I have wanted to write this post for years now, in fact, I’ve probably written it in my mind a million times. I just never really knew when it would be a good time to write it, what really to put in the post, and if it really would be an interesting post. The best way to do it is to start from the beginning and work my way over the last 19 years of my life. I was living with PCOS.
Living with PCOS
Yes, 19 years of my life are going to be written about. It’ll probably take me many posts over the course of possibly several months. I don’t want to bore you all with some of the boringness (is that even a word?) of my life, but at the same time I want to make sure that while you are reading this you understand what I’m talking about and hopefully it’ll help you or someone you know with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
Teenage Years
In my teenage years, I knew that something just wasn’t right, my cycles never came when they were supposed to. However, as a teenager, you never really go to the doctor for something like that you just think it’s your diet, too much exercise, not eating correctly, or just stress. Little did I know, I was living with PCOS.
Fast forward just a couple of years after I graduated high school, and I started to go to the doctors regularly for checkups, and that is when my life changed, forever!
Young Adult Years
I was 19-years-old. It was probably my second annual visit, and the concern of my cycles was not coming when they were supposed to be bothering me. The main concern was I never knew when they would show up, and I always had to be prepared. Noticing things about me that just didn’t seem right for a female. I was getting some facial hair and hair on my abdomen.
I arrived at my appointment, nervous as any female is going in for her annual exam. The dreaded questions, the embarrassment of the hair where it shouldn’t be, etc. I went through all the typical questions and answers and then the exam. Something didn’t look right; the doctor ordered some blood work and other medical exams. A week later I returned for the results.
I was six days away from my 20th birthday when I found out I had PCOS. My life completely changed because of the diagnosis. I was devastated. Not only did I have this syndrome but because of this syndrome, my dreams of being a mom were fading fast because there is no guarantee of being able to conceive when you have PCOS. It was possible, but it could turn into a very long and hard journey.
I had a very hard time dealing with the news and broke it off with the guy I had been with for two years. I dropped out of college, partied, and I didn’t care about anything anymore. My dreams of having a family was almost gone! I won’t go into how hard it hit me or how bad things got for me. Just know it was bad
Married Life
It wasn’t until after I got married that I started to research it. I always knew it was going to be a long and hard journey. However, I didn’t know how hard or how long it would be. Searching the internet and purchasing books. I even went back to my doctor for help.
I will continue this series with more information about my symptoms and infertility battles. It may take a while to get the next post up, but be sure to keep an eye out for it!
These are just a few of the books I’ve read in the past that have helped me in many different ways (if you purchase any of these books from clicking the links I will earn money).
- PCOS Diet Book: How you can use the nutritional approach to deal with polycystic ovary syndrome
- PCOS: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: The Hidden Epidemic
- What to Do When the Doctor Says It’s PCOS: (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)
- Living with PCOS: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
- Taking Charge of Your Fertility, 10th Anniversary Edition: The Definitive Guide to Natural Birth Control, Pregnancy Achievement, and Reproductive Health
I have not been diagnosed with PCOS, but I know quite a few women how have. They discuss their struggles every now and then on Facebook. It’s enough to catch my attention and interest. I want to learn more about the syndrome so I look forward to your future posts in this series.
We always knew there wasn’t something right when I hit puberty, but PCOS wasn’t as documented 20 years ago as it is now. I was put on the pill to help with all the irregularity and painful cramps. As I hit my 20s it wasn’t something I really worried about since the pain was controlled with pills, the migraines as well (which started when I was 9.) By my 30s and husband #1 we could not conceive. The excuse was my body just needed time to reset itself after being on the pill for so many years. That marriage did not make it through the storm. Now, here I am almost 40 and in marriage. I found out a couple of years ago it was PCOS that caused me so many problems in life when I had an ultrasound done to see why I couldn’t conceive. Of course, now that I am older, I am opting to not have fertility because of all the statistics related to problems that could occur. If I had known what was wrong with me in the first place I could have been better prepared. While i am still trying to deal with the ‘never being able to have children’ issue, I am battling the weight issue caused by PCOS daily. Someday I’ll foster or adopt, but I’d like to be a bit healthier to chase after kids! My step kiddo keeps me pretty busy!
I know what you mean Chrystal! You’ll hear all about it in my future posts. I was super lucky, I had an OB that was up-to-date on EVERYTHING and diagnosed me when they were all still learning about it. I think that’s why I’ve stuck with him for everything over these last almost 20 years. I’m so sad that he’s retiring from practicing and only doing teachings 2 days a week now, but he’s been practicing for 40 years now!
Problem I’m running into now is that I have so much knowledge on PCOS and how it’s affecting me and regular doctors are not wanting to help with certain symptoms without making me wait and do multiple sets of tests, etc.
I’ve heard of it, but I know nothing about it. Thanks for speaking of your struggles and for sharing other resources. There are things we seem to take for granted until that right has been taken away. I look forward to reading your upcoming posts. Thanks for sharing your intimately personal story.
I have never heard of this syndrome before but sounds like it definitely have a huge impact on your life. I look forward to reading future posts to find out more.
It’s so brave to share this part of your life. Sharing your struggles on such a public forum can be therapeutic and will help educate those of us who aren’t very familiar with PCOS! I look forward to the rest of the series :)
I have never heard of this… You are amazing and brave to share this part of your life. (((hugs)))