I think I have Symptoms. Now what?
Symptoms of PCOS can vary depending on the person as everyone is different however the common symptoms are listed below;
Irregular periods. A lack of ovulation prevents the uterine lining from shedding every month. Some women with PCOS get fewer than eight periods a year.
Heavy bleeding. The uterine lining builds up for a longer period, so the periods you do get can be heavier than normal.
Hair growth. More than 70 percent of women with this condition grow hair on their face and body — including on their back, belly, and chest. Excess hair growth is called hirsutism.
Acne. Male hormones can make the skin oilier than usual and cause breakouts on areas like the face, chest, and upper back.
Weight gain. Up to 80 percent of women with PCOS are overweight or obese.
Male-pattern baldness. Hair on the scalp gets thinner and falls out. Also called Alopecia.
Darkening of the skin. Dark patches of skin can form in body creases like those on the neck, in the groin, and under the breasts.
Headaches. Hormone changes can trigger headaches in some women.
In my own experience as you’ve probably read in my own story (Click here to read) I experienced weight gain, lack of periods, hair growth where I didn’t want it, hair loss where I wanted it, painful periods, nausea in the mornings (this was even before I started Birth Control) - Hormones are at a really weird place in the morning when we wake up and are a little stronger so it’s not uncommon for us to feel nauseous even without Birth Control.
If you feel like you might have PCOS, I recommend a few things - I don’t want to be that person that says to completely abandon ship on your doctor because you might be really lucky to have a great doctor that you have a solid relationship, and they might take what you say seriously and do their job. If that’s the case, tell them about your concerns and what you think is going on. Ask for a full metabolic panel (Remember your doctor works for you) and go from there. If they feel like there isn’t a need then you know where you stand and go find another doctor. Time is of the essence here and you don’t want to wait years as I did.
The sooner you find a doctor that takes what you say seriously and you get a full panel then you’re good and they’ll explain the results. However, if they immediately try to get you on medication, know that it isn’t solving the problem at the root. Most medication is just masking symptoms and putting a bandaid on it - I am off all medication except for my thyroid hormones medication I take. I don’t like being on it, however, my thyroid got so out of control the point that it was beyond food and holistic healing. This was due to a doctor not hearing my pleas for help before it got to that point so this is just speaking from experience.
If at any point you’re diagnosed with Pre-Diabetes or Insulin Resistance, I’m telling you that it can be fixed and completely reversed with a clean lifestyle with food, exercise, and proper supplementation. And just in general, if you are diagnosed, or concerned you have it, you are more than welcome to chat with me about it. :)
Stay Healthy :)