Hello, I am new to this community!

[Zanth]

I don't suffer myself but my daughter was diagnosed with polycystic ovaries a few years ago. She is now 22 years old. I am worried because she doesn't seem to be getting any help from her GP. She says the doctor just tells her to lose weight. Sadly she is very obese and binge eats in response to stress. She suffers with depression and self harms by cutting and burning herself. I am not sure how best to help her and would be grateful for comments or suggestions from the community. Thanks!

[Hidden]

I'd try to get her in to see a gynecologist who is well informed of PCOS. Birth control pills (so far) have helped me with weight, mood, and PCOS symptoms.

I'm 21 and have struggled with self harm, depression, and PCOS so I wanted to say something. One thing that really helped me was getting into weight lifting! But, I know not everyone can workout due to health but it's always helped me mentally.

I also hope your daughter has people to talk to as well as talking things out to friends or family helps too. (I assume she has this as you are making this post in regards to her😊). A lot of times I've isolated myself from others but that causes much more harm than good.

If she struggles a lot with binge eating, self harm and depression it may be a good idea to talk to her about some possible counseling. There's also many support groups for these things online too. (Support groups like this have always helped me, especially since I can feel safe behind a computer and really say what I'm feeling!)

Make sure she knows she's not alone in this, as I know what it's like. x

[Hols969]

I would consider her going on a combined contraceptive as this masks the symptoms pretty well and it is easier to lose weight too. Has she been tested for insulin resistance ?

Depression is a side effect of pcos so it is quite common to have this and anxiety too. I presume she is on anti depressants ?

Low GI is really the way to go so cut out all white carbs as they are the route of all evil in my opinion when it comes to PCOS.

Ask to get her referred to an endocrinologist as pcos is their area rather than a gynae. Also look at the NICE guidelines on PCOS and the NHS.

[Hidden]

Awww you are a lovely mum. Mine left me to deal with it myself . Seems like both of you are going through part of the struggle together and must b hard seeing your daughter so down. One of the worst things she can do is isolate herself. Tho I do know sometimes being out is the last thing on ur mind when u r overweight ( I no!). I used to get geared up to go out , and then come back depressed because no clothes would fit me, or felt squeezed in the changing rooms. Feel like everyone is staring. Something I'm going to try is swimming. Most gyms have women only sessions or are for females only. I wish there was just a pill you could pop that could take pcos away, but there is so much bad things out in this world, seems like pcos is on the bottom of doctors lists.

[Smem007]

There is an online facebook weightloss forum called teamrh. It is run by Richie Howie and Rachael. There are numerous people on there with mental health issues and he is very knowledgeable about PCOS. I have found it a God send, not only for food, but self-esteem and keeping strong together. I can't recommend it enough. I currently have to loose 16lb before I can have a certain pill for fertility and Rachael has kept me on track. Just a thought, as the community has really helped me and I have suffered with anxiety in the past..xx