Hi,

About 12 years ago when I was 23 I went to a OBGYN because I hadn't had a period in 3 months. After verifying that I was not pregnant the doctor told me that my blood tests showed that I had high levels of testosterone and if I wanted to have children I would probably need to take fertility drugs.

of course I put this out of my mind, because at the time I didn't care.

3 years ago I went to a fertility Dr. as my husband and I were thinking about getting pregnant and I told him what the OBGYN said years before.

The new doctor said that I have PCOS, but I didn't really understand the implications.

Here are my applicable symptons.
-acne
-irregular periods
-some facial hair (thank god not lots)
-obesity
-some skin tags
-brown skin patches on my neck (looks dirty)
-lack of mental alertness
-decreased sex drive
-excess testosterone
-infertility

I am hoping to understand this disease better and make my life better as well.

My symptoms are
-Acne, which is controlled by birth control
-Irregular periods, once again controlled by birth control
-Some facial hair, but it's not bad
-Weight gain around the middle, started metformin to help
-Insulin Resistence-controlled by diet and metformin
-Excess Testosterone, levels aren't too bad, only slightly elevated

there are some great books out there about understanding your PCOS, I'll have to look them up and post them...I'm at work right now...so later gators!

Hi Ladyfyre!

Yeppers! Sounds like PCOS, but only a doctor can tell you for sure.

I got diagnosed a few years ago after gaining an incredible amount of weight in one year despite faithfully trying every diet on the market that year. My GP said I would have to go on an 800 calorie/day diet for the rest of my life. I told him he was full of it and went to an endocrinologist who ended up being a Godsend! I have been on birth control pills forever, so my cycles were never a clue but blood tests, facial hair, acne and other symptoms clued her in.

You are absolutely correct in your goal to get as educated as possible about PCOS and all the implications, challenges, opportunities and side effects we have to learn to manage. I feel much more empowered now that I have made the effort to do so.

There is a great website full of loads of information at soulcysters . com (take out the spaces). A great book on insulin and how it affects our bodies is Gary Taubes, "Good Calories Bad Calories" - most libraries have it or can get it through inter-library loan. We PCOSers are usually insulin resistant and that's why we gain weight so easily and have such a tough time taking it off. Metformin (aka Glucophage) is usually prescribed for us as it helps with insulin resistance, hormonal imbalance, period irregularities, etc.... and a low carb diet is usually the best for losing weight and controlling the other side effects, like acne, hair growth in the all the wrong places, etc. livinlavidalowcarb . com is a great resource for information on the low carb lifestyle and health benefits.

3FatChicks is a great place to get support, recipes and other information! There is a great group of folks here who love and want to help each other.