Disclaimer: I am not a licensed medical expert, nor have I worked in the medical field. All of the following examples and honest statements that are shared are a result of my experience. If you have questions about your symptoms or your situation, please contact your doctor and discuss how you can be tested, especially if PCOS is a concern for you.
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PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary/Ovarian Syndrome, is a hormonal disorder in a woman’s reproductive system; which is caused by having an imbalance in the reproductive hormones (womenshealth.gov).
No one knows what causes it, comforting right? But for so many women, it is a huge part of their life.
I received my diagnosis at 16. I was told that day that I would most likely not be able to carry my own children and that I needed to go on hormonal birth control to “make me better”.
Since then, I have learned so much…hurt so much…researched so much…and now, I am in the process of trying to heal my PCOS naturally. I have tried everything you can imagine to “make me better”, but it all turns out worse than before, so it is time to try another way…
One of the most common things you will be told about PCOS, is that an “egg may not develop as it should or it may not be released during ovulation as it should be” (womenshealth.gov). Which means that: 1. the eggs that a women has in her ovaries can/will not form properly, or 2. can/will not be released during ovulation.
This will be a common way that it is explained to you, but there is so much more that goes into living daily with PCOS, and truthfully…everyone is different.
For me, personally, I have no idea when my period will show up (it could be every two weeks to every few months), I don’t ovulate every cycle and it’s almost impossible to track, my PMS symptoms are debilitating, I gain weight and can’t get rid of it, when I have acne it is painful and deep, and infertility.
womenshealth.gov provides the following symptoms of PCOS:
- “Irregular menstrual cycle. Women with PCOS may miss periods or have fewer periods (fewer than eight in a year). Or, their periods may come every 21 days or more often. Some women with PCOS stop having menstrual periods.
- Too much hair on the face, chin, or parts of the body where men usually have hair. This is called “hirsutism.” Hirsutism affects up to 70% of women with PCOS.
- Acne on the face, chest, and upper back
- Thinning hair or hair loss on the scalp; male-pattern baldness
- Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
- Darkening of skin, particularly along neck creases, in the groin, and underneath breasts
- Skin tags, which are small excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area”
As you can see, there are plenty of symptoms to accompany the diagnosis, and if you are experiencing any of the above or multiple, please please talk to your doctor if you haven’t already!
In my experience, even though they tell you these things about PCOS and what could happen…
There are so many other things they don’t tell you about.
They don’t tell you that with irregularity, you could go forever without having a period, or that you could have one every 2 weeks, or that you could be lucky to see one every 3 months.
They don’t tell you that your period could literally disappear into thin air.
They don’t tell you that you will be wishing you had a period every month.
They also don’t tell you how painful it could be once it finally comes back.
They don’t tell you that when you have one after a while, it will be like the pain has built up over time from you not having one, making it impossible for you to even get out of bed.
They don’t tell you that your hormones will be so whacked out that you won’t recognize who you are from day to day.
They don’t tell you that your hormonal imbalance will make you feel alllll of the emotions, within a 5 minute period…but instead of it just being PMS, its your daily life.
They don’t tell you that the acne you have will be deep, and everywhere, and will scar.
They don’t tell you that those scars all over your body will be daily reminders that there is something going on inside of you that isn’t right.
They don’t tell you that the extra body hair is embarrassing, or annoying. They also don’t tell you how to get rid of it, or how to embrace how little or how much there is.
They don’t tell you that your doctors won’t take you seriously, or listen to you.
They don’t tell you that your doctors might brush off your pain, or try to shove a pill at you and send you on your way.
They don’t tell you that when you gain weight, you will have to learn how to understand why your body is reacting the way it is to the food or medicine you are consuming.
They don’t tell you that you may need to change your diet or do something to counteract the unhealthy gain.
They don’t tell you that you will be embarrassed by a growing waist line, or shopping for a bigger size.
They don’t tell you how to feel comfortable in your skin or embrace figuring out the journey you are on.
They don’t tell you how painful infertility is.
They don’t tell you to start planning a family now because it may take you 10+ years to finally be able to carry a baby.
They don’t tell you that even though you feel shattered, you are NOT broken.
They don’t tell you that your physical, emotional, mental pain will be nauseating…literally.
As you can see, they don’t tell you a lot of things.
But, I am here to tell you:
- You are NOT alone.
- You need to find a doctor that will listen to you, let you ask as many questions as you want, and work to find the best solution for you and your lifestyle.
- Don’t take medicine or hormones if you’re not comfortable. They don’t work for everyone, and there are repercussions to every substance.
- Eat a healthy diet- figure out what your body thrives on, and what makes you feel gross and sluggish. Exercise + healthy diet can do wonders for the body!!!
- There are so many resources out there to help you! Here are a few favorites of mine that have helped me change my perspective:
- Find out if something else is going on inside too- I have IBS as well and these systems work hand-in-hand, so there could be something else that triggers what symptoms you are feeling.
- Have the tough conversations with your family/friends; let them know what it is like to have PCOS, how they can help you, when you are in pain, etc.
- Have the tough conversations with your significant other. My husband knew from the get-go that I have PCOS and that it would be a struggle for us to conceive naturally and how much pain I could be in sometimes. This was not a deal-breaker in our marriage, and he never makes me feel like it is my fault or that something is wrong with me. He holds my hand through every rough day, brings me my heating pad, hugs me when all I can do is lay in bed, and encourages me to stay healthy! He is my saving grace.
- Find alternative ways to cope with the pain: heating pads, hot baths, essential oils, yoga/stretching, etc. Don’t rely on medicine if you don’t have to!
- Make peace with yourself, your body, and your mind. You are the one who will experience all of the ups and downs, and if you aren’t in tune with what your body needs, it will make you more miserable. Take the time to learn who you are, and what will help you on this journey.
Whether you have been living with PCOS for years, or are just now figuring out what it is…
THIS is your reminder that you have a community of women out there going through and experiencing what you are. Educate yourself, find medical professionals that will work alongside you to find your best solution, stay as healthy as you can, fuel your body with the right food, and don’t be afraid to ask questions!
You will survive. You will make it through the pain. You will find your answers. You will find what works best for you.
If you have questions, please make sure that you are in contact with your doctor, or that you find a medical professional that will work with you throughout your journey.
If you would like to share your journey or need someone to talk to, please reach out! I know what it is like to struggle with what is going on in your body, and I know how isolating it can be.
You are not alone…
