PCOS--a Thinster

[anjyil]

Hello. I was diagnosed with PCOS a couple of years after I moved to Japan. That was around eight years ago, but the evidence of PCOS most likely started when I was around 13. My periods back then were extremely crazy--super heavy bleeding, going for long periods of time with short breaks in between, painful. It was super scary to always see a toilet full of blood--more so than should be reasonable. I was and always have been a smaller person. When our GP attempted a smear, he found he couldn't because I was still too small for the tools. So he put me on the Pill and I had been on it ever since. There was never a diagnosis because back in the 90s, I doubt it was well known.

I was diagnosed because when I came to Japan, I ran out of pills and decided to just see what would happen. It didn't take long for my mood to swing out of control, my period to loose all sense of time and management--only this time it was lighter and usually absent. Cramps have always been a thing, sometimes really bad, light or otherwise. So I found a doctor who spoke English with the intent of just getting back on the pill. She did the smear and the first thing she asked me was "Do you have trouble with your periods?" I was shocked by the question because I hadn't told her anything about it at that point. I told her my history, and she said that I had a "pearl necklace" typical of PCOS. We ran some blood tests and she called me up and said that yup, I have PCOS.

She told me if I ever wanted to get pregnant, she would help me out---but based on my history, it would probably be a bit difficult. Right now, my husband and I don't have plans on getting pregnant, so I am back on the Pill to help regulate my hormones.

I honestly don't know what to think about it--I have never had a regular period outside the pill, so I just kind of accepted it. A couple of years after that, I was diagnosed with asthma. So now I know I have two strikes against me with a family history of type 2 diabetes due to weight gain. I, myself, manage to live a fairly healthy life when I am not laid up with asthma issues. Living in Japan, it isn't so difficult to eat a mostly healthy meal--but man, sugar is my greatest demon. I crave it to an unnatural level, though I can usually curb it except under stress. Most of Japanese food isn't so sweet, so that helps, I think.

I've kind of accepted the fact that I am probably infertile or will have a lot of trouble getting pregnant. Even though I know that fertility help is available and it is better controlled than usual, the worry about twins is real--one baby would be hard enough, but twins would be financial suicide for us. My husband and I talked long and hard and agreed that we probably won't have children. At 37, I know the clock is ticking and I occasionally check in with him in case he wants to change his mind. Early menopause is another thing in my family--yay!

I guess it isn't so bad as long as I stay on proper medication. My husband is super supportive, so I really don't have much to worry about--but in case he decides that he wants children after all, I thought I would follow the community and keep eyes open for information and advice.

[Hols969]

It is extremely rare not to conceive just because of pcos, you are not infertile. It does take some ladies longer than others but we all get there in the end. Our fertility (egg quality) lasts longer than non pcos ladies as well so we can conceive later in life (I was 36 when I conceived). So you want children but your partner does not ?

Sugar takes about 3 weeks to kick - I used to really crave noodles the whole time but I rarely do now. Avoid all white carbs as they are rubbish from a pcos point of view.

[anjyil in reply to Hols969]

We both are on the fence about kids--my husband has certain standards he wants to attain financially before considering kids, and being almost fifty himself is more and more reluctant to sadly young offspring with our old age haha. We are both neutral--want but don't want--so we don't push it.

I have read a lot about it not necessarily meaning you are infertile, but we got kind of a double whammy of difficulty between the both of us, so it wouldn't just be me. I read a few things about the signs of infertility and I match a LOT of them, but we won't officially test for it unless we change our minds about kids.

I have gone three weeks and longer without sugar before, but still had severe cravings and inability to resist it. I have managed to go a couple of months off of it, but it wasn't easy by a long shot and falling off the band wagon is extremely easy to do.

White rice is a standard here, but I don't eat much of it. It isn't easy to get a lot of the things that I took for granted in the states--different standards here (I actually tried to start a couple of different types of diet just to get a healthier lifestyle and found it almost a hopeless cause because either the stuff was available but more expensive than back in the states, or it didn't exist in my area).

[Hols969 in reply to anjyil]

White rice seems to be used a lot Japan but they seem so much healthier than us in lots of ways so it is a bit strange.

As for children ... I sort of sat on the fence about it but decided that at least if I had tried and it didn't work then I wouldn't regret not trying in the future when you look back. Noah is just 12 and I am so pleased I did as it is amazing being a parent. We have been very lucky as he has honestly been the perfect child, didn't cry as a baby and generally content with life and very easy going (I am sure the teenage years will be hell as he has been very easy up until now). I think also because I was told I wouldn't be able to have children I actually didn't want to try, I was never particularly broody either (took 3 years to conceive Noah and we only have him as I didn't want to do it again).

As for money, you will never have enough money to have children but actually at the end of the day it doesn't matter and you muddle through and gain other things instead!!

[anjyil in reply to Hols969]

Japan is pretty different in more ways than one. ^_^ I read a meme once about how all these countries do these things we consider horrible fro health in the US and how they live long, healthy lives. At the end of the meme it said that it wasn't the whine/carbs/etc that killed you, it was being American haha

There are more reasons than money as to why we are hesitant, but they are just the main ones. We probably won't have children in the end, and I don't mind at all. If my husband changes his mind, then great to that, too. I think my bigger concerns are some of the other diseases and whatnot that can piggy back on PCOS--but Japan has a little bit of a different look on PCOS. Probably because of the cultural differences. Still, I find getting information from anywhere is good.

[Hols969 in reply to anjyil]

Generally the issues with pcos are usually (not always) due to being overweight. We have an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, ovarian cancer (due to lack of periods). I am 47 and do not have diabetes or insulin resistance, I make sure I have 4 periods a year to keep my lining ok and as far as I know my heart is ok!! I have always watched my weight which is the main thing. So a lot of the extra issues can be controlled really by watching your weight and eating well which it sounds as if you are doing anyway.

[anjyil in reply to Hols969]

Well, i have never been overweight. My first period was insane, so I wonder if it was just a thing I was born with XD Even on the pill, I never know WHEN my period will start. It's always a guess as to when, how long, and why type (that last one is pretty typical I hear)

Anyway, PCOS coupled with asthma (also having a link to diabetes and a few other things as PCOS) plus my family history doesn't bode well for me without care. I control what I can, take the meds I need, and hope haha.

[Hols969 in reply to anjyil]

That's all you can do !!!