GP experience

[Sushisavvy]

I have been diagnosed with PCOS. And I want to know other peoples experience with this.

I am currently having symptoms like a lack of period ( nearly 2 years now), acne and weight gain ( I am not overweight but I am noticing I am gaining weight quicker than ever).

When told I had PCOS my gp said do I want to go on the pill. I was on rigevidon for nearly 6 years and didnt like the side effects as they gave me bad mood swings, but instead of suggesting other pills that may be suitable or any testing I was told to come back when I want to gey pregnant.

Any advice would be helpful

[Fleur29]

I have PCOS. Was diagnosed when I was 28, that was 20 yrs ago. I'm in the states; given those two things my options were very different from what they are now. However, I was able to incorporate some simple things to help me.1- plant oil /raw honey cleanse, light plant oil

moisturize for my face

2- eat clean/low carb as much as possible

3- take Evening Primrose Oil

4- exercise regularly

5- keep a positive attitude/stress mgmt

There are also other supplements besides evening primrose to help women's health and fertility.

I never felt BC pills were worth it. Too much "extra" in the side effects and not enough treating the original problem

And any Dr telling you that's the option til you're ready to get pregnant is not trying to treat the whole "you" I experienced that too - and quickly found a Dr that was kind and encouraging 🙂

I hope the best for you!!

[Fleur29 in reply to Fleur29]

I forgot to say that they should check your glucose and A1c. Thyroid panel too.

[Catstroke]

Push to go and see an endocrinologist now. I was diagnosed at 16, was put in the pill, taken off the pill because I’d had a couple of migraines and left until fertility became an issue and now? I’m too heavy for them to want to intervene on that front, and the weight loss advice has been lacking and I’m treated as a fat person who is fat through bad choices, not because I have a condition that makes it difficult to lose weight.

After years of struggling to lose weight with restricted calories and high exercise level as I’ve removed all free sugars from my diet (I don’t even have ketchup) and my weight loss is starting to look like it should have for years.

So get that help and push for it now, because I followed their advice and the help isn’t available for me now.

[Chaotic in reply to Catstroke]

Hello! Sorry to bounce on this strand. Can I ask what diet that you follow? I am really struggling and have lots of weight to loose. Thank you !

[Catstroke in reply to Chaotic]

Apologies only just saw your reply!

I don’t follow a diet per se, I’ve seen a hypnotherapist to help me remove sugar from my diet and, as skeptical as I was, it’s worked. He also worked on portion size and listening to when your body is genuinely hungry. So I no longer eat sugar (honey, jam etc) or drink alcohol but I also no longer count calories. I do, however, exercise a lot so yoga 1-2 times a week, weightlifting 3x, swimming training 3x.

My typical day looks likes:

Breakfast - Whole meal bagel with peanut buttter and banana

Lunch - soup or salad or a sandwich with whole meal bread

Tea - a small portion of a cooked from scratch meal. We tend to use a lot of Gousto recipes.

Snacks - apple or orange

The funny thing is, my appetite is much lower too. It’s honestly the easiest I’ve ever lost weight. But I do treat sugar like a recovering alcoholic treats alcohol - it’s gone completely and long term.

[Sushisavvy]

UPDATE: Thank you for everyone's advice much appreciated. I am now booked in to see a gynecologist. Does anyone have any tips on what I should ask for / do / say?

[Amiwrong]

hi. Wondering how it went? My daughter was dx at 17, now 20, and she’s never been sent to a gynaecologist. She’s had her hormones checked once at the beginning because I insisted. So basically her family doctor has her taking Yasmin birth control and that’s the end of the story. We just keep getting refills and no check ups, no talk about it at all. I find it weird, but maybe there isn’t anything else that can be done anyway??

[Sushisavvy]

8Hi! So they did a blood test and scan and they said I do not have PCOS. My gp got it wrong. So there's something else causing me to not have a period. I am now on the waiting list to see an endocrinologist but I have a feeling that'll take a while.

I also decided to go on Yasmin just so I'm have a bleed even if it is a withdrawal one as recommended by my doctor.

I would definitely push for a scan to see if she has any cysts or anything. Or try to get an appointment with a gyno or endocrinologist as in my experience gps don't see to care all that much about these issues and tell you to come back when you want to get pregnant.

I changed gps and immediately asked to be referred and they kindly did.

I think the doctors can definitely do more for your daughter atleast to put her mind at ease