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Gottagetthrough posted 5/11/2013 06:36 AM

OK... So finally got labs and a diagnosis.

Can pcos be caused by stress? I'm not really overweight, so for years drs have told me, you don't have the pcos 'look'. (I can stand to lose 10 lbs, but I look like a haggard mom lol)

Also, I've gotten pregnant very easily multiple times.

Just since the A, my period hands been messed up. When I was in highschool (I was on the pill in college) my period would stop if I was under stress.

Now, I've missed a few... And after I got off the pill in 2011 due to side effects, I didn't have a period for 6 months.

I wonder if I have a mild case that I can treat with diet and exercise... Anyone know about pcos? I eat a boatload of carbs and dairy which I read is bad for pcos so I'm trying to switch to almond milk and quinoa, stuff like that....

Also.. For 5 years Wh and I practiced natural family planning... I could tell you when I was ovulating... I knew my body well and i was ovulating on a schedule.

I think I am still ovulating fairly regularly. (We no longer do NFP so I'm not as aware)

Hmmm...

[This message edited by Gottagetthrough at 6:40 AM, May 11th (Saturday)]

Mama_of_3_Kids posted 5/11/2013 08:17 AM

I have PCOS and Endometriosis...it BITES I would definitely switch to almond milk and go completely Gluten Free. I have been doing some research, b/c our DD is being tested for Celiac Disease, and I discovered that women there are sources that in some cases women with PCOS and/or Endometriosis also have a Celiac problem.

http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/content/26/10/2896.full.pdf+html

http://mylist.net/archives/centex-gluten-free/attachments/20080511/ec9d9d6d/PCOS.pdf

While more research is needed, there has been some relation between PCOS and Celiac.

As far as the not being overweight and such, if you're in the beginning stages of PCOS, you may not have as many symptoms. My suggestion would be to discuss this with your Dr...they may or may not decide to put you on Metformin to help with your insulin regulation.

Gottagetthrough posted 5/11/2013 09:55 AM

thank you =) I will pm you later!

wanttofeelwhole posted 5/11/2013 11:21 AM

I have pros and have forever. For me personally, I never got my period without medication until after my second child was born. I have never been over weight, but that's just stubbornness. The way ir was explained to me was that pros cases your baby to produce more testosterone which makes it easier to gain weight. When you are overweight your body produces more testosterone its a vicious cycle. I have three beautiful children thank to modern medicine and other than that it has not really been an issue, other than I have never had perfect skin.
Good luck on your research.

Jrazz posted 5/11/2013 11:26 AM

I was diagnosed with PCOS because of my irregular periods, "pc"'s on ultrasound, and insulin resistance. I've had the IR my whole life, and the irregularity was there from onset too.

I know that your period CAN get out of whack because of stress. Your body releases cortisol which messes with your hormones and can cause an imbalance that halts your cycle intermittently. I think that the science behind it suggests that if you body thinks that you're "under attack", it goes into self protect mode and sidelines procreation for a while.

There's a more sciencey way to put it but it's been a million years since the anthro class where I learned that.

(((Gotta)))

sullymeishadomi posted 5/11/2013 11:52 AM

I have pcos. Its caused by cysts on your ovaries or causes cysts on your ovaries.

What Ive come to learn is each person is different

I never had regular monthlies til my kids were born then it was every 25 to 35 days.

I have slight hair loss on the upper left of my forhead.

Im also glucose intolerant, tho dr says not. But she did prescribe metfromin for the pcos, which is what some diabetics are given, so go figure. When Im behaving, I do not ingest table sugar, pastries/ candy, or foods like pasta yucca potatoes...I eat meat and veggies and stick to nuri rice and whole oats in small amounts...and I lose weight and feel great.

Stress can and does affect your monthly. It can also cause weight gain. Lack of sleep does the same

Jen posted 5/11/2013 12:26 PM

I have it. I stopped having regular periods in high school. Then by my early 20's they had pretty much stopped. When I would have a period maybe 3 times a year ... they were extremely heavy, and lasted for weeks ... going from "I'm going to die from bleeding so much" to just barely a spot. My periods would change with the wind literally 1hr no bleeding and the next I was going home for clean clothes.

Never had a lot of pain though ... I had cramps uterus mostly cause my ovaries prolly have not worked since middle school. I can eat gluten ok. I have some other trademarks of PCOS I would gladly trade though. Namely loosing my early, I'm not bald yet, but it is most definitely thinner and finer, while I have a few chin hairs I have to pluck, and my tummy and upper thighs both have dark hair. I'm not a bear or anything but ...

I had/have cysts on my ovaries, causing them to go dormant ... meaning no ovulation, even when my uterus was working and bleeding. I carry my extra weight (now only at 15-20lbs - was much more) in the middle, hardest place to loose it. I love to eat carbs, breads, ect all things that are not good for PCOS.

Back when ... we were able to get pregnant once. Everything about my cycle had to be induced by meds/injections, several doc visits, blah blah ... Anyway Nemo(baby) is the only good thing to come from all that, though he is not here, he is still mine.

PCOS has been linked to a higher CHANCE of female cancers. I already have the breast cancer gene stacked against me, I did not want to take any further chances, in the cancer area. So in Nov. 2011 I had a partial Hysterectomy, cervix and uterus gone.

Anyway more than asked for, but yes I have lot's of experience with the PCOS. After I lost the weight I kept waiting for my shit to start working again ... nothing, nada ... I asked my doc all those years ago and he said women of all sizes have been diagnosed with PCOS, mostly it is found in overweight women who carry the bulk of their weight around the middle. But all that was in 2002 over 10yrs ago, so who knows now ...

Gottagetthrough posted 5/11/2013 13:52 PM

wow, thank you SO MUCH ladies!! Its nice to know that I am not alone.

My main complaint is chin hair (YUCK!) and missed periods.

I'm trying to go dairy and gluten free. I made some really good dip today... white beans, artichokes and spinach. Blended and then added some salt and pepper... I missed having crackers to eat it with, though!

I need to get some gluten free food, and am trying to exercise.

[This message edited by Gottagetthrough at 1:53 PM, May 11th (Saturday)]

Mama_of_3_Kids posted 5/11/2013 14:48 PM

Really GF is not as hard as it seems (and definitely much easier than it used to be). My suggestion is check labels though...things that you would think would have gluten may not and things that you would think would be okay aren't. Example: Most potato chips are GF; Pringles are NOT and we didn't find out until Dora had already eaten them (b/c I told Do3K to read the label and b/c it wasn't bolded, he missed it on the label ). Here area couple of websites for GF items:

http://www.bettycrocker.com/products/gluten-free-products

http://www.fritolay.com/your-health/us-products-not-containing-gluten-ingredients.html

Also check out Trader Joe's and Whole Foods; both have GF items.

cmego posted 5/11/2013 17:58 PM

I have PCOS and IR too. Terrible problems with cysts and maintaining pregnancies. I've been on Metformin for years and years now. I finally had to have a total hysterectomy several years ago and still take the Met. I lost both ovaries to cysts the size of oranges, one at 28, then managed to get my 2 kids after 5 years of trying, then the second ovary "blew" necessitating the total hysterectomy.

I have slowly lost 70 pounds put on with my son. It was done with exercise and diet. I could stand to lose another 10, but well within normal range now.

I always had regular periods...but when I was going through infertility testing, they noticed that I actually didn't ovulate. Most of the time I was probably 25 pounds overweight, then packed it on with a terrible pregnancy. It was hard to lose, but I have.

I watch what I eat, mostly salads and Greek yogurt with fruit. No soft drinks, only a little chocolate and lots of water. No meat, try to take it easy on the carbs, and walk. A lot.

When I slip and a few pounds go back on, I'm pretty good about buckling back down and getting it off. My Dad was diabetic and died at 67, I don't want that to happen to me.

Gottagetthrough posted 5/11/2013 19:34 PM

is greek yogurt ok for pcos... ive been reading about going dairy free, but I love greek yogurt!

small steps....

[This message edited by Gottagetthrough at 7:35 PM, May 11th (Saturday)]

IRN2006 posted 5/11/2013 20:49 PM

How many symptoms were used to diagnosis your PCOS?

I'm a non-ovulating, non-IR PCOSer.

My LH/the other thing they test (I've forgotten) was higher than it should be, but not high enough to be officially labeled PCOS.

My main symptoms were the ring of pearls around my ovaries and lack of ovulation/periods.

I was not overweight when my PCOS symptoms started.

If I can, I always try to eat a protein at every meal and stay away from "bad" carbs as much as I can.

I don't exercise nearly as much as I should. I'm trying to work on that now.

And, actually, for me having kids didn't help.

cmego posted 5/11/2013 22:17 PM

I have not been told to go dairy free...but since I'm a vegetarian, I need protein. It is low carb, low calorie and high protein...works for me. I eat a lot of salads with a few nuts/cheese for protein, and carbs are generally healthy and whole wheat. I do eat some fish and beans for protein too. Apples and peanut butter as snack, a piece of cheese for snack. I LOVE the Ezekiel bread, especially the english muffins. I will eat them with an egg or with 1/2 an avocado.

If I eat a carb, I always try to balance it with a protein. So yogurt balances the fruit, etc.

I was not overweight at dx. My first ovary "blew" at 28 years old. Softball sized cyst that had to be surgically removed. Started trying to get pregnant immediately....I couldn't get pregnant, and discovered I wasn't ovulating. I went through 5 years of miscarriages, IVF, etc before FINALLY being placed on Metformin. Within 3 months I was pregnant and carried my dd. My ds came 2 years later...when he was a few months old...the remaining ovary "blew" (another massive cyst) and had total hysterectomy.

I just know I feel best when I eat healthy and walk, walk, walk. For me to really lose weight, I have to go down to 1400 calories a day.