In Honor of PCOS Awareness Month: One Mom Shares Her Story

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WHAT IS PCOS?

PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. It is a disorder that I was diagnosed with at the tender age of 13. A disorder that still has little information and (some) doctors think can be treated solely by the use of birth control. The truth is, PCOS has no cure. Over at pcoschallenge.org, you can learn that “PCOS is a serious genetic, hormone, metabolic and reproductive disorder that affects women and girls. It is the leading cause of female infertility and a precursor for other serious conditions including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and endometrial cancer.”

Those are some scary words for any woman, any age to hear. Oh! And try your hardest not to Google! I’m sure we are all guilty of seeking advise from “Dr. Google”. Staying away is another challenge all on its own. I am here to tell you I am a living testimony, a fellow Cyster and here to tell you there is HOPE and SUPPORT. 

https://pcosawarenessmonth.org/pcos-awareness-month-social-media-graphics/

COMMON PCOS SYPTOMS

  • Irregular or Missed Periods
  • Excessive Body Hair Growth AKA Hirsutism 
  • Acne
  • Weight Gain and Trouble Losing Weight
  • Mood Changes
  • Trouble Conceiving or Infertility
  • Fatigue
  • Low Libido  
  • Pelvic Pain and Ovarian Cysts 

*If you are experiencing two or more of these symptoms (without explanation) it is best for you to discuss these matters with your primary doctor AND OBGYN. 

BIRTH CONTROL: MYTH OR CURE?

This presents quite a problem if you’re trying to do the opposite of control birth. Or how about being a teenager? I still vividly remember being put in the very uncomfortable situation of explaining to my fellow teenage girl friends of why I was taking BIRTH CONTROL at 13 years old. Like I stated before, there is still very little research on PCOS which makes it easier (for some) doctors to just throw a pack of birth control at you and pray for the best. Pray that those dark patches on the back of your neck go away. Or that your weight gain, that is making you look more like an apple instead of a pear, is just a result of those chocolate bars you’ve been craving. How about your irregular periods? Is it really “just the way your cycle is”?

In Honor of PCOS Awareness Month: One Mom Shares Her Story Miami Mom Collective
Photo by Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition on Unsplash

The truth is: prayer AND work on your end is what is going to HELP with PCOS. It is true that birth control can be helpful when it comes to regulating your menstrual cycle or providing you the balance your hormones are in need of. But just like it can help, it can also make things worse. Again, living testimony here. I felt like a birth control taking guinea pig! I’m pretty sure, I’m not the only woman with PCOS who felt or feels that way. Not to mention, what do you do if you’re living with PCOS and are trying to have a baby? What do you do then?

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

When I was 13 years old, I don’t really remember what the doctor told me regarding the challenges I may face as an adult with PCOS (What I do remember is my mother asking the doctor if this was the reason for my rapid weight gain…). It wasn’t until I attended my first gynecologist appointment, that I remember my doctor telling me that there was a possibility that I could never have a baby.

Infertility.

It may or may not have been a term that was thrown around in the early 2000’s, but it wasn’t a term that was familiar to me. I took her words with a grain of salt, refilled my pack of birth control and went on with my life. At this point, irregular periods were a “thing”. I didn’t live my life on any diets and everyone had acne…

Year 2016 was a really exciting year for me. I had vacations lined up and weddings every other month. So I did what (almost) every woman does when they have these photo opportunities coming up: WORKED OUT AND ATE CLEAN. This helped with my insulin resistance and weight lost, therefore, keeping my symptoms low and even helping me conceive a baby! I wish I was given some sort of information by my doctor so I could have had a “plan” in place. Or even just a safe place where I could go to other women who may have experienced some of the things I did. There is a ton of resources available online and on social media. Here some some IG handles I turn to for information and motivation:

  • @pcos.weightloss
  • @healthypcos_
  • @pcos_to_wellness
  • @nutrafemmerx

WELCOME TO THE PCOS CYSTERHOOD

That being said: if you have PCOS or suspect that you may have PCOS, it is important to know YOU ARE NOT ALONE. There may not be much information on the subject, you may have more questions than answers and the doctors may throw some really scary stuff at you. But YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Welcome to the Cysterhood, from one cyster to another!

 

4 COMMENTS

  1. Thanks for your sharing your story and this info., Krystal! I’m sure so many can relate and will find it helpful!

  2. Krystal, thank you so much for sharing your story and in doing so helping so many women know they aren’t alone and they are supported :):)

  3. Thank you so much for sharing Krystal!
    You did a great job shedding light on such an important topic, I’m sure other women will find this so helpful!

    • This was an incredible ready Krystal!! Reading this shed so much light on PCOS and a lot I wasn’t even aware of. I loved reading your story, and I appreciate it so much! ❤️ You are amazing!

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