I was finally diagnosed with PCOS 6 months ago. It took 4 years to be diagnosed. My periods have always been irregular (2-4 months between them and lasting around 30 days), doctor kept saying they settle down in time. I only realised it was more serious when my boyfriend and I decided to try for a baby and after a year of trying... nothing.

I did some research online and had most of the symptons of PCOS (Acne, oily skin, Irregular periods, Depression, Pelvic pain, Infertility, Weight gain, Hairitus (Unwanted body hair!), High blood pressure and cholestrol, Thinning hair, Sleep apnea). The only one I dont suffer from is weight gain, im actually underweight.

Not much is known abot PCOS but it is belived that it is caused by the level of testostrone (male hormone) being to high. It causes the ovaries to be enlarged and at the name polycystic surrgests, many cysts on the overies.

There are many long term affects to PCOS, including type 2 diabetes and infertillity. In my case, the overies never release any eggs so its impossible get get pregnant without medical intervention.

There are a few medications that can help with the symptons including the pill dianette.

If you are concerned you might have PCOS I would recommend going to your GP and mentioning PCOS and all your symptons. There are still many GP's that aren't aware of this (took me 4 years and 4 GPs before being refered to a specialist). If the GP thinks it may be PCOS they will take blood tests on certain days in your cycle and if an abnormality appears you may be sent for and ultrsound scan to see how bad your overies are.

This is a horrible thing to suffer from but you get on with it because at the end of the day, you could suffer from ALOT worse than this!!!

for more information please visit www.verity-pcos.org (this site has given me more information than any doctor iv spoken to. The boards are full of fellow sufferers)