Polycystic Ovary Syndrome???

mklanc95
mklanc95 Posts: 4
in Motivation and Support
I came a cross this on the internet and did some light research on it. Basically, I'm afraid I might have this. PCOS is when you have cysts on you ovaries... I dunno if I do. I have a very irregular menstrual cycle and I always thought it was because I was fat. But maybe it's switched? Not only does having PCOS make it extremely hard to lose weight even with low calorie consumption & exercise, but it also might mean I will not be able to have children. This is a huge blow for me since being infertile is one of my biggest fears. The symptoms are:

Irregular menstrual cycle (I have less than 3 a year... I thought I was just lucky lol)

Hard to lose weight (I just started REALLY working hard this week)

More hair on belly, chest, and chin (I have 2 chin hair that are barely visible, and a few strands on my chest, and hair on my belly. I
thought it was because I'm half Greek.... do I have more hair than usual for a 19 year old???)

Problems with fertility

Depression (Depression runs in my family and I often have problems with it)

Thinning hair on scalp (I don't do much with my hair so I don't know if it's thinning... would I know??)

anyway... am I being paranoid? I really don't want to have this syndrome. I'm working really hard to get healthy and stay healthy, I don't want this much fat on my body. If it turns out I can't lose weight that sucks, but if I can't have children... oh my gosh. I don't want all my work to lose weight to go to waste. I have been dedicated to losing weight since January 23rd (my Birthday) and I've been using MFP for 4 days now. I haven't checked how much weight I've lost because I feel it might discourage me if I check all the time, also I wanna SEE results. My mom says she can see I'm thinner but... she has a bit of a pre-existing bias given that I'm her daughter :smile:

Does anyone know anything about PCOS. Any additional information would be appreciated.

Replies

  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
    having a concern about your health isn't being paranoid... the only way to find out is to see a doctor, tell the doctor all the stuff you wrote in your post, and then let the doctor determine if you have this or not. you can't self-diagnose, but it seems you have good reasons to suspect you might have this.

    regarding fat loss, what I've learned from women with PCOS (I don't have it but I have a few friends that do) is that weight lifting (i.e. heavy weights, e.g. stronglifts or starting strength) plus being careful with the carbs (not the extreme low carb diets you get, but limiting carbs sensibly) helps. And of course most importantly being strict about staying in a calorie deficit. Some medical conditions do make fat loss harder, and this is one of them, but it's not impossible to lose fat with it.

    BTW regards infertility, I have a friend who was told she was infertile because she has PCOS, well she has a lovely little boy who came as a complete surprise. She didn't know she was pregnant until she was 5 months gone because she had no symptoms and missing 5 periods in a row is normal for her. It's quite rare for PCOS to cause complete infertility, someone with it may not ovulate every month but that doesn't mean they never ovulate, or (for women with PCOS who don't want kids) that there's no need to use contraceptives. Also, there are fertility treatments that can help, but I know of many women with PCOS who have kids that were conceived naturally.
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    I have PCOS, I am not overweight and I have 3 kids. Had some trouble conceiving, have some skin and hair issues, but it is manageable, as is the case for most people.
    While PCOS means it is harder to lose body fat from your tummy (you have a more "male" type of body shape), contrary to what you will find lots of people claiming on the internet, it does not cause weight gain. Weigth gain and no exercise, both make symptoms of PCOS far worse though.
    So, even if you do have PCOS, it is not affecting your weight gain, it is the other way round. If you do get a diagnosis, this is even more reason to work on changing your lifestyle.
    Now, regardless of whehter you have PCOS or lose weight, you need to see a dr. 3 periods per year means a health problem, and needs a diagnosis. The rule from both my endocrinologist and gynecologist is that when your period is late for 2 weeks or more, you need a dr appointment. And in your case, you need a diagnosis anyway. In your case, I would worry more about hypothyroidism by the way (which I also have), since you mention also hairloss.
    As for losing weight, no, you will not see results in 4 days. Set a goal of losing 1/2 to 1 lb of weight per week, depending on how much you need to lose, and try to change your lifestyle slowly. You will see results in weeks, not days.
  • Dewymorning
    Dewymorning Posts: 762 Member
    It is a good idea to visit the doctor and find out the cause of your irregular periods.
  • middleton110
    middleton110 Posts: 22 Member
    You might try going to your doctor. Since a woman with PCOS is sensitive to insulin levels (and carbs) it can be helpful for weight loss to get on something like metformin to help regulate that blood sugar. I'd keep pressing on it until you figure out what IS going on, if it's not PCOS. I definitely echo the lower-carb, whole-grain diet, too. (It's also just better for you overall.)

    The most efficient -- not easiest! -- way to manage PCOS (if you have it) is simply to lose weight. It runs in my family and I started developing borderline symptoms (discoloration of skin, missed periods, cystic ovaries), but ended up losing around 30 lbs (on Atkins, not recommended) which helped to mitigate a lot of my symptoms.

    My sister subscribes to this:
    http://pcosupport.org/newsletter/index.php

    Mostly, talk to your doctor, don't give up, and good luck!
  • sillyvalentine
    sillyvalentine Posts: 460 Member
    Don't self-diagnose. You're just stressing yourself out unnecessarily.

    A LOT of women with PCOS have perfectly healthy babies.
    A LOT of women with PCOS lose weight just as easily as others with a calorie deficit.

    I had PCOS. I can't say I'm cured as it could always come back but as of the last three years I have not had one cyst return to my ovaries.

    I started out on Metformin which I ended up being allergic to. I did some research on my own and found Spironolactone. I took it for a year or so and the cysts just disappeared! I get an abdominal scan every six months and they have not come back. I am not even on the pills anymore. I'm not saying that will work such wonders for everyone. A lot of women are on this drug and do not get those results.

    What I'm trying to say is that even if you do have PCOS, you may not get the worse case of every single symptom and there are lots of drugs to manage it.

    If you are concerned, you need to talk to a doctor. They will book you for an ultrasound and go from there.
  • Need2lose456
    Need2lose456 Posts: 131 Member
    Hi There,

    I suffer with PCOS too! Its terrible and wouldnt wish it on anyone, however its not the end of the world, hope bad it gets depends on how you treat yourself.

    Firstly, you cant self diagnose, you need to go to your GYNAE, they will do a sonar to check the ovaries and blood tests to check your hormones.

    I was diagnosed about 8 years ago and also just thought that it was normal or minor things but as i got older the symptoms just got worst! i have full facial hair, extreme weight gain, starting to get skin tags, bad stretch marks, terrible mood swings, etc.

    I have figured the the healthiest way for me to do this is to lose the weight naturally, i started in December and have lost 11kgs(24 pounds) so far.

    If you are serious about making changes, the following helped me
    *No sugar at all
    *no fizzy drinks
    *no carbs
    *never allow yourself to get hungry(fill up on a regular, healthy basis)
    *exercise(i started with zumba and 30ds)
  • jstout365
    jstout365 Posts: 1,686 Member
    PCOS isn't the end of the world. First you need to go to a doctor to address your concerns. If you do in fact have PCOS, there are many things that can help lessen the symptoms. Infertility does happen, but it isn't always a total infertility. I had to take a medication to get pregnant, but that was really the first level of treatment. Losing weight isn't impossible either and the PCOS symptoms can be reduced by a healthy diet, exercise, and being a healthier weight. It takes work, but it isn't impossible.
  • mklanc95
    mklanc95 Posts: 4
    Thank you guys for your replies! I'm going to the doctors in a few days. I hope I get an answer for my irregular periods. I'm 19 and haven't been to gynecologist so I'm a little nervous but I really want answers.
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    You do not need a gynecologist for what you describe. You need an endocrinologist.
  • MitsuShai
    MitsuShai Posts: 151 Member
    I think PCOS is a metabolic syndrome. It can cause a lot of things like diabetes, obesity, hypothyroidism, infertility. This is mostly due to hormonal imbalances, diet, and weight gain, so your doctor will probably give you some hormonal meds or meds to control your glucose levels like insulin. In the mean time, just keep trying to keep a healthy diet and exercise (I know you said it's hard, but just try in the mean time).

    You should speak to your doctor for further consultation; they will probably try to look for cysts in your ovaries.
  • becnaffine
    becnaffine Posts: 55
    PCOS sucks but as others have said, it's not the end of the world. I have more hair than normal, irregular periods, acne, but the weight loss isn't that hard. I have also had three beautiful children. I managed this by watching my body for signs of ovulation. Once you know what to look for it is easy to pinpoint. I can tell the exact day I ovulate now. Sometimes it's day 28, sometimes day 43.
    Anyway, don't stress. Go see your GP and voice your concerns.
  • lavendy17
    lavendy17 Posts: 309 Member
    Mine was detected in my blood work when I was 17, and confirmed with an ultrasound. It was not a big deal.

    I have had some health issues, never connected the dots, but reducing sugary foods (but increasing fruit intake), really helped me.
  • Mojoman02
    Mojoman02 Posts: 146 Member
    Cysts on ovaries are normal. I'm an ultrasound tech and see them all the time. PCOS is really multiple small cysts in your ovaries. Try not to worry. See what the doc says. They will probably order an ultrasound. Let us know!
  • PinkMartiniPls
    PinkMartiniPls Posts: 50
    If you have a reason to suspect that you may have it, you definitely need to talk to a doctor and not just any doctor - find one who has knowledge on the subject (it's okay to ask). There are many doctors who have no clue what to look for and it may surprise you by how often they miss the signs.

    I was fortunate, as I was diagnosed by a NP during a visit for something completely unrelated... I was 30 years old. All my life I had been complaining to doctors about my symptoms that they just shrugged off (I've had this since I was 14).

    Have them do blood work even if you have to pay out-of-pocket and ask for an ultrasound to see if you actually do have immature follicles "cysts" on your ovaries. On a side note, they aren't really cysts.

    The sooner you know, the sooner you can research the best course of treatment for your symptoms and needs. Best of luck to you!
  • Simone_King
    Simone_King Posts: 467 Member
    first: PCOs does not mean you CAN'T have children. It just MAKES it harder for you to have children and there is a difference.

    2nd: You can and you WILL lose weight.

    3rd: Do not say you have this just by the net. Go to your doctor and now.

    I have this and...its not the pcos that keeps me from losing. In reality its me being stupid and thinking I am superwoman.
  • proacha101
    proacha101 Posts: 5
    a gynocologist can diagnose you. If you do have it find an endocrinologist. They will be much more help. Loosing the wight will lighten the other syptoms. Just remember being put on a pill such as metformin you need to take it as perscribed for it to work. 19 is plenty young enough to loose the weight with out the pills and subside the side effects that way. Being put on a perscription that you could potentally be on the rest of your life effects your organs in your body such as your liver negativly. If you choose to try it, do so loose the weight and get off of it. Also I had really bad stomach problems when I tried it and ended up going on the exstended realease ER version. It is the most common treatment. Hope all goes well, make sure to do plenty of research. Good luck!
  • timberowl
    timberowl Posts: 331 Member
    Definitely get checked out. I've worried that I may have this as well. I went off the pill nearly a year ago (turns out the pill can mask the symptoms of PCOS) after being on it for a full decade. Three months later, I started having pregnancy symptoms hardcore, gaining crazy weight (12 lbs in 3 weeks!!!!!) and my hair started falling out rapidly. I was also nearly a month late on my period!!!!

    Slowly the symptoms have subsided but they still come back here and there, though not as ferociously. I was told I "May" have cysts, but until the symptoms get more severe it's no really worth looking into, because some cysts here and there are perfectly normal.
  • thatismesammyg
    thatismesammyg Posts: 71 Member
    At 19, I wouldn't worry too much about your fertility. You should see a gynecologist though since you haven't been to one yet. If you have PCOS, you can still lose weight. Just don't use it as an excuse like several people I know. "I have PCOS so losing weight is hard for me" *jams McDonald's down throat*
  • cebreisch
    cebreisch Posts: 1,340 Member
    PCOS can make it harder to lose weight or have kids, but it doesn't mean you can't lose weight or have kids. I had other things that were contributing to infertility other than just PCOS - blocked tubes, auto-immune antibodies, etc. - so I went thru an IVF cycle...Paige is now 10 1/2 years old. We did another cycle that started as an IVF, and we changed it to an IUI because we only had 1 good egg. Megan is now 7 1/2 years old. (2 for 2 is unheard of odds!)

    To find out, you'll need to see someone (either a gynecologist or reproductive specialist or even an endocrinologist) who treats PCOS. I don't know if you have this where you are, but in Indianapolis, there's a "Top doctors" list that comes out every so often. My endocrinologist is on the list. You want to make sure you get someone really good. There's a blood test they can do and an "equation" they can apply that looks at glucose, insulin and testosterone levels, and if the number hits in a certain range, it can be an indicator. It can also be verified by an ultrasound....common phrase to describe the ultrasound is "string of pearls" - it's of the cysts on the ovaries.

    Regarding food stuff:

    When you have something to eat, make sure you always have protein with it - don't just have a carb - have a protein and have that first before any carbs. Protein takes longer to digest and will stay with you longer. Carbs will burn off in about an hour or so.

    If you take metformin (generic) or Glucophage (brand), then take it towards the end of the meal. (It's a common prescription for people with PCOS that's typically used for diabetics, but they've found it useful for PCOS patients too.)

    A lot of the other stuff is pretty standard:
    Drink lots of water
    Choose grilled proteins instead of fried
    Focus on protein, and the fats/carbs will take care of themselves
    Get in your fiber (I use Chocolite bars to help with that from www.healthsmartfoods.com)
    Choose baked potatoes over fries
    If you get a baked potato, it's only better for you without the 2 pounds of cheese, bacon, sour cream...otherwise just get the fries.
    Get soup instead of salads. You can have 2 1/2 bowls of Pasta Fagioli soup is worlds better than 1 bowl Olive Garden salad.
    When you go to restaurants, either split with someone or order a kids meal => PORTION CONTROL.

    For what it's worth.....
  • fbmandy55
    fbmandy55 Posts: 5,263 Member
    Lots of PCOS ladies her and at least a few groups here for PCOS.
  • miranda_mom
    miranda_mom Posts: 873 Member
    I have it and I have two children, both conceived naturally. You are starting young so time is on your side. I wasn't diagnosed until I was 34 so I lost a lot of time in there.
    Fertility problems are only one of the symptoms of PCOS - some symptoms you will have more severely than others. Some you won't have at all. So it's too soon to tell if you will have fertility problems.
    One thing you should ask about if you are concerned about your future fertility - the cysts form on months when your body tries to ovulate but does not. So every month that you don't get a period, you will get a cyst. There are things you can do to prevent this. I don't have many cysts because I was on birth control for many years. (On the pill, your body doesn't try to ovulate so you will not get cysts). You can also ask about Metformin - in many cases (including mine), Metformin will cause regular ovulation, so you will not get cysts then either. Cysts can be problematic in the future because they cause the ovaries to become unusually large and hard (like scar tissue) and it makes it more difficult for the eggs to come out of the ovary when you do ovulate.

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