I had external and internal ultrasound
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Thank you I’m a bit nervous with medical things so this is super helpful to know what to expect thank you x
I was exactly the same and avoided the Drs for years. Since going in and asking about PCOS (which I don’t have but it led to other investigations) and having various tests I’m a lot better about it now. I guess just more used to it and know there’s nothing really to fear. Obvs don’t love it but don’t hate it! Good luck!
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?
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?
I’ve found Verity really good - there are local groups and I’ve joined my local one and met up with people a few times which has been really helpful.
My appointment is in 8 days and I'm getting a tad nervous. I'm usually glossing over things at a doctor, as I think that they probably see way worse than me every day and i get nervous 
maybe should make a list of everything I want to mention.
Anyways, there's a woman I follow on Insta mostly for her beautiful Pilates, but she has PCOS and mentions that she is controlling it by avoid endocrine disruptors in her personal care products. Are any of you doing it? I understand the concept, but it seems like it would take so much effort plus bleeping expensive as well and I'm not sure that I should be bothered.
maybe should make a list of everything I want to mention.Anyways, there's a woman I follow on Insta mostly for her beautiful Pilates, but she has PCOS and mentions that she is controlling it by avoid endocrine disruptors in her personal care products. Are any of you doing it? I understand the concept, but it seems like it would take so much effort
plus bleeping expensive as well and I'm not sure that I should be bothered.
I have suspected PCOS, never diagnosed through my own fear of facing reality. I hadn’t had a period in 10 years (since I was 14, now 24). I randomly got one last night and cried tears of joy 
just knowing my body is capable of doing what it’s meant to do is huge for me! I’m desperate to have children one day so to just be able to have a period is huge for me. I’ll be on egg shells next month waiting to see if I get another one. Praying this is the start of some regularity for me🥹 thennnn I will actually face going to the doctors and get tested.
just knowing my body is capable of doing what it’s meant to do is huge for me! I’m desperate to have children one day so to just be able to have a period is huge for me. I’ll be on egg shells next month waiting to see if I get another one. Praying this is the start of some regularity for me🥹 thennnn I will actually face going to the doctors and get tested.
Just found this thread after posting quite a bit in the Saxenda weight loss thread about PCOS.
I was diagnosed when I was around 17 (I'm now 51) and I believe it was caused by the drug Epilim which I was prescribed as I had 2 grand mal seizures within 18 months and my GP at the time said it would be good to take Epilim as it would help control the seizures. If only we knew then what we know about that drug! My periods were pretty non existent when I reached 16 and at one point it was thought I was pregnant as I stopped having them (had 2 pregnancy tests carried out at the local hospital as that's what was done back in the day!) - I had a steady boyfriend so you can imagine how I had to build up the confidence to tell my mum I thought I was!
Since then, I had periods approximate twice or three times a year - never really heavy. Once I met my husband and was on the pill, the periods completely stopped. But of course I am hairy (especially under the chin) and weight is an issue hence using Saxenda (I lost 1.5 stones).
I have no idea if I will ever go through the menopause - I don't have any of the symptoms that my girlfriends have/had and my periods stopped so many years ago!
It was by chance I found out about the link with Epilim and PCOS as an article was written in You magazine (Daily Mail) following a reader's letter. Extensive research was carried out by a university in Birmingham (can't remember the exact one) so it was very interesting to know how I came to have PCOS. I actually weaned myself off Epilim after reading about the link much to my doctor's disgust! Besides I'd not had a seizure in 10 years and have been seizure free since.
I was diagnosed when I was around 17 (I'm now 51) and I believe it was caused by the drug Epilim which I was prescribed as I had 2 grand mal seizures within 18 months and my GP at the time said it would be good to take Epilim as it would help control the seizures. If only we knew then what we know about that drug! My periods were pretty non existent when I reached 16 and at one point it was thought I was pregnant as I stopped having them (had 2 pregnancy tests carried out at the local hospital as that's what was done back in the day!) - I had a steady boyfriend so you can imagine how I had to build up the confidence to tell my mum I thought I was!
Since then, I had periods approximate twice or three times a year - never really heavy. Once I met my husband and was on the pill, the periods completely stopped. But of course I am hairy (especially under the chin) and weight is an issue hence using Saxenda (I lost 1.5 stones).
I have no idea if I will ever go through the menopause - I don't have any of the symptoms that my girlfriends have/had and my periods stopped so many years ago!
It was by chance I found out about the link with Epilim and PCOS as an article was written in You magazine (Daily Mail) following a reader's letter. Extensive research was carried out by a university in Birmingham (can't remember the exact one) so it was very interesting to know how I came to have PCOS. I actually weaned myself off Epilim after reading about the link much to my doctor's disgust! Besides I'd not had a seizure in 10 years and have been seizure free since.
I’ve just ordered Ozempic to help with my weight loss. I have used metformin previously but my GP is reluctant to prescribe it and I cannot be bothered arguing with them
Does anyone have any advice for the embarrassing hair growth? It’s ruining my confidence and I can’t seem to win I wax and get sensitive skin, tweezing and ingrown hairs and spots, shaving and not as close as I’d like. Someone please tell me what on earth you do!
I use tweezers. You can have laser treatment too but it can be expensive.
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I paid privately for Saxenda through my surgery’s pharmacy. I did use Metformin many years ago but found it didn’t help me at all. No matter what I did I couldn’t loose weight. I was quite sceptical of Saxenda before trying especially paying £250 for 5 pens but was so pleased with the results. I used it for 6 months as couldn’t afford it after that. I did put some weight back on but no where near what I was and I am maintaining. I’ll be interested to see what Boots charge for Wegovy when they launch it.
Do you have a diagnosis? I’m currently in the process and the doctor asked me whether an aim of any medication or management plan would be to lessen the hair and he said that with a diagnosis it could be paid for by my insurance. I’m in Germany, so this might be different everywhere, but given the price of laser and electrolysis, still worth exploring.
I’ve had electrolysis on my chin and upper lip. Works beautifully,however my body keeps producing new hairs. Another sign of hormonal problems, as the doctor told me.
I had a Philips Lumea and used that on my legs, it really helped there. It broke a few years ago, but my legs still are patchy in some areas. It never made a difference in my stomach unfortunately.
That’s good to know. Metformin and ultra low carb worked for me so I’m hoping ozempic works.
Good luck and hope this works for you
I find the advice about what’s good for PCOS and what’s not so conflicting and it’s driving me insane! Don’t know what to eat and what not to
does anyone have high prolactin on here? I do, they aren’t sure what’s causing it but I do feel it’s linked to potential PCOS or it’s just causing the symptoms altogether
does anyone have high prolactin on here? I do, they aren’t sure what’s causing it but I do feel it’s linked to potential PCOS or it’s just causing the symptoms altogether
For anyone who's had metformin, how did you manage to get it? I was diagnosed with pcos about 4 years ago, but my Dr's were useless and just said there was nothing they could really do for me. But I've seen loads of people say they've been given metformin, is it just something I ask my Dr for? I'm with a new one now so maybe they would be more helpful. And if you've seen an endocrinologist, has it been on the nhs or have you had to pay privately? There's a private one near me but he charges about £190 per time which I can't afford
Soy milk and soy products are huge disrupters. They cause my acne to spiral. They are quite an easy one to avoid and the difference you can see is visible. Other easy changes are from liquid soap to bar soap, I also did this and can see the changes. Switching out plastic food containers to glass is also a good one as it’s also environmentally friendly.My appointment is in 8 days and I'm getting a tad nervous. I'm usually glossing over things at a doctor, as I think that they probably see way worse than me every day and i get nervous
Anyways, there's a woman I follow on Insta mostly for her beautiful Pilates, but she has PCOS and mentions that she is controlling it by avoid endocrine disruptors in her personal care products. Are any of you doing it? I understand the concept, but it seems like it would take so much effort
I’m not sure there are many in personal health products but I could be wrong.
I’ve been doing them my ova insitol for three months and have seen changes. I was wondering if anyone knew of a cheaper alternative?
Also been using Rheal foods for a month clean Greens and hormonal balance, apart from an acne spike this week, my bloating has considerably reduced and I’m losing weight steadily and weekly
Ughh I know. I'm seeing a dietitian and endocrinologist at the moment but they both don't have enough knowledge of PCOS to tell me what exactly I should be doing. I see sooo much stuff on social media / online too re: supplements and I'm trying a few of them but that can't be healthy for you either, taking a load of synthetic supplements all together?I find the advice about what’s good for PCOS and what’s not so conflicting and it’s driving me insane! Don’t know what to eat and what not to
Thank you, @Donald23! Luckily most of those things I already do (no soy, bar soap, most food lives in jars, our water is from glass bottles, etc).
I eat dairy and my aesthetician recommended to me ages ago to reduce intake as people sensitive to hormones can have negative effects from it. Since then I left out milk in my porridge (make it with water and like it better that way anyway). This was a few years ago and I remember seeing an improvement in acne. It's not gone, but since I still have some form of dairy almost daily and am honestly not willing to give that up, I don't know if it would improve the situation much.
The doctor was really nice, btw, took his time to really listen and I got a ton of bloodwork going on. He didn't mention PCOS, just that each single symptom on its own wouldn't necessarily mean that something is wrong, but the the sheer sum of things means that he would like to run some tests. I was quite nervous to be told that I should stop complaining and am happy that I went through with it. If you're still debating whether you should go, do it
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Regarding supplements: I took chaste tree (agnus castus) a few years ago and it was scary, so I stopped. Started lactating... Now, 'I've had some "milk" before without ever having been pregnant, but it got a lot more while I was taking those pills. They're supposed to help with hormonal imbalance and irregular cycles.
I eat dairy and my aesthetician recommended to me ages ago to reduce intake as people sensitive to hormones can have negative effects from it. Since then I left out milk in my porridge (make it with water and like it better that way anyway). This was a few years ago and I remember seeing an improvement in acne. It's not gone, but since I still have some form of dairy almost daily and am honestly not willing to give that up, I don't know if it would improve the situation much.
The doctor was really nice, btw, took his time to really listen and I got a ton of bloodwork going on. He didn't mention PCOS, just that each single symptom on its own wouldn't necessarily mean that something is wrong, but the the sheer sum of things means that he would like to run some tests. I was quite nervous to be told that I should stop complaining and am happy that I went through with it. If you're still debating whether you should go, do it
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Regarding supplements: I took chaste tree (agnus castus) a few years ago and it was scary, so I stopped. Started lactating... Now, 'I've had some "milk" before without ever having been pregnant, but it got a lot more while I was taking those pills. They're supposed to help with hormonal imbalance and irregular cycles.
I use a brand called OvaSense by Natural Factors, I order it off iHerb, haven't been taking it long enough to say if it's made much of a difference though! It's a bit cheaper than the one you mentioned