Just wanna get y’all ladies’ opinion of this.

Do any of you guys feel this way as well?

The persistent facial hair, belly fat, bloating, fatigue, thinning hair, and the constant animalistic cravings for sugar. And don’t get me started on the constant irregular hormone spikes and dips that make me invincible some days, and then an emotional bitch the next. There are probably more I’m forgetting but you get the idea LOL.

I know I don’t LOOK like somebody’s old, fat, balding uncle, but I damn sure feel that way 😂

I used to be a very fair girl. But after PCOS, I can feel the difference on my face, the colour has become so dull, I don't see that beauty and skin shine, I used to have on my face. DO PCOS REALLY TAKES AWAY OUR BEAUTY ? Your experiences might help me to become calm and neutral. I am so disturbed 😔.

Anyone who has reversed PCOS, please share your achievement story, it will be really helpful now.

I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 22, but I’ve struggled with my weight since I was around 13. I’ve tried every diet under the sun, going through cycles of losing a significant amount of weight, gaining some of it back, and repeating the process. Eventually, the constant yo yo dieting and the difficulties I was experiencing with my hormones led me to seek answers, and I was diagnosed with PCOS.

I’ve now reached a point where my weight loss is much slower, but also more sustainable. The problem is that maintaining it still feels like a constant battle. I eat foods I don’t particularly enjoy, find creative ways or use supplements to manage my cravings and seemingly bottomless hunger, and I’ve even started vaping.

It’s only recently dawned on me that, at 24, this could be the rest of my life. Constantly denying myself the foods I crave, feeling guilty when I’m too tired to go to the gym, and forcing myself to go anyway. I hate the gym. I don’t particularly enjoy working out or playing sports. In fact, the only thing I hate more is how I feel about the way I look in clothes.

It feels like I’m constantly having to take things to more extreme levels, restricting myself more and more and forcing myself to eat these monotonous, high protein meals, all for the scale to barely move. And even when I do make progress, it feels like I can never relax because I’m terrified of losing it all and having to start again.

It’s got to the point where I avoid eating out with friends because I’m so scared of undoing all the progress I’ve made. I feel like I can’t just enjoy a meal without calculating the consequences or worrying about what it might mean for my weight.

I think what’s really getting to me is the realisation that I’m 24, and I don’t want the rest of my life to feel like this. I don’t want food to be something I’m constantly fighting against, exercise to feel like a punishment, or my appearance to dictate how much I allow myself to enjoy life.

But I also don’t know how to let go of that mindset when I’m still unhappy with the way I look and scared of going backwards.

How do you convince yourself to enjoy the process when it feels like an endless cycle of misery? At what point do you stop pushing yourself so hard and accept that maybe this is just how you’re going to look? How do you find a balance between wanting to change your body and actually enjoying your life in the body you have now?

Who here all has elevated fasting insulin levels? I went in to get labs drawn and my A1C was fine at 5.5 but my fasting insulin was 28.1!! Normal range is 2.6-24.9. I’m only 25, very active, eat healthy, but still struggle with my weight. I’m on metformin and check my blood sugar from time to time. Will it always be elevated with PCOS due to the insulin resistance? Just stressed. I see the doctor next week but would love to hear others experiences.

This is super embarrassing but I probably have the lowest libido in the entire world. I tried taking maca supplements for more than a month — two 1200 mg capsules, and absolutely nothing happened. I don’t want to be on hormonal-based birth control; this will sound completely made up, but when I went on hormonal-based birth control at around twelve or thirteen years old (my doctor didn’t even think to wonder if I had PCOS, she just saw I had extremely high levels of testosterone and put me on hormonal-based birth control), I became attracted to men for the first time (I’m a lesbian and always have been, I’ve known since I was six years old). So I really don’t want to go down the route of hormonal-based birth control. And please don’t tell me to watch or read anything because it does nothing. I’ve tried. I’m just wondering if anyone at one point had an extremely low libido and found some kind of supplement because maca did nothing for me and I’m upset that I wasted money on it. Please and thank you.

A few months ago i was diagnosed with PCOS and was later prescribed metformin. I have been taking it for a week and haven't been having any issues other than a huge food aversion. I can't even think about eating without getting nauseous, every time i smell food my mouth starts watering like I'm going to throw up. Today i couldn't even eat properly, when i chew food i wanna spit it out.
Is there any way i can make this better? Or maybe food recommendations that won't make me sick?

Anyone else experiencing stretch marks from the weight gain of PCOS?? if you have any tips and tricks, please drop them!! i know it’s something that probably won’t go away permanently, but what’s the best thing that will reduce the appearance??

I am a 35yo female who has struggled with her weight her entire life. I am aware of what a healthy diet and lifestyle consists of however my body is very stubborn. I weigh 220lbs (lost 13lbs over the last 7mo). I was taking 1500-2000mg of ER Metformin and started tirzepatide in February. I have only lost 13lbs since then. I’ve lowered my metformin dose to 500mg as it doesn’t seem to make a difference.

Are there any other slow responders out there? I am on 10mg and feel like I can go up in dose but I’m hoping something finally clicks and my body responds. I am becoming demoralized especially as I see so many others lose weight at a more consistent speed. I of course have insulin resistance and no matter what I do, I am still IR. Help!!!!

20F, struggling with PCOS, weight gain & absolutely NO energy — where do I even start?

I’m 20 and have always been naturally quite small (usually under 55kg), so the changes I’ve experienced with PCOS have been really difficult for me to adjust to.
Recently I’ve been struggling with weight gain, particularly around my lower stomach, and I feel like I have absolutely no energy. The lack of energy is probably what bothers me the most because I work in a school and I want to feel fit, active and like I actually have the energy to get through the day. I used to feel much more active and I really want to get back to that, but at the moment I genuinely don’t know where to start.
I’ve also been prescribed birth control, but I’m really hesitant about starting it. I feel like some of my PCOS symptoms/dramas started or became worse around the time I was on birth control previously, so I’m nervous about going back on it.
I know everyone’s experience with PCOS is different, but I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has been in a similar position especially if you’ve struggled with fatigue, weight changes despite being smaller previously, or getting back into exercise with PCOS.
What actually helped you? Diet changes? Supplements? Strength training? Walking? Medication? Something completely different?
I’m not looking for a quick fix or trying to lose a huge amount of weight. I mostly just want to feel like myself again, have some energy and feel comfortable and strong in my body.
Any advice, experiences or things you wish you’d known when you were first diagnosed would be really appreciated 🤍

Hi I’ve not been officially diagnosed but I have all the symptoms. I have for years now but recently I’m struggling with facial hair. I can deal with shaving everyday Im used to it but it’s starting to leave horrific razor burn. It’s sore, itchy and looks awful I’m very embarrassed. I’m currently trying to get a doctors appointment as I’ve had enough but has anyone been though this and found a remedy?

Hiii everyone!!

I’m really struggling to get my A1C and glucose down. I’ve cut out all ADDED sugars and keeping my sugars down. What’s the amount of grams of sugar a day you guys are noticing is actually making a difference? Or any other diet advice? I cannot seem to lose weight either. It’s SO discouraging omg. I’m doing little amount of carbs. I don’t go over 40 carbs. My doctor recommended staying down below 80g but that did not seem to help. My cholesterol is even up too and I just don’t understand. I’m also ONLY eating clean ingredients. No additives. Lots of veggies and fruits. So. Much. Water.

Again, just feeling so defeated and discouraged.

Hey guys!! 💗 I have PCOS and my doctor prescribed me birth control. I struggle with facial hair, acne, and weight gain 😭
Has birth control helped anyone with these? I’ve seen so many people saying it’s bad for PCOS and now I’m kinda scared to start taking it 🥲

Hi everyone!

I’m looking for some advice from women who have experienced similar symptoms.

I have a GP appointment in two days , and I want to make sure all my symptoms are properly investigated.

I’ve been experiencing three main issues:

1. Hair loss:
I’ve been experiencing noticeable hair shedding. When my hair falls out, it’s usually a full-length strand rather than a short, broken piece. I’m worried about what’s causing it and whether it could be related to hormones, nutritional deficiencies, or something else.

2. Excessive facial and body hair:
I have a lot of hair growing on my face and body, and it’s quite thick. I’m wondering whether this could be related to a hormonal imbalance, especially considering my scalp hair loss.

3. Painful and irregular periods:
My periods have always been extremely painful, with severe cramps. My cycle is also irregular, and the timing changes from month to month.

I’m concerned that these symptoms might be connected, but I haven’t been diagnosed with PCOS or any other hormonal condition.

My main questions are:

If you’ve experienced similar symptoms, what did your doctor eventually discover?

When you visited your GP, did you explain your symptoms and let them decide which blood tests to order, or did you bring a list of specific tests?

What blood tests would you recommend discussing with my GP to investigate these symptoms thoroughly?

Has anyone had normal blood test results but later discovered an underlying condition?

Should I ask my GP for a referral to an endocrinologist, dermatologist, or gynaecologist?

I’m worried that if I simply explain my symptoms, some possible causes might be overlooked.

I don’t want to self-diagnose or demand unnecessary tests. I just want to make sure everything relevant is checked.

I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences and what helped you get answers.

Thank you! ❤️

I’m 20F, and I could really use some advice from people who have been in a similar situation.

I started taking hormonal birth control (Yaz Plus) 2 months ago for PCOS and during my first month, I experienced a pretty intense depressive episode. I would get ready, go to university, come home, and start crying for seemingly no reason.

I felt emotionally overwhelmed and couldn’t handle things the way I normally would.

Looking back, I think I’ve struggled with my mental health for a long time. I’ve always been anxious, I tend to spiral over the smallest things, I overanalyze social interactions, and I often feel out of place around other people. I can get incredibly overwhelmed by thoughts about my future and things that other people seem to handle normally. I’ve also struggled with attention and concentration, (to the point that i can’t sit down and read a book no matter how much i want to) for as long as i remember and I’ve wondered whether I might have ADHD.

I think the birth control may have intensified feelings I had already been suppressing or made me more aware of them. Before this, I often felt emotionally numb, whereas during that episode I would suddenly cry about things I hadn’t really allowed myself to feel.

I need to admit something else, too. During that period, I started taking my mom’s escitalopram without a prescription. I know that was very irresponsible, and I’m not planning to continue self medicating. I took small portions of the 10 mg tablets, and I remember feeling noticeably better. I felt more motivated, could concentrate on studying. I understand that responding positively to an antidepressant doesn’t necessarily mean I need one, but it made me wonder whether professional treatment could actually help me.

I recently spoke to my mom about how I had been feeling, and she immediately booked me an appointment with a psychiatrist.

The thing is, I’m absolutely terrified of gaining weight from psychiatric medication.
I already struggle with my body image because of PCOS, and I’ve spent a long time feeling uncomfortable in my own body. I’m scared of finally getting some relief from my mental health issues only to gain weight and feel even worse about myself. I know weight gain isn’t inevitable with every medication, but I keep reading stories about people gaining a significant amount of weight on antidepressants, and it scares me enough to consider cancelling the appointment altogether.
Part of me also wonders whether I’m overreacting. Maybe this was just a reaction to the hormones, maybe I’m being too sensitive, or maybe my problems aren’t serious enough to justify psychiatric medication. I keep thinking that other people manage their lives without needing medication, so why can’t I?

Now I’m torn between two options, and I genuinely don’t know which makes more sense.
Should I wait until I finish this month’s pack of Yaz Plus, speak to my gynecologist, and ask her to switch me to a different birth control pill to see whether my mood improves? Maybe the depressive episode is primarily hormonal, and changing brands would be enough.

Or should I go ahead and see a psychiatrist now, rather than waiting, since I was already struggling with anxiety, overthinking, low moods, and possible ADHD symptoms before starting birth control?
I’m worried about going to a psychiatrist too soon and being prescribed medication I might not actually need. At the same time, I’m worried about delaying help for problems I’ve been dealing with for years just because I’m scared of the side effects.

I know strangers online can’t diagnose me or tell me which medication I should take. I’m mostly looking for personal experiences and some perspective because I feel very conflicted. I want to get better, but I’m afraid of what getting better might cost me physically.
Thank you to anyone who took the time to read all of this.

I (20f) am trying to try and different pills to find what's right for me. I heard some good stuff about medications like this but I wasn't sure if it was true. Have y'all had good experiences with them?

Hello. F26

I haven't been taking Myo & D-Chiro Inositol the past couple of weeks because I have been going through some life changes and neglecting certain areas of caring for myself. I plan to start taking it regularly again soon. I was on it for a couple of months before this and was consistent every day.

Just wondering ​​if there could be any correlation between stopping and now bleeding after sex. I have bled after sex before, but rarely and usually light spotting. The past couple times though it has been bright red with small specks of what looks like tissue...it has really freaked me out. It stops soon after but never in my life has this happened. I know it's not a lubrication issue. I never got a period while taking it, and still haven't now. I'm aware I probably wasn't on it long enough to see the maximum benefits..

Has anyone had a similar experience linking the two? Should I go get checked out? I am waiting for open enrollment unfortunately​ but any insight is appreciated.

I used to get a lot of spotting 3-4 days before my actual period would start. It was very concerning and frustrating for me. I would also have very bad cramping, bloating, horrible back pains, inflammation all over and high sugar carb cravings before my period. But 10 months ago, I started lifting weights and strength training. As I improved with time, I even started lifting heavier weights throughout this time. I do heavy weight lifting 3-4 times a week consistently, and I do light cardio either on stairmaster or running 5x week 10k steps a day. I started noticing that as months were passing by, I would spot less and less, and I would have less cramping, bloating, back pains, and sugar cravings. I eat a ketogenic/carnivore diet, and i have not changed that part of myself for over a year. The only thing I changed this year was adding in heavy weight lifting and strength training. I did light cardio prior to adding in lifting. A few other things I noticed that improved also is my acne is almost non-existence, my dark facial hair is now lighter and thinner, my hair on top of my head no longer falls out, and I don't feel as cold anymore. I used to worry if women lift heavy weights, that testosterone or androgens would increase. But it is almost as if it is the opposite that is happening to me. Was it high androgens all along and now its lowering? Or was it something to do with my progesterone or estrogen hormones? Either way I'm liking the results lifting weights is giving me, and I'm afraid if I ever stop lifting, my symptoms will come back!! Has anyone experienced an improved change in hormones from lifting weights?? I started my period today, and not once did I have any spotting before my period or experience any cramps, bloating, inflammation, crazy cravings, or back pain. How is this possible??!!! I do believe I was insulin resistance before lifting weights because of my high carb and sugar cravings. I will mention I have lost a total of 15 lbs since starting lifting weights. I was 150lb, and now I'm 135lb. 5'2" 35 yo mom of 2 kids. But my main focus is putting on muscle and getting rid of fat. I take no medications, only fish oil and vitamin D.

This is mental health too but it would only let me choose one. Sorry if anyone thinks any of it is TMI, reddit always seems to help whether it’s for my car, music, AudHD hyper mobility problems, etc. anyway.

I used to be on spirolactone for acne related to pcos but I couldn’t handle it because it was like I was on my period all the time! So after like 6 months of that I stopped. That was maybe a year and a half ago.

Now I have a formal pcos diagnosis, see an endocrinologist and I’m on birth control and metformin… and now I’m bleeding all the time again!! So fuck that.

How can I be a normal human? I also take venlafaxine (generic Effexor) and used to take Zoloft for years before that. In case that factors in.

I’m a hot emotional mess all the time and now I bleed all the time. I messaged my dr on mychart but honestly Reddit (and women) know best. Help.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc7QJnCQMHQACfjiJU8ekyZuJz4Uvwkh0-s_wrzSVlrfotE3A/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=111242708747929604957

Hey guys!

Long-time lurker here as I’ve suffered with PCOS/ PMOS symptoms for years have found it really difficult to get any meaningful support from doctors.
As anyone with this condition knows, the lack of support is really frustrating, (not to mention the financial tax of dealing with this condition)

 I’m trying to build a service which can help with these issues by:

1. Track progress of our symptoms e.g. does taking this supplement actually improve my symptoms?
2. Communicate our symptoms clearly with professions

Before I go any further, I’d like to hear from people who actually live with this, so I’ve put together a short survey. It takes about 5 minutes:

A few quick details:
Who it’s for: adults (18+) with diagnosed or suspected PCOS/ PMOS
What it’s for: deciding what I build. Answers are only used in combined, anonymous form
Voluntary: skip anything you like or stop whenever you want. I don’t collect names or emails
Thanks again ❤️

Hi guys, I'm turning 20 this year and was hoping to get some job advice from others who also have PCOS

I was lucky enough to get diagnosed around 16ish years of age. I've never had a regular period and per my doctor's advice, am taking myinositol daily and on a medication every 2 months to induce my period

I've noticed that most of my flare-ups are triggered by long-term stress. Example, I was mentally stuck, so demotivated, depressed, etc during my internship that had me working 10 hours 5 days a week. When I'm in a flare-up, I've noticed I can be stuck in it for a week or as long as months, completely random each time.

Now it's time for me to enter the workforce since I've graduated and decided to not go to University.

My main question is if working 2 part time jobs would be better for me since I've noticed that I should keep my stress low. I feel like the flexibility of part time jobs would also be a plus if I need recovery from a flare up. I'm a bit worried about pursuing part time work instead of full time because it is an unconventional path and it feels like getting a full time job is expected of me as someone becoming an adult

Advice please?

Hi everyone ! I am 24F have a few questions, and i don’t exactly know how to formulate this text so it might get all over the place. (please bare with me and thank you in advance for reading !) (reposting on main account)

So i suspect having PCOS, i practically match for all the symptoms i’ve read online and in this sub as well. even stuff i didn’t think could be linked to that seem to be.
i have a first appointment with a gynecologist end of next month. I’m pretty sure that it is quite late for my age, but i never see the doctor even when i’m sick because im a procrastinator and a bit reckless (even though i live in a country where health care is basically free).

To present the most pro imminent of symptoms, i used to have very irregular periods. i once spent almost a year and a half without having them. i wasnt too alarmed, mainly because i dont like having my period and i was studying and very single minded about academics. I thought it was because of my anemia, which i believe is mainly caused by the fact that i have the sickle cell trait (i’m mostly asymptomatic, but sometimes have pain crises when it’s too cold). My period would usually come back when i took iron, so i stopped for a while. But it came back normally a few months ago, so i started taking iron supplements back to avoid being always so tired.

I have hair on my belly, a bit on the chest and on my neck. i never thought much of it growing up. i just wore clothes that didn’t show them because i couldn’t bother shaving all the time. And for my neck, my skin is dark enough for it not to be too visible ( at leat i hope so ).

I think i have a normal weight. Can’t remember exactly but a bit less than 70kg ? for 1m70. But i have a lot of belly fat. it feels disproportionate for my body and it’s hard & a bit annoying, i sometimes feel like im pregnant.
i used to think i had a tumor or something and would look into it after graduating (please don’t judge me, terrible ADHD brain lol)
that and the hair and the acne is probably is probably what i really want to get rid of.

I used to have a lot of hair younger but it just started breaking down as i hit puberty, still very thin. I’m always tired, always thought it was the anemia but maybe not. I obviously have acne, it is all over the place, sometimes it’s very bad, sometimes it’s not that bad. i am also a very stressed and anxious person, so i thought the cortisol might cause all of that.

I don’t typically exercise. i just used to have a mandatory weekly sport class at school. i don’t have that anymore, so i just started playing tennis weekly (mostly because i like it a lot). I do know however that my grandmother used to have diabetes (so does my aunt & oncle), so i suppose i have the genetic predisposition.

Back to the main reason reason of this post. my upcoming appointment. my colleague was recently diagnosed with pcos, and she went with the same doctor who proposed her birth control pills to balance hormones. she refused, because she thinks BC messes you all around.

For context, i live in France. in the event of a diagnosis, i assume that is what she might prescribe me. i’m not sexually active and will not be for at least the next 4 years, so that’s not an incentive. And everytime i hear people talking about BC it’s about how the symptoms are terrible. Im currently pursuing a PhD and lately (compared to the past few months) i feel like i’ve reached an equilibrium within myself where im willing to and doing thing. where i don’t feel tired all the time or sad. The past few months i used to be so exhausted and had headaches ALL the time.

im scared BC might f\*ck all that up, but i also want to mitigate my symptoms bc i cant live like that forever. And my mood fluctuates so much and so violently that this equilibrium might not last lol.
I’m willing to try it, obviously, i suppose i just have to do in a period where i dont need so much of myself.
I’m mainly looking people with similar experiences and how birth control have changed them for the best or the worst ? because i feel terrified about potential side effects.

I don’t usually have periods, usually stress triggers me to pass clots for maybe a few days and that’s it. This time it started painful like a period and I was passing clots and bleeding enough to warrant an ER visit. That went on for probably 4 days and then the pain stopped and the bleeding stopped for a day or two and then it started again but the clots I’m passing now are smaller and without pain but it’s just not ending. It will stop for a day maybe less and start again. I feel like I can’t even leave the house because It’s just constant. I don’t have any insurance so my only option is going to the ER and they don’t ever really take it seriously. I’m just annoyed at this point.

I have heard that for those of us who struggle with PMOS, it might take a higher dosage of a GLP-1 to feel its effect.

I am currently on 5mg of Zepbound and have been for over four months. It has helped me manage my hunger very very slightly, but I still feel that shaky, urgent hunger and bottomless pit feeling often. Excess and painful hunger is definitely still an issue. I am eating enough and balanced meals for my PMOS.

Just wondering if anyone has any similar experiences or info?

My dermatologist was suspecting pmos because of my persistent acne, but the test results look normal. It doesnt look like i have insulin resistance either.

On top of persistent acne, i have hashimotos hypothyroidism, hair loss and thinning, bloating, and long period cycles of up to 80 days + they have always been irregular (ever since I started getting my periods).

Could my periods irregularity be only because of my elevated prolactin? Or should i run additonal tests for Pmos?

I got these drawn on the 3rd day of my cycle as recommended. My results:

1. Fasting Plasma Glucose: 93 mg/dL Reference range: 70–99 mg/dL
2. HbA1c (Glycated Haemoglobin): 5.2% Reference range: <5.7%
3. Prolactin: 45.6 ng/mL Reference range: 1.9–25.0 ng/mL
4. FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone): 7.24 mIU/mL Reference ranges:
   • Follicular phase: 3.2–15 mIU/mL
   • Ovulatory phase: 7.5–20 mIU/mL
   • Luteal phase: 1.3–11 mIU/mL
5. LH (Luteinising Hormone): 12.00 mIU/mL Reference ranges:
   • Follicular phase: 1.2–12.5 mIU/mL
   • Ovulatory phase: 12–82 mIU/mL
   • Luteal phase: 0.4–19 mIU/mL
6. Total Testosterone: 0.33 ng/mL Reference range (menstruating females): 0.18–1.10 ng/mL
7. Fasting Insulin: 12.70 µIU/mL Reference range: 4.03–23.46 µIU/mL

Hi! I really want to hear anyones experiences from those on hormonal iuds from the Mirena/Skyla family. Specifically in regards to hair thinning and cystic acne.

I have had no formal diagnosis, but have had a Gyno and PCP in the past indicate I may have PCOS but no formal testing (current PCP says only those trying to get pregnant test levels?) I have treatment resistant mild cystic acne, regular but long 35 day cycles with 8 day bleeds, and unresolved IBS issues.

I have tried everything to treat cystic acne, with combo bc and low dose spiro clearing me instantly but intolerable side effects (have low BP, migraines). Am now settling on Accutane, and the Derm informed me that if I complete a course that I will not need to worry about acne flare or relapse at all if I chose a hormonal IUD from this group? I'm slightly cautious with this promise.