PCOS anyone?

[lorribell]

I have been having symptoms for a long time and finally plucked up the courage to go to the doctor about it.
I tried to do this a year ago but got fobbed of with Dianette pill which after googling I decided not to take it.
I wasn't offered blood tests or anything.

So in my app Wednesday I'm going to start off by asking for bloods tests to check hormones levels and poss pcos and then explain my symptoms

-acne on face and back
-irregular periods
-excessive facial hair and on breast and bum area
-struggle to lose weight
-always tired

Any advice would be great or similar experiences please

[Highlandspring1991]

Hi, I have the same symptoms! I tried to go to the doctor when I was around 18 and got fobbed off saying I’m too young even though I know my body and had the exact symptoms of PCOS I moved when I was around 21 and changed to a brilliant doctor who done a number of different tests and diagnosed me with PCOS. Some doctors you really need to push, as you’ve already said, the best start is to have the blood tests done to check your hormone levels. I had to have blood tests every few months a few days after my period had ended, also needed to have a test at the hospital to check I didn’t have blocked ovaries as PCOS can affect fertility. I know how hard can it can be with the rapid growth of hair and trying to lose weight.. even though They say the best way to reduce symptoms is too lose weight - I know how tough it can be! There’s lots of support groups on Facebook and different blogs etc of women on the same journey.

[Highlandspring1991]

Sorry just realised how long that was!! Hopefully you get the answers you need and they can advise you the best way possible - you’re definitely not alone!

[lorribell]

Thank you for reply this different dr has taken it serious and I'm booked in for bloods to check my hormones and thyroid etc. He also suggested a scan of my ovaries at a later date depending on blood results

[youlemming]

I was diagnosed with PCOS in my early 20's after my mum read an article and matched a number of the symptoms to my own when at that point I wasn't even thinking anything was that unusual.
Luckily my doctor was happy to check it out and with a combination of bloods and an ultrasound it was confirmed.
At the time my periods could go as long as 70 days between and my weight increased dramatically over a couple of years, going from a size 10 to a 16/18.

My periods have settled to almost a normal cycle but any weight change can affect it.
I carry most around my middle with fairly skinny lower legs and arms.

PCOS can often come with being insulin resistant so it's worth looking at the types of sugars you eat, not just the sweet stuff but also the savory carbs, I try to limit these and switch out to lower GI foods if I can.

I'm not sure if it's still active but a found a support site called Verity great in the first fews years, loads of support threads for all different kinds of issues associated with PCOS and not just the focus on fertility.

I did find the support from some medical professionals limited to just the fertility side and saying that until I wanted children there wasn't much in terms of interaction I needed with them.

Treatments may have changed as I'm talking 12-14yrs ago now, I was given a drug called metformin to help with weight and hormone levels, I did lose weight but it does come with some unpleasant side affects like daily upset stomachs, nausea and awful gas while your body gets used to it.

Hope that wasn't too much of a ramble and you get your results soon.

[lorribell]

Thank you for the reply. I am like you and hold all the weight in the middle. I have really struggled to lose weight I am about 3 stone overweight. I'm hoping the bloods can explain a little. I didn't explain my full symptoms because there wasn't enough time but also wasn't sure if related, I do feel lightly faint on rare occasions but I also feel hungry quite a lot.

I will mention this when I get my bloods results back.

[AccioCoffee]

I have recently been to the DRs for this I am also being referred for an ovary ultra sound scan. They text my testosterone level, normal range was up to 1.7 in a women of my age. Mines came back as 1.8 so borderline above average. Won't know more until the scan.