I don't know what to do

[Viroge96]

Hi all,

I'm new to all of this and I may need a little advice.

I was told I had pcos in 2015. The doctor prescribed me the pill to help regulate my period and hormones. However I kept forgetting to take it.

I have looked into suggested diet changes and tried to follow this so many times during the years and nothing sticks. (I'm such a fussy eater along with mental health issues).

So fast forward to now, I've got a lot more facial hair and I think I'm losing some of my head hair (although my family say otherwise), I wanted to get it sorted again so I called the doctor about wanting to go back on the pill and he refused me it (because it might cause blood clots) and suggesting I lose weight. I don't know how to take all of this. I have tried to lose weight so many times and it's just not happening and I just feel so alone. It's so hard to keep on top of my facial hair and I'm so worried about hair loss. As well as the fact that I barely get periods anymore and I'm worried about cancer...

I don't know what to do, and I'm hoping someone could give me some advice?

(Thanks in advance)

[Mistee]

Hi Viroge96,

I can totally understand your concerns, I'd be inclined to ask for a gynea referral.

I don't think many medical staff truly understand the affect PCOS has on our ability to gain and lose weight. The gaining part is soooo easy but losing it?! Dieting and exercise alone are just not enough. But quite often there's actually a reason for it!

PCOS can significantly impact our insulin levels which is why we're at higher risk of developing diabetes. I'll be honest I can't quite remember how it works as I went through the tests and explanations around 20yrs ago, but I think it goes along the lines of I don't break insulin down properly which leads, somehow or other, to my body storing excess sugars as fat. I could be totally wrong with that description but either way, I was prescribed metformin and combined with a low GI diet, I actually started losing weight! The metformin also helped with the facial hair at first too but not anymore. I've never had an issue with head hair though afraid.

My facial hair is thick and jet black. I've spent years plucking daily, only to find out that plucking actually makes it worse! Sadly none of the Dr's I've seen have ever been even remotely concerned about it so I've saved up and bought a home IPL machine. I doubt it'll be very effective but I can't afford to get it done in a salon.

I'm pants at remembering to take my meds and I'm a very fussy vegetarian with a host of gastro issues. Due to a wide verity of things over the years, the weight has found its way back. It's tough, but getting back on top of my meds and incorporating low GI with slimming world really helps me.

I don't know if lack of periods makes us anymore likely to develop any cancers, I was going upto 2 years between periods when I started IVF 12yrs ago and was prescribed Provera to force one to come on. I was recommended to take it every 3 months following pregnancy if I was still irregular but my lack of periods has never bothered me so I never did anything about it. A gynea referal will be able to give you better advice and will be able to prescribe treatment to help.

Hopefully this covid-19 crazy will be over with soon and you'll be able to get a referal sorted out. Good luck!! Xx