I finished a bad, isolating year where PCOS symptoms contributed to my misery. I now know that the 30 pound weight gain, aching, migraines, mood swings, depression, breakouts, constant crying, tiredness (sleeping too much), etc were hormonal. I knew I had PCOS, but in the past the symptoms were just annoying (missed periods, facial hair, etc). Believing I was depressed and stressed, I did not consider hormones as the culprit. Adversity caused stress and bad eating. This escalated my hormone problems causing increased symptoms. My troubles were then amplified. While this occurred I did nothing, was unemployed and had issues. The doctor said my hormones were very irregular, PCOS and hypothyroid.

Now, three months later, I feel amazing. I made drastic personal changes and have been on medication. I lost some weight, my complexion cleared; I no longer cry every day, and no more migranes. I am 24 and I ignored my college friends during this time. I’m now ready to be social again. I can’t decide what I will say (if anything) to them and other people. PCOS is embarrassing and its awkward to say I have hormone problems.

I think I will say “it was a difficult year, I had some health problems but things are good now.” Then avoid giving details.

I think I will also say I get hormonal migranes. It’s possible to get hormonal migranes and not have PCOS. Also South Beach type diets are prescribed for hormonal migranes. I could use this excuse if a carb-fest social situation occurs.

I may mention my hypothyroidism because it justifies my weight gain. Also, it is not embarrassing. I probably won’t though because I’d rather minimize details and not provide excuses.

What do you guys tell others about your PCOS? What do you think of my situation?

Hi Scarlett!

I'm really glad you're feeling better!

I've had similar "hormonal and PCOS rollercoasters". There have been time where I have been a mess because of hormones and I havent realised this at the time and "blamed" other factors.

For me, I find it very difficult to talk to friends and family about having PCOS, in fact the only person who I talk to about it is my best mate from uni, because she has also got hormone problems.

As for talking to your college friends about it, I personally wouldn't tell them much, I would pretty much do what you suggested, say you had "health problems", leave it vague. If any one asks then say that or just say you really dont want to talk about it and hopefully they'll leave it at that, if not then maybe mention the hypothyroidism or use what I use "noones sure whats going on I'm still having tests, but atm I'm feeling better than I have done".

At the end of the day, my guess is that your friends will be more interested in hanging out and catching up than the details of your PCOS. Also, about the potential carb-fest, if you're on a low carb-diet or just dont wanna eat carbs just say that you've been told by the doctor that your gluten intolerant. Therefore youve got to dtay away from most carbs....well anything with wheat in. There's a diet called the elimination Diet that I tried and on it you can't eat any processed food or anything with wheat or dairy, so that's when I used the gluten intolerance excuse!

I dont know if what I've said is any help or not...sorry I'm new to this forum stuff!

Aly

Glad you are doing better!

It depends on who I'm with.

If it's people I do not know well and do not want to get into with them... I'll go with "prediabetes" because EVERYONE knows about Diabetes, thinking about "prediabetes" isn't a stretch for them, and it gives me the "out" if there's food crazy around that I do not want to be a part of.

I actually have put my Insulin Resistance (IR aka prediabetes) into dormancy. But I don't feel like getting into all that with acquaintances or strangers.

People who know me more closely know I have PCOS/IR, and I explain it as an endocrine disorder that has no cure but can be managed. But these folks are quite few -- like close relatives. I see no reason to get that deep into my private business with everyone.

On this forum, I am pretty open because I know there are others like me here. We share info/stories... but it isn't like we're strangers to living with the PCOS thing!


HTH!
A.

I tend to go the same way as apostrophe. Explaining PCOS to people is a bit complicated, especially when they really don't want to know what's going on. I've actually had people ask me before if I have diabetes when they offer me sugary sweets that I turn down.

So I tell people I have pre-diabetes, and that seems to be something they can understand. If they look confused at that point (some people seem think diabetes is something you either have or you don't), I tell them that I have a genetic condition which predisposes me to diabetes, so I'm trying to prevent its onset.

I tell people- but I use simple terms so they don't look at me like I'm an alien.

I just say "I have issues with my insulin levels and it sometimes makes me ill because it can cause hormonal imbalances."

If they ask if I have diabetes I say no but if I'm not careful I could develop diabetes.

Usually that's the extent of it- those who ask more questions I give them a better explanation but most people leave it like that. It's also what I tell people who practically insist I eat food they offer that is high carb- I just let them know I can't because of my medical condition.

Thanks guys. I needed this thread to confirm what I already knew. I have been working on an emotional overhaul. This has included reading Buddhism and recovery books, also going to therapy. My past troubles included over sharing personal information. I would be an open book and then get beat over the head with it. I believed divulging personal information would create a close bond, but it was really just an artificial intimacy. I now have a better compass to judge what information is appropriate to share with who. I also am more relaxed and better control what I say.

Wendy Williams said it best “Don’t trust any one person with all your secrets. Learn to become your own best friend.”

I now think it’s best to keep these health problems private.

Aly- That was a great post. It’s good to know I’m not the only one feeling like hormones have controlled my life. I’m very grateful to this board to have a place to express what I have been through. Especially since people IRL can’t understand and I don’t want to divulge enough information so that they can.

Pre-diabetes is a good idea but I don’t think I will use it.

Beerab- I may say something similar to that, such as my hormones are a little sensitive, and can get thrown off by too much stress and simple sugars. Therefore it is easier to watch my diet. Of course this would only be with a close friend or in an appropriate conversation.

I say PCOS, but most people don't understand, so I end up just using "insulin resistance". Pre-diabetes is a good one, though, I need to remember that one. I have a lot of friends who avoid carbs because they just diet that way, so I don't have to worry that much with them unless they want to splurge on dessert (and then I have to say no!).

I think my PCOS contributed to depression that I've had in the past. It made for some really hard periods in my life because of it.

I can tell you that exercise has been my life-saver for that. I may not have lost weight, but it's the one thing that keeps the depression at bay. Diet is what's helped me lose weight and I think it also helps my moods when I'm eating well (and all those vitamins and supplements). I also try to get a lot of sunshine.

I actually start with the statistic, "PCOS is an endocrine disorder that affects up to 10% of women worldwide." This seems to get people to take it seriously! Then I just say that I don't ovulate correctly because of a hormone imbalance, and for various reasons it causes insulin resistance. I am pretty comfortable talking about it, so usually people ask more questions. I am big about spreading awareness, so I'm happy to answer them! Be open about it! There may be people you know who have it and never knew about it. I have helped at least one person get diagnosed, and it feels good. It creates a positive aspect of the disease.