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?

140 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 10h 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 13h ago

Weight Comments on this thread are disheartening

43 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 4h ago

Meds/Supplements How do you all tolerate metformin?

13 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 17h ago

General/Advice Everything has Failed

14 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 21h ago

General/Advice How do you stay sane?

6 Upvotes

Sort of related to another post I made; How do you guys not let this rule your life?

This illness comes with so many rules I feel and it's already driving me insane. I want my health issues to be a small part of my life, not my life ITSELF.

How do you guys manage PCOS while not letting it be any more than a small part of your life?


r/PCOS 3h ago

General/Advice Just diagnosed with PCOS

5 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 5h 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 4h 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 6h ago

Weight Looking for community

6 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 10h ago

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

4 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 20h ago

Rant/Venting How do you guys function normal with pcos?

7 Upvotes

I am a 20 year old female and i have had irregular periods since like my first periods and i got diagnosed with pcos when i was 17, i have always been this tired person and e everyone around me just called me lazy but i couldn't even care cause you i literally had no energy to even get out of bed, but it hurt tho their words and i constantly tired to prove them wrong and never succeeded. I am so tired of the pills and i am gaining weight like crazy and my attendance is just so bad, i cant even get out of bed. How do you guys deal with it, i honestly thought i was lazy until i saw it on the internet its because of pcos. Ik i should like workout and stuff but i have no energy. I hate this.


r/PCOS 13h ago

Rant/Venting Diagnosed at 32 and quite surprised

4 Upvotes

So I've got my diagnosis today after bloodwork and physical symptoms. I've met great doctor who acted without hesitation and I'm happy about it.

Never thought that it may be the case for me as never had any serious symptoms, but it is and now everything fits to this picture about what happened with me last couple of years (I always thought this was related to stress and anxiety disorder, but last year went for check after my cycle got very long and here I am). Happy to know which path to follow and how to care for myself.

I won't write all details of my story due to privacy, but I feel relieved and thank you all for being here 🫶


r/PCOS 11h ago

Rant/Venting Fed up with not losing weight / just ranting

3 Upvotes

Just needed to rant. I got name brand Wegovy at the beginning of the year and I lost about 15lbs. I’ve been on it before. But had to switch to compound do that whole insurance / government thing. It wasn’t as strong and I gained 27lbs. I was doing so good. Then I took an over the counter biotin that had collagen in it which made me bloated and constipated and eating the same way as I did to lose the weight I gained 7lbs in a week. it’s been taking me about 3 months to lose 5lbs but the weight was coming off. I stopped the collagen that week but now the weight won’t come off and it keeps going up. I switched everything to cleaner and less portions and I’m still gaining weight. I’m just so tired of all this. I lost more weight in the last eating “normal” rather than clean. but nothing has been working anymore. annoyed.


r/PCOS 13h ago

Inflammation High Inflammation with insulin resistance and PCOS

3 Upvotes

Hi All, this is going to be a long read but I really appreciate any advice from this community which has been helpful since last couple of months.

I have been TTC since May 2025 and had a chemical pregnancy in January 2026. I noticed irregularities in my ovulation being delayed leading to delayed cycles. My fertility clinic has diagnosed me with PCOS although missed the reason as to what is causing that.

Around may 2026 through my own laboratory tests I realized my hs-CRP is high around 6.4mg/l with homa IR index of 5.9 ultimately diagnosing me with being Insulin resistant.

Starting from June 1st, with the specialist nutritionist I started a healthy diet aligning with my cycles to reduce my inflammation, insulin resistance. Since the diet started I lost 4.2kgs weight since I started my diet partially also due to Metformin 1500mg which I have been on since June 15.

Yesterday I got another blood work done and noticed my insulin resistance came down to 2.4 reducing significantly, but surprisingly my inflammation Hs-CRP has further increased to 7.3mg/l (I expected it would slightly reduce due to reduced insulin resistance)

In Oct 2025 I started with levothyroxine 25 µg as my TSH was little above normal (4.49mU/l). In February 2026 this came down further below 1.60mU/l but yesterday test results show my TSH jump to 3.64mU/l essentially doubling and free t3 as of yesterday is 3.13ng/l and free t4 is 1.60ng/l

I am really confused why my thyroid increased despite taking medication and is that the sole reason for my inflammation? Or can it be anything else?

I have noticed I don't have any egg white cervical mucus during my ovulation and sometimes it is none dry unless I dig it with my finger. For sex we cannot proceed further unless we use a lubricant.

I have an appointment with my reproductive endocrinologist in 2 weeks but I'm looking for some experience or answers here to guide me into a right path. I'm gonna bring up the question of silent endometriosis and ask if it's worth checking but otherwise I don't have painful periods or pain while intercourse situation.

One thing is I'm constantly tired and can literally sleep all day. I observed that during night time I feel warm despite the weather being cold whereas during daytime I can sleep with a thick blanket, windows closed but the same thing during night time is impossible. I sometimes even sweat during my sleep.

In my blood tests in February my u.parvum for both myself and my husband it is showing as negative. But when I asked my doctor about he said nothing to worry as majority of couples have this positive.

Any pointers from anyone is highly helpful. I'm take metformin, prenatals, vitamin d, vitamin B12, coq10, NAC

Thank you!


r/PCOS 17h ago

Hirsutism Hirsutism advice needed

3 Upvotes

Can someone please tell me how to get hirsutism in check. I am so tired and insecure. I have thick beard and even if i remove it, there are marks left. I even have ingrown hair. Is their any way to help fix it. I'm just 22 and I feel bad even going outside because of increasing male pattern hairloss, weight gain and thick hair growth on chin


r/PCOS 1h 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 7h 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 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 12h ago

General/Advice facial hair removal

2 Upvotes

i dont have pcos, but i suspect i might. in the next month or so i plan to get bloodwork done. i have so much hair that grows back SO quick, especially facial hair. whats the best way to get rid of it? i’ve tried lazer - too expensive. threading - super painful. waxing - not ideal as i use a retinol on my skin. currently switching in between shaving with a mens razor and a dermaplaning blade

what can i do in the meantime?


r/PCOS 12h ago

General/Advice Pcos

2 Upvotes

Hello. I was told I had PCOS since a few years ago. I am 24 y.o and also have insulin resistance. I have high testosterone and irregular menstruation. I have been to a lot of doctor's, gynecologists, endrocrynologists and with no results. They always prescribed me contraceptives but they're not the solution of the problem. I don't know what to do anymore. I don't drinks sugary drinks and sugar, don't eat fast-food, eat complex carbs, veggies daily and no result.


r/PCOS 20h ago

General/Advice Hair health

2 Upvotes

Any tips for improving the health and condition of your hair while living with PCOS? When I was 24, my hair textured changed as my pcos symptoms set in. It's more frizzy and oily, and I have little thick black curly strands amongst my naturally straight brown hair which I can only put down to hormonal shifts. It's significantly thinner as well. Though I'm lucky it still grows quite long.

Are there any masks, oils or ingredient I should be using? I want healthier hair that doesn't feel so oily and rough :( I have a healthy vegan shampoo and conditioner but I've tried different brands over the years and not much seems to change it.


r/PCOS 22h ago

Fertility PCOS and miscarriage rates

2 Upvotes

Background: I was on the pill for about 10 years and then went off 3 years ago when we started trying to conceive. After a bit of being off the pill, my periods became irregular and I was diagnosed with PMOS. Once I learned more about it, the insulin resistance made a lot of sense to me and tracked with symptoms I had been experiencing, even on the pill. I got treatment and have also been going to a fertility specialist.

Question: After two cycles of timed intercourse with Letrozole, I was able to conceive. But after 6 weeks I miscarried. My understanding is that PMOS increases the chances of miscarriage. However, my doctor said that PMOS does not increase likelihood of miscarriage and that age is actually the cause of what they had previously attributed to PMOS. Does anyone have any idea what study or research she might be referring to here?!? I just want to understand more about why this happened.


r/PCOS 22h ago

Meds/Supplements I'm So Sorry, Losing My Mind Here

2 Upvotes

Hi.

I'm so sorry to be a nuisance here. I'm a PCOS patient but I think I'm to the point I may just call an ambulance. Only fear is I'm a Medicaid patient and it's tricky to get things covered; which has led me to needing advice from the Internet.

I've been on Metformin for about 5 years now, but my old doctor didn't know much about PCOS doses for Metformin relating to the Insulin Resistance. (Not their fault at all.) I got a new Primary Care Physician who is amazing and smart as a whip. She noticed and helped me increase my dose to a proper dosage. (I was on half the minimum of what I should have been taking.)

I'd just filled my old Metformin prescription for a 90 day coverage, and the insurance told me just to take the current supply as prescribed at my new dosage, which I followed. I had enough pills through Thursday on 7/16 and called Monday to my pharmacy in order to get a refill.

My insurance is denying a refill until this Saturday on 7/25. I had a full day's dose on 7/16 and have nothing to get a fill out of pocket. I thought it would be a little rough, but I could make it.

I haven't had anything more than water and broth since yesterday. I'm so nauseous and feeling like I'm going to puke. I only had 16 oz of water and 2 cups of beef broth (all I could get down today) a few hours ago and my stomach hurts like it's still full and I want to vomit and/or die to make it stop.

Is this normal or should I ask a neighbor for a ride to the ER?


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.