Living with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Living with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

May 10, 2007 by
Heather Shockney  
Heather Shockney
Heather Shockney
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Ovarian Cysts  |  Insulin Resistance  |  Pcos

How PCOS Changes a Women's Life

PCOS is short for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. PCOS comes with several symptoms, yet every case is not the same. Some women living with PCOS will have excess body hair, acne, menstrual abnormalities, thinning hair, skin tags, weight problems, cysts, infertility, depression, and many
 others. Women with PCOS have high levels of male hormones. They may have no periods, or they may find they have continuous menstrual cycles. Each women will have a different story to tell about living with PCOS.

My story is one I wish I could change. Living with PCOS is not something I would want for any woman to experience. Each day I deal with a variety of symptoms. I never know which PCOS symptoms to expect one day to the next. Here are some of the problems I have living with PCOS.

1. Acne, never did I imagine that this close to thirty I would be dealing with Acne. Everyone thinks of Acne as a thing teenagers deal with when going through puberty. Well women living with PCOS deal with acne on a daily basis. The hormonal imbalance makes my face breakout like a pizza at times. Sure there are different medications I could take to deal with the Acne, but they have their own side effects. Many can't be used while trying to get pregnant, and since we are they are out.

2. Excess body hair, everyday I have to wax, shave, or pluck away the stray hairs that have made my chin their home. What woman wants to deal with facial hair everyday? Some days I think I should just run away and join the circus. I could make a great bearded lady with about two weeks of not removing the hair. How attractive is it for your girlfriend or wife to have facial hair? Not to attractive in my book. I would love to cut the hair removal out of my daily routine. Oh did I forget to mention the hairs that sprout from my big toe? With Summer coming and all the cute sandals I have to make extra sure I don't forget to check my toes for hair. Not a pretty picture I know. Some women living with PCOS have excess hair on their back and breasts too.

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i got diagnosed with pcos a couple of wks ago.i have a period every month,but there not regular.we have been trying to conceive 4 12 months now,but no hope.got to go and see a gynaecologist and go on from there.
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Posted on 07/03/2009 at 8:07:10 AM

I also have PCOS and have been for a couple of years. I have ALL the symptoms. And also am currently in the hospital due to the cyst rupturing in my ovary! Let me tell you..its no fun! Go to this website...everyone with PCOS needs to join..its a support group. The link is www.soulcysters.com you will find lots of info and support! Hope this helps! Have a blessed day!
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Posted on 06/10/2009 at 12:06:05 AM

I have had PCOS since I was a teen and am dealing with lots of hair loss and acne, not to mention hair growth... I want to find something for the hair loss as my hair is thinning too much and not getting help at the doctors. I keep hearing to lose weight. Well I have lost a lot of weight but the last 50 lbs seem to be going really slow and I don't know what to do.. I'm approaching 36 and have had this since I was 16 and gone untreated all my life. Any advice would mean a lot. I have come across too much info online and not knowing which is best supplement to use for hair loss and acne and lowering DHEA is not helping. I also have depression though I take supplements, some days are better.
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Posted on 05/15/2009 at 1:05:26 AM

I also have been told that I have PCOS, I thought I was the only one and thank god im not. I was starting to think I was a freak. I feel sad for my husband watching his wife shave her chin right next to him in the morning, he says it doesnt bother him but it bothers me. For the girls that are trying to have babies- keep trying, it took me a while but I have had 3 kids in the past 12 yrs. it took awhile to get them but they are worth every moment, dont give up !!! Best of luck my PCOS sisters.
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Posted on 04/30/2009 at 10:04:56 PM

I can give a run down here. I used to have acne and went to a dermatologist to get that under control. Went for laser hair removal and now bought my own system for home. Had a achild by being on the pill and went off right before trying. Now I take Yaz and maintain hair I don't want and I have allot with Silk'n. Don't give up hope it took me 15 years to get to this point of having it under control for the most part. I still get very depressed and angry and they say there is nothing that can be done for this. If anyone has input please tell.....
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Posted on 02/26/2009 at 4:02:54 PM

Good news to some degree... You can get this under control with YAZ (if you are able to take) and laser hair removal. You can even do it in you own home with Silkin at home hair removal system. The system runs about $800.00 but is much cheaper than professional treatments. This has truly improved my everday life and routine. Hang in there hopefully someday they can get the depression and anger under control.
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Posted on 02/26/2009 at 4:02:11 PM

Thank you for sharing your story. I just found out 2 weeks ago that this could be my story also, with some of the common symptoms dating back to when I was twelve...I am now 27 years old. This is so common and no one seems to know what it is. It feels good to know that there are more people willing to talk about it.
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Posted on 02/21/2009 at 7:02:14 AM

Hiya. I was diganosed with pcos about 2 months ago after failing to concive after tring for about 18 months and also my period just stopped alltogether about 4 months ago. I feel depressed and have gained weight. Ive been for my ultrasound last week to see how many cysts i have so im just waiting for my gp to get the results back. If anyone would like to chat to me about their pcos and share support it would be great as i feel so alone somtimes. My email is lauraparker24@gmail.com
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Posted on 01/14/2009 at 8:01:28 PM

Hey Im Shannon, Im 14 And My Gp Has Just Told Me He Suspects Me Off Having Pcos, I Have Alot Of The Synptons Eg Missing Periods For Months At A Time And Abnormal Hair Growth, This Really Embareses Me Around People As In The Summer When My Freinds Are All Out Wearing Bikins I Want To Hide My Body, Im Sooo Embaresed And I Hate It. Im Also Quite Worried About What Will Happen When Im Older And Want Children, I Really Want To Find Out More About Pcos, Can Anyone Please Help Me? shan_baybee@hotmail.com
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Posted on 11/30/2008 at 7:11:35 AM

Hi, My name is Brittney, I'm 21 years old and suspected of having PCOS, the doctors that I'm going to arent really much help, I want to confirm the diagnosis, but everytime I go in, they talk me into taking birth control for my sypmtoms and just want to leave it at that, I deal with acne, oily skin, abnormal hair growth on my stomach, breasts, and face, I miss periods, and I'm extremely depressed. My symptoms were progressive. Starting with my oily skin then which lead to acne then which lead to my other symptoms. It's hard to look back at pictures of me when I use to be really attractive to now, even my facial features seem to be more masculine, I hope that someday I will meet the right doctor who will help me with my symptoms and will be able to look as good as I did before this whole thing took controll of my life!
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Posted on 11/24/2008 at 8:11:00 AM

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