An intro to PCOS - What is it?

A few posts back I may have mentioned that I was recently diagnosed with a condition called PCOS.
I thought I would do a dedicated post to explain what it is and how I am coping since the diagnosis.


What is PCOS?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a condition where there are multiple follicles (not cysts, despite the name!) on one or both ovaries, elevated hormone levels and menstrual irregularities.

Women usually show signs of PCOS during their teens, right through to the early 20s.

A few common signs are unwanted bodily hair growth, weight gain, acne and sometimes hair loss.

PCOS can often affect a women’s ability to get pregnant. 

What made me suspect PCOS?

My menstrual cycles were very long. I would go nearly 60 days without seeing a period and was experiencing a lot of pain in my pelvic area, especially on the left side. I visited my GP who told me about PCOS.
When I was pregnant with my daughter, I had an early pregnancy scan which also showed a few small fluid filled sacs (follicles) on my left ovary which at the time were insignificant. The GP suspected that since then they could have multiplied, and I was referred for an ultrasound

PCOS is diagnosed with at least 2 out of 3 of the following:

1. Symptomatic – hair loss/growth in unwanted places, loss of periods, weight gain etc.
2. Positive ultrasound – showing multiple follicles on one or both ovaries)
3. Abnormal androgen levels

I unfortunately had all 3.

What does this mean for me?

I may or may not be able to have more children naturally in the future. It’s very uncertain as I have already had one child so I may not struggle to get pregnant again. However, the condition may have worsened since then, which may make it difficult to conceive. As I have one child already, I would not qualify for IVF with the NHS (quite rightly), but may be able to see a specialist if I can go on record that I have been trying to get pregnant for over a year.

At the moment this is not a major concern for me as I did not want another child just yet, so I am trying not to worry too much until I have to!

Can it be Reversed/Cured?

There is still so much to learn about PCOS, so it is uncertain whether or not it can be cured. There are ways I can change my lifestyle to improve the condition and reduce symptoms.
for example:

• The Pill – to regulate my cycle
•  Dairy/gluten free diet – not an official method, but it is thought to cause a lot of inflammation and bloating that can make effects worse.
• Lower BMI – you are more likely to develop diabetes with PCOS, keeping your weight down ensures you do not fall diabetic and can improve your body’s hormone balance, therefore reducing inflammation and PCOS symptoms.

There is still so much information out there surrounding this condition and I have so much to learn. I know that I need to find my own ways to deal with it and that not all methods will be effective for me. I plan to document my progress wherever I can.