PCOS

[bbbbbbb123]

That's what was confusing me as with PCOS you usually get heavy periods and I'm finding the opposite. Thanks so much, I really hope I can, I always wanted to be a mum xx

My sister has PCOS, she had to have IVF for her child but my friend also has it and she got pregnant without even trying so everyone is different! I went to the GP and we had to be trying for at least a year before they would offer any help, I don’t know what your situation is but just in case x

 

[soymilk]

Been TTC now for a few months. Not had a period since coming off of the patch - which I expected really, but it’s still disheartening.

Decided to try myo-inositol. Been on it for about two weeks, not sure if it’s a coincidence or not, but I’ve just had a positive ovulation test and I’ve lost a bit of weight, (not sure how much as I don’t weigh due to previously having an ED).

I don’t think this will be the month I get pregnant, but it’s definitely making me feel more optimistic about the future

I really hope this goes well for you!!

 

[Blond3g1rl]

Hi all.

new to this thread and just wanted to know your thoughts.

I’ve always struggled with heavy, long and irregular periods. When I came off the pini pill a few years ago my periods were 60/70 days apart and took us ages to conceive.

came off the implant last year and same thing, and iron levels were always dropping due to heavy periods. Also struggled with weight for years and I get facial hair too, like clockwork with my periods. Have mentioned my periods to my GP numerous times and been given iron tablets but no other tests ever been done

In May my GP said I was on the cut off for t2 diabetes, only just so not given any medication. Since then I’ve cut down on carbs, lost some weight and my blood sugar readings are now “normal” but the periods and other symptoms continue (though slightly more regular)

following the diabetes diagnosis I got some private tests done which came back saying “low sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and optimal testosterone levels which can be associated with a range of problems including absent or irregular menstrual periods, weight gain and excess growth of facial and body hair. We recommend that you discuss these results with a doctor.”

having looked into it this could be PCOS which I never knew was associated with insulin resistance. At the appointment I was diagnosed with diabetes I specifically remember saying that I’d just had a horrendous period lasting nearly two weeks and could that have had any impact and the GP replied “no”…that was it.

I’m a bit raging to be honest they’ve never even considered it or looked into it. Does it sound like it could be ?

Sounds very much like PCOS. GPs are useless. I’ve taught myself everything I know about PCOS and IR.

 

[Lola Ruby]

Bit different but I got a Philips IPL machine in Black Friday sales a few years ago. I’ve used it on my top lip, underarms, chin and various other areas. It takes a bit of dedication as you need to use it once every 2 weeks at first but once the hair has reduced or stopped you can do touch ups at longer intervals to keep things at bay.

I have extremely dark, coarse body hair and it’s working really well for me. My top lip used to be so dark and grow really rapidly, I hated it. Now it grows much slower and finer. Same with underarms. I only had a couple of chin hairs to deal with but so far they haven’t grown back in over a month!

I realise they are a very expensive device but as I understand it they last a long time so I personally think worth the cost if possible - often on good deals. I think I got mine with about £150 off. I don’t think it’s as long lasting as electrolysis, although tbh I don’t know how the two compare.

I second the Philips IPL machine, I got mine 4 years ago and have used it on and off, I never used it past the first touch up treatments (just laziness lol), however I definitely noticed a difference in terms of speed of regrowth, how much hair grew back etc. In fact 2 years after I stopped using it my legs were still quite patchy in some areas with no hair growing at all.

A few weeks ago I decided I was going to try again and fully commit this time - partly because my facial hair has been awful, I actually think it's the worst it's ever been, despite having lost quite a bit of weight (which I thought would improve it), I was having to pluck the same 2 chin hairs and shave the rest of my chin/neck every day and didn't want to have to shell out to get it lasered professionally. I've only done 2 sessions so far and have seen a massive difference - it's growing back much, much slower and there seems to be a lot less hair too! Can't wait to see my results when I only have to do touch ups!

I would definitely give it a try if you can @Shoequeen91!

 

[ThisIsMyDragName]

Super glad I've found this little forum. After years and years of battling with the GP over my periods, weight, mood, etc. I finally spoke with a GP who's husband is a gynae specialist and she took a good 30 mins to chat through everything with me. She's prescribed me metformin (off-label as it's not specifically for PCOS) as she's 99.9% sure I've got insulin resistance which is what I've been trying to advocate for YEARS. Although I've been pretty sure I've had it for years I only got diagnosed with PCOS in May and didn't get told anything about it. I wasn't advised on diet, supplements or anything so I did my own research. I've been taking myo-inositol religiously with folic acid for around 5 months now, but I've noticed zero change.

I'm on day 4 of metformin and not had any side effects yet, but I am quite hopeful it'll help with food noise and weight loss.

I’m so happy to hear a success story of someone’s GP listening and being proactive please keep checking in here to let us know how it’s going for you!

 

[oksobasically]

I reached out to my GP at the start of the year to see what support there was for PCOS and was a bit gutted at how useless it was. They said they couldn't do a referral if I wasn't trying to conceive?! I told them that when I was diagnosed I'd been told it would be near-impossible to have kids so it's been something that seemed out of reach but that at 30 it was something I'd want to look at if it was possible even if I'm not actively TTC. He agreed to do the referral on the basis that I might want to have a baby soon-ish, but what a joke as though it's only worth helping a woman when it's connected to her having kids as though I wasn't listing off all the ways it was impacting my life?!

I kept asking if they could refer to or even recommend a private endocrinologist since that's what looks to be helpful from reading online and they wouldn't and said they wouldn't be the right place for PCOS - it's bloody exhausting trying to advocate for yourself with a medical professional that clearly has no specific knowledge of PCOS (not helped by the lack of research, but I had detailed what I'd wanted to discuss when the appt was made about 3 weeks before so it's frustrating to speak to someone who is dismissive). I mentioned some people are on metformin for it and that was a nope too, not even a conversation they'd have. It made me so angry that PCOS is so common and yet there's so little support through the channels there should be.

I feel like my PCOS ties together so many other things within my health that are a bit (or very) off where they should be so I'm going to try and find a private professional (still thinking endocrinologist!?) to help me get across my symptoms. I've just started working with a dietician that specialises in PCOS (last time I posted I was going to try Saxenda, it unfortunately didn't work for me at all- an expensive disappointment!), I'm a week into going to the gym for the first time in years & I'm thinking about giving acupuncture a try.

I know a lot of people here are at the start of their journey with diagnosis but has anyone had any luck with support outside of your GP?
Are there any groups or charities that have been useful to any of you?

 

[bbbbbbb123]

I was going to say the same! My gp told me it raises all the wrong hormones so can be counter effective, she said swimming is good! I do an hours walk each day and that seems to help me. It’s very slow but it is coming off xx

 

[noseybirdxo]

Why is losing weight so hard on PCOS?!

You have a bit of sugar and you’re suddenly having Mr Kiplings baby.

I’m so sick of being overweight!

I do think I’m due on my period but I don’t know cause I’m on the implant and it stopped my periods all together.

To be fair I could probably up my steps and actually work out but I hate going to the gym (even though I pay for it through work!)

Honestly, if you can afford it - mounjaro has changed my life with weight loss

 

[prinnygrace]

Update - currently on day 10 of my first period in 10 years. Super thankful to have it but my god when will it enddddd🥲🫠

 

[Elsie1988]

Hi Ladies!

I’m looking for some insight from those who might be in the same boat. I have PCOS and work in an office, and lately, the physical discomfort has been overwhelming.

My main issue is extreme bloating and gas—it usually hits right after my 'healthy' lunch (typically chicken, broccoli, and sweet potato). By mid-afternoon, my trousers are so tight it’s painful to sit at my desk.

Beyond the bloat, my biggest struggle is weight loss. Even though I’m trying to eat 'clean,' the scale isn't moving, and I feel constantly inflamed. Has anyone else found that certain 'healthy' foods actually made their PCOS symptoms worse? What helped you get the scale moving and keep the bloat down during the workday?

I have severe PCOS and the best things that helped me lose weight was Metformin combined with gluten and dairy free diet (which naturally lowered my sugar intake wasn’t eating cakes biscuits etc) and daily steps of 10k or more. In a year I managed to lose 20kg but did take commitment and consistency. Anything else I haven’t managed to stick to really. I have a huge sugar craving so I cut sugar out and started eating ice lollies (usually ‘sugar free’ and lower in calories than a chocolate bar) and I halved everything then waited and if I was hungry I’d have the second half. I had to be extreme in ways as nothing was happening for me but I did find it easier as it went on and I was happier in myself as I was losing weight. I’ve always been quite down and self-conscious so I started to get a little confidence as time went on.
Try doing one thing at a time so it’s less pressure on yourself. Like increasing your steps.
The other way I tackled it was PCOS is similar to diabetes so I sort of followed a type two diabetes diet and walks after a meal help stop spiking after eating, fruit and sugar first thing in the morning spikes your insulin so I’ve tried to rearrange how I eat and do things rather than cutting back completely.
Hopefully that all makes sense. But take it gradually and manageable and remember you have a condition which is not helping you so don’t be too hard on yourself xx

 

[TravellingPants]

Absolutely, low intensity is your friend (walking, swimming, slow weighted workouts, strength work like yoga or pilates). One of the main things a body with PCOS is dealing with is an imbalance in cortisol, which is the stress hormone. High intensity exercise elevates that further and keeps us in fight or flight, and your natural biological response to that is to hold on to fat stores because you might need them to do one of those two things.

I once did a full month of doing a Youtube HIIT workout every morning alongside calorie counting and didn’t shift a single pound. Replaced it with walking and ate exactly the same way and lost half a stone in the next two weeks! It’s wild the way what works for a typical hormonal set up is the worst enemy of a PCOS body.

 

[MrsFishandChips]

I believe I may have PCOS. My facial hair in the last 6 months has become rather excessive, and grows back within days. My skin is awful, my energy levels are shite and my mental health has dipped a lot. I cannot lose weight, and my stomach area Is particularly overweight. My periods are now coming 2-3 times a month in which I clot very badly for a 1-2 days, rinse and repeat the process in a few weeks.
In not in any birth control and haven’t been in the last 2 years
im going to phone my doctors in the morning. I’ve been putting it off for a while to get some answers but I’m pig sick of the abdominal pains and feeling low!

 

[BorisBear]

I waa diagnosed last year & was put on metformin, its really helped with weight gain & my periods started again. I feel like myself again.

 

[ThisIsMyDragName]

Thankyou! Does it hurt? I find smear tests a bit painful/uncomfortable

Just had one in July. It takes longer than a smear test but for me it was only uncomfortable when they had to move the probe a bit to get images of certain areas but there was no pain. There is no being held open with a speculum and there obviously isn’t the weird scrapy feeling of a smear test. I would say I don’t find smear tests painful myself, just a bit weird. Prior to my endometriosis treatment years ago I had to have a physical examination by the gynaecologist, and that WAS painful. I’m really glad I’m not his wife

 

[boomska]

Why is losing weight so hard on PCOS?!

You have a bit of sugar and you’re suddenly having Mr Kiplings baby.

I’m so sick of being overweight!

I do think I’m due on my period but I don’t know cause I’m on the implant and it stopped my periods all together.

To be fair I could probably up my steps and actually work out but I hate going to the gym (even though I pay for it through work!)

 

[LongishCat]

Thanks for reassuring me, that's my experience when it comes to women's health - they have no clue. I'm sorry to hear you're having problems. I wish you the best of luck and hope everything works out for you x

Hi! I also have PCOS ánd a beautiful 8 month old daughter. I've written about my experiences here before.
Because of PCOS my periods just suddenly stopped for months on end. Went to see my GP, who referred me to a gynaecologist.
Started with clomid, then letrozole (as clomid was temporarily unavailable) and got pregnant after six cycles with that medication.
All in all, we started trying naturally in september 2019, I went to the gynaecologist and started treatment in august 2020 and fell pregnant early in 2021 right before our appointment at fertility. Gave birth to my daughter in october 2021.
It was a hard journey, but it was so worth it.
My SIL is due to give birth to her second son soon and she also has PCOS. She had to use injections. There are loads of options out there!

 

[Blond3g1rl]

If you are a size 8 then in all honesty I would ignore the GP. If you wish to amend your diet you could go down the low carb/ low GI route.

 

[HankMcPrank]

Diagnosed with PCOS november 2023.
for the past 6 months regular periods.
this month 4 days late currently, cramping, im scared to do a test because ive had two miscarriages.

 

[RandomAlpaca22]

I was recently diagnosed at 35 after not being able to conceive for almost 2 years.
The symptoms that affect me most are bloating, chronic fatigue and night sweats.
I am so tired and just want a good sleep but the sweats are so bad I find it impossible to sleep.
Anyone any tips on what can help?

I suffered with night sweats for ages after going cold turkey from SSRI's. Either menopause vitamins OR sage capsules. I owe my life to the pharmacist that recommended this to me, I haven't suffered with night sweats in so long now

 

[noseybirdxo]

I'm just feeling a bit emotional, but my bf was with me and he was really supportive. I wear a UK size 8, so to be told I need to lose a few kgs was a bit shocking - although tbh, I do have this belly pouch that just can't seem be shifted! any advice anyone has in terms of anything I would really appreciate. I'm so glad there's a thread about it so I have people I can talk to who'll understand
thanks to those who've replied x

I’m glad you had someone there with you. That is absolutely CRAZY to be told to lose weight as a UK size 8!!!!!! Everyone has a belly pouch, it’s there to protect your organs etc try not to worry about it - I’m sure you’re fine the way you are

healthypcos_ (my fave account)
pcos.weightloss
thepcosnutritionist
pcosnutrition

are some of my fave accounts for learning about pcos and ways to help manage any symptoms etc - I would start there and there is a community on tiktok and youtube for it too x