I went to my GYN earlier this year and she thinks I might have PCOS. She scheduled me to see a specialist, and my appointment is almost here - last week of October. It took forEVER to get in.
I'm not 100% sure if my symptoms constitute PCOS, but I suppose they do. The biggest issue for me, and has been for several years, is facial hair. It is incredibly embarressing. I have it on my upper lip, on my chin, neck and "sideburn" areas. I have it on my abdomen and breasts. It is AWFUL. I also have noticed a few stray hairs popping up on my back which is making me insane! I also have the discoloration that I see some ladies talking about. I always thought it was because I was overweight for so long... I have it on my inner thighs, abdomen and somewhat under my breasts and armpits.
I do have painful cramps when I have my period. I didn't see a whole lot of help from taking the pill - I was always petrified of getting clots etc because I am overweight and a smoker. Over the past few years I have switched back and forth from the pill to depo, with my most recent being the depo. I got it earlier this year, and let it lapse in June... and still haven't gotten a period. And that was only after one shot. Who knows.
I have sweating issues, especially lately. I have tried so many different deoderants. I have to reapply sooo many times a day, and I still sweat through in my underarms and it makes me crazy. I'm overweight, and while I have been able to lose weight, it isn't easy. I don't know what other symptoms I have... I am probably overlooking some.
Any specific things I should expect at my doctors visit? What kinds of tests do they perform to tell if you have PCOS? What meds do they offer? I see metformin mentioned a lot on here. Biggest concern - does the meds help get rid of the facial hair? I am beyond tired of this. It has affected my confidence levels, ability to be intimate and is just killing me. I can't afford laser hair removal. I'm really really tired of it.
*Just read a few articles and edited this to add I also have these symptoms lol... irregular cycles - sometimes I go very short periods of time between periods (when I do have a period) and other times I go a long time... 5 or 6 weeks. Bad bad cramping, heavy periods. I have obesity. I have skin tags, although I saw an improvement when I went from 220lbs to 160. I have been tested by my primary care doc and have scared the bejeebus out of him because my triglycerides were off the chart. My cholesterol has been high, but I contribute this mostly to diet. I was able to lower my cholesterol from close to 300 down to 199 after losing about 50-60lbs a few years ago. Cholesterol is back elevated again though. I do find sometimes I have a decreased sex drive, but then all of a sudden my body will have a sexual revolution and I will be an animal for a week or two.
I do not have infertility. I conceived fraternal twins in 2002. I've also experienced two or three other times where I have had miscarriages. I personally think my body is not meant to carry children. I miscarry... and with my twins the amniotic sac around one broke at 12 weeks. I have no idea why... and neither did the doctors... so that one daughter is physically disabled because of it... but thankfully had enough amniotic fluid to develop lungs.
Anyways... yeah so that is what I discovered in addition to what I listed before. I'm starting to feel kind of sad about it, but I am glad there are treatments for this. Hope they help.
I'm sorry you are having so many problems. Expect lots of blood work, and maybe some ultrasounds. Have you ever had your thyroid checked?