PCOS and diabetes

wdnisbet

PCOS was a miserable reality for me for years. Then I finally went on birth control for it. What an amazing improvement. And surprising bonus: when I went off them at age 51 I had virtually no menopause symptoms. I know there is a lot of discussion about the connection between this condition and being overweight, but I am not convinced that medicine knows which comes first, the excess weight or the ovary disorder. Being on the pill all those years was good for my health and ability to function, but it sure didn't do anything for my weight struggles.

My G.P. has suggested I see a gyno to discuss this topic, but I am not ready to do so. I love not having to do a pelvic exam every damn year. And I certainly never saw any reason to believe my blood sugar levels were served by them.

Any thoughts?

midge_m

Are you on any treatment for the PCOS? I assume you are on medication for diabetes (dm2)?

You should have a pelvic exam every year due to the PCOS as it puts you at a greater risk for a number of things, including cervical cancer. There are also certain panels the gyno would look at that might help determine treatment regarding vitamin deficiencies, thyroid issues and the like.

I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 17. Quite honestly with the exception of birth control or other hormones (glad to hear it helped you, it almost killed me at 35. Literally.) the treatment for PCOS often mirrors the treatment for diabetes. Metformin and the like to start, a diet lower in carbs and spreading out your calorie intake over multiple meals, etc.

Did the doctor give you an indicator of what he thought the gyno could do for you that he/she can't?