Pcos and my mental health

[Bambampcos]

Hey everyone, I've had pcos for about 10 years,maybe more. Had no period for 5 years and since then I've been getting a period every 1 year to 6 months and recently every 3 months approx. For the last few years I've been getting really awful anxiety and depression in phases. Like sometimes a month at a time. Randomly as far as I'm aware as I've no period to relate it too effectively. It's so extreme that it Impacts my ability to do my job and have relationships. It's feels cyclical cause mostly I don't have these feelings. Does anyone else get a big effect to their mental health along with pcos?

[CurlyGirl983]

Complely with you girl. Had pcos for 20 years. Period is semi regular but at the moment I'm going through a horrific time mentally as my period is now 13 days late. I definitely notice a spike in my anxiety and depression round the time of my period but then when it's this late I just want to tear my hair out. I can't sleep, feel hyper anxious and cannot breathe. I have the same issues around work and relationships. It really affects my ability to keep going. But we find a way. Well done you for just reaching out. You're definitely not alone in this. I wish there was something easy and quick to remedy it but I'm afraid it's a bit of a slog. I wonder if seeing a counsellor and taking some relaxed exercise might help? Do a hobby, read a good book, call up a friend, or binge watch something you like? Having a really good cry helps. Definitely call the doctor though, and get your pcos checked. Perhaps they can refer you.

In the meantime look after yourself and just be patient. It can be handled. Take care! 😊

[Bambampcos in reply to CurlyGirl983]

It's just good to know I'm not alone in this. Thanks for your reply means a lot. You look after yourself too

[Kimmy2002]

Can I ask do you know or do you already treat your pcos, all the elements of what your describing can be treated with diet and supplements. If you want I can share what I know but I didn’t want to assume.

[Bambampcos in reply to Kimmy2002]

Hiya, I do regular exercise, take herbs, eat well, mostly veggie/vegan, and have recently cut way way down on booze. But if you know of other ways to work with it please let me know 🙂 thanks

[Kimmy2002 in reply to Bambampcos]

It’s a big blurb I have pre typed.. it explains my story and how I changed my life I try abd help as many people as I can, the bit at the bottom with supplements might be your take away from it.. but I’ll pop it all on just incase there is anything else. I hope it helps in any way….

firstly Lots of different things suite different people. My first advise is go and do your own research, Pinterest is a good source of advise.. pcos diet, pcos symptoms, pcos why, pcos what is it.. all things I typed and got some serious knowledge. There are also people on Instagram who do 30 day free meal plans and give you loads of information for free.. I think it’s called simple pcos, me personally I developed type 2 diabetes I was 6 stone over weight, lost a load of hair on my crown to point where I wear a wig and loads of hair in places there should be non! I was always tired my mental state was in a mess and I just felt crap for so long it was my normal. My husband and I have been trying for a baby for over 13 years and for 10 years I hadn’t had a period so my pcos was quite severe. The first thing I did was learn what pcos actually is and then that helped me understand how to change both my diet and lifestyle to be well again. A super simple explanation is our body’s don’t tolerate sugar.. so they create insulin to match the higher sugar levels then because we have high insulin we create to much testosterone as the two hormones match each other within us and that causes a load of crappy side affects, like heavy periods, constant periods, no period at all, mood swings, weight gain, hairy chin, neck and back, loss of hair on crown and receding hair line, sweating a lot, always hot (especially hands and feet ) constantly tired, .. the list goes on but you can change it.. sugar is your new nemesis and It’s also not just simple sugar like sweets and deserts.. unused carbohydrates turn into sugars within our body if it’s not used.. so white potato, bread, pasta rice all things that if possible need to be removed from your diet even gluten free options should be a treat, There are other things you can have.. sweet potato, butternut squash, swede, quinoa buckwheat… but they are all complex carbs and will stop the ride of sugar spikes and plummets.. that’s also important as that why your craving food.. not even bad food just food I hear ya I been there.. it’s your body craving it’s next sugar high it sounds ridiculous I know.. one of the most helpful things I now know is to eat protein with every meal.. the protein helps Cut down sugar and carbs so double you protein intake (chicken, all fish and as much as you can inc oily fish if you can, please do cut the fat of bacon or pork as there is not a diet plan in the world where it’s good for you! ) and half your carbs and also good fat like avocado, humous, coconut oil, organic real butter.. please also stop counting calories.. a standard diet as you probably already know won’t work for us! and I back that up as i personally got a pcos nutritionist at my own cost and this comes directly from her... if I can shed any help I would also recommend going gluten and lacto free another side affect of pcos is loads of people are diagnosed with IBS again crappy lazy doctors what it is in most cases is a thing called pcos Leaky gut ( again Pinterest it) basically you can upset your tummy with gluten and lactos so if you avoid them it one more thing you don’t have to deal with but it’s more than just being close to a toilet constantly.. the leaky gut is twinned with inflammation of the stomach and left untreated can be nasty and again the side affects of that are feeling crap, tummy aches, the runs but it’s also affects your body working at a normal level.. Also the constant tiredness and feeling crappy seriously I know those diet changes feel like a lot but once you do it you will never look back.. I used to want to sleep in the late afternoon I was so poorly All the time I didn’t know what feeling good felt like until I changed my diet and lifestyle. One of the big issues is also stress.. stress actually makes your sugars increase crazy right! But when your stressed or upset do you reach for bad food.. look it up it’s a hormone called cortisol and it’s a ladys With pcos worst friend we need it as it helps us wake up and stimulates other hormones but we have too much.. there is no medical way of reducing so it’s a manage stress and situations. I’m 4 stone down, feeling fantastic and had conformation of Ovulation 6 months in A row but it’s taken 2 years of research and changing my diet to get there.. supplements is the last thing to briefly talk about you 1000% need inositol ( I get mine from time Heath ) if nothing else, an omega 3, vit d with k3 and palmetto plus forte, also magnesium glycinate is a good Shout. There also herbal supplements called adaptogens you can take to help deal with stress hormone cortisol.. but please do your own research I can only tell you what has worked for me and every one is different. I wish you luck

[Findingwhatworks26]

I hear you Bambampcos! I was diagnosed in 2018 and anxiety is a big thing for me, especially at the moment due to work stress😟 I have had CBT recently which has helped somewhat but looking at other avenues such as specific therapy about stress and self esteem. Found my anxiety kicked on when my PCOS came knocking (around 15-16) and has not left since. Sending lots of love and I find keeping myself busy works best so going for a walk or watching tv❤️

[Bambampcos in reply to Findingwhatworks26]

Aw thank you for sharing. I guess there's a science to it but an increase in anxiety really feels linked to pcos. Those hormones are strong strong. Big love and good luck to you too

[Amber90]

Hi I thought I’d just add my little 2ps worth 😂 I have pcos too and struggle with mental side of things mine really stems from the whole trying to conceive part of it really, been ttc for 10 years and no success as of yet everything I try fails including 2 ivf transfers. What I find helps me with the anxiety depression side of things is acupuncture it really helps me massively didn’t work right away but with patience and consistency my anxiety completely went and the depression too! I swear by it. Maybe have a little look for a good acupuncturist in your area. I do know the hard struggles we have to face on our journey but suppose what doesn’t kill us really does make us stronger you’ll find what works for you ❤️ Best of luck 😊

[Bambampcos in reply to Amber90]

You're not the first person to say acupuncture works well. Herbs actually got my periods from every 6 months /1 year to 3 months. And also helped make the worst of the MH stuff shorter. I'll try find an acupuncturist near me. Thank you. I wish you the best of luck with your journey, I don't know what I'd be doing if I wanted to have a baby. Another layer or hard.

I'm Amber too maybe theres a corillation

[Amber90 in reply to Bambampcos]

😂 strange haha.. I also tried Chinese medicine for about 3 months but didn’t have any effect on bringing back cycle, but my acupuncturist said the dosage wasn’t strong enough for my body as I tried the tablet form so he now wants to start me on the herbs in a root form which I make an drink as tea 🤮but im willing to give anything a go! I still receive acupuncture but now we are mainly concentrating on ttc as that’s what most bothers me, if I remember correctly it was around 2/3 months before my anxiety went through acupuncture but just shop around first because I came across people charging £50 per session and then I stumbled across the one I see now and alls he wants to do is help people I’m so lucky to of of found him and he’s sessions are £30 but charges me £20 due to being a long time customer ❤️ so just work out what’s going to best for you to be able to keep up with the cost side of things you will find what’s best for you though and not one size fits all but I truly believe acupuncture helps everyone and plus it’s relaxation and mindfulness which makes you feel more positive anyway but just give it a try you’ve got nothing to lose but just be aware it’s not going to happen overnight. You’ll get there though and sometimes you feel like your in this alone and no one has the same problem but we are all in this together! Just remember positive mind positive life ❤️ which I know is hard when the depression creeps in 🙈 but I’m always here if things get to a point where your really struggling just reach out to me, I’ve tried a hell of a lot of things along the way 😂 and my advice to you if you are ttc or are wanting to best to try earlier then later.. xx

[snowflakemidnight]

Hi, just wanted to say that I really relate to your post, and you are definitely not alone. I'm in my mid 30s and have PCOS and endometriosis. I'm autistic and have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression several times over the years. I usually have 4-6 periods a year, but have only had two this year so far and my moods have been all over the place lately. I find that my mental health can be okay for a couple of weeks, then can suddenly completely change if/when hormones kick in. I become almost like a different person sometimes. I become really irritable, and despair about everything. It's really hard. Things that have helped me are really just finding positive things to focus on/distract myself as much as possible, like hobbies or spending time with a comforting pet, and making myself do those things even when I don't feel like doing anything. I personally find I need to cry a lot as well. If I bottle feelings up, it gets worse. It's best to release it. Also, just trying to accept that there are times that I can't do so much, and feeling okay about it. It is what it is. It's okay to cancel plans when I go through these times and not to take on too much. I know from past experience that the bad times don't last. Thinking about it logically helps me stay hopeful that things will get better again. I think connecting with others going through similar things is also really helpful. I find the 'spoonie' community on Instagram quite supportive and helpful at times.

Best wishes to you.

[SP235]

I have joined this group just because I am at a stage where things have gone worse. I am glad I found this. I probably must have had it since I started my periods as it was never regular and I was diagnosed at the age of 20 which was an incidental finding when I had a scan. I suffered a lot from acne, painful periods, mood swings and now anxiety and panic attacks. I was briefly on metformin that was prescribed in India and it really helped me. But I live in the UK now and the doctors are reluctant to prescribe it. They have tried me on different contraceptive pills that didn't work well. It made my mood worse and gave me anxiety and depression. I am now on dianette- started today. Not sure how it will go but fingers crossed. Last few months I am having severe hair loss from my head. Already on laser for my facial hair.