PCOS: Me, Myself and My Polycystic Ovaries

I’ve been thinking for a long time about writing about my PCOS condition. But the more I think about it, I realise that I’ve been helped by so many other people who have it so If I can help someone else, I would be super happy!

For those of you that do not know what PCOS is. According to https://newyoumedicalcenter.net/ experts, It is a hormone imbalance that effects your periods. But let me tell you, it’s a whole lot more!

PCOS can affect 1 in 10 women. It can cause unwanted hair, irregular periods, acne, weight gain, difficulty losing weight, hair loss and hair thinning. It really can affect you in many different ways.

For me, since being a teenager I would go weeks to months without having a period. On the contrary, I would go week to months of heavy bleeding and clotting. This has gotten worse as I have got older. I have gained weight and I find it really really hard to loose weight. Which in turn makes the condition worse. I know this because when I have lost weight it does get better. I also have dark hair that comes through on my neck and the top of my thighs too!

The hardest part of it all is the PAIN!

PCOS Diagnosis

For a lot of years, I was the one without the periods, very rare that I would have them. Then something changed and I would have really heavy bleeding. All of the time. Even as soon as I moved. I know it sounds horrible but its the truth. I would have to change my pad up to 7 times a day! A tampon is unbearable.

I finally had to go back and back to the GP after battling them that I had lost weight but the bleeding did not stop. The pain was easier with less weight but I had put it back on. I finally got sent for a scan. This is a separate issue but I was first told I had a fatty liver, even though they were not there to look at that. Then I was told I had POCS by the woman scanning me and she suggested ever so nicely that I loose weight. Only later was I told that she shouldn’t have done that. Too late, I was already very upset.

Not as upset that the GP told me my only option was to go back on the pill or loose weight. I made it clear I am 31, had 1 miscarriage and do not wish to go back on the pill. One day I would like to have children. I was not offered medication of any sort.

Research and Treatment

After I felt that the GP totally failed me. And that I, in turn, was a failure for being fat. I did some research and found so many women with the same problem. I built up the courage to tell work what was happening and so got referred to OH and now I’m able to work from home if it gets too much.

The pain and fatigue is the most exhausting part. I can’t stop that other than booking time off when I feel I might have a period and just don’t put too much pressure on my body and RELAX.

One way you can help is, in fact, losing weight but there are other ways too. Not everyone with PCOS is because they are overweight. it is a hormonal imbalance after all and very much linked to insulin and thyroid levels. Others ways to help is to get a prescription for Insulin to help regulate your levels. It didn’t work for me but it may well for you. Or a kinder way for your body is for natural supplements. My suggestion if your looking for this is to try Nature’s Best.

What to do

If you think you have any of these symptoms then I would recommend you go and see your GP. But be firm, say you want a blood test and a scan of your ovaries. I sat around for far too long and I regret this now. It’s not the Gp’s fault they are so busy but make you put yourself first. If not then try something more natural and change your lifestyle in a way that might work for you. Good Luck girls! Let’s share our journeys and help each other!