Living with PCOS

Hi, darlings!

I have had my PCOS diagnosis for over a year now and to be honest, it's just set in now that I am stuck with it. I first knew something wasn't right with me when I was putting on weight rapidly and also the fact I and my partner had been TTC baby #4 for nearly 3 now without any sign of positive pregnancy test ( I know I have 3 kids but we have discussed having 5 kids). My periods were all over the place and I actually felt shit too as my body ached like my period was going to start but nope.

**THIS POST IS TMI**

I first had an inkling my periods weren't right when I first started to get my periods when I was a teenager because I started my period at 11 and they were extremely painful that I had to be sent home by the nurse every time my period started. I felt sick and the period pain was something else. Now my periods are painful and still make go into a ball on the floor with the pain they cause me which is awful. Not only are they painful but they pardon the pun but damn they are heavy and some of the clots are the size of my thumbnail! 

Last year my periods were all over the place with waiting months for one to start but this year thankfully they are usually on time with being every 30 days. I am so thankful for painkillers and my trusty hot water bottle and my bag of family size maltesers.

I have lost over a stone since September which I know may not be brilliant to everyone but damn I am proud of myself because all I crave is sugar, carbs and fizzy drinks and curbing those cravings with PCOS is a right pain. I did start the keto diet a few months back that worked with me but I have had some stresses over the past few months so when everything calms I will be back to the gym and watching what I eat more because it helps my PCOS so much.

PCOS symptoms vary from person to person but my problems are with the weight gain, periods and also hair loss. I dare not brush my hair sometimes as lots of hair comes out my head and seeing so much hair come out can be a little upsetting; even if I put my hands through my hair I can get up to 20 hairs come out. I don't know if it will help but I don't dye my hair anymore to avoid having chemicals go in my hair.

I am thankful that year is easier for my body this year and my body is more regular but I don't have any hope of getting a positive pregnancy test soon but you never know maybe one day but it's not a priority in my life right now. I have had tears about my symptoms in the past but I have now accepted that PCOS is part of my life and it will be with me on my journey through life.

Talking to the GP hasn't been too much help either as they is not much info on it, unfortunately. All they recommend to me was fertility drugs which I don't want right now. I would rather my other symptoms were taken care of. Research is needed.

So what are the signs and symptoms of PCOS?

( symptoms vary from person to person and my best advice to anyone who thinks they have PCOS is to talk to their GP. That's how I got my diagnosis.)

• Irregular periods or no period at all in some cases. 
• Difficulty getting period 
• Excessive hair growth ( hirsutism) usually on face, chest, back and buttocks. ( I have a lot of hair growth under my chin and also my top lip)
• Weight gain
• Thinning hair and hair loss
• Oily skin and acne

Not only that they are health risks associated with PCOS later in life such as type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol. So yeah PCOS isn't a walk in the park and in all honesty, I don't think they have been enough research about it especially when it affects 1-10 women of childbearing age which is very high if you ask me!

💚 PIN ME 💚

I know this post sounds a bit of rant but I had to get it off my chest because damn PCOS bugs me a lot. With all the things in the post, I have said is my symptoms and my story only. Everyone is different so if you think you have it always discuss with a GP because of the internet isn't the best place to get a diagnosis.

For more info on PCOS Check out the NHS website

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos/

Thanks for reading 

Melissa x