PCOS and me (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)

Member Name: tisha66

Product:	Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Date:	16/07/09 (126 review reads)
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I am going to write this review from my personel experience with Polycistic Ovarian Syndrome (pcos).

Polycistic Ovarian Syndrome affects women, so you men reading this may not be interested in this, however it is quite a common thing in women which I think should be spoken about more often, so please read on; regardless of if you are a man, none sufferer or you have PCOS yourself.

PCOS has a number of symptons:
Unwanted body hair
Acne
Irregular periods
Mood swings
Weight gain
Fertility problems

Ever since I can remember I have been a little bit on the chubby side, when I was 14 I was a size 14-16. I just thought it was because I didn't like sports much and avoided any of the activities which involved sports.

From the age of 14 I stayed a size 14-16, even when I was on the pill it didn't change my weight and so up until I was around 17 years old my size was the norm to me.

I came off the pill when I was around 17-18 because I kept forgetting to take it so I thought what's the point I haven't got a steady partner anyway. So that was it, I was off the pill and within weeks I noticed a huge weight gain, I couldn't fit in my clothes and I knew I wasn't pregnant.

I went to the Doctors who just suggested I watched what I ate and did a little bit more exercise, I did try this and it helped a little bit but to be honest it was incredibly difficult and found that I was eating very healthily and didn't lose much at all.

I kept going back to the doctors who were baffled they sent me for a few blood tests and they all came back normal, so in the end the Doctor sent me for an internal scan at the hospital. I must say this was one of my worst experiences of all time, I felt very invaded and it was very uncomfortable and after all that I had to wait around 6 weeks for the results.

After around 6 weeks the Doctor called me into the surgery so that he could give me the results. He said that I had PCOS and explained that was most probably why I was putting on weight and why my periods were irregular. He said that my symptoms of PCOS would reduce if I lose weight! duh! I'd been trying that for ages!!!

The condition got worse, I continued to gain weight, my periods were very irregular and very painful when I did get them and to top it off I started to notice few dark hairs on my neck :(

All my friends were really slim, I didn't get on with my mum, my dad lives in a different country and I didn't have a boyfriend. I felt tottally isolated, on the outside I was very bright and Bubbly but on the inside I was very depressed and gradually I stopped going out so often and even dropped out of college.

PCOS really ruled my life and it wasn't until I was 20 that I thought I really need to do something about this I can't sit here in my room for ever.

I made an appointment at the doctors and discussed what my options for the excess hair was, he explained that my main option was laser treatment; which isn't available on the NHS. The doctor did recommend a good skin laser clinic and I went for a consultaion! It was going to cost £145 per session and I would need around 7 sessions. (No way I can afford that, I was a drop out!)

So thats it I went home and thought about what my options were, all I could come up with was, talk to my mum and explain my problem because all she knew I was getting fat!

Eventually I plucked up the courage to tell her and to my surprise she was very supportive and offered to lend me the money for the laser on the condition that she could come with me whilst I had the treatments done.

I have now had the treatments and they worked very well, it didn't get rid. of all the hair but it is certainly not as noticable and my confidence has grown alot since having the treatment.

As my confidence has also grown I have found the courage to join Weightwatcher's where I have now lost 33lbs in total (could lose another 20) It has taken me quite a while to lose this weight but I now understand it may take me longer to lose the weight because of the PCOS but this time I won't give up and I will keep losing weight until I reach my goal.

I am also now back in fulltime education and working part-time. I have learnt that this condition can control your life but only if you let it. I just wish I had spoken to someone about my condition and my feelings way before I did because, although I didn't alise it I needed the support.

I'm still unsure of what the future holds for me regarding children but I will just have to deal with that when the time comes.

Summary: a condition that affects many women but no one talks about