Life with PCOS

This is a very personal post for me, so I wasn't quite sure how I wanted to present it to you (or that I was 100% ready to share it all)...I decided to use a great article from WebMD and shape my answers (in grey italics) around questions in their article. (Most of the medical information is copy and paste) Please remember I am not a medical professional or an expert on PCOS. My hopes for this post is to bring more awareness to PCOS and help educate family members and friends of other women living with PCOS. Please also remember, symptoms appear differently in every woman with PCOS, just because I experience something, does not mean  you (if you have PCOS) or someone you know will be experiencing the same. Support and knowledge is power. I have included the links at the bottom of the page to some of the best websites and articles if you want to learn more.

What is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
(say "pah-lee-SIS-tik OH-vuh-ree SIN-drohm")
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a problem in which a woman's hormones are out of balance. It can cause problems with your periods and make it difficult to get pregnant. PCOS has a variety of unwanted symptoms, many causing changes in the way you look. Women with PCOS are at higher risk for diabetes (including gestational diabetes for pregnant women) and heart disease.

What are hormones, and what happens in PCOS?
Hormones are chemical messengers that trigger many different processes, including growth and energy production. Often, the job of one hormone is to signal release of another hormone.

In PCOS the horomones get out of balance. One hormone triggers another, which changes another. For example:

• The sex hormones get out of balance. Normally, the ovaries make a tiny amount of male sex hormones (androgens). In PCOS, they make more, causing a woman with PCOS to stop ovulating, get acne, and/or grow extra facial and body hair.
• The body may also have a problem with insulin, called insulin resistance  When this happens, the body doesn't use insulin well, causing blood sugars levels to raise. Over time, this increases your chance of getting diabetes.

What are some symptoms of PCOS?

As I mentioned above, a woman with PCOS will experience few, some, or many (like me) of these symptoms....everyone is different. Also, I have noticed for me, that the symptoms will appear at different times. ( or I may experience one stronger than others.)

• Acne
• Weight gain and trouble losing weight
• Extra hair on the face and body (Typically thicker and darker)
• Thinning hair on the scalp
• Irregular Periods (Meaning less than 9 periods a year, no periods, or experiencing very light or very heavy bleeding.)
• Fertility Problems (Many women with PCOS have trouble getting pregnant)
• Depression

Most women with PCOS grow many small cysts on their ovaries. That is why it is called polycystic ovary syndrome. The cysts are not harmful, but can be painful and lead to hormone imbalances.

What causes PCOS?
The symptoms of PCOS are caused by changes in hormone levels. PCOS also seems to run in families. It can be passed down from either your mother's or father's side.

How is PCOS diagnosed?
Only a professional medical doctor can diagnose PCOS. They will ask about your health history, symptoms, menstrual cycles, and do a physical exam. You may also have a pelvic ultrasound to look at your ovaries for cysts. 
Below is a picture of a regular ovary and one from a woman with PCOS.

I was meeting with my gynecologist regularly, to discuss family planning once Andrew and  I decided we were ready. After a few months of trying, no ovulation (due to over-stimulated follicles and development of cysts in my ovaries as seen above in the picture example), no pregnancy, and my regular past of un-regular periods, she decided to have me do a pelvic ultrasound. This ultrasound, along with hormone levels from blood-work, confirmed me having PCOS and pointed us on a different course to get pregnant than we had originally planned. 

How is it treated?
Regular exercise, healthy foods, and weight control are key treatments for PCOS. Medicines to balance hormones may also be used. Getting treatment can reduce unpleasant symptoms and help prevent long-term health problems such as diabetes and heart disease.

My gynecologist would like me to go on some type of birth-control after pregnancy to help balance my hormones and hopefully make getting pregnant easier the second time around. I have not made any decisions as to what treatment I will do after pregnancy, as I am living in the moment and trying to enjoy this amazing time in my life and keep myself healthy so I can provide baby with everything he/she needs.

It can be hard to deal with having PCOS. If you are feeling sad or depressed, it may help to talk to a counselor or to other women who have PCOS. Ask your doctor about local support groups, or look for an online group. It can make a big difference to know that you are not alone.


http://women.webmd.com/tc/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos-topic-overview
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/polycystic-ovary-syndrome/DS00423
http://pcosfoundation.org/support-groups?gclid=COnctNuf_bkCFShp7AodgR4AUw