Do I really have PCOS?
544995
you should go have another test done
1170030
It depends on what symptoms you have.  It sounds like you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) rather than simply polycystic ovaries.  The symptoms of PCOS are generally caused by two interconnected problems: insulin resistance and overabundance of androgens.\n\nMost women with PCOS are insulin resistant.  In fact, insulin resistance is thought to be the most common cause of PCOS.  Insulin resistance is a state in which the cells of the body do not respond to insulin as efficiently as they should, so the pancreas produces more and more insulin in an effort to keep blood glucose levels within a normal range.  This problem with glucose metabolism and insulin resistance is often what causes weight gain, difficulty losing weight, dark patches of skin (acanthosis nigricans, or AN), high lipid levels, and skin tags--problems often associated with PCOS.\n\nHigh levels of insulin in the body also affect the ovaries.  It's thought that this causes the ovaries to produce too many androgens (male hormones).  That's where you get the rest of the most common PCOS symptoms: acne, thinning hair, unwanted body hair growth, irregular or no periods, anovulation.\n\nFor many women, metformin is very helpful in treating PCOS.  Metformin is an insulin-regulating drug.  By treating the high levels of insulin found in many PCOS patients, many symptoms can be alleviated.  Some PCOS patients who take metformin even begin ovulating regularly, although metformin is not a fertility drug.\n\nBirth control pills are another common treatment for PCOS.  If the woman does not want to get pregnant, birth control pills are a good way to bring about regular periods, and in some women they can help with acne, hair problems, and other symptoms.\n\nFor severe body hair growth, some women with PCOS take the drug spironolactone.  Some women also need antidepressants, as PCOS can be linked to depression and anxiety.\n\nLastly, but most importantly, diet and exercise cannot be overlooked.  Weight loss is very important for women with PCOS, although for those with insulin resistance it may be difficult.  Because of the strong connection to insulin problems, PCOS patients often are advised to follow a low-carb diet.  It is important to eat less fat and cholesterol as well, because PCOS can be linked to high lipid levels.  \n\nI was diagnosed with PCOS three years ago.  I had only 3-4 periods a year, acne, hair growth, thinning hair, AN, and I was overweight.  I'm a pretty typical case with all of the classic symptoms.  Since then, I've also been diagnosed with insulin resistance, high cholesterol, and high triglycerides.  I'm not trying to get pregnant, I just want to be healthier.  I take metformin, Crestor, and a birth control pill.  I follow a low fat, very low cholesterol, high fiber, vegetarian diet and I try to exercise every day.
846698
I have PCOS too. The underlying cause of PCOS is insulin resistance. It is most important to treat this. The best way is a low carb diet, exercise, and adding an insulin sensitizing drug, such as metformin (1500-2550mg per day). Birth control pills are not really good for PCOS. It masks the symptoms of PCOS without really helping anything. PCOS symptoms tend to get worse after going off birth control pills. I recommend seeing a reproductive endocrinologist. Also, visit http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-bhpcos?redirCnt=1. It's a great message board where you can ask all of your PCOS questions. Think hard about going on any birth control pill to treat PCOS. Also, if you have PCOS you are at higher risk of certain things that are also negative side effects of any birth control pill (blood clots, liver issues). \n\nFrom http://pcos.insulitelabs.com/PCOS-Guidelines.php  "Some doctors will prescribe birth control pills to assist in regulating or restoring irregular or absent periods. But there is growing controversy over using pills because it is now thought they may actually worsen Insulin Resistance. While it is true that introducing the female hormone can counteract some of the effects of over-active testosterone production, the short-term benefits of restoring a period may be offset by the long-term effects of worsening the underlying root cause of the condition. Think long and hard before you begin taking birth control pills if you have PCOS"
925355
Worry about what?\n\nPCOS refers to multiple cysts on the ovaries and a host of other problems that go along with them, including anovulation (lack of ovulation) and menstrual abnormalities, hirsutism (facial hair), male pattern baldness, acne, and often obesity. Such women may also have varying degrees of insulin resistance and an increased incidence of Type II diabetes, unfavorable lipid patterns (usually high triglycerides), and a low bone density. Laboratory tests often show higher than normal circulating androgens, especially testosterone.\n\nPCOS occurs when a woman doesn't ovulate, which causes a disruption in the normal, cyclical interrelationship among her hormones, brain and ovaries. \n\nFor example, if the follicle migrates to the outside of the ovary, but does not "pop" the egg and release it, the follicle becomes a cyst, and the normal progesterone surge does not occur. The lack of progesterone is detected by the hypothalamus, which continues to try to stimulate the ovary by increasing its production of GnRH, which increases the pituitary production of FSH and LH. This stimulates the ovary to make more estrogen and androgens, which stimulates more follicles toward ovulation. If these additional follicles are also unable to produce a matured ovum or make progesterone, the menstrual cycle is dominated by increased estrogen and androgen production without progesterone. This is the fundamental abnormality that creates PCOS.\n\nIt can be remedied by a natural progesterone cream. This will add progesteron back into the cycle, and allow for normal hormonal cycles to return.\n\n\n\nThe Diet Connection to PCOS\n\nBy far the biggest lifestyle contributor to PCOS is poor diet. Young women with PCOS tend to eat far too much sugar and highly refined carbohydrates. These foods cause an unhealthy rise in insulin levels. According to Jerilyn Prior, M.D., insulin stimulates androgen receptors on the outside of the\novary, causing the typical PCOS symptoms of excess hair (on the face, arms, legs), thin hair (on the head), and acne. \n\nEventually, this type of diet will cause obesity, this will cause insulin resistance (the inability of the cells to take in insulin), which will aggravate the PCOS even more. The androgens\nalso play a role in blocking the release of the egg from the follicle.\n\nWomen, who have a high number of dysfunctional follicles to begin with, due to xenobiotic exposure in the womb, will have worse problems if their diets are high in sugary foods and low in nutrition. Since this is exactly the type of diet favored by teens and young women, it's easy to understand why there is so much PCOS in that age group. Fifty years ago, the average person\nate one pound of sugar a year. Today the average teenager today eats one pound a week! Potato chips, corn chips, pasta and white rice are all highly refined carbohydrates that also act on the body much the same as sugars do.\n\nWhen you look at the whole picture of PCOS, you can understand why the hormone-blocking and insulin-lowering drugs don't work for very long. These approaches don't address the underlying cause of the problem. They only suppress symptoms. Improvement is only temporary and both types of drugs have terribly unpleasant side effects.\n\nBy the same token, you can't just take progesterone, and you can't just cut out the sugar. You usually need to do both. Exercise and good nutrition are also very important in maintaining hormone balance.
1119704
I also have PCOS, I just didn't know there were websites to help I found a few:
557397
It sounds like you could have PCOS, polycystic ovarian syndrome.  Its symptoms include: insulin resistance, irregular periods, hair growth in places that isn't normal, inability to lose wieght, and many others.  Having this makes it very difficult to lose wieght.  There is a drug called metformin that is most often used to help women with this condition.  It helps regulate your insulin and hormones and most women find that they can lose wieght with it!  For more info you can search the internet and come up with lots of info.  Also, I'll list a forum for women with PCOS.  They have lots of info!
14580
Your friend may have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS. PCOS is an endocrine disorder that causes some women to have cysts around their ovaries in a pearl-like fashion. Other symptoms included eratic periods, acne, excess facial hair, obesity, infertility, and others. Patients can have one, or many, of these symptoms. PCOS also causes the body to be insulin resistant, which can lead to future health problems such as diabetes or heart disease. The disorder is thought to be genetic, although this is not confirmed. Many doctors simply treat the symptoms of this disorder, rather than treating the actual problem, which is of no help long term. I would suggest that your friend see an endocrinologist or a reproductive endocrinologist and have her hormone levels tested. If she is taking hormonal birth control, she'll need to discontinue this for a few weeks prior to testing so that the results will be accurate.
325694
I do know that PCOS may make difficult for you to conceive, but it doesn't mean that you can't ever have children.\n\nThe disorder runs in my family, and I was told by my doctor that the best bet would be to stay on birth control pills until the time comes when I am ready to try to get pregnant. The hormones in the pills are supposed to slow the progress/development of the symptoms.\n\nYour doctor can do a symptom checklist to see if you fit the requirements for PCOS. If you do, or even if you don't, it might be a good idea to talk with your doctor about birth control hormone therapy.
706843
I live with almost the same thing, PCOS.  But what you're describing is dangerous and I want you to understand that you need immediate medical help. Seriously, for the exact same reasons a woman who is having a miscarriage should get herself to the ER right away.  You're losing blood, no matter where the source and you could hemorrhage and die. Sorry I don't want to scare you but I feel I should be as honest as possible.  I hope it gets better for you!
106945
Have you been tested for PCOS/PCOD (poly cystic ovarian syndrome/disease)?  \nI have it and it can increase your testosterone levels as well as other hormone problems.\nPlease go to your doctor!\nHave your doctor run tests and read up on it.
575739
I was diagnosed young, too.  I have now 'had' PCOS for 11 years.  Why do you want children in the near future?  Because you will need help getting pregnant from the doctor, most likely.  You will probably be given birth control pills to control your cycle, so take them regularly or the pain can get bad.  Then when you want children, he will have to reevaluate your diagnosis, check the ovaries carefully, and most likely give you some hormones.  But it's definately more than possible you'll have children.
656966
Yup.  Me.  I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.  Talk to your doctor.  And before anyone assumes it is nice, let me mention that we spent five years and about $15,000 dollars trying to get pregnant.\n\nI also understand that women who are severely underweight have such a symptom, such as those who suffer from anorexia.\n\nNot so nice, huh?
1171105
You could have cystic ovaries or endometriosis.  I would definately get to the gynocologist and have some tests run.
393403
Firstly - well done for taking the long journey out of your eating disorders\n\nSecondly - they could be some residual effects of your condition where your ovaries are 'taking stock' of the new situation in your body.\n\nThirdly you may have an almost symptomless condition 'poly cystic ovary syndrome' which can play havoc with your periods without you being pregnant.\n\nMaybe tho take a pregnancy test for your own peace of mind before consulting your doctor about this if it doesn't resolve itself soon
861670
Sounds like you have insulin resistance, which is the underlying cause of PCOS. Although, some women "pass" the test, they still seem to respond positively to treating the insulin resistance. The best way to treat this is with an insulin sensitizing drug, such as metformin, combined with a good diet and exercise. I highly recommend visiting www.ivillage.com. There is a great message board there where you can ask all your PCOS questions.
177715
Have the Dr.'s given you any indication of why you're irregular?  How irregular are you?  Many women have undiagnosed PCOS (Polycystic ovarian syndrome).  It is possible to conceive, but you will have to learn to determine when you are ovulating.  Or, you may have to talk to your Dr. about using fertility medication.
364170
I too have PCOS and from personal experience I've found that anything less than 750mg/day of Glucophage doesn't help.  I also have to do 240 minutes of cardio each and every week.  Again, anything less won't help.\n\nI also HIGHLY recommend a diet called SugarBusters.  It was made specifically for women with PCOS.  It is wonderful and helped me lose 25 pounds over a year!\n\nCheck out this site for more support: http://www.pcosupport.org/\n\nGood Luck!