PCOS advice

[Megan2001]

Hi everyone

I'm going to my doctors tomorrow to try and get some help with my PCOS. Im currently 22 years old and i was diagnosed when I was 14. They previously gave me contraception to try and kick start my period when I was first diagnosed and that didn't work. When I was on the pill I would take them and when I was supposed to stop taking them so I would be on my period nothing happened. I eventually stopped taking the pill and I still haven't had a period since my very first one.

I'm always in pain around my ovaries. Most days i can control it but other days it gets so bad to the point I can't do basic day to day activities.

I was wondering what everyone else has been given and told to help them? And what questions I should ask as I'm not sure where to start?

Thanks in advance

So have you only ever had 1 period?

I think I'd be asking for a hormone blood panel, testing to see if you are ovulating and a HBAC1 to test for insulin resistance.

What are the symptoms other than ovary pain and lack of periods and what is your weight?

Be aware that if you are overweight then that will likely be the first thing you are advised to address so be prepared for that conversation. To be fair though I did find that my cycles regulated once I'd lost 10% of my bodyweight so it's a valid approach but with your complete lack of periods and pain I'd be pushing for additional support.

So yes I've only ever had 1 period.

And other than lack of periods and ovary pain, my weight is slightly overweight but I tend to bloat after eating certain foods such as bread and rice and I have unwanted hair on my face and back.

How did they diagnose you when you were 14, was it based on symptoms only or did they do any tests?

My parents took me to a private doctor who ran blood tests and did an ultrasound scan. The doctor then told me I had cysts all over my ovaries and said I had PCOS and that's when they starting trying to kick start my period with the pill due to how young I was

I was diagnosed with PCOS at 21 (now 30) and after a push they agreed to put me on Metformin. This is a diabetes drugs that is also used to balance hormones in women with PCOS.

Before taking it, I was overweight and my blood sugar levels were all over the place, to the point that eating anything made me feel incredibly sleepy (like when you have a big roast dinner). Very quickly after taking it I felt so much better and the weight started to drop off.

I can't speak for how it affects your periods because I've been on and off contraception for years so I've never managed to be regular.

I would do some research about Metformin and go in armed with information because (as with anything woman related) they're reluctant to prescribe anything but honestly it's absolutely changed my life and I won't be coming off it ever!