based on three things but you can have Pcos and just be showing 2 - it’s called the Rotterdam criteria. However all other options have to be ruled out as well
View attachment 2165935

Thank you, that really helps. Much appreciated
---

Laparoscopy is surgery, it’s not needed to diagnose PCOS. I had 3/3 typical symptoms (no/few periods, excess facial hair and cysts on ovaries). A blood test confirmed hormonal issues and a transvaginal ultrasound confirmed cysts on ovaries.

Thank you, it's the transvaginal I'm getting done so will see.

 

[alex650]

I get my bloods done yearly, sometimes more often, I think they test thyroid, cholesterol and a couple of hormones not sure what they’re called. I really think it depends what doctor you get. The first time I went I had a doctor who wasn’t interested at all, the second time a doctor who is really interested and helpful so I always request her now. I am ttc though so not sure if that’s maybe why I have more

 

[alex650]

I don’t know what the hospital near you is like but when I was on the waiting list I rung up just to see how long it would be and they managed to squeeze me in fairly soon xx

 

[ohwowsers]

Hello, I'm hoping for some advice. I suspect I have PCOS as I match a lot of symptoms and after a long wait I've an appointment but it's just for an ultrasound. Can you request a labroscopy or do you have to wait?
Thanks in advance

 

[CharlieTYBT]

Hello! So glad to find this!

I got diagnosed earlier this year with PCOS after not having a period for over a year. I've recently been prescribed Provera (Medroxyprogesterone) to basically give me a period. Has anyone else had experience with this?

I had my first bleed a couple of weeks ago, which lasted for about 6 days and stopped. Two weeks on I'm bleeding again??? All a bit confusing

I had to take Provera to bring a period on for the first time end of July/last month. I had really strong cramping and then had a proper period, still much lighter than they used to be but it was a period that lasted for a week with strong cramping. Period came on the 14th day of taking provera.

Then I had to take provera again as it's been over 4 weeks without a period and my period has come 4 days after finishing the provera pack and it's really light this time with hardly any cramping. My periods always used to be heavy and fill a pad but since getting PCOS they've turned very very light, mostly spotting.

 

[CharlieTYBT]

I have everything crossed for you and I’m sure you will. Sometimes things take a little longer with pcos but definitely not impossible. It doesn’t help that a lot of doctors have little understanding of it

Thank you Exactly, in my experience my endocrinologist is doom and gloom and doesn't fill me with any hope that I can have children whenever I speak to them and gp's don't seem to be clued up or know much about pcos either so it sorta leaves you feeling in the dark.

 

[Donald23]

Does anyone have experience with using a TENS machine for pain relief? Over the weekend I had some of the worst cramping I’ve ever dealt with, it was unbearable. I really struggle to take medications due to reflux disease and I’m at my wits end being in so much pain every month.

Do they actually work?

I have a MYOOVI, I tried it once and haven’t tried it again as it didn’t make a difference

 

[Tanne1999]

Has anyone tried maca root? Been seeing it all over TikTok and not sure if it’s just bullshit

 

[ChampagneBox]

I can't stand how all the PCOS accounts seem to forget about tuberous breasts as a symptom (which I have) WTF.
For what what it's worth, reiki for pcos would be something to look into. There's some for free on Youtube x

I’m sorry, I know this is a really old posts, what do you mean by tuberous breasts? Do you mean like fibrocystic/fibroadenomas?

 

[rasberry spoons]

Hi! I went to my GP a couple of years ago as I hadn't had a period in 6 months. I didn't even know what PCOS was at the time but the first thing my doctor said was that it could be that as irregular periods is one of the signs, so he would do some tests. I had blood tests and a scan. You need to have 2 out of the 3 "criteria" to be diagnosed with PCOS - irregular periods, cysts on ovaries, and/or excess hormones like testosterone in blood test.

Have they referred you for any other tests?

Ahh thank you so much for sharing this, I’m the same. I’ve hear of it as I had a molar pregnancy when I was younger, I vaguely remember having a scan done years ago and there wasn’t any cysts around my ovaries, wether that changes in unsure? I also thought if you had PCOS you struggle with fertility but I’ve had a baby? (sorry if that sounds insensitive to anyone) I really want to push for more testing as it’s concerning me, my biggest concern at the moment is my weight. I go to the gym twice a week but I’m 17 stone and not losing any weight, not had a period in forever and I feel like I’m in a strangers body

 

[Miss_cici]

Hi all, I know everyone's experience with medication is different but I'm wondering how metformin was for you. I started 500mg last week taking it after my breakfast. My gynaecologist said it would take a day or two to get used to it but I'm dealing with headaches, nausea, stomach pains and some diarrhea. I know it's only been a week but hoping that it will settle soon!

 

[CrimsonCountess]

You should be able to ask your GP for blood tests rather than having to wait for gynae? I was diagnosed about 5 years ago I think and my GP did mine for me

 

[avisina78]

Anyone else suffer with continuous bleeding/spotting? I’m on the combined pill to try and control my periods and since I’ve had my pill free week I haven’t stopped spotting really gets me down

I've always known I've had PCOS but the doctors always refused to diagnose me with it because I didn't have all the classic symptoms. I once seen a gynaecologist who said I can't have PCOS because I have kids... Wtf?

Then finally I was diagnosed about 3 years back by another gynaecologist and my GP finally accepted the diagnosis.

I bled heavily once for 3 months straight, GP would give me tranexamic acid 4 days at a time which would stop the bleeding while I'd take it and then as soon as I'd stop it was awful.

I've tried everything, losing weight, changing my diet, regular exercise. Wanted to avoid allopathic medicine so I went the herbal root which has helped soooo much, but a long journey of trial and error. But finally I have a regular period.