September is PCOS Awareness Month. You may or may not know that I have PCOS. PCOS stands for Polycystc ovary syndrome. I was diagnosed with it back when I was in high school after having issues that my doctor suspected were symptoms of PCOS. After struggling for a couple of years with them, it was nice to finally know what it was and start getting treated for it.
PCOS is a common disorder of the endocrine system among women of reproductive age. The cause of PCOS is unknown, but it’s a hormonal imbalance in which the ovaries make more androgens than normal. Insulin may also be linked to PCOS, as many women with PCOS tend to have too much insulin in their bodies because their bodies have issues using it. An excess amount of insulin can increase the production of androgen, a male hormone that females also make. If you have high levels of androgen, it can lead to weight gain, excessive hair growth, acne, and ovulation problems.
Symptoms of PCOS do vary from woman to woman. Symptoms can include:
— infertility
— cysts on the ovaries
— irregular/infrequent/absent menstrual periods
— weight gain or obesity (usually around the waist)
— acne, oily skin or dandruff
— increased hair growth on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs or toes
— sleep apnea
— pelvic pain
— anxiety and/or depression
— skin tags or patches of skin on the neck, arms, thighs that are thick and dark brown/black
Unfortunately, there’s no single test to diagnose PCOS. The doctor will inquire about your medical history, order blood tests, order a sonogram, pelvic exam and do a physical exam. Once you are diagnosed with PCOS, your doctor will likely prescribe a medication to regulate your menstrual cycle. This usually involves birth control pills or a skin patch that contains a combination of estrogen and progestin. You may also be prescribed meformin, an oral medication for type 2 diabetes in order to improve insulin resistance. Also, if you aren’t already activity exercising, the doctor will recommend you do moderate exercise activities. Weight loss of even 5 percent of your body weight can improve your condition.
During my teen years and into my 20s, I struggled with my weight. While it’s not ALL because of PCOS, I learned that having it did make things a bit more difficult. I’ve been on birth control pills for my PCOS since that diagnosis when I was about 17 years-old. I’ve also tried some other hormonal treatments, but thankfully, once I did lose 80lbs between late 2008 and August 2009, I noticed that my PCOS wasn’t as bad.
The thing for me is that I never know which one of my issues is causing a particular symptom. Between PCOS, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and Depression/Anxiety, it all seems to run together. A number of the symptoms are the same, especially with PCOS and my thyroid. So, I tend to just try to deal with most of it. The major issues of PCOS with my cycle are managed with the pill. I’ve been regular for years now which is great. Never knowing if/when you will have a menstrual cycle or if it will be a horrible one is not fun. I have no clue if it will affect my eventually wanting to have a baby. Some people with PCOS can’t conceive, and some are fine and able to. That’s definitely a struggle for anyone ready to get pregnant when they have PCOS.
If you think you have, or have already been diagnosed with PCOS, there are some great resources online to help support you. Of course, you need to be seen and treated by a doctor in order to get the correct treatment regime for you. However, you can check out these websites for help and support.
***PCOS Awareness Association***
***PCOS Foundation***
***PCOS Challenge***
Do you, or someone you know struggle with PCOS?
Good Evening,
I wanted to know if I could use the second picture that you posted (I am 1 in 10)?
I would really like to use it on Facebook to help spread awareness if that is okay with you?
Sure, I grabbed it off of Pinterest.