To think it's pointless going to the GP about my obvious hormonal imbalance/probable PCOS?

[hormoness]

I'm in my late 20s. Since I was around 21 I have had hormonal acne - deep painful spots on my chin and jawline. Around that I time I also started getting the occasional dark hair on my chin and/or jaw, which has slowly increased into probably hundreds of them. I shave them twice a day; I can't wax due to the skincare I use and IPL/Philips Lumea didn't do anything. There's stubble there constantly. I'm so ashamed of it.

I have tried a lot of things for my skin - topical antibiotics, oral antibiotics, Differin/adapalene, Benzoyl Peroxide, tretinoin. Nothing has worked.

My periods are regular but they are around 35-36 days apart, and it feels like there is a solid week beforehand where I'm teetering on the edge of starting my period - it seems like my body is struggling to actually start my period if that makes sense. Sore boobs, back pain, even worse acne, hair that gets greasy in 12 hours...

My periods aren't particularly heavy, I'd say they are average/normal. But they are so painful; I get cramps in my lower back and have to take painkillers round the clock to get through them, and I'm often counting down the minutes until I can have the next round of pain killers.

I'm classed as obese according to my BMI (33) so I think a lot of options aren't available to me in terms of the pill. I have looked at the NICE guidance and it just seems like there's nothing else that can be done? I'm not prediabetic either.

I had to grump at my female doctor very loudly before she would give me HRT
Oh it's not too bad...The levels are ok. Not for me you expletive deleted person.
I had anxiety attacks and my spacial awareness was totally shot.
Well thanks for caring about women's problems - NOT-
all helped by getting HRT. Really poop grrrrrrrrr

As you age- and not even that old of an age - you are at high risk of diabetes, which has nasty complications, so it's worth going and being diagnosed properly.

You need a diagnosis. You haven’t mentioned taking the pill or taking Spironolactone. Something to reduce testosterone will help your skin and hair a lot more than antibiotics or topicals will.

I have PCOS. My diagnosis doesn't change anything. The absolute best thing you can do for PCOS is lose weight. Its really hard but it will improve your quality of life. Excess weight makes pcos symptoms worse. Definitely not unreasonable to see a GP/ask for a diagnosis. They can advise, it's what they are there for. I wouldn't jump straight to medication though. Its amazing what a few lifestyle changes can do and you are so young for meds. Best of luck x

I agree with previous poster - the biggest thing you can do to improve your symptoms is lower your BMI. I have PCOS and at one stage weighed 205lbs after pregnancy / during lockdown. I just started walking every night to begin with for an hour and I lost 20lbs over a summer. I've lost a further stone since then by reducing sugar / simple carbohydrates in my diet and adding regular strength training into my routine. The biggest change I've noticed is that my skin has cleared up. Its still greasy but I don't get spots now (I used to get really bad spots on my neck). I am continuing to try and lower my weight further. It's not easy but it will make a difference to how you feel and your symptoms.

In addition to what PP have said, if at some point you want kids and have problems conceiving, having the diagnosis already will save time.