Hi everyone, my name is Andrea, I am 35 years old, married since 2011, tried for a baby for approx. 3 years and finally got pregnant last year and had my baby daughter earlier this year. (There is hope Angela! ;-) )
I am also suffering from PCOS. I always knew that something was wrong with my hormones - they were all over the place since my teenage years - but I was only officially diagnosed with PCOS 2 years ago. I kinda knew beforehand that I must have it, so it didn't come as a surprise. What I also knew was that my periods would come back once I ate proper healthy unprocessed food - especially loads of veggies! So I did that and got pregnant last year.
Now I'm unfortunately back to square one. Was a bit too bored being at home with the baby and started overindulging on sweets & chocolate & ice cream, etc, etc..and didn't have time to work out with the baby and all. Gained 15 kg in 5 months (so embarrassing - I knew better!) and with it came all of the lovely PCOS symptoms and a total lack of ovulation. I am on a mission now to get rid of that weight to get PCOS under control again and I am also back on a sugar free diet and will try to go completely gluten free as well this time.
If any of you want to connect, feel free to pm me or add me as friend. We can do this ladies!

Hi, my name is Julie (my friends call me "Spike" ...which was a name I got from playing volleyball) and I am 43 years old. I was diagnosed with PCOS in December of 2012 after I just couldn't take the horrible periods and other problems any more and decided it was time to find out what was wrong with me. I had lost about 85 pounds at the time I was diagnosed (which is about 50% of what I needed to lose). Since being put on Springtec to help with the heavy periods (sometimes twice a month and sometimes skipping a month), I have been an emotional roller coaster and have unfortunately returned to the comfort of food. I am pretty much back where I started and just started back on MFP 10 days. I now have about another 150 pounds to lose to get back to my Army weight. I know I will never be that weight again and certainly not have that same tight skin and muscle definition since I have been morbidly obese for about 15 years now and obese for about 20 years. I would like to get as close as I can though and then just let maintenance and time hopefully help with some of the rest. The worse thing for me about having PCOS is that my hair falls out like mad!! I have huge parts in the back of my head and have to wear ponytails or buns every day now (or put in back in a barrette in the correct spot to cover up the balding areas). I use Keratin shampoo, conditioner, and health regrowth treatment spray. It is about $90 a month and doesn't seem to be helping much. I also take Biotin. I am lucky though that I don't have issues with hair on my face or other areas where it doesn't belong. Worse come to worse...I can always wear a wig. I don't have to worry about ovulation issues anymore due to my age and the fact that I now take birth control for the periods. I had my first son at 18 and my second at 25. We did try to have another baby for several years in my mid thirties with no luck. I got pregnant once at age 35 but miscarried. I would have loved to had had a daughter, but I guess it just wasn't in the cards for me. I never dreamed that I had PCOS (heck I never even heard of it back then) and that was probably the culprit. I just figured it was because I was so obese. I am 5'10 and weighed 155 when I had my first son and weighed about 230 when I had my second son. I was between 280 and 300 during the years that I was trying to conceive with a third child. I am glad to see a group for PCOS and you ladies are welcome to add me as a pal

Hi everyone, I am Rebekah, 27. I am new to myfitnesspal but not to PCOS. I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2006 and consider myself lucky to have two beautiful children. I am now focusing on my health and hoping that this will help with the PCOS symptoms.

Hello all! This is my first time posting anything at all... But I'm hoping if I engage more in MFP I'll be more inclined to keep up with it! I am 30 years old and trying to lose about 80 lbs. A little history (which is bound to sound terribly whiny, so apologies in advance): I struggled with an eating disorder in high school, and my recovery relied heavily on keeping a food journal, learning what foods make me feel the best, and exercising. I love feeling healthy and kept those good habits up for many years. In 2007 I went off of BC and started TTC, only to rapidly gain 50 lbs. despite not having changed any of those healthy habits. It was so confusing and frustrating. I had been on BC since I was 16 to alleviate my painful and heavy periods, and it turns out it had been masking many symptoms. I was diagnosed with PCOS and endometriosis at 24, and continued TTC until late 2010, when, after two surgeries and a bad reaction to Clomid that nearly cost me my vision, I knew I was done. My husband and I are now miraculously parents to 4 beautiful children through adoption, and now that my dream of becoming a mother is fulfilled, I am taking the time to focus properly on my health. After gaining so much weight for seemingly no reason, I stopped keeping a food journal. I continued exercising regularly until about 3 years ago when I successfully trained for a 10k and found that after 12 weeks of running and average of 5 miles a day, 5 days a week, I had lost just half a pound. At that point I just sort of threw my hands up and thought "Why bother if it makes no difference?!" Since then I have found myself exercising less and less. After the initial post BC weight gain, I have steadily gained another 30 lbs. over the last 6 years. My husband and I recently tried a Whole30, which helped me lose 12 lbs. In the week following, after reintroducing healthy grains and dairy, it came right back. I am desperate to find something that will reverse this path, and the Whole30 experience has given me hope that paleo living might be my solution. So, here we go! I'm journaling my meals and starting to run again. Sorry this is so long! If anyone wants to share stories as we work to fight PCOS, I am all for it! Anything to feel less along in the fight.

Hi there,
I was just diagnosed with PCOS about a month or so ago (though I have been exhibiting symptoms since I was 16 or so). Symptoms like missed and irregular periods, super heavy periods and horrible cramping, excess hair growth, acne, and weight gain have all had me down for some time. Was on birth control form 13-21 yo but had to go off because of a chronic migraine condition worsened by the use of estrogen in birth control. So now I have an IUD which helped with some of the symptoms, but while i was off birth control by acne problem got horrible and I put on almost 30 pounds. So now I am trying to find a way to take off the pounds... hopefully through a low carb and low processed sugar diet. I would love to meet some people with PCOS to keep motivated to exercise (as I can be horribly lazy when it comes to getting out and exercising) and someone to share recipe and meal ideas with as finding foods that are cheap and low carb seem like it's impossible. My goal is to lose between 25-35 pounds and to get my self back in balance (:

Hello! I've been struggling with PCOS since I was 15. I have gained over 100 lbs and I'm looking to get control of my condition holistically. I purchased a book about PCOS, written by a doctor. It said the best way to get a hold of PCOS is through the low G.I. diet. If anyone wants feel free to add me.

Hi there! My name's Annie and I've been diagnosed with PCOS since I was 14. I am on birth control and levothyroxine since I have hypothyroid as well. I'm 23 now and struggling to lose weight. I started at 230 and now I weigh 225. It has been five weeks...I'm happy I've lost but I'm only eating 1,300 a day and working out 3x a week so I should have lost more like 8 by now. I haven't lost any weight in 2 weeks, just stayed the same despite doing everything right. It's really discouraging but I'm happy I found this group so I can relate to other women. I have some friends on mfp who lose 2lbs a week and it drives me crazy! Lol Happy for them just wish my body would cooperate...

Hi Everyone!
First off congrats to those making progress and good luck to you who have started your weight loss journey! It is tough, but I think the support from others can really help!
My name is Heather, I am 28 years old and was diagnosed with PCOS about 5 years ago. I very quickly gained around 50 lbs, and more gradually gained another 35 in the next 4 years. I unfortunately struggle with a lot of the negative side effects of PCOS, aside from weight gain I deal with Hair loss, hair growth (in a ll the wrong places), insulin resistance, irregular menses, and the worst of all Infertility. After nearly 3 years of trying for a family, THAT is what has made me take the leap to better nutrition, and healthier life style! I have decided to STOP making excuses, and not use PCOS as a crutch for my bad habits any longer. I have lost 25 lbs so far, and my goal is another 65 away. WE'VE GOT THIS LADIES. We can do anything we put our minds to!! My goal is to lose enough weight to "hopefully" shock my body into working the way it should be, and getting that positive pregnancy test!
Good luck to all, and feel free to add me so we can support each other during this journey!!

happyangela16 wrote: »

Hello everyone, I noticed that this was a new group so I thought maybe everyone should introduce themselves and maybe say a little bit about themselves. My name is Angela Quintana. I am 30 years old and have been married since May 2012. We have been trying for a baby since we've been married and no luck! I was having alot of abdominal pain and abnormal periods (which have never been regular) so I went and got checked out. I found out i had PCOS. All the doctors told me was to try to lose weight, put me on metformin. No other info. So over the years, i've been doing a lot of research on my own and I think I have come to realize that I need to make changes in my life in order to become healthy and possibly have a baby. That's just a little about me, if you want to know more, feel free to ask! Have a great day everyone!

I'm sorry you were left in the dark, so to say, when diagnosed with PCOS! No one should be scared or uninformed when diagnosed with a disease! I have had my fair share of experience with PCOS, and have been through several fertility treatments (it sounds like something you may consider in the future?) so if you ever need someone to vent to, or advice, feel free to message me! Good luck with your life change journey!
Heather

tatyanarosalia wrote: »

Hi everybody,

I'm new to MFP. My boyfriend and I are trying to lose weight together but it seems to be much easier for him to shed the pounds. I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was a teenager and I'm now 24. I've been on metformin and a few different bc pills before but it didn't really help. I've noticed that some of the bc pills caused my period to be too frequent. Another major effect I see daily is hirsutism mainly on my chin and upper lip. It's so annoying to see that and it really causes a lot of insecurity and anxiety. Anyway, I'm happy this group exists. None of my friends have PCOS so it's tough to find someone that understands what we go through on a daily basis.

Don't men have it made? Mine is losing weight much faster than me as well! We will get there, slow and steady takes the win! PCOS is horrible, I agree it's great to have these support groups! Hirsutism is one of my worst side effects as well. It makes me so insecure, but we have to remember we're beautiful the way we are!! Good luck to you on your weight loss journey, and if you ever need support or someone to vent to, feel free to add me!
Heather

Hi all, I'm Dawn Murph, 40, childless due to infertility and a struggling health nut! I was diagnosed with PCOS 14 years ago and it's been a roller coaster ride since! My weight and depression fluctuate and have controlled me far too long! For the first time in a while, im solidly focused on my health, my weight and exercise! I'm learning how MFP makes this simple through food and exercise journaling! I need motivation on this journey! Who is with me?

My name is Angela. I learned that I had PCOS in 2011. This diagnosis explained so much to me when it came to all of the symptoms I had been dealing with since a teen. I know that weight loss is the way to a healthier me and being healthy could possibly reverse the disease. I am looking forward to a lighter life. I been heavy all my life, but I never FELT it, I would only realize it when I looked in the mirror. Now that I have gotten older, I can feel the weight I carry, when I walk, sit and in my everyday functions. I am hoping I will develop lifelong habits that will keep me fit once I get there. I feel like having/giving support on this platform will help me to succeed! *smiles*

Hello My name is Jillian. I'm 28 years old and I was diagnosed with PCOS this year but have had issues with my period/other PCOS symptoms since I was a teenager. I'm hoping to lose some weight and have a healthier lifestyle to try and battle some of the symptoms. I am overweight and would like to lose some weight so I can be healthier when my husband and I start trying for children (we think we would like to start trying next year). My doctor put me on Metformin, I just started taking it this week. Please feel free to add me!

Hello ladies! My name is Lilly and I'm 24, and I only got diagnosed a few months ago in March. I've had problems since my periods started when I was 10 but I was told I was making the pain up. Long story short I had an emergency appendectomy in 2008 but it turns out my appendix was fine and I had a really bad infection in my pelvis. My specialist thought I was lying about not being sexually active and was adamant I had an STD/STI. Went through years of laparoscopic investigations, medications, and pain relievers and nothing worked. My husband and I started ttc last year and when I started putting on heaps of weight after stopping birth control and got super hairy I went in for some tests to determine whether or not I had PCOS and they all came back positive. My new doctor also thinks I got the infection in my pelvis from a ruptured cyst that was left u treated for so long. Since eating low carb, dairy/sugar/gluten/soy free, and taking inositol/500mg Metformin/Spearmint Tea daily my hormones are all balanced now and I'm ovulating my myself more often than not

Hello! My name is Cath and I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2015 although I've suspected it for a while. Managed to lose about 10kg last year but have put it on (and more) in a very short space of time - 3 months. Very disheartening to have it happen so quickly - I was very happy at my old weight and now my clothes don't even fit me.

I've recently been put onto metformin (approx. 1 month) - has anyone in this group had any success stories weight-wise with met? Would love to hear from you!