PCOS and other Women's Health Issues?

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jaimrlx
jaimrlx Posts: 426 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi friends! I suffer from PCOS and PID (among other health issues), which both intertwined give me a hard time losing weight and keeping it off. Can anyone relate, and give tips on how you handle your PCOS? Mild to severe (mine is severe), any suggestions are appreciated!

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  • AmeChops
    AmeChops Posts: 744 Member
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    Hello, I have PCOS and Endo - the only way I've managed to successfully lose weight is lowering my carb intake - because of the insulin resistance issues. Has your doctor given you any suggestions?

    There are a couple of groups on here for PCOS, just do a search and they'll come up - lots of helpful people in the same boat.

    Good luck :-))
  • McPenguin
    McPenguin Posts: 67
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    Hi, I have PCOS as well - was diagnosed at 17, and I'm 33 now. I spent years struggling, with and without Metformin prescriptions, through a miracle pregnancy in the middle of it, and for 5 years after my child was born trying to lose the weight. It FINALLY clicked in the last 8 months. Like lat100, I had to lower my carbohydrate intake to keep my insulin in check. Then I lost the weight. But couldn't do it before no matter what I tried. And even had doctors think I was "lying" about my food diary here on MFP. (Seriously? What would THAT have proved? I was trying to get better! :( )

    Feel free to add me as a friend if you'd like. :flowerforyou: Support always helps the struggle!
  • XXXMinnieXXX
    XXXMinnieXXX Posts: 3,459 Member
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    This is interesting as my sister has pcos, I didn't know a low carb diet helped! X
  • LisaCFSF
    LisaCFSF Posts: 258 Member
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    Yep, same problem...PCOS. I do take Metformin, but only started losing weight when I lowered grains & carbs as well as decreased dairy. The Zone principle for diet is a good one, just get your carbs from low glycemic index fruits & veggies. It's a struggle, but not insurmountable... Good luck to us all!
  • BrightEyes41
    BrightEyes41 Posts: 2
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    I have Plantar Fascitis, it is being flat footed and putting on too much weight, which makes your feet feel like you are walking on rocks in the morning. I hate that I have gained weight that started my foot problems. I walk like I am 90 years old when I first start walking in the mornings, but eases off for awhile....so I hope to get this weight off to help my feet.
  • munkey418
    munkey418 Posts: 139
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    you know i feel your pain friend! if i find anything that works like magic for me you can bet that youll be the first person i tell ;)
  • jamie_dawn87
    jamie_dawn87 Posts: 7
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    I've just started my weight loss journey (4 months before my wedding). I also have PCOS, and it's been a depressing road for me. Finding out I may never have kids, was the worst. But I'm determined. Dr told me I'd need to lose weight in order to do so. But it's easier said then done. right? almost 2 yrs ago they put me on birth control to regulate things, I ended up in ER losing too much blood. I quit. I gave up. now that we are planning our lives together...it means we're soon going to be planning our family. I will not let PCOS take over my dreams of children! I'm here to support you if you need it! And i'm thankful that there are people who are in the same place as I am...it doesn't make me feel so alone! Keep up the good work ladies! WE CAN DO IT! :)

    Any tips on good weightloss with PCOS? I'm going to search the msg boards, and see what I can find! :)
  • jreed1920
    jreed1920 Posts: 123
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    I have PCOS as well. I need to work on lowering my carb intake but for me exercise is essential and that includes weight training. Increasing lean body mass is my focus right now. I have a 9 year old daughter, very healthy pregnancy, conceived 8 years after my PCOS diagnosis so yes having children is very possible.
  • jaimrlx
    jaimrlx Posts: 426 Member
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    Low carbs really work? That'll be my next trip! I'm sick of losing 2 lbs, and then gaining it back right away. It seems that if I don't measure and live my entire life by the rules of a strict diet, all I do is gain. PCOS is a bummer, and I can relate to all of you that have depression problems with it. At this point in my life, I don't feel that sad not being able to have children, but I'm sure they'll hit later in life. What's killing me now is the amount of testosterone, the incessant mood swings, the fact that I can gain weight without even trying. If I'm forced to be in this body, live with this weird hair growth and acne for the rest of my life, I better lose weight and try to enjoy myself like I've never done before.

    Also, here's a small background: I was diagnosed with PCOS when I didn't get my first period until 14. I've been on and off of Birth Control and Metformin, all with no results. I'm now 22 and my PCOS symptoms get worse everyday. I also have PID, and auto immune liver disease, caused by all the problems with my PCOS/PID. Essentially, my body is always reacting negatively to itself and my liver can't handle it.

    While I have you all here, does anyone know any other forms of medication or natural regiments to slow the PCOS symptoms.. including the weight gain?

    Thanks for all the support. Feel free to add me :)
  • McPenguin
    McPenguin Posts: 67
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    Low carbs really work? That'll be my next trip! I'm sick of losing 2 lbs, and then gaining it back right away. It seems that if I don't measure and live my entire life by the rules of a strict diet, all I do is gain. PCOS is a bummer, and I can relate to all of you that have depression problems with it. At this point in my life, I don't feel that sad not being able to have children, but I'm sure they'll hit later in life. What's killing me now is the amount of testosterone, the incessant mood swings, the fact that I can gain weight without even trying. If I'm forced to be in this body, live with this weird hair growth and acne for the rest of my life, I better lose weight and try to enjoy myself like I've never done before.

    Also, here's a small background: I was diagnosed with PCOS when I didn't get my first period until 14. I've been on and off of Birth Control and Metformin, all with no results. I'm now 22 and my PCOS symptoms get worse everyday. I also have PID, and auto immune liver disease, caused by all the problems with my PCOS/PID. Essentially, my body is always reacting negatively to itself and my liver can't handle it.

    While I have you all here, does anyone know any other forms of medication or natural regiments to slow the PCOS symptoms.. including the weight gain?

    Thanks for all the support. Feel free to add me :)

    Yes, low carb really works. I recommend this book:

    http://www.amazon.com/Patients-Guide-PCOS-Understanding---Reversing--Polycystic/dp/0805078282/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334069357&sr=8-1

    I was diagnosed at 17, researched for years and went through several doctors and specialists to get healthy... but only found this book at age 30. I STILL learned a tonne of information about my illness from it. NO ONE, not even ONE doctor, mentioned fixing my diet to accomodate my PCOS to lessen the symptoms etc. They all just keep telling me to eat according to the foodguide and take Metformin to control the symptoms that eating bread was causing. When I brought up my idea to eat lower carbs, they all thought it was a 'fantastic' idea... and I wonder why they just didn't friggin tell me to do that in the first place. Sigh.

    Anyway, it's a very inexpensive book, and it's been INVALUABLE to me. Hope it helps! :flowerforyou:

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