Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Women's health

Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

Please talk to me about PCOS

6 replies

Claudette7934 · 14/12/2025 09:19

I’m hoping the wise world of mumsnet will have some advice for me.

My 18 year old daughter has just been diagnosed with PCOS and the GP wasn’t that helpful.

First signs were over the summer when she put on weight quite quickly. She is still tiny so she’s not overweight but put on about 10lb and couldn’t lose it. It followed a traumatic breakup with a long term boyfriend and she also came off the pill-Yasmin- at the same time. Periods were erratic afterwards and she was very bloated and had digestive issues.

My questions are

Can you have a mild version? She still has periods, GP said testosterone levels were only slightly high at 2.1 and no acne or hair growth. Just erratic periods and some stubborn weight gain.

GP said to go back on the pill but didn’t recommend anything else. Was a bit dismissive of questions about metabolic problems and insulin resistance.

She has started inositol and trying to reduce sugar and shit carbs in her diet. Is this enough?

She is worried about exercise as a lot of the online stuff she has read says gentle exercise is best and to avoid intense exercise. Unfortunately she is a cross country runner and footballer, competing at a high level. She is super fit and does loads of exercise, some if it at full on intensity. She really doesn’t want to stop doing the sport she loves.

Hoping there’s some good advice out there as well are feeling a bit lost at the moment.

OP posts:
Herewegoagain8 · 14/12/2025 13:28

Some GPs are not very knowledgeable about PCOS and I did much of my research online. I have it and have been slim all my life, the only real symptoms I had were very irregular periods and in later life I’ve had other symptoms appear so I’d say mine is mild.

My periods regulated as much as they ever have when I followed a low carb/GI diet and took inositol so those are very good places to start. I took a lot of other supplements when I was trying to get mine under control but that was when I was trying to conceive.

If your DD wants to lose the weight she’s gained then the strict no carb diet is the way to go - also I did HIIT workouts but weight training is supposed to be good.

Happy to answer any questions you or she have. I knew I had PCOS as a teen and am now early 40s.

24Dogcuddler · 14/12/2025 14:35

As PP says GPs don’t always know lots of info. Both DDs were diagnosed as teens. One was put on Metformin ( not licensed for PCOS) but lost so much weight and looked really ill.
Helpful info and support on here

https://www.verity-pcos.org.uk/

Claudette7934 · 14/12/2025 17:59

Thank you for your responses. How long do you think it will take to get it under control with diet and inotisol? It’s only been 3 weeks but she’s a typical impatient teenager who is cross hectare’s not getting instant results.

OP posts:
ErrolTheDragon · 14/12/2025 18:18

I think the severity can vary a lot. I had PCOS - undiagnosed until I TTC in my mid 30s. I had erratic infrequent periods and acne but that was much better when I was on the pill and although I’ve never been skinny I’ve never been seriously overweight.

Best wishes to her.Flowers

Herewegoagain8 · 14/12/2025 18:34

Claudette7934 · 14/12/2025 17:59

Thank you for your responses. How long do you think it will take to get it under control with diet and inotisol? It’s only been 3 weeks but she’s a typical impatient teenager who is cross hectare’s not getting instant results.

I’ve had times when I try to control it and times when I don’t and I’d say on average it takes about 3 months of being consistent before my periods regulate. The weight loss is usually much faster than that and other symptoms ease off once any extra lbs I’m carrying come off.

ChateauProvence · 14/12/2025 18:34

the best thing for me is to cut out sugar it is the only thing that helps me lose weight with PCOS and also helped regulate my periods

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread