1. What age were you diagnosed?
19, (which is almost 4 years ago), I had blood samples taken, and a couple of ultrasound examinations to check for cysts on my ovaries. I was in my first year of uni and it was a lot to deal with at the time.
2. What age did you notice symptom start?
13, I had acne and dark patches but the patches were never properly diagnosed. I began gaining weight around this age too and when I was 15/16 my periods stopped being regular.
3. What symptoms have you had?
Acne, Dark patches, Irregular/Absent periods, thinning of my hair, Weight gain & Difficulty loosing weight
4. What was your first reaction when you were diagnosed?
‘Oh sh*t, now what’ ha, to be honest I don’t actually remember now. It had been talked about that I possibly had it by Doctors but I’d not had a diagnosis until that point. I remember feeling overwhelmingly worried about the symptoms and terrified about if i’d be able to have children one day or not. Uncertaintly about things is terrifying and there wasn’t a whole heap of advice given to me either and I think that’s quite often the case, (in the UK anyway, i don’t know what its like else where). My mum was so incredibly supportive when I was diagnosed. I saw a dietician who wasn’t worried about what I ate but recommended Low-GI foods for managing PCOS. Mum bought Low-GI cookbooks and got me some books on managing and dealing with PCOS. We did lots of research together and looked at what steps I could take to lessen symptoms!
5. Have you taken any medication for PCOS?
Previously i’ve taken Metformin and Yasmin Birth control pill. I also took ‘hair skin and nails’ vitamin tablets and Vitamin B but now I don’t take any.
6. How do you manage your PCOS?
I no longer take any prescribed tablets for my PCOS. I exercise 5 days most weeks, a mixture of Zumba 2 times a week, swimming 2/3 times a week, dance on the wii usually once a week, running twice a week and i’m about to start Badminton one evening too! I walk as well as much as possible and fit in cycling when I can too, the lighter summer nights are going to be the best for cycling after work! I am incredibly conscious about what I eat. I’m a lifelong vegetarian and I predominently eat Low-GI, non-starchy, plant based meals with almost no bread (a pitta every few weeks normally) and very little pasta. When I do eat pasta I eat wholemeal Spaghetti! So far i’ve lost 28 pounds and I have another 28 to go to reach my goal weight. Weight loss has been my main way of managing my symptoms and I work best when I have a routine for exercising. I’ve recently had blood samples taken to measure my hormone levels, and they’ve dropped to normal levels! Absolutely huge news for me and beyond happy!!!
7. What to look out for with PCOS?
Look out for changes in your menstrual cycle and weight. There’s so many other signals, for me it was acne and dark skin patches which were a result of insulin resistance. Looking out for these early signs can help you get a diagnosis sooner. A diagnosis isn’t the answer to dealing with it, but it enables you to know what you’re up against and start working with your body to help it out.
Now, steal this post and make your own! If you want…