Why are GPs so stupid to treat PCOS?

SmarTam
SmarTam Posts: 35 Member
in Motivation and Support
I went to a stupid stupid GP yesterday to get my blood work done for my PCOS progress. And he said, why are you worried about it if you are not planning to concieve. Try to conceive naturally first and then we will do all the tests.

I told him all my symptoms and he reacted like a fool who is worse than a layman. :huh: To him PCOS is nothing and I should not worry about it. Get a face laser done, and go for a walk, thats it. How stupid these GPs are?:mad:

I finally convinced him to refer me to a Gynec that I am going to see in a few weeks time.

Replies

  • Carnivor0us
    Carnivor0us Posts: 1,752 Member
    He seems to need a better understanding of PCOS outside of babymaking....
  • maasha81
    maasha81 Posts: 733 Member
    Interesting ... Not all GP are alike. My only symptom was heavy periods every other week. He sent me straight for an ultrasound and referred me to a obgyn who specializes in PCOS

    He definitely needs to do more reading on that topic :/
  • asongforholly
    asongforholly Posts: 29 Member
    My Dr. admitted she didn't know anything about PCOS and referred me to a specialist. I know how you feel. PCOS is so much more than just "baby making" issues.
  • bacitracin
    bacitracin Posts: 921 Member
    WAT. He's fired. Srsly. It's a whole body hormone imbalance causing suckfest. I'm a dude and I get that it's a big deal.
  • kahays
    kahays Posts: 17 Member
    I went to a specialist that was just concerned about my baby prospects (keep in mind I was single and too young for that). He had me on drugs that made me sick and didn't really understand. My GP now is great and works with MY body - not a textbook case. And could some one tell these dudes that "getting a face laser" is not pocket change and isn't covered by insurance!
  • SmarTam
    SmarTam Posts: 35 Member
    Thanks, I am surprised that a dude can understand the havoc PCOS recks on us. I wish my husband was more keen to know what going on with me. He just asked, is everything OK, and I said No, then I had to take him through all the details that he should be knowing by now after 4 years of marriage. He would have never researched on it.
    WAT. He's fired. Srsly. It's a whole body hormone imbalance causing suckfest. I'm a dude and I get that it's a big deal.
  • Shelle58704
    Shelle58704 Posts: 25 Member
    My doctor wants to treat it with the Pill or Clomid. We aren't trying, nor are we preventing. I just want balanced hormones or regular cycles!!! I did a day of research on the internet and started on a bunch of supplements a couple of years ago. Worked great! Lost 40lbs in 6 months . . . and ended up pregnant! She is now a year, no longer breastfeeding, so I'm back on the supplements.
  • christinevalentine
    christinevalentine Posts: 12 Member
    My doctor wants to treat it with the Pill or Clomid. We aren't trying, nor are we preventing. I just want balanced hormones or regular cycles!!! I did a day of research on the internet and started on a bunch of supplements a couple of years ago. Worked great! Lost 40lbs in 6 months . . . and ended up pregnant! She is now a year, no longer breastfeeding, so I'm back on the supplements.

    Would there be any reason to go on Clomid unless you are actively trying to get pregnant?

    I am not trying to get pregnant but would to try to regularly ovulate each month now so that when (if) I want to get pregnant in the next few years I can.
  • cafeaulait7
    cafeaulait7 Posts: 2,459 Member
    It's been kind of a sexist field for a long time. When it comes to 'reproductive health', women are still seen as basically walking wombs, I think. I even had 2 separate doctors tell me years ago that they wouldn't even know which hormones to check if I weren't trying to conceive. Really? The same ones as women who are trying to conceive would be my guess. So weird. I had a reproductive endocrinologist not take me as a patient because I wasn't actively trying to have a baby, etc. It's made me wish there were a specialty that took the OB out of OB/GYN :(

    The field has gotten much better, thankfully.

    The balance of hormones makes a difference to all kinds of bodily systems, not just the ability to conceive, yes. Maybe remind docs that insulin issues/pancreatic health, LDL/HDL, raised cancer risks for unopposed estrogen, increased cardiovascular risks, etc, are all something a GP is usually supposed to be on the lookout for. PCOS is a big flag for all of those. Conception is not even something I'm concerned with at all, and I have to watch my health from PCOS and endometriosis pretty strictly. It's ridiculous that a doctor wouldn't know these things by now :( I'm not surprised, but it's still ridiculous.
  • nicknpick
    nicknpick Posts: 12 Member
    My doctor wants to treat it with the Pill or Clomid. We aren't trying, nor are we preventing. I just want balanced hormones or regular cycles!!! I did a day of research on the internet and started on a bunch of supplements a couple of years ago. Worked great! Lost 40lbs in 6 months . . . and ended up pregnant! She is now a year, no longer breastfeeding, so I'm back on the supplements.

    I'm curious about the supplements you take. What are they? How long did you take them before you noticed a difference?
  • lynn1982
    lynn1982 Posts: 1,439 Member
    It's a whole body hormone imbalance causing suckfest.

    This is probably the best description of PCOS that I've ever heard...good job.
  • SmarTam
    SmarTam Posts: 35 Member
    It's a whole body hormone imbalance causing suckfest.

    This is probably the best description of PCOS that I've ever heard...good job.

    COMPLETELY AGREE!!! BEST POSSIBLE !

    I am currently off the pill to see how my body reacts to the lack of artificial hormones and its been reall a Suckfest. My hair have become GREASY (Not oily), I can feel the grease when I rinse them, the dandruf has become more flakey and l am constantly itching my scalp like a serious psorais patient. And ofcourse the acne breakout and not to mention but very obvious lethargy and lack of energy. Thats why I went to the doctor to see how my body is behaving without the Pill. I mean I can feel it totally!! And still does not think its serious.
  • Urban_Princess
    Urban_Princess Posts: 219 Member
    Since a bunch of you have PCOS in this thread do you mind if I ask post a thought? I'm afraid I may have it too.

    I have/have had the general symptoms.
    - I had very irregular periods for about a year, though I atributed it with eating terribly. Since the summer when I changed my diet I noticed a complete 180 and I'm back to normal.
    - I do get acne but only when I don't wash my face right away after the gym (plus, I wear makeup daily) or right before my period.
    - I have skin tags under my armpits (I've had them for as long as I could remember, even when i was slimmer).
    - I do have dark patches under my armpits and behind my neck which I thought was a precursor for Type 2 (it probably is since that runs in my family).
    - I don't have an issue losing weight.
    - I have thinning hair which started around the time when I started university and ate crap every day. My family is known to have thin hair too.
    - I don't have dandruff anymore. Well I never really had it. I just had an obsession with touching my scalp. If I used cheaper shampoos like pantene, tresemme and head and shoulders, my scalp would be dry and itchy. Not greasy/oily.


    Maybe I should just go to the doctor lol
  • cafeaulait7
    cafeaulait7 Posts: 2,459 Member
    Since a bunch of you have PCOS in this thread do you mind if I ask post a thought? I'm afraid I may have it too.

    I have/have had the general symptoms.
    - I had very irregular periods for about a year, though I atributed it with eating terribly. Since the summer when I changed my diet I noticed a complete 180 and I'm back to normal.
    - I do get acne but only when I don't wash my face right away after the gym (plus, I wear makeup daily) or right before my period.
    - I have skin tags under my armpits (I've had them for as long as I could remember, even when i was slimmer).
    - I do have dark patches under my armpits and behind my neck which I thought was a precursor for Type 2 (it probably is since that runs in my family).
    - I don't have an issue losing weight.
    - I have thinning hair which started around the time when I started university and ate crap every day. My family is known to have thin hair too.
    - I don't have dandruff anymore. Well I never really had it. I just had an obsession with touching my scalp. If I used cheaper shampoos like pantene, tresemme and head and shoulders, my scalp would be dry and itchy. Not greasy/oily.


    Maybe I should just go to the doctor lol

    You could have it, since you have very irregular periods sometimes, especially. The diabetes-type symptoms are the biggest problem, imho. The thing about PCOS that is a bit strange is that the insulin problems most often are coming from the reproductive hormone imbalance, so that's why it matters to know you have it (other than conceiving, which is a concern for many). Fortunately Metformin balances all of those hormones, not just the insulin, so it works really well for PCOS. Some of the other ways of treating it don't hit the insulin problem, and that can be very bad.

    So check with your doctor, yep :) Hopefully she'll check a nice range of hormones instead of just sticking you on the pill while checking nothing. One can hope ;)
  • BrittBrat1787
    BrittBrat1787 Posts: 136 Member
    I seriously hope you don't go back to that doctor because he does NOT have your wellbeing in mind nor an understanding of the hell PCOS does to your body. I hope it goes well with the other doctor!!
  • 43932452
    43932452 Posts: 7,246 Member
    I had that treatment so many years because they in fact are inept in knowledge ..
    I suffered no treatments that would help only lead me deeper into the PCos
    labyrinth. After joining here last year I saw my so calledOB specialist with my
    HMO .. was told she was educated on ALL female matters .. not!! I walked
    away in more dismay than I had been before that.

    After researching it online, I found only I could treat my condition .. so
    cutting back on my carbs has helped immensely. The bad thing is part of pcos ..
    is craving bad foods .. so it is tough in any of us who suffer this.
    The Pcos is a gateway to Type2 diabetes so if you've not been misfortunate to
    get that diagnosis as well .. you're doing great. The Type2diabetes on top of
    Pcos is hard to fight. I've struggled to lose 155 .. have another 31 or so .. it has
    gotten harder. Didn't mean to write a book with my response but I sincerely
    hope you get the right help .. and push past it.
  • sophie_wr
    sophie_wr Posts: 194 Member
    damn same here..... with stupid doctors all these years - I never had tried to be pregnant though.
    1/ irregular period ? ok here is your birth control prescription
    2/ overweight - obese... well stop eating that much (finally I got sent to a nutritionist who sent my to MFP but it took forever)
    3/ a month ago, after blood test for sugar/Hba1c that were a bit higher than normal : well you know, you're overweight, lose 20 more pounds and you should be fine.

    Like seriously ???!!!!!! I'm so annoyed !!!
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    It's a whole body hormone imbalance causing suckfest.

    This is probably the best description of PCOS that I've ever heard...good job.
    +1
  • SmarTam
    SmarTam Posts: 35 Member
    damn same here..... with stupid doctors all these years - I never had tried to be pregnant though.
    1/ irregular period ? ok here is your birth control prescription
    2/ overweight - obese... well stop eating that much (finally I got sent to a nutritionist who sent my to MFP but it took forever)
    3/ a month ago, after blood test for sugar/Hba1c that were a bit higher than normal : well you know, you're overweight, lose 20 more pounds and you should be fine.

    Like seriously ???!!!!!! I'm so annoyed !!!

    I went to another GP with my blood work and he was much better than this one. He clearly said that my FSH:LH ratio indicates PCOS and border line insulin resistant. Blood Sugar was normal. So, he said that I want to see if you are ovoluting or not. I have got another test done on 21 st day of my cycle without the pill. Let us see what that results in. Also my total cholestrol was a bit high but LDL was fine. So this new GP asked me to control it with diet. No medicines required. He gave me a bit of pshycho therapy too, He told me not to freak out and that I look beautiful.

    He said 'You look upset, dont be"
    I replied: Look at my falling har, my acne, my mood and my energy. I dont want to be upset, but I cant help.
    He said. "you are beautiful and I think you have got very good hair too"

    Let us have more blood work done and see for possible solutions.

    I am so relieved. I am going to continue with this doctor and go to the Gynec as well. I also started Inositol Powder recently, I asked my doctor about it and he said he will do the research and let me know more about it whan I visit him next time. I read in a research that Inositol powder can help with infertility and PCOS symptoms like depression, hirsuism and acne!
  • SmarTam
    SmarTam Posts: 35 Member
    Since a bunch of you have PCOS in this thread do you mind if I ask post a thought? I'm afraid I may have it too.

    I have/have had the general symptoms.
    - I had very irregular periods for about a year, though I atributed it with eating terribly. Since the summer when I changed my diet I noticed a complete 180 and I'm back to normal.
    - I do get acne but only when I don't wash my face right away after the gym (plus, I wear makeup daily) or right before my period.
    - I have skin tags under my armpits (I've had them for as long as I could remember, even when i was slimmer).
    - I do have dark patches under my armpits and behind my neck which I thought was a precursor for Type 2 (it probably is since that runs in my family).
    - I don't have an issue losing weight.
    - I have thinning hair which started around the time when I started university and ate crap every day. My family is known to have thin hair too.
    - I don't have dandruff anymore. Well I never really had it. I just had an obsession with touching my scalp. If I used cheaper shampoos like pantene, tresemme and head and shoulders, my scalp would be dry and itchy. Not greasy/oily.


    Maybe I should just go to the doctor lol

    Hi,

    I think you should visit the doctor for sure. You are showing some symptoms of PCOS but that does not mean you have it. Get your blood work done and also get your GP to have an ultrasound done to look at your ovaries for any physical cysts.
  • ShrinkinMel
    ShrinkinMel Posts: 982 Member
    UGH!! Ignorance and arrogance can explain most cases of a Dr reacting that way. Insulin Resistance is a very real part of it that would include any one not just someone trying to conceive. I'd find a new Dr. if possible.
  • mommadid
    mommadid Posts: 9
    I have fired 2 doctors for stunts like that. I am so glad I found one that listens and can discuss situations with me.:flowerforyou:
    Best of luck to you.
  • mommadid
    mommadid Posts: 9
    Replacement YES. :bigsmile:
  • Shelle58704
    Shelle58704 Posts: 25 Member
    My doctor wants to treat it with the Pill or Clomid. We aren't trying, nor are we preventing. I just want balanced hormones or regular cycles!!! I did a day of research on the internet and started on a bunch of supplements a couple of years ago. Worked great! Lost 40lbs in 6 months . . . and ended up pregnant! She is now a year, no longer breastfeeding, so I'm back on the supplements.

    Would there be any reason to go on Clomid unless you are actively trying to get pregnant?

    I am not trying to get pregnant but would to try to regularly ovulate each month now so that when (if) I want to get pregnant in the next few years I can.
    The only reason to take Clomid with out actually trying is to make myself ovulate and get a normal period. But as Clomid has wicked side effects itself, and doesn't seem like a good long term solution, I don't want it.
    My doctor wants to treat it with the Pill or Clomid. We aren't trying, nor are we preventing. I just want balanced hormones or regular cycles!!! I did a day of research on the internet and started on a bunch of supplements a couple of years ago. Worked great! Lost 40lbs in 6 months . . . and ended up pregnant! She is now a year, no longer breastfeeding, so I'm back on the supplements.

    I'm curious about the supplements you take. What are they? How long did you take them before you noticed a difference?
    I'll send you a private message. :)
  • susannamarie
    susannamarie Posts: 2,148 Member
    Ya, I was diagnosed at age 15 after my mother read about it in a magazine and insisted that the doctor check. However, the doctor suggested shaving my neck and putting makeup on the dark patches as the sole course of treatment.

    I finally went to another doctor at 24 who put me on the pill, and it was great.
  • SmarTam
    SmarTam Posts: 35 Member
    Ya, I was diagnosed at age 15 after my mother read about it in a magazine and insisted that the doctor check. However, the doctor suggested shaving my neck and putting makeup on the dark patches as the sole course of treatment.

    I finally went to another doctor at 24 who put me on the pill, and it was great.

    Seriously???

    Such doctors should not be allowed to practise. They should be fired, and I insist that all doctors must pass an yearly global examination to keep them updated with new findings in health and medical line if they fail, their practise shoudl be siezed!!

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