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I've experienced the same issues as others about doctors/endocrinologists pushing for me to lose weight. Granted I'm obese and do need to lose weight and weight loss does help pcos symptoms but it comes across as a stock statement that doctors/nurses say whenever you see them for anything. My mum isn't the largest woman at all but cos she isn't a size 0 she's had the line trotted out to her about losing weight and heaven forbid you smoke too so it comes across as generic advice off a checklist. I actually had some pcos symptoms when I was a healthy weight since my teens but getting bigger made them worse and made it develop in to pcos, I tried telling the endocrinologist this but they didn't seem interested and insisted it was purely due to me getting obese. Whenever I see my endocrinologist I have to say they come across as quite rude and condescending looking me up and down whilst mentioning my weight and it makes me feel awful. I have mh issues quite badly that causes me to eat crap and of course I don't want to be obese and want to lose weight but is really hard to get motivated and stick to dieting and exercise when you have mental health issues.
Thank you so much for your advice! I was diagnosed based on my testosterone level over the phone by a nurse practioner. My BMI is just slightly overweight but BMIs
But definitely just writing this out and reading your, and others, experience really helped!
The biggest shift in terms of exercise/food I worked through was "I eat what I like" and I exercise because it helps me feel tired/ sleepy/ relaxed NOT to "lose weight/ change my body".
I am lucky to have a supportive partner and will talk more to my therapist about it next time I speak with them! Thanks for the advice!
Thank you both for your kind words! I was diagnosed over the phone based on one test which, given reading here and from friends who have struggled to get a diagnosis, seems premature! So I don't know if I "belong" here but given the test was done to check if I should have any issues ttc it has been stressful! They didn't suggest further tests so maybe it was the "lose weight as default" but it's interesting that when I had the in person check up, they didn't mention my weight (I'm pretty average in terms of weight) until that pesky testosterone test.
But definitely just writing this out and reading your, and others, experience really helped!
The biggest shift in terms of exercise/food I worked through was "I eat what I like" and I exercise because it helps me feel tired/ sleepy/ relaxed NOT to "lose weight/ change my body".
I am lucky to have a supportive partner and will talk more to my therapist about it next time I speak with them! Thanks for the advice!
So glad to have found this thread and to read about so many people's experiences, it's never been something I've talked about with people I know because no-one else is in the same boat. Especially people sharing about their fertility!
I was diagnosed at 19 after about 5 years of struggling - from 14-17 I'd have periods that would be like 4 heavy months on and then 1 week off - my iron levels were going through the floor so I was put onto birth control and iron tablets at about 17 and then had scans and blood tests that confirmed PCOS at 19. This was 11 years ago, but I wasn't prescribed anything, given any guidance, it was just a "well, good luck" and that was it.
As I've got older, the weight gain has been the biggest issue, also meaning that I was moved onto a mini-pill so that I don't have periods at all now. I loved being on Yasmin but the risk was too high for someone at my weight so I couldn't stay on it. It's probably been 8 years since I had a period and at no point has a doctor suggested this might not be a smart move given the PCOS. I think ignorance has been bliss, because when I had periods they were so bad, and the times I've bled in the past few years for cervical biopsies/a loop excision -while not period related - have been traumatic, but it does give me anxiety that maybe they wouldn't come back if I stopped taking cerazette.
It's been so interesting to see other people mention a few things I struggle with but hadn't realised were connected - hyper hidrosis (the absolute worst in my opinion and now with my ADHD meds I've got primary and secondary HH, it makes me feel so gross when it's worst on my face and head), lumpy boobs (only a relief in the context of this being advised when I was getting scans for what felt like a worrying lump at the hospital), mood swings, near impossible to lose weight and regular periods of depression. I'm also lucky to have acne all over my back and some sleep complaints that from googling are connected too
I'm seeing if I can get approval for Saxenda for weight loss (just to be sure it doesn't have any issues given ADHD meds I take) & I'm about 6 months into electrolysis for facial hair which has been better than I could have dreamed for my dark chin hairs. The more I'm reading into this now the more I feel like I should be getting to a specialist for some personalised advice asap.
Sometimes it gets me really down that I didn't have any support after my diagnosis and just thought my whole body and mind were working against me, rather than so many parts of my health being interconnected. So grateful to read so many positive posts about how people are managing their symptoms
I was diagnosed at 19 after about 5 years of struggling - from 14-17 I'd have periods that would be like 4 heavy months on and then 1 week off - my iron levels were going through the floor so I was put onto birth control and iron tablets at about 17 and then had scans and blood tests that confirmed PCOS at 19. This was 11 years ago, but I wasn't prescribed anything, given any guidance, it was just a "well, good luck" and that was it.
As I've got older, the weight gain has been the biggest issue, also meaning that I was moved onto a mini-pill so that I don't have periods at all now. I loved being on Yasmin but the risk was too high for someone at my weight so I couldn't stay on it. It's probably been 8 years since I had a period and at no point has a doctor suggested this might not be a smart move given the PCOS. I think ignorance has been bliss, because when I had periods they were so bad, and the times I've bled in the past few years for cervical biopsies/a loop excision -while not period related - have been traumatic, but it does give me anxiety that maybe they wouldn't come back if I stopped taking cerazette.
It's been so interesting to see other people mention a few things I struggle with but hadn't realised were connected - hyper hidrosis (the absolute worst in my opinion and now with my ADHD meds I've got primary and secondary HH, it makes me feel so gross when it's worst on my face and head), lumpy boobs (only a relief in the context of this being advised when I was getting scans for what felt like a worrying lump at the hospital), mood swings, near impossible to lose weight and regular periods of depression. I'm also lucky to have acne all over my back and some sleep complaints that from googling are connected too
I'm seeing if I can get approval for Saxenda for weight loss (just to be sure it doesn't have any issues given ADHD meds I take) & I'm about 6 months into electrolysis for facial hair which has been better than I could have dreamed for my dark chin hairs. The more I'm reading into this now the more I feel like I should be getting to a specialist for some personalised advice asap.
Sometimes it gets me really down that I didn't have any support after my diagnosis and just thought my whole body and mind were working against me, rather than so many parts of my health being interconnected. So grateful to read so many positive posts about how people are managing their symptoms
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
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!!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
Does anyone follow a low GI diet for weight loss? Was recommended by a dietician but I don’t really get it. I’ve ordered some cook books but all of the recipes need loads of ingredients 
I don’t follow it but I do opt for whole grain pasta/rice etc as it is lower gi than whiteDoes anyone follow a low GI diet for weight loss? Was recommended by a dietician but I don’t really get it. I’ve ordered some cook books but all of the recipes need loads of ingredients
I was diagnosed early this year after suspecting I had it for quite a while last year, I've always been quite hairy, my periods were quite heavy (and I suspect I've had ovarian cysts rupture before too - one was so bad I was on my hands and knees once, wondering if I was in labour without knowing I was pregnant... not a fun time) and around five years ago I gained around 20kg / over 3 stone in a year. Towards the end of last year I was having really bad cramps nearly every day and the it even felt like there was something 'there', as if I could feel the cysts. I could even feel something pressing against my bladder. This prompted me to see my GP and after being referred to a gynaecologist in January they confirmed it. I felt really relieved that I finally had answers and have been seeing both a dietitian and endocrinologist, who prescribed Metformin and since a few weeks I've been taking Androcur (cyproterone) to try and combat some of the excess hair. My progress has been up and down this year and I've not always taken it as seriously as I should be but at the moment I'm eating quite healthily and going to the gym 3 times a week - weight training & cardio twice a week, just cardio once a week. I've lost some fat and can see some changes, but I'm a bit disappointed as I expected the weight to just fall off.
The weight gain really gets me down the most - I was always around 66kg / 10 stone 5 without too much effort but I feel like I just ballooned out of nowhere. Granted, this was around the same time I met my boyfriend and was going out for dinner etc more, but it just didn't feel normal, definitely not normal for me anyway. Around 3/4 years ago I managed to lose most of the weight but just gained it all back. I have managed to lose around a stone since the beginning of the year but it's sloooow. At the moment I feel pretty hopeless and like I'll never lose the weight and feel like 'me' again and part of me thinks I've ruined my health and body and maybe even caused my PCOS myself by gaining weight, not the other way round. Oh and of course there's the added bonus of facial and body hair - I have to shave my chin and neck every day and have dark hair in places like my nipples that I have to pluck and it just makes me feel horrible and unattractive
Sorry for this massive rant haha. Like some of you have mentioned, I don't know anyone else who has PCOS and am still figuring things out. I'm so glad that here I'm not alone at least
The weight gain really gets me down the most - I was always around 66kg / 10 stone 5 without too much effort but I feel like I just ballooned out of nowhere. Granted, this was around the same time I met my boyfriend and was going out for dinner etc more, but it just didn't feel normal, definitely not normal for me anyway. Around 3/4 years ago I managed to lose most of the weight but just gained it all back. I have managed to lose around a stone since the beginning of the year but it's sloooow. At the moment I feel pretty hopeless and like I'll never lose the weight and feel like 'me' again and part of me thinks I've ruined my health and body and maybe even caused my PCOS myself by gaining weight, not the other way round. Oh and of course there's the added bonus of facial and body hair - I have to shave my chin and neck every day and have dark hair in places like my nipples that I have to pluck and it just makes me feel horrible and unattractive
Sorry for this massive rant haha. Like some of you have mentioned, I don't know anyone else who has PCOS and am still figuring things out. I'm so glad that here I'm not alone at least
I went to the GP to get medication as haven’t had a period for over 3 months now, I am TTC so we were chatting about that and how I need to lose weight to be eligible for help. She suggested metformin - does anyone have any advice or knowledge of it? X
PCOS and underactive thyroid here
I’m going to try a low GI diet in the hopes it will relieve some of my symptoms. My hair has been falling out like crazy for what feels like forever and I’m now beginning to see scalp where I couldn’t before. I’m also fed up of being tired all the time, having no motivation and a general feeling of depression.
I’ve been on levothyroxine for my thyroid for 15 years and the mini pill for PCOS for around 4 years (was previously on a different pill for around 10 years). I’ve never had any other treatment for either condition.
I don’t want kids so I’m not trying to get pregnant and I’m also not necessarily trying to lose weight, but more reduce bloating and puffiness in my face. I’m going to take baby steps with the low GI diet and figure it out as I go - as someone who regularly skips meals due to lack of preparation/discipline, I’ll find it quite difficult to get back into having 3 regular meals a day.
I’m only 30 but these conditions make me feel at least 60+ sometimes!
I’m going to try a low GI diet in the hopes it will relieve some of my symptoms. My hair has been falling out like crazy for what feels like forever and I’m now beginning to see scalp where I couldn’t before. I’m also fed up of being tired all the time, having no motivation and a general feeling of depression.
I’ve been on levothyroxine for my thyroid for 15 years and the mini pill for PCOS for around 4 years (was previously on a different pill for around 10 years). I’ve never had any other treatment for either condition.
I don’t want kids so I’m not trying to get pregnant and I’m also not necessarily trying to lose weight, but more reduce bloating and puffiness in my face. I’m going to take baby steps with the low GI diet and figure it out as I go - as someone who regularly skips meals due to lack of preparation/discipline, I’ll find it quite difficult to get back into having 3 regular meals a day.
I’m only 30 but these conditions make me feel at least 60+ sometimes!
Hey all,
I don't know if I have PCOS, but I've suspected that something isn't quite right for years and have finally found the courage to see a gynecologist specializing in female hormonal problems. I go to my regular gynecologist checkups once a year (sometimes half a year, when I can be bothered), but my concerns were never really considered
The reasons that I think something is off is that I've always been rather hairy everywhere, even though nobody else in my family is. I even have a line of hair growing down my stomach above my navel and then really thick dark hair from below the navel. Plus some chin hairs that I got electrolysis for, but new ones keep growing of course.
I sometimes can express "milk" from my breasts despite never having been pregnant. And I've been on hormonal contraception since I was fourteen - I'm 33 now and use a hormonal IUD. My periods and cycle are a mess, completely irregular and often nothing comes (still get PMS and cramps, thanks!) but then I'll have one where I feel really sick and it's extremely strong. However because I've been on contraceptives for so long, my concerns were kind of dismissed, as the doctors kept telling me that with the IUD it was normal that I didn't have a regular period and all that.
I got my period very early, at eleven and they were extremely heavy. Of course, I don't know what they are like these days without hormones, but I still think it would be good for someone to check things out a bit more thoroughly. I used to have cysts, but again these were dismissed as often coming from the IUD (but I used to have them even when I was on the pill).
The only thing that isn't typical for PCOS is my weight (I'm slim and don't normally have unexpected weight gains), however, I feel and look constantly bloated around my abdomen and I don't know if that's related.
Any advice on what to expect during the appointment? I considered calling such a doctor for years but always held myself off - also it's a practice for fertility treatments and I hope they don't think I'm wasting their time as I'm not coming in for that.
I don't know if I have PCOS, but I've suspected that something isn't quite right for years and have finally found the courage to see a gynecologist specializing in female hormonal problems. I go to my regular gynecologist checkups once a year (sometimes half a year, when I can be bothered), but my concerns were never really considered
The reasons that I think something is off is that I've always been rather hairy everywhere, even though nobody else in my family is. I even have a line of hair growing down my stomach above my navel and then really thick dark hair from below the navel. Plus some chin hairs that I got electrolysis for, but new ones keep growing of course.
I sometimes can express "milk" from my breasts despite never having been pregnant. And I've been on hormonal contraception since I was fourteen - I'm 33 now and use a hormonal IUD. My periods and cycle are a mess, completely irregular and often nothing comes (still get PMS and cramps, thanks!) but then I'll have one where I feel really sick and it's extremely strong. However because I've been on contraceptives for so long, my concerns were kind of dismissed, as the doctors kept telling me that with the IUD it was normal that I didn't have a regular period and all that.
I got my period very early, at eleven and they were extremely heavy. Of course, I don't know what they are like these days without hormones, but I still think it would be good for someone to check things out a bit more thoroughly. I used to have cysts, but again these were dismissed as often coming from the IUD (but I used to have them even when I was on the pill).
The only thing that isn't typical for PCOS is my weight (I'm slim and don't normally have unexpected weight gains), however, I feel and look constantly bloated around my abdomen and I don't know if that's related.
Any advice on what to expect during the appointment? I considered calling such a doctor for years but always held myself off - also it's a practice for fertility treatments and I hope they don't think I'm wasting their time as I'm not coming in for that.
I spoke with my endocrinologist today and it turns out my thyroid is slightly under active. Also, I have elevated dhea (sp?), which may be causing my PCOS
I have elevated Dhea too, I've never really succeeded in finding out much about it though. Sounds like we have adrenal PCOS which is less common than the other type
I have an appointment with the doctor tomorrow, I’m pretty convinced I have pcos I have all the symptoms and I think it might be quite obvious, was just wondering what the doctor does is there any tests/blood work? I’m rather nervous so just wondering if anyone had a rough idea of what to expect?
I had blood tests and a scan x
Blood tests and a scan for me too. If you have symptoms and your blood test shows you have it too then you might not need the scans (I think).
a consultation and a scan for me, try not to worry too much - if you get the diagnosis you'll actually feel so relieved and you'll be able to move forward
