Being diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a lot to swallow. For me, I had this overwhelming sense of fear for my future husband’s sake (Brett, obvi, who I hadn’t met yet,) fear for my own health and well-being, and mostly, fear that my dreams of being a mother would never come to fruition. Now, fast-forward over 3 years and I’m still here- breathing and fighting PCOS. I am married and just now taking into consideration that I will want to begin a family in the next year or two.
A lot of people have the reaction of nothing. Absolutely drawing a blank, making no changes, and thinking you can’t change it so who cares anyway. If you’re anything like I was at that moment, I immediately knew I could take matters into my own hands and make things happen for myself.
So you were diagnosed with PCOS… Now what comes next?
- First and foremost, do not use your diagnosis as an excuse. PCOS encompasses a lot of things all rolled into one, huge inconvenience. Just do not say “I’m not going to work out…it’s not like it will make a difference anyway.” Don’t say “I’m just not going to care about what I look like, I’m still going to be [fat or hairy or insert other self-insult you shouldn’t be saying anyway.]” Don’t be your own excuse, because you can make a difference, you can change your situation…you just have to be patient and dedicated! You can do it!
- Next you need to change the way you think about food. I am an over-eater. On any given day, I can go from my low calorie, controlled diet to 5 tacos from Taco Bell just because my mood changed. Ladies with PCOS have an insulin resistance, which is just a few small steps away from the possibility of becoming diabetic. The most sure way to reverse your symptoms and feel better are to eat a diet similar to what a diabetic would eat. I’m talking cutting unnatural sugar, monitoring natural sugar, and yes…this means carbs too. I know this is what you need to do, but I also know it’s what I should do. I don’t always stick to this! I try, but then somehow 6 months can pass by and I am sitting around with a 6 pack of donuts and a Mountain Dew. I get it, but the truth is- you need to cut those habits regularly.
- Know that you have large obstacles. Again, don’t use them as excuses, but be very aware of your obstacles and calculate your moves to be mindful of yourself and your personal triggers. I’ve heard it said SO MANY TIMES… “I have PCOS, so I can’t lose the weight.” You can. I have! And I was having regular cycles after a month of eating a healthy diet, but don’t think of PCOS as your excuse, think of it as your obstacle- you can overcome an obstacle. You can be triumphant when you’ve tackled the weight of that obstacle. You cannot overcome an excuse. They sit quietly until they have mocked you enough to make you think you can never win. Figure out your obstacles, and make a pathway to get around and past them. You won’t accomplish anything if you just keep dwelling on your own issues or failures.
- Find support. I do not regret immediately reaching out to my boyfriend at the time and letting him know what I was going through. He was going through something much larger at the time, but he still let me know it was okay and I could make the changes I needed to make to become healthy. You see, other people can sometimes (or a lot of the time) have more faith in you than you have in yourself. So whether you call your mom, let your significant other know, confide in your BFF, turn to an online forum or just email me…find someone. Tell them your hang-ups, be completely honest, and let them give you a pep talk. It might just be all you need!
- Communicate with your physician. Whether you prefer to see a OB/GYN about your PCOS or you prefer a general practitioner, you need to make sure you are communicating all your symptoms and issues with them. If you notice you are having issues, you can Google anything and find a million answers that might not fit your need, but if you talk with your primary physician, they will do what they can to ensure you are becoming healthy. Do you think everyone on WikiAnswers went to med school and got a doctorate? Don’t psych yourself up for things that may not be valid for you. Play it safe and ask your doctor.
- Stay strong and believe in yourself. The scary truth of PCOS is that it effects everyone differently. You may have no outward symptoms or you may have excess body hair galore, skin tags everywhere, and weight gain like you couldn’t imagine. No matter the outward symptoms, we are all fighting the same fight. It’s the fight for your womanhood back. It’s the fight to be a mother, to be a healthy woman, to FEEL like a woman. It’s hard, it takes work, and you probably feel like it’s a curse. Just have faith and never give up on yourself, because you are strong enough to make it through your treatments or your eternal healthy eating and exercise routine. Whatever you are fighting for, you can win.
I’m sure I needed this pep talk just as much (if not more) than anyone whose eyes will come across this post. Really and truly, if you need someone to talk to who will understand your issues and not make light of them, email me. (theprettyplusonline@gmail.com) I understand your struggles, even the little annoyances, and will be happy to let you vent to me. I even have some shade I can throw at the horrid disease as well! xo
I just found your site through a pin on Pinterest and I feel like I’ve found my hero!
Girl, stop it! I’m just like you!! :)
Only thing I would add is a possible doctor to the list-an endocrinologist. They are more knowledgeable when it comes to hormones.
Found you through pinterest! I’m glad I did! =D
I’m so glad you did as well! Thank you for stopping by!!
I really enjoyed reading this article . Thank you that is exactly what I needed to read
I’ve been struggling with PCOS for a long time. As long as I can remember actually but didn’t know until I was 21. Fast forward 12 years and today I still struggle but feel like it maybe getti g worse. I have an array of symptoms…the most random things not typically what you think of when thinkifbg of PCOS but I plan to talk to my Dr more about it. Currently I only take birth control for it to help regulate my cycle. What others things have you all tried for the unwanted facial hair, dark spots and thinning hair ?
really needed this! thank you <3
Just been diagnosed with PCOS. Only yesterday in fact. Feels really great to read that other people feel the same way! Day one of eating healthy started today! I am determined to change this!
Just found your blog…very inspiring! Makes me think I can tackle this :)
You CAN tackle this! Don’t underestimate yourself. :)
I found this through Pinterest! Love it! I’ve been battling PCOS since I was 15 (11 years). It’s been tough but I am happy to say that I was able to become a mommy! :) we’re working on baby #2. For those that are thinking of trying to have a family talk to your Gyno and ask about Letrozole. I took it to get pregnant with my son. I was started on progesterone and when that didn’t work we moved to the Letrozole.
Good luck ladies! You can do it!
Prayers!
Congratulations on baby number two! That’s so exciting!! I began writing a mom blog where I will be having guest writers on Wednesdays. I’d love to share your story. Check out momsmimosas.com, then email me at momsandmimosas@gmail.com if you’re interested. :)
Thank you for this post. I’ve been fighting pcos since I was 14 and I’m now 30, and just officially diognosed. I’ve slowly gained 20# and want so badly to lose 30#. Fortunately I’ve had two kids and they are healthy. The mood swings with this pcos is horrible! Depression and binge eating, while other times I can eat well and lose a few lbs but it always comes back.
My goal is to cut sugar and simple carbs and workout 3 to 5 days a week. Thanks to your encouragement I feel like I can do it. Thanks so much!
I really needed this today…as i sit here and have tears rolling down my face, feeling like a failure as a woman…i needed to know someone else is going through the same thing, but that I can get through it, and persevere, because I will not let it define me!!! Thank you so much
You got this, Nikki! No way are you alone. Email me if you need to chat! theprettyplusonline@gmail.com
I was diagnosed with PCOS a few weeks ago. I still have some bitterness because of it… sometimes I remember the symptoms I had all the way back to when I was 12 (ALWAYS had excess hair growth, and as soon as I got my period, they would be irregular or so heavy that I’d go through a single pad in one hour, and I’d just curl up on the toilet and feel like I was literally bleeding out. Then one day, all periods just stopped. I had no support from my parents. Maybe because my mother passed when I was 12 and my dad didn’t really want to acknowledge girl stuff. I was on my own until I turned 21 last year, and that’s when I finally visited the obgyn.
But sometimes I just wish I had people who cared more. Maybe then I could have dealt with it sooner and not gotten to the point where my hairline is thinning and I gained a lot of weight and my skin got really bad due to acne. Maybe I could have taken measures before it got to this point.
As for now… I was prescribed some kind of pill to help, but I can’t afford it! It’s called PrimoLut or something? It’s to sort of “kickstart” my period, since I haven’t had it for 10 months now. Once my period starts, I’m supposed to get started on BC. But the PrimoLut is too dang expensive.
I guess I am pretty demotivated. Not just by the things you mentioned, but just the idea that I work so much and have so many bills that I don’t even know how much time I can afford to take care of myself. It’s really frustrating.
Jane, I am so sad reading this! I know every feeling you are talking about. I was in the same boat where I didn’t think I could afford it, but my suggestion is researching some things on your own (Provera sounds similar to the medicine you were talking about but is inexpensive) that you can take to your doctor to leverage your ideas. Be open with your OBGYN in saying that you can’t afford the prescribed medication. Ask them to prescribe generics or try something else.
What I do know is that you’re worthy of feeling better and feeling better about yourself. You are due for some good news, so keep your chin up and try to think of the good- let it outweigh the bad! I’m always an email away and am happy to support in any way I can. theprettyplusonline@gmail.com :)
This is very attention-grabbing, You’re an excessively skilled blogger.
I’ve joined your feed and stay up for in quest of more of
your magnificent post. Additionally, I have shared your site in my social networks
My husband and I have been TTC for 12 months now, about about 3 months ago I was diagnosed with PCOS. I struggle daily to convince my self one day I will be a mother that I so desperately want to be. I just struggle with the healthy eating aspect. I’m an ER nurse who never seems to eat the “5 meals a day” that always recommended or to eat at normal hours for that matter. Any tips on food prepping, and how to keep the food tasting fresh for the week? Thank you for your inspiring words, I definitely needed it today!
Hey there! Sorry for the delayed reply! I rely heavily on Pinterest for food prep tips! And watching YouTube videos. I think the best thing I can tell you is to cut up and portion your fruit & veggies IMMEDIATELY after getting home from grocery shopping. If you do, you will be more likely to actually use the stuff you get. I am horrible about wasting food. I try to get better, but it’s hard! I hope this helps!! xo