Any success pics from girls that have PCOS ?

katep2492

I am really worried I got diagnosed with pcos today and I know the treatment is birth control which while I researched it, it says the fact that bc makes you gain is a myth but there are others on here say it's not a myth. so it would be helpful to me to see successful girls with this, that were successful while treating their symptoms.

LovingMe19

If your watching what you eat and exercising regularly, you WILL NOT gain weight. I have been on birth control since I started MFP and well, my ticker doesn't lie!

deadstarsunburn

Just stay committed to your weight loss. You can do it =] just got to work a bit harder then you would otherwise if it messes with your weight.

purplecait1212

I don't personally have that situation, but my cousin battled losing weight with a PCOS diagnosis. She did well, but she felt like the weight came off slowly and stubbornly. Just keep going no matter what, and making healthy choices is always a victory!

MsCandyLynn

i don't have any before or after pictures yet, however i have lost 34 lbs since weighing in at my heaviest post baby and my symptoms are slowly going away and im starting to have more frequent TOMs...PCOS weight loss is more like a marathan vs a 5k as in it will take longer and it is harder but you will still reach the finish line! good luck out there...and birth control isnt necessarily a nned to take..I have PCOS and i dont take it...i want to know how often my body is producing cycles so i refuse to take BC plus i am trying for baby number 2 naturally...but that is just my opinion of BC...it will help you regulate your periods and as for you gaining weight on BC is unlikely bc you should be on a very very small dose, not enough to make you gain weight...those that take some of the older brands of BC are the ones that will gain weight!!! good luck

Sweettart

bump to read later

Jayra

You can lose weight with PCOS! Here is a good link to someone that has: http://www.facebook.com/notes/danielle-renee-reynolds-collins/how-do-i-get-my-motivation/10150398283092575

I have PCOS and when I was first diagnosed with it, I lost 30 kgs (a lot of hard work). Unfortunately I did the daft thing and put quite a bit back on, so here I am again, getting in control of my weight once again.

A lot of times I used PCOS as an excuse. People say its impossible to lose weight with PCOS. Don't believe it and don't use it as an excuse. You can do it!

wiffe

YOu can check out my profile. I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2002. Ended up losing an ovary in 2002 from it and was put on BCP. I still take my pill to prevent my ovary from going Ballistic in my opinion. but i"ve lost 100 pounds in the past 1.5-2 years.

Punkedpoetess

I was diagnosed with PCOS in April of 2010 after a several year journey of irregular periods and eventually cyst/pelvic pain. I have lost almost 7 pounds since starting MFP on 7/5/11 and this is working great for me so far. May be a slower journey, but it does work and it works pretty well I think .

katep2492

Thank you every one this is deff helping me realize pcos is not a *fat* sentence!

LCDMomma

I was diagnosed with PCOS 10 yrs ago. They tried me on birth control but it makes me crazy;) When I was on it I never gained weight, it just caused me to be too emotional. Good luck. If you have any questions about PCOS please feel free to ask. I had to deal with many PCOS issues.

Shan80

I also have PCOS. I'm insulin resistant. I was never given BCP as a "treatment" but I was put on it to regulate my cycle for a while but I cannot stand to be on the pill - and we want to have a baby so I didn't want to be on any form of BCP on the off chance that I ovulated and we might get pregnant. I actually DID ovulate 7 times (that I'm aware of) on my own and got pregnant each of those times - but unfortunately miscarried every one of them - the last one being this past January. So I'm sticking with the weight loss and my meds.

What my doctor has me on for "treatment" is a pill called Glucophage (I take the generic Metformin) This is typically a med given to those who are diabetic - I am not, but it is also very commonly used for women with PCOS.

I notice a vast difference in how I lose weight when I am taking the metformin rather than when I am not. It works wonders with the insulin resistance and helps to shed the pounds. Maybe consult your doctor about this if you have a hard time shedding any weight.

I do agree with everyone else though - you absolutely CAN lose weight while having PCOS - it's just harder.

My biggest beef with the syndrome is that is firstly and mostly causes excessive weight gain, but also acne, hair growth, lack of ovulation and normal cycles etc - and the only way to really get all of that in control is to lose the weight....SO frustrating!!

astovey

I have PCOS and I think birth control helped me lose weight bc my hormones weren't all out of whack. You can check my profile pics if ya want

TaneeisFitforLife

I also have PCOS...it's very possible to hit your goals!

dryfli

I also have PCOS. I'm insulin resistant. I was never given BCP as a "treatment" but I was put on it to regulate my cycle for a while but I cannot stand to be on the pill - and we want to have a baby so I didn't want to be on any form of BCP on the off chance that I ovulated and we might get pregnant. I actually DID ovulate 7 times (that I'm aware of) on my own and got pregnant each of those times - but unfortunately miscarried every one of them - the last one being this past January. So I'm sticking with the weight loss and my meds.

What my doctor has me on for "treatment" is a pill called Glucophage (I take the generic Metformin) This is typically a med given to those who are diabetic - I am not, but it is also very commonly used for women with PCOS.

I notice a vast difference in how I lose weight when I am taking the metformin rather than when I am not. It works wonders with the insulin resistance and helps to shed the pounds. Maybe consult your doctor about this if you have a hard time shedding any weight.

I do agree with everyone else though - you absolutely CAN lose weight while having PCOS - it's just harder.

My biggest beef with the syndrome is that is firstly and mostly causes excessive weight gain, but also acne, hair growth, lack of ovulation and normal cycles etc - and the only way to really get all of that in control is to lose the weight....SO frustrating!!

i totally agree with this post. i do not have PCOS, but my sister does and i am a nurse. your info is spot on. you should speak with your doctor about metformin and if they are not on board, get in contact with a doctor who is such as a gyne endocrinologist or reproductive endocrinologist. metformin is a must consider b/c of the nature of insulin resistance that you have with PCOS. going on the metformin will allow you to use your own insulin more readily, thus helping you drop the weight. otherwise this is a serious uphill battle without it.

mikesnwgirl

I have pcos and always used it as an excuse for not losing weight. Well no more! I have taken an active role in becoming healthy, and have had success. Granted it's not always easy to get up and get moving, but it's totally worth it. I always tell myself it's just one hr. I know you can do this. Just get a good support sytstem and follow what MFP tells you and you will do great!

RachelSRoach1

I am really worried I got diagnosed with pcos today and I know the treatment is birth control which while I researched it, it says the fact that bc makes you gain is a myth but there are others on here say it's not a myth. so it would be helpful to me to see successful girls with this, that were successful while treating their symptoms.

Boy do I have good news for you! Now first of all.. right now I'm facing weight gain from having two kids and I'm working to lose it.

You should know several things. I was diagnosed with PCOS and thought it was the coolest thing in the world. I had always been heavy (at the time I weighed 285 pounds) and I was a Junior in HS when I found out. This strange syndrome was not only supposedly the cause for my irregular and unusually heavy periods, bad weight gain, unwanted facial hair, and being heavy.. but there was one pill I was prescribed that by balancing my hormones would fix the whole thing. I was given Metformin, which is commonly used for diabetic patients but also women with PCOS.

From that moment on I started losing while on that pill.. and over the summer I got down to 188 pounds and felt awesome!!!!

I was also told that this would make it extremely difficult to get pregnant.. but like I said I have had two kids so far. Honestly that part of it was likely tied to weight gain.

Anyway.. moral of the story is I lost about 100 pounds while diagnosed with that.. and when the weight was gone my Dr. Said I didn't have it anymore. Which was SWEET.

Feel free to add me as a friend! I look forward to having these sort of results again and I bet you will reach your goals too.

Cytherea

I have PCOS and I was on birth control for years- just went off it in December, actually.

I always thought that I was just destined to be fat but I never really tried to lose weight until just over a year and a half ago. I'm now less than 15 lbs. away from a healthy BMI and my goal weight. Honestly, it is difficult. It is a struggle. And it sucks to see other people losing so much faster than you and having an easier time of it, but if you push through, you will be able to lose the weight.

Feel free to friend me if you like; I think it is always good to have supportive friends who know what you are struggling with. Best of luck to you!

Oh, and I've got a few b/a pics on my profile!!

ehunt26

I also have been batling with PCOS for about 5 years. I was not actually diagnosed by my OBGYN but by an endocrinologist. When I went to see her for the first time she told me that the BCP does not treat PCOS but masks the sysmptoms. I was also put on Metformin like Shan because of the insulin resistance. Once I was on the medication it became easier for me to lose the weight. I faltered with my meds over the last year and gained the majority of my 60lb weight loss back. Im not sure if any of you had the same issue but I also suffered from hair loss before I started the metformin. I have started to use the meds regularly again have started to see some results. I would strongly urge you if you have not yet seen one to get an endocrinologist. Once I started on the meformin my periods came regularly again without BCP and I have not missed one in 5 years. I know how hard it is to struggle with trying to lose weight with this disorder but please do not give up hope! It can be done.

ThePhoenixRose

I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 16. I was told that I'd never have children too. I went on bc to regulate my periods and help with symptoms related to the PCOS. I've had a total of 13 surgeries, all related to the Pcos as well (cyst removal, scar tissue removal, staph infection, etc.). When I was 25, I became pg with my first child, while on the pill, and yes, I was taking it EVERYDAY at the SAME TIME, and NO, I was not on any other meds (I get asked that a lot!). Anyway, when my daughter was about 8 months old, I became pg with my 2nd! (without every having had a period.)

Unfortunately, when my son was about 14 months, I had a stroke. Because of that, I was not allowed to take bc anymore because of the risk of stroke associated with it (you'd be SHOCKED how many gals have had strokes from bc!). A year after my stroke, after suffering a year of terrible pain 3 weeks/month, I made the decision to have a hysterectomy. I had a partial hysterectomy, and have never regretted it. I am happier now than I've ever been. I feel better now than I've ever felt.

I just wanted to share my story with you in hopes that you find you find your own path. No one can decide what to do but you, but know that you can make a difference in your life. Unfortunately, I can't tell you I'm a success story, YET! I will be soon!

Good luck to you in your journey, and I hope you feel well!

JoanWill

I have PCOS, was diagnosed in 2001. I had infertility issues but got that taken care of. There was a point where I always had PCOS and having twins be the excuse for gaining weight.

I was placed on Provera, that made me gain 5 lbs but I tried to defy what others say and los it fairly quickly. But mood swings were horrible. Really really bad. Plus it was the 1st BC I have ever had in my life. I stopped it and is currently on Yaz. So far I am doing good. There really is no cure for PCOS. It is a syndrome not a disease. It is a collection of symptoms. So these treatments are to control symptoms that may lead to other illnesses.

It is true that it takes a while for women with PCOS to lose weight but we will get there. I have lost 7lbs since I started MFP and even if I am not insulin resistant, I monitor my carb intake.

I know that one day we will be one of those PCOS success stories. We just have to keep on moving.

ShrinkinMel

I have wondered if I have PCOS in the past one Dr was going to look into it and refer me out but he basically listed that PCOS was more determined by waist to hip ration and since mine is proportional(albeit HUGE for both) and my thyroid checked out good that was as far as he went. GYN never really did much but want to prescribe pill to regulate. Now my primary care dr does my annual Pap and well woman exam. I may ask her if we could work in a referral to specialist.

I never really gained while on BCPs a few maybe in relation to my cycle. I even lost a good 40 lbs doing Weight Watchers while on them many many years ago before I had my daughter. Of course gained them back plus a few while pregnant and haven't lost them permanently yet. I did lose a good 40 lbs in 2009 really quickly just a lot of stress and no appetite but it also killed my gallbladder(had 5 large stones and opt'd for removal).

I also have PCOS. I'm insulin resistant. I was never given BCP as a "treatment" but I was put on it to regulate my cycle for a while but I cannot stand to be on the pill - and we want to have a baby so I didn't want to be on any form of BCP on the off chance that I ovulated and we might get pregnant. I actually DID ovulate 7 times (that I'm aware of) on my own and got pregnant each of those times - but unfortunately miscarried every one of them - the last one being this past January. So I'm sticking with the weight loss and my meds.

You may try going on for a few months then dropping off and see if you ovulate around 14 days later. My little girl is the result of BCP stop inducing ovulation on time for once. Otherwise I never know when I'd ovulate or get a period.

LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo

I also have PCOS and never had any regular period my whole life. I had been struggling with weight since I was 15 and my weight almost goes yo-yo. But now finally I was able to set it straight. I have my recent photos but I don't know how to upload it here. Anyway you can also see my progress in my ticker below though my "after" shots were taken 3 mos. ago when I was still 140 lbs.

cjwalker81

I also have PCOS. I'm insulin resistant. I was never given BCP as a "treatment" but I was put on it to regulate my cycle for a while but I cannot stand to be on the pill - and we want to have a baby so I didn't want to be on any form of BCP on the off chance that I ovulated and we might get pregnant. I actually DID ovulate 7 times (that I'm aware of) on my own and got pregnant each of those times - but unfortunately miscarried every one of them - the last one being this past January. So I'm sticking with the weight loss and my meds.

What my doctor has me on for "treatment" is a pill called Glucophage (I take the generic Metformin) This is typically a med given to those who are diabetic - I am not, but it is also very commonly used for women with PCOS.

I notice a vast difference in how I lose weight when I am taking the metformin rather than when I am not. It works wonders with the insulin resistance and helps to shed the pounds. Maybe consult your doctor about this if you have a hard time shedding any weight.

I do agree with everyone else though - you absolutely CAN lose weight while having PCOS - it's just harder.

My biggest beef with the syndrome is that is firstly and mostly causes excessive weight gain, but also acne, hair growth, lack of ovulation and normal cycles etc - and the only way to really get all of that in control is to lose the weight....SO frustrating!!

Same here...I take 2000mg of metformin a day for insulin resistance and to control cysts (we are ttc #2, 3+ years). I am not sure if its the change in my diet and exercise or what but I have not ovulated in the last 4 months and had 2 progesterone induced cycles They were both 57 days long.

La_Amazona

I have PCOS.

They say so much about it that it's scary! As far as the weight goes, it takes hard work. Maybe harder than normal but you can do it. When I was heavier, I hated going to the doctor and them mentioning my PCOS and my weight as if I was excused for being fat. PCOS isn't an excuse. It's a condition that I will not let beat me down any longer. I suffered alot in my 20's because of it (weight, infertility, self esteem) but no longer! There might not be a cure for it but I won't be an unhealthy PCOS'er.

As of now, I'm not on Metformin. I am on Loestrin birth control. It's a very low estrogen BCP and so far I love it. I didn't gain anything.

megamoo04

I was diagnose with PCOS about 3 years ago and I refuesed to go on BCP due to getting bad headache from it so my Dr put me on another pill that has worked so far and i noticed before when I lost weight i no longer need the pill mother nature did it thing normally. I am just scared now that if i dont get this weight off me i will mess myself and not be able to have childern, this is going to be a journey for all of us but we will all finish it!

emilymorrisfoster

I have wondered if I have PCOS in the past one Dr was going to look into it and refer me out but he basically listed that PCOS was more determined by waist to hip ration and since mine is proportional(albeit HUGE for both)

Having been diagnosed with PCOS and going through 3 rounds of IVF I can call myself an expert in PCOS (in fact I studied women's health in my studies to become a Nurse practitioner). What your doctor told you is COMPLETELY untrue. I've never heard a doctor be that wrong or oblivious about PCOS. Definitely worth talking to your Ob/GYN or an endocrinologist about though. Good luck!

Shan80

It's so crazy to see how common something is sometimes. I joined a fertility website 6 years ago and was amazed at just how many women faced infertility issues - I joined this site and see so many that are after the same goal and even so many that have PCOS.

I strongly urge everyone that is not on Metformin to please consult your doc and ask about it as a form of treatment. It really does help. I take 1500mgs a day.

BCP is a total No go for me. I can't deal with the hormonal crap that comes with it - even the low doses. I got pregnant with my son while I was on BCP's at 16 years old. He is actually celebrating his 14th birthday today. :sad:

Just know that weight loss IS possible no matter what condition or syndrome you have - you just have to work for it!

LiberatedHealth

I'm not on BC anymore but I will be back on it soon for a lil while..my doctor isnt all "take the pill you'll be fixed", she told me that BC pills are like a bandaid, it doesnt fix PCOS, eating right and exercising will though.
Honestly, I just want to be med free.

saadler

My gyno thinks I have PCOS because I had irregular periods, though the hormonal stuff in my blood work seemed regular. I've been on Yaz/Beyaz since April 2009 and I didn't have any weight gain with the pill. It is slower for me to lose weight maybe, but I'm also not trying as hard as some people on here.

jett0206

I would just like to congratulate everyone who has lost weight on MFP of otherwise:flowerforyou: