r/PCOS Jul 08 '24

Meds/Supplements A note about supplement brands you may see on social media

882 Upvotes

We have been seeing a lot of posts recently about various supplement brands that are being aggressively advertised in PCOS spaces on tiktok, instagram, etc.

please understand that even though what you're seeing may look like an organic review of the product, they are often paid by the manufacturer. this advertising strategy is designed to trick you into thinking that lots of influential people on a particular platform are talking about these supplements when they are not. it's bought and paid for.

now I cannot say what supplements will or will not work for any individual person with PCOS. but I can say that a lot of these products with slick marketing and cutesy branding are predatory.

why?

for one, the effective ingredients with actual scientific evidence to support their use are often dosed below what is considered effective. you are paying more for less effective ingredients and a whole bunch of ineffective ingredients that allow them to market it as a "proprietary blend "

for another, these companies often work on a subscription-based model. the product is automatically shipped and if you forget to cancel oh well, you've paid for another month. this model can work for some people who want it, but it can also be predatory and intentionally difficult to cancel. if you buy a regular bottle of supplements from the store and don't like it, you simply don't buy it again. but if you're subscribed to a service that delivers that same bottle of supplements to you the onus is now on you to cancel that subscription or you'll continue to automatically pay for bottles of product at whatever price they decide to charge you. slick, huh?

in short: keep your wits about you and buyer beware. the supplement industry is shockingly unregulated, and with PCOS there are a lot of people desperately looking for that special supplement that will bring relief. unfortunately that makes us a wide open market for less than scrupulous businesses.

does this mean these supplements will not work for you? not necessarily. you might get results at the dose they are offering. but you will get a much better deal by seeking out the right dose of the effective ingredients from a more reputable manufacturer. and be on the lookout for filler products. no, chamomile and fennel are probably not going to help balance your hormones or "de-bloat" you. be realistic when evaluating these products and read the ingredients!

where should you actually spend your money? what supplements are actually supported by the scientific evidence? below is a short list:

  • INOSITOL in a 40:1 ratio of myo to d-chiro. 4g/day, half in the morning and half in the evening. please be sure to calculate the cost per dose on this one. there are many brands out there that appear to be a cheaper option but are actually charging more for less.

  • BERBERINE if you are unable to access or tolerate metformin (metformin has a superior safety profile and is better regulated as a pharmaceutical drug.) Please do your research on the best way to take this one, as it is evolving. there are some potential negative outcomes associated with long-term use.

  • NAC 600-1800mg/day (start low and work your way up) in 2-3 doses throughout the day.

  • FISH OIL/OMEGA 3/DHA 1,000-2,000mg/day. once again, start low and work up. 2,000mg/day is considered the therapeutic dose for chronic inflammation. some people do take more than this with good results, and it's a good question for your doctor.

  • VITAMIN D get tested!! many people with PCOS are low in vitamin D, and your doctor can recommend an appropriate therapeutic dose. the best first step if you suspect you may be deficient is to spend some time in the sunshine when the weather permits. the sun is the most bioavailable source of vitamin D.

  • MAGNESIUM GLYCINATE start with a low dose of 200-400mg before bed. this promotes muscle relaxation and improved sleep, which is essential for managing PCOS.

  • SPEARMINT can be taken as a tea or a capsule. a weak, natural anti-androgen that helps some people with symptoms like acne and hirsutism. there is no established therapeutic dose that I am aware of, since it is most commonly taken as tea.

an important thing to note is that just because the supplements I've listed above are broadly backed by scientific evidence does not guarantee that they will work for you. there is no study that I am aware of in the PCOS literature where a supplement or medication provided relief to 100% of the subjects enrolled. it's entirely possible that you might be one of the unlucky people who take NAC or inositol or whatever and just get weird side effects or expensive pee out of it. don't keep taking a supplement that doesn't work for you just because you see success stories online.

beyond this list, certain individuals might benefit from additional supplements due to a specific condition or deficiency. please do not assume that you have a deficiency simply because you have PCOS, you could do more harm than good.

I should note that there are other supplements in the pipeline that are undergoing testing for PCOS and associated disorders, but these are the ones that we have decently solid evidence for right now. in the future, the list might be longer... I, for one, certainly hope it is!

to conclude: please do not let these designer vitamin brands and their army of influencers convince you that dandelion pollen and parsley seed extract are ancient cures for hormone imbalance that you should pay $60/mo for.


r/PCOS 10h ago

General Health I made a complaint to the office about the nurse Tech who did the EEG on me yesterday because she was saying me getting diabetes and PCOS was all my fault because diet will fix everything. Did any of you guys ever had to file a complaint against a doctor or nurse because of unsolicited advice?

134 Upvotes

I was very pleased with how they handled it. They agreed with me and they said that she was 100% in the wrong and that they were sorry about how it was treated yesterday. She randomly told me out of nowhere about how PCOS and diabetes can be cured with just diet and I told them that I was already seeing a doctor for it and being treated for it. I am also not overweight either so you can get diabetes and PCOS rather your skinny or not! She just kept asking me a lot of questions about my medical conditions and then kept putting me down for it and mind you she's in a neurologist office putting wires on me for my EEG for my seizures. They told me that she is the only technician there so if they do an EEG on me next time that they will send me somewhere else to get it done and that they're glad that I came to them about it because that was not appropriate. I told them how it made me feel uncomfortable and when I meant by filing a complaint I meant telling the office about it. I'm glad that I spoke up and told them what happened because I don't want this happening to someone else and maybe they can tell her not to do this to anybody else but at least it will be in her record so in case she does this to someone else that person would not be the first to file a complaint.


r/PCOS 9h ago

Rant/Venting They didn’t tell me I have fatty liver

93 Upvotes

I was in so much pain yesterday. I knew it wasn’t my ovaries. It started as cramping in my upper belly and then I realized it hurt to push on my lower right. I know that means appendix, and I went to urgent care.

It took 3 tries in 5 hours for them to draw blood because my veins were so bad. It took two CTs because the first IV didn’t absorb it. Second CT they said showed early appendicitis but we are treating with antibiotics and waiting. I told them I have PCOS and insulin resistance, they had every opportunity to tell me if something was wrong in relation.

Then a day later I get my CT results posted to my account. Hepatic steatosis?! No one wanted to tell me this?? Just casually noticed in my FIRST CT that I had fat in my liver and no one told me. I’m devastated. I’ve been fighting my PMOS so long and hard. I did weight loss meds and stopped after an accident and I couldn’t afford them anymore.

On top of now taking antibiotics to hope I don’t burst my appendix, I now have to be thinking about Fatty Liver Disease as it relates to my PMOS?? I’m so livid, I’m meeting with my PCP after I finish my meds but I’m going to be spiraling for the next week.

I want to grow old I want to travel and have kids and not go broke watching my body decay because my metabolics are fucked up. I just need healthcare to care about it.


r/PCOS 3h ago

Meds/Supplements How do you all tolerate metformin?

14 Upvotes

My bloodwork is officially showing that I am insulin resistant. My doctor is confident that I can get my levels back in the normal and safe range, so he prescribed 500 mg of metformin. I tried metformin in 2020 for about a week but couldn't tolerate the constant diarrhea and nausea.

I tried this round of metformin for about a week before I called my doctor to get the ER version instead. I'm now on the ER version. It's been another week-ish but I still get diarrhea and nausea, and it's hours after I take my pill.

I'm taking it at night with a last meal/snack. I also take a probiotic about an hour or two before the metformin. Right now I'm sucking on a ginger candy because my stomach is not a happy camper.

I already have IBS as well, and in general my stomach has always been sensitive. I know beforehand that most medicines will likely cause stomach issues, but I hate feeling sick and disgusting.

I've been cleaning up my diet and being more mindful of my carbs, sugars, and portions. I've been gently adding in more fiber and protein (before starting metformin) and I've been exercising as well.

How do you folks handle the metformin issues? I feel like I want to throw in the damn towel again, but I want to get my fasting sugars and A1C in the safe range again. I just don't know if these side effects are worth it.


r/PCOS 12h ago

Weight Comments on this thread are disheartening

44 Upvotes

https://www.reddit.com/r/unitedkingdom/comments/1v36p8v/more_young_women_in_their_20s_are_getting_type_2/

Women being blamed for being overweight and getting diabetes. Tried to mention PCOS but commenters seem to think we cause it all ourselves.

Fed up of the stigma of this condition.


r/PCOS 2h ago

General/Advice Just diagnosed with PCOS

6 Upvotes

After years of struggling I finally have my answer, I have PCOS. I’m 25 years old and fear for my future with this diagnosis, feeling hopeless and I want to get better. I can’t live like this anymore. Please any tips or tricks that helped you would so appreciated. I need to heal my body.


r/PCOS 3h ago

General Health Popcorn smell

5 Upvotes

Trying to keep the title scroll friendly lol.

My pee smells like popcorn. Mostly first thing in the am and late at night. I looked this up and it is alll about diabetic complications, particularly ketosis. I am insulin resistant, but I am not keto, I'm on metformin and have been for a few years, and my blood sugar hasnt shown high ketones, my diet hasnt changed. However.. i am extremely stressed rn. But going to the dr will not help if its not nessicary as finical is a large part of it lol (american). But google is scaring me a bit.

Has anyone expirenced this, was it okay? Did you figure out the cause?


r/PCOS 4h ago

General Health My stupid pcos theory

5 Upvotes

I'm 18 and i have this theory......since I have pcos and have less than 4-5 periods a year without consistant birth control. Does this mean I have more eggs? and when i do bleed i release more than 1 egg. What if i release 3 eggs! What if in some years I have children. I could have twins/triplets if I release 2 or more eggs at once! What if I could have five kids at once! (My bio teacher told us something like this when we were learning about blood affinity in the placenta)

Plus this isnt a theory but a question i have which is, how does pcos affect menopause? anyone has experience

I'm just curious and would love if anyone has fun theories to read

Thanks for reading <3

(ignore my stupidness)


r/PCOS 57m ago

General/Advice Teen with pcos, I'm so tired

Upvotes

For some context im 16 5'8 and got diagnosed a bit more than a year and a half ago, my weight has always been higher than normal ( right now I'm 217 lbs, I know it's bad) anyways since then my dad has been trying to make me lose weight but I never really listened until I was 15 1/2 back then I tried exercising and eventually gave up because I didn't see any results

But now I'm actually trying, for close to a month I have been eating in a calorie deficit and have been taking fiber before my meals and less carbs (no exercise tho I was lazy Ill admit that) but I'm not seeing any significant change and my dad keeps pressuring me to lose weight, he acts like I'm not trying already,

So I started to lie about my weight to him so he wouldn't criticize me as much, anyways now he found out I haven't actually lost weight (and even blames my mama for "feeding me to much") and is telling me to only drink a cup of chia seeds and water for 3 days (i would def binge eat after that so no point) not to mention telling me to do some hour long cardio, I wonder if he actually thinks before he speaks.

Due to him I think I might be developing an eating disorder I feel so disgusting eating food especially around him even tho I haven't been eating much this whole month, my relationship with food gets worse I always try to throw up everything I ate especially if it was oily or had carbs/sugar, I know it's bad but I can't stop I don't want the fat to reach my body and add more weight.

I'm sorry this is mostly just ranting about my dad but I feel so hopeless as if nothing I do will make me lose weight and my dad keeps trying to make me go to extremes to do so, I just feel like a useless idiot that can't change. My dad makes me feel so bad about myself even tho I know it's not true I'm starting to feel like it is.

If anyone has any advise on what kinds of food I should eat and what exercises to do like HIIT or cardio, etc I would really appreciate it!!


r/PCOS 6h ago

Weight Looking for community

5 Upvotes

I’m 19 years old, recently diagnosed with PCOS and i’m struggling to find anyone with circumstances similar to mine. I stopped having regular periods when I was around 14/15 and would frequently miss months at a time. Got on the BC patch (unrelated) just as a preventative measure when i was 17 and was on it for about a year. My weight was regulated much better than I was used to and I didn’t get a lot of the side effects people talk about. Sure I was more emotional sometimes when I took it but other than that I didn’t have many complaints. Eventually I decided I’d practice abstinence instead because I didn’t like the artificial dependence and that was that. Got off birth control, got 2 natural periods maybe 3 months after getting off, and now i’m back at square one, no periods and now a diagnosis that I don’t totally understand. I don’t know what measures to take i’m gaining weight like never before I’m consistently trying to diet i’m constantly feeling constipated I try working out. I feel like a normal person goes a few weeks working out and dieting and at least sheds off a pound but I haven’t. Everyone is telling me birth control is so awful for you but I don’t know if that was my experience. What can I do? I have an appointment set with a dietician to see if I can start getting my weight regulated but i’m just worried about all sorts of things like fertility, long term effects of the birth control, long term effects of not using the birth control? Anyone else in a similar spot? Please reach out I could really use the advice.


r/PCOS 1h ago

General Health I think i'm being gaslighted

Upvotes

I had my first blood test for PMOS last month (i was diagnosed via ultrasound a year ago) and the doctor only ordered tests for Estradiol, FSH, LH, TSH and Prolactin. Prolactin is mildly elevated, all else seems normal.

I asked him if he was going to check Testostorone or SHBG, and he told me they weren't important.

He also asked me why i was on inositol and told me it wouldnt cure anything (ironic it was advised by another doctor) and just prescribed birth control.

I am... confused. Am i in the wrong here? I mean i know HE is the doctor but how are these hormones not important for PMOS? I dont have hirsuitism but i shed hair like crazy and have really oily skin (which i told him.)

I went to my family medicine doctor for another reason and mentioned this, he said it wasnt needed either.

What? Please give me a reality check.

Also sorry if you've seen my other post, i wanted to ask for clarification since i was turned away by another doctor.


r/PCOS 1h ago

Meds/Supplements Stopping Spiro

Upvotes

Hi All! I have recently stopped spiro ~4 weeks ago now due to constant irregular cycles with it on birth control. I’d be bleeding for 2-2.5 weeks. How long should this take to regulate and adjust to more “normal” cycles?
I know everyone is different, however just looking to see if anybody else is in the same boat. Just feeling bummed because my “period” came again, another 1.5 weeks early 😢


r/PCOS 10h ago

Diet - Not Keto Switching to Organic or Whole Foods Quality?

5 Upvotes

I've noticed that when I travel to Europe, I lose weight while eating like a queen and drinking wine. We're talking rich foods with lots of butter, cheese, bread, pastries, potatoes and red meat. Fewer vegetables, less protein, less fiber, more refined carbs, more fat, more alcohol. Everything we are not supposed to do. I end up losing 3-6 pounds in a week. This happened in Portugal, Germany and Spain, three separate years in a row.

I'm pretty sure it's the food quality in Europe. The EU has very different standards for food regulation. Sure, I walk more in Europe but I'm active here, and furthermore when I increase my activity to an equivalent amount in the US, it doesn't have an effect.

I've been considering switching to Organic food in the US and higher quality meats--grass fed, wild, etc. Switching from shopping at Aldi and Safeway to shopping at Whole Foods and organic grocery stores. This would really increase my monthly food budget, probably doubling my grocery bills from about $400 per month to $800 or more.

Has anyone made this switch and did it help your health or cause you to lose weight in the way that expat Americans lose in Europe?


r/PCOS 1h ago

Period Taking ovasitol since last year periods got normal but became light and no effect on weight

Upvotes

I am 32F and diagnosed with pcos 12 years ago. My height is 5ft and weight is 70 KG. I have been taking ovasitol since last year. Initially my periods got normal even after taking 2g but now I have increased the dosage to 4g because of not lossing any weight and it not helping for cravings. I am trying to get pregnant but this month i got one week late periods but very light and pinkish color. I am so concerned now.


r/PCOS 2h ago

Weight Adult acne and I look pregnant please help

1 Upvotes

I’m going on accutane this week which should help with the acne but I’m 21 years old and in pretty good shape with muscles but I look pregnant from the bloating and I’m super insecure I kinda want to die but I won’t don’t worry just please please help.

I’m already on birth control too btw


r/PCOS 1d ago

Meds/Supplements Do GLP1 ads piss anyone else off?

284 Upvotes

I don't know if this is just me, but it's so goddamn infuriating to be constantly inundated with ads that make GLP1s seem like a new trendy weight loss tool instead of the actual life changing medication it is. It's no surprise that insurance companies keep denying or limiting coverage, when girls who have never had any serious weight or insulin issues are abusing them to fuel their eating disorder. These ads also present the issue of not being prescribed GLP1s as an issue. If your doctor won't prescribe it to you, you SHOULDN'T BE TAKING IT! I'm sick of having my actually medically necessary medication denied or seen as purely cosmetic because some rando can't lock in enough to lose 10lbs without one. Rant off.


r/PCOS 6h ago

General/Advice PCOS or not?

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone. I've got a fun pattern going on and probably won't get concrete answers until early August. Just hoping to get some ideas on where to point my research or possibilities to prepare myself for. I'm 28 years old and have never been pregnant and am not on birth control (haven't been except for a month when I was 19). I'm a lesbian who doesn't want kids. 5foot8 and 170 lbs.

Symptoms:

- Excess hair growth (chin/cheek dark facial hair, dark happy trail, dark hairs on breasts)

- Extreme irritability and depression during Luteal phase

- General low energy despite good, regular sleep and a healthy diet with plenty of protein. I work outside and am very active but struggle to get through the day most of the time

- Acne and oily skin/hair

- Very low sex drive unless it's the 5ish days after my period

BIG red flag: following the conclusion of my period last month, I had a cyst rupture on my right ovary with excruciating pain. I saw the doctor (more on that below) and was fine until today, where I had the same thing happen on my left side right in the middle of my cycle (Clue's estimated ovulation date on my app).

- I was unable to get in for an ultrasound until August 4th, and also have an appointment set that day to see a gynecologist.

- Primary care pulled blood after the first rupture, said it came back as normal (I'll list values at the end). Ultrasound scheduled for Aug 4th

My periods are regular and until last month I had no crazy pains like the ruptured cysts. No prediabetic or metabolic issues have come up in blood work.

Happy to answer questions and just looking for insight. Thank you all!

Testosterone: 25 ng/dL

Lh: 5.6 mIU/mL

FSH: 5.0 mIU/mL

Estradiol: 127 pg/mL

I'm worried about what will happen if everything shows up "normal" on my ultrasound and I just have to live like this.


r/PCOS 16h ago

General/Advice Everything has Failed

13 Upvotes

Hi all,

A little background. I've always been athletic and nutrition conscious. I'm 5'0" 180lbs and build like a brick house (I deadlift 315#).

In 2019 I decided I wanted to be hBC free after 15 years of taking it nonstop (all throughout my teenage and young adult years).

Doctors just yanked out my IUD with no pre-post bloodwork or any warnings of the hormonal roller coaster i'd be on after. I was aware from other friends who had PCOS, but I was only self diagnosed at that point and wasnt aware of the actual challenges i'd face.

In 2014-2017 I was a competitive bodybuilder and my stage weight (not healthy) was 116#. I maintained a "healthy" weight around 155/160.

2019 started with supplements (inositol/berberine/zinc/magnesium). this is when i was about 170#

2020 I started spironolactone/metformin. I had to stop because I had male pattern baldness, acne, and horrible gut issues from these. I gained up to 180#

2021 I tried more naturopathic stuff (chasteberry to trigger a cycle, etc etc) and it didnt work effectively enough to be cost beneficial

2022 Finally officially diagnosed by a wonderful Endo. I tried phentermine/topiramate. Cause psychosis/s*****al thoughts so stopped immediately... also only lost like 5lbs in the month of titrating up.

2023 I tried going back to naturopathic and incorporated yoga. I went down to 170, but then stress of moving overseas and having to find a new endocrinologist bumped me back to 180.

2024 I tried Ozempic. 6 months of the drug, and awful side effects (lethargy/ brain fog/ no creativity or expressive desire/ muscle loss) I only lost 10lbs... (back to 170).

2025 I tried naturopathic plus focused on a gut health specialist to see if I had leaky gut. I did. I went thru and entire low FODMAP protocol and found some food sensitivities (mainly gluten and lactose sensitive). My gut microbiome was basically 99% bad bacteria. The protocol helped me with identifying the dysbiosis and now I am creative/less brain fog/ more energetic than before (but still not what i would consider normal). Hanging out around 180/185.

2026 I dont want to say that i've "given up" on the natural paths. But the same gut health specialist (after looking at my hormonal panel) basically said that my testosterone/ progesterone levels are so out of whack from the past, that we need to systematically tackle them. Step 1- Progestin only BC for 6 months. Step 2- test hormones again at 3 months to see effects. Step 3- microdose Mounjaro if things still need extra improvement.

After the rollercoaster of trail and error i have been through and trying "everything" (this entire time I have never stopped being active or eating well), I am cautious to believe hBC and Mounjaro will work. I of course hope for the best, but I just want my hormones to work for me and not against me....

The one thing i have not tried is mediatation. I know that some people have discovered that childhood trauma and chronic stress can exacerbate PCOS.... and i definitely have both. So maybe I have be tapping into all the wrong "fixes" this entire time. Who knows....

However, any insight or adivce would be greatly appreciated. I dont want to be on hBC or GLP1s I want my life back. I want my spark back. Yet, I feel like i've run out of options.


r/PCOS 1d ago

General Health A nurse blamed me for getting diabetes and pcos from what I eat and said if I avoid carbs and bad foods I wouldn't get it. I am not even overweight! She is not even my pcp or endocrinologist. She was doing a eeg on me. Should I file a complaint. WTF?

156 Upvotes

I guess my neurologist told her about my health conditions such as PCOS and diabetes she just kept asking questions while she was doing the EEG. She says I can cure PCOS and diabetes with a diet and she said that if I don't eat carbs and I eat healthy I won't have it anymore. I told her that I got diabetes for my mom's side of the family and she said it's not genetic and she says the reason why everyone gets it is because they eat bad. He kept asking a bunch of questions about my health and I just felt compelled to answer but I didn't really feel comfortable talking about it but I didn't want to make things awkward. Mind you I am not even overweight and I'm on Metformin for both diabetes and PCOS. The conversation was very uncomfortable. The wires were hooked up to my hand but then after I was done that's when she started putting her beliefs on me. Also I have a eating disorder so I don't really want to a complete halt on what I should and shouldn't eat but I do want a better relationship with food. But I do eat healthy but at least once a week I do have a cheat day. Should I go back to that neurologist office again if my neurologist is going to tell the nurses and then she just keeps poking at my medical issues when that is none of her business and just do her job? I don't know if I feel comfortable going back.


r/PCOS 7h ago

Hirsutism If you had laser hair removal on your chest

2 Upvotes

Did you wear like a bikini top and just moved it aside so they reached all the areas or did you just take everything off. It just feels too embarrassing to think about.

Also what were your results? I have pale skin and black hair so hoping 6 sessions would be enough to have it almost all gone...


r/PCOS 3h ago

Rant/Venting Never had a period before

1 Upvotes

Hi all,

I am 22 years old and was diagnosed at 16 with PCOS/PMOS via ultrasound and bloods which I forced my GP to order as I still hadn't had my first period yet.

I was put on Cerazette after this, and bled for a couple months before being moved on to Noriday (noresthisterone) which majorly helped with my migraines and acne that I had. I have since came off of Noriday, and still never had periods at all.

It is coming to my attention now that this is very abnormal!! I have booked a phone call with my (new) medical practise to try and push to get this seen to, as I am wanting to try for a baby. I was never told that it was bad to have no periods; they just said to come back when you're ready to have a child and palmed me away.

I am gobsmacked at how I was pushed away as a young girl!! Unsure where to continue from here - feeling all sorts of frustrations about learning all this. Should I consider paying for private healthcare if the next GPs let me down? I'm scared my health is at risk.


r/PCOS 4h ago

General/Advice How do I know when I should push for a doctor/treatment vs leaving it? What should I be doing?

1 Upvotes

Hello all! I’m 24 and have been told I have PMOS (formerly PCOS) as well as pelvic congestion syndrome.

I was diagnosed with PMOS at 14 when I didn’t have periods… at the time I was a distance swimmer working out 6x a week, doing kiddy triathlons and was also incredibly naive to everything, so I remember having to drink a lot of water, getting an ultrasound, my mom being upset at the doctors office, and then not discussing it. I didn’t have a clue what was going on and just assumed the lack of period was related to my athleticism. I was put on the combo pill 2 years later for acne but wasn’t a perfect user.

Enter college (note: i was incredibly stupid and am not proud of who I was then, I was just depressed and anorexic fr). I was having so much unprotected sex and would miss periods for 5+ months, always getting negative pregnancy tests. Assuming the lack of periods was just malnutrition- at the time I had a pee test at the hospital and had a reasonable ketone presence in my urine. One day I finally think im having a miscarriage, turns out a complex cyst had burst. I have never been pregnant.

I’m told to stay consistent with my pill and have since been a perfect user with one lapse- one week I couldn’t get a refill after skipping a period and in that time a cyst grew large enough to twist my ovary for 6 hours. My dumbass thought it was appendicitis and I had a class that was graded based on attendance, so I went while in pain. I go to urgent care after class, they send me directly to the ER, and I’m told it was ovarian torsion that ended up undoing itself after 6 hours (I had a CT with contrast and a transvaginal). In one week a complex cyst had grown large enough to twist my girl on the right (that was jarring). They tell me I must be a perfect user of le pill because in my case this will only keep happening (#sorry I skipped my period one week I’ll never do it again). No surgery as the tissue wasn’t necrotic and I was in a golden window, though at the time I was full on thinking they could take out my ovaries and I wouldn’t be bothered, I just wanted to stop dealing with it.

I go home in May (a few months after that event) and see my normal gyno for an exam and another transvaginal. This time I have a cyst but it’s smaller (cuz birth control) and they say I have pelvic congestion syndrome. I knew I’d be moving abroad that coming fall, so I was kind of keen on fixing any problems if I could before I moved to start my new job. They basically told me to not worry about a thing, just keep taking my pill. No intervention needed.

Well I move abroad to a country with free healthcare and end up having to take another pill. My gyno back home isn’t amused as it’s a higher dose and somehow different than the combo pill back in the US. I don’t want to expose anything unsavory so please no one tell! but basically I end up having to get my US pill mailed to me where I now live.

I don’t have any crazy symptoms- pelvic pain after standing too long, lower back pain, some unfortunate bowel irritation and also every time I have sex I bleed, without fail. Don’t know what that’s about or if that’s related, but those are my symptoms present day. To me, those are mild compared to stories I hear from others, so I’m not overly miffed. No typical PMOS symptoms minus the ovaries- weight is a bit hard for me to lose but im 145, 5’4 and muscular/toned.. overweight on the BMI calc but again i do work out 5x a week and muscle weighs more than fat blah blah blah. A little stomach chub but nothing that screams I need a GLP1/I have insulin resistance (I don’t think). I also don’t have any varicose veins anywhere except in my pelvic region apparently.

HOWEVER (sorry for the giant lore dump) I would like some advice. Is there anything I can realistically do for any of these issues? Should I be pushing for my PCS to be looked into further as I’m 24 and have never been pregnant? Should I leave it be? Objectively I’m not thrilled I have to take the pill every day but I don’t mind it and I am a perfect user. Should I just wait for these issues to subside or are there tests I should be pushing for? I just have no clue and my gyno seems to think that as long as I’m on the pill I’ll be fine. I’d just really like some womanly advice and community with all this jazz going on in my body. By nature I’m not one to question my doctors, but life recently has taught me that I need to stand up for myself more and I’m wondering if this is one of those cases.

Thank you in advance for anyone who says anything, this is my first post here! I love women and I know we are all warriors! 😁


r/PCOS 4h ago

Research/Survey Wanting to help breakthrough

1 Upvotes

I’d like to start my post by saying that yes I am a man and I know I may not be welcome here but if there is another place I can go I would appreciate some guidance My fiancé (F21) was just recently diagnosed with PCOS just about a month or so before her 21st birthday I’ve been doing as much research as I can to help her through this process and I’ve even recently emailed one of my local state senators (I live in Fort Wayne) I’m currently trying to build a community to help and engage the government in trying to bring more awareness to PCOS I know it’s going to take a lot of work and it is a long and hard fight but for her it’s something I’m willing to do she isn’t the only women in my life who has PCOS as my mother and her sister do as well I’ve seen first hand the emotional, financial and physical toll that it can take on women I’m wanting to hopefully at some point build a community to help me lobby and rally support in my area and to keep pestering senator liz brown for her support in helping to bring more awareness to PCOS and it’s long term affects if anyone has some sort of guidance or maybe even would like to help me get the ball rolling on a local organization I would be very much appreciative of that I hope I can gain your support in doing this thank you very much


r/PCOS 4h ago

General/Advice Acne coming back?

1 Upvotes

Hi, I’ve struggled with hormonal acne for as long as I can remember. Every time I’ve gotten off birth control or accutane the acne has come right back. I’ve been acne free now for several years because of birth control and I quit taking the birth control 2 weeks ago and my acne came right back. 🥲

We’re hoping for a baby in the nearer future but I am absolutely terrified now when I’m off the pill due to the permanent scaring the acne will leave.

For you with who’s had issues with acne, has it gotten better or worse while pregnant?


r/PCOS 5h ago

Meds/Supplements Just diagnosed and put on Yasmin

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone. After suspecting for over four years that I might have PCOS, I was just diagnosed with it by my new gynecologist. (Previous one dismissed my concerns and REFUSED to test me for it.)

My new gynecologist put me on Yasmin because she believes it will help with my irregular periods, PMDD, minor acne and irregular hair growth on my face.

I was on BC once before over five years ago for three months and completely stopped taking it because it killed my sex drive and gave me insane mood swings. I brought up these concerns to my gynecologist and she said that yasmin was a good BC for women with pcos and that it is hormone neutral. She said it should not cause intense mood swings.

Mostly, I'm scared about losing what little sex drive I have. I have read that BC, and yasmin specifically, kills a womans libido. My partner and I only do it once a month, which already makes me feel horrible. To completely become disinterested would be the worst case scenario.

What has been your experience on it? I know that we are supposed to give new BCs at least three months adjustment but I'm just so scared. I haven't even taken it yet.