I'm 26 (almost 27) and I've been dx with PCOS since 19. I knew I had a problem earlier, but ignored it until then because not getting periods was pretty cool. I've been overweight since puberty, likely partly due to the PCOS and because I like to eat the wrong foods. I took BCP from 19-22 and it helped my symptoms immensely... My cycle was regular, my skin cleared up, my hair growth was not as extreme and I was able to lose weight. I lost 50 lbs when my husband was first deployed and it was the slimmest I had been in years. When he came home he took up my gym time and didn't even seem to notice I lost weight (I needed recognition from him and support to keep going. I had neither) so I gained 15 back and was comfortable there for a little while. Then I quit bcp, my best friend died in a traumatic way (I found her) & from there I gained 80 lbs in 10 months. Mind you, I was eating right after my initial comfort food period, and running 5 mi a day with my husband. Still gaining! Saw an endo - she was USELESS. She wanted me to go back on bcp to lose weight and go from there, but had no plan for what we would do if the same weight gain happened after quitting bcp. We wanted to get pregnant eventually & I figured this would take a long time to sort out, so instead I went back to my primary care CNP and asked if we could get some tests done and put me on metformin. Scans showed no cysts on my ovaries, but my hormone levels were definitely messed up - high testosterone, FSH:LH ratio messed up though separately they were within normal range, and everything else was ok - including insulin. But he decided we should go with metformin anyway to see how it went. Honestly the only difference I saw was that my nails, which used to be brittle, were growing in faster and stronger - so I kept taking it because obviously it was doing something. I tried provera to induce periods but it made me batshit crazy so we switched to prometrium which was much better. Finally I realized that my body really does not do well with synthetic hormones... From here on I swore off bcp. I did lots of research on herbal supplements and with the blessing of my CNP I began taking vitex (to help balance all female hormones) and licorice root (to lower testosterone - this cannot be taken by people who have high bp and you should monitor yours while taking). After a few months I began to have "spontaneous" periods and my cycle length would get closer and closer to the normal ~30 days each month that went by. One month I did not take the herbals as a test and did not get my period. I continued to take the met + herbals and in one month finally lost 20 lbs... And then I got pregnant! I stopped taking the herbals immediately but continued to take met during my 1st trimester per OB's advisement. Went into labor the day of my original due date and gave birth to a healthy baby boy. I took met immediately afterward (but no herbals) to ensure breast milk production, which can be difficult for those with pcos, and I'm proud to say we have had a successful nursing relationship for a year and a half!

Now, I'm looking to lose weight. Since I cannot take the herbals and because bf hormones affect cycles, things are irregular and I put on weight easy/am not losing weight easily. I did lose in the early days of nursing but put the weight back on later. I am about the weight I was a week after he was born and I only put on maybe 10 lbs total when I was pregnant.

Looking for cysters to support and encourage one another - myfitnesspal has def helped me in the past! I don't subscribe to any particular way of eating; I think eating healthier options and eating in moderation is key. I don't deprive myself of anything entirely. I haven't been able to get into the exercise jam just yet but I use a fitbit to track my steps! I'm hoping to begin working out once I have my emotional eating under control (so far I'm over a week in and no big slip ups! But the urge to overeat is still there) & then hopefully do some workout videos while my son is napping. Unfortunately due to life circumstances I cannot make it to the gym except for Fri/Sat/Sun. Once the weather is nicer I will be taking my son out in the jogging stroller.

I have more than 100 lbs to lose, but right now my short term goal is 30 lbs! I try to reward myself with nonfood rewards in 10 lb increments.

Anyway I'm looking forward to "meeting" you ladies and share in the struggle! I will gladly connect with any cyster but I do feel particular kinship with those of you who also have a lot of weight to lose. We can do it!!