Well after some research everyone says that if you have PCOS you will suffer with the following, well I have added my own take on what they say and my truth about the symptoms:-
Early symptoms of PCOS include:
- Few or no menstrual periods. This can range from less than nine menstrual cycles in a year (more than 35 days between cycles) to no menstrual periods. Some women with PCOS have regular periods but are not ovulating every month. This means that their ovaries are not releasing an egg each month.
This is no joke, some years I can have 2 cycles and other years I can have them every month. I have found that it is all linked to my weight if I put on a few pounds my periods stop if I lose a few pounds they come back. Also I have used supplements that have helped to bring my periods back, the best one was Pregnacare Prenatal Vitamins, I didn't like Agnus Cactus.
- Heavy, irregular vaginal bleeding. About 30% of women with PCOS have this symptom.
Heavy is an understatement, for the first two days I have to wear tampons and pads and change them nearly every hour, its a joke and it costs a bomb. I used to get big clots too but lately they have been really small and I am only heavy for 1 day instead of two. Also there have been times where I have not had a period for so long that the blood is that old it comes out black, thick and sticky (yuk), if this happens to you don't freak out like I did...lol... it only lasts a couple of days.
- Hair loss from the scalp and hair growth (hirsutism) on the face, chest, back, stomach, thumbs, or toes. About 70% of women in the United States with PCOS complain of these hair problems caused by high androgen levels. Acne and oily skin, caused by high androgen levels.
Okay this is a sore subject I officially have a beard, a moustache, hair round my nipples, a hairy belly, longer hair in my nose, hairy fingers and toes, hair everywhere expect on my damn head!!...WTF!! and these aren't fine hairs they are big thick black gigantic hairs that grow so fast. I am saving up for some laser treatment mainly for my facial hairs because I keep plucking them and I now have ingrowing hair bumps on my chin...Its not pretty :-(
- Acne and oily skin, caused by high androgen levels.
I have been lucky with this symptom in that I get oily skin but its not bad and I don't have acne but some women have teenage spots their whole life along with a beard, moustache etc... I got off light here!!
- Depression or mood swings. Hormonal changes are a known cause of emotional symptoms.
How can I describe my experience with this...hmmmm. Everyday I am generally happy, pissed off, angry, contempt, sad, crying, feeling sorry for myself, ecstatic, over the moon, hurt, hopeful, Joy, remorse... should I go on. This feelings probably change every 5 mins. It can be funny sometimes cause you over react to situations, you are either over angry or over happy if that makes sense..lol. Depression is the worse, its a constant battle everyday to wake up, be positive and to motivate myself from falling into a deep depression that I wont be able to get out of.
PCOS symptoms that may develop gradually include:
- Weight gain or upper body obesity (more around the abdomen than the hips). This is linked to high androgen levels.
Weight gain is the key to PCOS and it doesn't matter if you are fat or slim. I was a size 8 (A Model..lol) when mine kicked in. I am just under 6 foot so I still look slimish but all my weight is in my stomach, arse, top of my arms, thighs and breasts. Everywhere else is virtually the same. The biggest problem is losing the weight. You can go on every diet under the sun and not lose a pound. Funnily enough the only time I managed to lose any weight was when I cut out sugar completely and wheat. I felt like a drug addict coming off sugar having the shakes and everything, further more I hate the taste of sweeteners. I know what to do to lose the weight but I seriously lack the motivation and self discipline to do it which frustrates the hell out of my boyfriend but typing this today I want to do something about it. Oh and before I forget a miracle vitamin or mineral is Chromium which helps to break down sugar and helps to boost the weight loss.
- Male-pattern baldness or thinning hair (alopecia). This is linked to high androgen levels.
Yep I got this too, I know I am a sad case, I keep telling people I am falling apart..lol. Yep I just wear a wig and I look damn good too!! Seriously though its devastating but mine isn't that bad yet!! If its linked to Androgen levels then its going to be linked to weight and sugar will be the cure.
- Repeat miscarriages. The cause for this is not known. These miscarriages may be linked to high insulin levels, delayed ovulation, or other problems such as the quality of the egg or how the egg attaches to the uterus.
I have only had a couple and I only know because of the feint lines on pregnancy tests but I haven't been pregnant long enough to experience a miscarriage say at 6, 10,15 weeks for example but I know that there is a high risk.
- Inability to become pregnant (infertility). This is because the ovaries are not releasing an egg (not ovulating).
This is a sore subject and most of my blog will feature this topic mainly because I really want a child so badly. I actually think that I am ovulating and there are many ways too kick start ovulation. Lots of women with PCOS have kids so I have lots of hope it will happen for me too.
- Symptoms of too much insulin (hyperinsulinemia) and insulin resistance, which can include upper body weight gain and skin changes, such as skin tags or dark, velvety skin patches under the arm, on the neck, or in the groin and genital area.
Right I have very thick, very dark, very velvety skin on the back of my neck, armpits and elbow which they say is a sign of IR. I also get skin tags a lot but they are harmful. As I said earlier to lose weight with IR I had to cut our sugar which is extremely hard. I have cut down dramatically. Also I should point out that both of my parents are diabetic and so is my fathers mother which they say is linked to the cause of PCOS.
- Breathing problems while sleeping (obstructive sleep apnea). This is linked to both obesity and insulin resistance.
This is my favourite, I actually start snoring before I actually fall asleep and wake myself back up..he he he it does make me laugh especially the abuse I hear from my partner cursing me because I am so loud. Again weight loss is the cure.
- Pain in the lower abdomen and pelvis (chronic pelvic pain).
Cramps in the morning, cramps during the day, cramps during the night, cramps every day, every week and all year. Sometimes very light sometimes excruciating just a lot of cramps!!
- High blood pressure may be more common in women with PCOS, especially if they are very overweight. Your doctor will check your blood pressure.
My blood pressure is a joke I am on medication and have been for about 6 years. I currently take 10mg of Amlodipine and my readings are usually 150/100. The main problem is that I can’t get the bottom one down, the doctor increased my medication but it was my fault why it wasn't going down because I wasn't taking the medicine regularly enough. I am taking it more seriously now because it can lead to dementia in old age which is what my Nan is suffering with right now due to blood pressure and heart problems.
Well as you have read PCOS is not nice and I hate it!! but there are more symptoms that they don't tell you about and I will delve into those in my next blog..
SS x
