To think I have PCOS, but not sure what to do about it?

[justfeellike]

I'm pretty sure I have PCOS, or some kind of hormonal imbalance, or maybe just a body that's run down.

I'm in my late 20s, have painful acne but only on my chin/jaw which is under the skin and feels bruised and sometimes throbs. I have some dark hairs that grow on my chin and jaw too which started when I was around 23ish and has gotten worse each year (I'm painfully embarrassed about these as I was bullied as a preteen for having a 'moustache' so I have a lot of shame around this, so could could never tell a doctor, I pluck and wax regularly). My periods are regular though, but are 5 weeks apart rather than 4 weeks, and it feels like the week before my period my body struggles to make my period start, as I have a week of cramps, spotting and sore boobs before starting my period - when I was younger I'd just have that for a day before starting).

This is unrelated but every morning I wake up with itchy hives on my neck. They disappear around an hour after waking up.

I just feel like something isn't right, and feel like it may be PCOS. But even if it is PCOS I don't think there's anything the doctors can do as I don't want to go on birth control due to the risks of blood clots and an underlying health condition I have.

Does any of this resonate with anyone who might know what is causing this? Does it sound like PCOS? Is there anything I can do myself to help or do I need to just go to the GP? I feel like individually, the things I've mentioned are all minor things that don't warrant a GP visit, but collectively they point to something.

It certainly sounds like you may have it, but the only way for it to be diagnosed properly is with blood tests. They may do an internal scan to look for cysts, but you can have PCOS without the cysts too. I think the criteria are wacky hormone levels and/or irregular periods and cysts. You have to have 2 out of 3 to be diagnosed

In my experience, they haven’t been interested unless you’re trying to conceive. If you push for it they may give you treatment for the acne. They prescribed me Epiduo which did reduce it a bit, but it doesn’t work on the hormonal issue that is causing it. I take a lot of supplements, and I also have the implant which has made a big difference

Can I ask what supplements you take?

I've been to the GP about my acne and use Differin every evening which hasn't really helped, and was prescribed 3 months of antibiotics which worked whilst I was taking them but since coming off them my skin is starting to break out again

Of course. I take inositol which is the most recommended one for PCOS as it helps with insulin resistance. I also take iron, vitamins B & D, ashwaghanda, magnesium and folic acid. These are all things I researched and started using after getting my blood tests done and seeing what I was deficient in or what needed balancing

With PCOS the acne is almost always caused by the hormone imbalances, so unless that is being treated then the acne will continue. But it’s really hard to get it sorted as most of the time GP’s won’t/can’t treat it. Endocrinologists can help but I think it’s really hard to get an NHS referral for them. If I was you the first thing I would do is speak to your GP, don’t be afraid to be pushy and just say you think you have it, x, y & z are your symptoms and you’d like it investigated. They should at least do a blood test and then a scan if necessary

Inositol, b vitamins and a good multivitamin here.

I did go to the doctors but they only offered metformin which was hideous for me. I really struggle to lose weight which sucks, I took longer than most to have my daughter and am hairy for a girl.

Im 34 and wondered if i had it. I had all the same symptoms as you and my periods have always been really heavy.

B vitamins can make acne flare up pretty badly so use caution with that suggestion op. For hormonal acne not much works, I get prescription doxycycline from the gp which does help. I use retinol too but I don't think it helps as much for hormonal as the acne forms so deep under the skin.

For the facial hair, get electrolysis if you can afford it. It is perminent hair removal. You could also try laser if the hairs are dark and your skin is light but electrolysis is much much better imo.

The thing that helped me most was losing weight. I lost 2 stone and its honestly so much more manageable now, periods are less intense (still not great but a huge improvement) and I just feel way better. You can lose weight with pcos without cutting carbs out completely, despite what some people will tell you. I still have carbs sometimes, just not big bowls of pasta and white bread every day anymore! If you have weight to lose this will have the most benefits. It is harder for people with pcos to lose weight so it will take determination.

Alcohol will make it worse, or it does for me at least. If I have a couple of glasses of wine I notice straight away.

Some people say spearmint (not peppermint) tea can relieve symptoms. I love spearmint tea so I drink it anyway, if it doesn't help you it certainly won't do you any harm so may be worth a try.