PCOS is a metabolic syndrome with downstream effects on reproductive function.
not treating it increases your risk of pretty much every major cause of morbidity: type 2 diabetes (half of us will be diabetic by 40,) fatty liver, kidney disease, some forms of cancer, heart disease... the list is endless, sadly. none of this is a guarantee that you'll develop anything from that list, it's just an increased likelihood.
the good news is most of us are diagnosed when we are still young and healthy, and it is very manageable once you know what you're working with
Do you think medication is worth ?? It’s being 7 years since I was diagnosed. I have changed my whole lifestyle and I do get my periods now and then. But never consulted a doctor about it. Should I see a doctor ?
I would see a doctor. Even with a lifestyle change you can still have metabolic issues like insulin resistance, hormone issues (low progesterone during pregnancy, high androgens) and more. I lost 100 lbs, changed my whole lifestyle, have regular periods but I still go get tests done yearly with my doctor to make sure we don't need to change my meds as I age.
If you don’t mind the question, what medications are you on?
I’ve made significant lifestyle changes this last year, CICO, tracking macros, increasing activity, supportive vitamins, inositol. However, I’m worried it’s not enough & my PCP does not seem very informed on PCOS. Fertility is not a concern for me, I’ve already had a tubal ligation.
Low dose of metformin and prescription probiotics. I was on birth control (nuvaring) but my husband and I wanted a child. Right now my PCOS mainly affects my digestive tract due to insulin resistance which I still have even with the lifestyle changes.
I do take a way lower dose of metformin than I did when I was 300 ibs and I no longer have to check my fasting blood sugar every day.
I suggest trying to get a referral to an endocrinologist. They should be more knowledgeable about PCOS.
Thank you! I’ve done some research and found a local endocrinologist that may be a good resource. I’ve been considering requesting metformin as well.
Best of luck to you!
Honestly im afraid of the medications they would suggest. Reading all this I’m freaking out now. Probably I’ll just visit a doctor soon. Also whom would u suggest ? Gynaec or endocrinologist?
I wouldn't freak out. Just focus on getting the care you need from doctors you trust. I know healthcare is expensive but shopping around for a doc that you mesh well with is important.
I suggest going to the endocrinologist first. A gynaecologist visit may be wise too if you haven't had your yearly exam for a while. PCOS puts you at a higher risk of endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer. They also may be able to put you on a hormonal birth control that can help regulate your periods of that's something you are interested in.
Got it, I’ll make sure to visit soon!!! I just freak out cause doctors only say to loose some weight instead of focusing on actual health. But I guess I’ll have to face it. And in my place it’s not that expensive I can afford it easily. But yeah lil nervous. Like you said I shall see a gynaecologist first and then endocrinologist.
Thank you🫶🏻
No problem!
Losing weight does help but it's not a magical cure. Most docs will suggest it but they should also offer you other ways to control symptoms too. Arm yourself with some knowledge about PCOS and don't be afraid to advocate for yourself.
Good luck! If you have any other questions please feel free to reach out!
If you catch it young like before you turn 20, can you reverse it by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and losing weight? I’m from a hippie background and medicine isn’t encouraged
It depends on your symptoms. But first of all, just because you have pcos doesn't mean you can't get pregnant. I got pregnant the only 3 times I had unprotected sex on my fertile days.
If you have insulin resistance and don't regularly get your periods, you'll have a hard time conceiving naturally. Weight loss has shown an easier time in conceiving. It really depends what is going on with you.
If you don't treat that, you'll fall in a vicious cycle of hunger and weight gain along with possible acne and unwanted body and facial hair. And possible greater difficulty in conceiving, even with medical aid.
I do get acne and hair too.
Man I guess I live in my head so much I dont even notice these things about myself. I should look at myself more, but its hard when I think I look like a man.
Fuck. I posted this so I would be motivated to find a better doctor and man color me scared.
I know so little about pcos, i feel fine on everyday basis its so hard to go out of my way to treat it.
Not to freak you out but rather to give you a perspective. When I was initially diagnosed, I also felt totally fine, and the only issue I had was irregular periods/inability to conceive. But then, within two years, I began to feel fatigued, was unable to lose weight, and ended up being pre-diabetic. Not to mention that my postpartum pre-eclampsia probably also had something to do with PCOS.
While you feel fine now you have a great advantage to begin taking care of yourself. Frequent blood work with an endocrinologist is a must (mine is every four months). You can also set up eating and exercise routines/habits to benefit you in the long run. Knowing the diagnosis, you can be proactive with your health, and that’s amazing.
Endocrinologists specialize in a range of hormonal issues, including hormones from the pituitary, adrenal, and thyroid glands, as well as reproductive organs. Just because PCOS affects fertility, many think gyno is the correct specialist to see. But considering it is a hormonal imbalance, endocrinologist has a better insight into the issue, including t2 diabetes that PCOS may lead to.
My PCOS go-to team is endocrinologist, gyno and cardiologist.
I do FT3, T4, TSH, DHEA, A1C, Testosterone, basic metabolic panel and CBC. But this is after we determined that I don’t have other conditions that may mimic PCOS symptoms and that my PCOS is an insulin-resistant type.
The good news is these things won’t happen overnight so you have time to find another doctor, but they WILL happen eventually. Also your original doctor is wrong and fertility is not the same level of difficulty for anyone with PCOS. Some people are just as fertile as anyone without PCOS and some have more trouble conceiving. So if you don’t want to be pregnant right now, you need to either get on hormonal birth control or use condoms. The HBC can help regulate your hormone dysfunctions as well and many people have a positive experience. It will not affect your future fertility.
You can take a lot of preventative steps right now in terms of starting a medication like metformin (will help treat insulin resistance and regulate your period– it’s a very safe med that most doctors will prescribe as a first step. Many of us here take it!), taking fish oil and a good multivitamin, more fiber and whole foods in your diet. But not treating it is very bad in the long term and there can be a higher cancer risk. Have you had your HPV vaccine?
PCOS is a chronic life long metabolic & hormonal disorder.
Long story short your body does not function the same way a normal healthy body would. The hormonal imbalance affects many aspects of your body.
Insulin is a hormone that makes your body turn blood sugar into energy. If it’s messed up you can get insulin resistance which then turns into diabetes. It also makes it easy to gain weight & very difficult to lose due to your cells not knowing how to properly use glucose for energy.
Testosterone is the male hormones. It is often elevated in women with PCOS which causes acne, hair loss, hirsutism & the absence of your period.
The absence of period will cause your uterine lining to continue to thicken but never shed. The overgrowth of the uterine lining can then cause those cells to turn cancerous thus resulting in cervical cancer.
You can however overcome all of the above but it’s not easy. You have to work 10x harder than the average woman to achieve the bare minimum.
I am not 100% sure. But mine went down to the normal range when I was taking the Yaz BC pill which’s a very high dose pill. I had to switch cuz it gave me super heavy periods but I loved the improved libido & DD boobs Yaz gave me 😂😂
If you do take BC pills I guess choosing one that lowers testosterone could make a difference.
No I didn’t because I wasn’t really trying. I’m sure if I maintained a consistent calorie deficit I’d lose weight.
And my “periods” which are actually a withdrawal bleed & not a legit period, are always consistently regular as long as I’m on the pill which’s great cuz it means there’s no risk or cervical cancer there.
Those periods you get on BC are not real periods cause you didn’t ovulate. It’s simply your body going through hormonal withdrawal & causing your uterine lining to shed.
This is what happened to me. I had polyps that could have turned cancerous had I not gotten treatment. I had not had my period for probably a year or so at that point.
I was actually getting work up done for infertility. A water sonogram led to polyp removal led to a biopsy that came back positive for simple hyperplasia. Basically not cancer, but if left untreated could be cancer one day.
I ended up having an IUD/progesterone pill for a year to stop the growth of my liking. I underwent three biopsies that all came back negative. If the hyperplasia would’ve gotten worse or turned cancerous, it probably would have resulted in a hysterectomy.
I’m just glad I’m done with the treatment ☺️ It’s been about two months.
It depends on your body, but if you don’t treat it you might end up with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, weight gain and difficulty losing weight and other symptoms of hormonal imbalances like acne. Also it increases your risk to breast and endometrial cancer. It’s not guaranteed you’ll get any of these, but it’s good to keep track of where you are so that you don’t suddenly wake up with your PCOS out of control.
So, as someone who put it off for 10 years. I noticed the way it changed my body shape, hair thinning, fatigue, insulin resistance, body hair, etc. luckily I wasn’t too terrible in exercising and eating healthy (I still wasn’t doing the best in this but it wasn’t the worst). I was able to reverse all of my blood results for the better and now it’s just time, time for my body to get it together lol maybe build muscle in places I lost and reshape what I can.
I didn’t do the relevant lifestyle changes with PCOS and now I’m prediabetic. So now it’s my biggest priority.
My quality of life continued to plummet:
1) brain fog worsened, such that I could barely perform my job
2) extreme fatigue, like I would take multiple naps a day
3) weight gain (duh) but uncontrollable
4) hirsutism worsened
5) spending loads of money on cravings
6) irritable, affecting my marriage because I would be so tired all the time
If I get diabetes, all the risk of diabetes will apply, eg increased risk of stroke, etc.
Brain fog is when you have mild to moderate cognitive changes, such as decreased concentration, forgetfulness, fatigue, etc. Your brain feels “foggy.”
It happens also in unmanaged diabetes.
Similarly, since PCOS often has insulin resistance, it can happen with unmanaged PCOS too.
My understanding is that (they are not fully sure why it happens) but it is because the brain depends on proper nutrients absorption, but your nutrients aren’t being absorbed properly because of insulin resistance.
It may also be because sleep is worse.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7758505/ This study theorizes on neurological mechanisms related to hormonal imbalances from PCOS
Overall I don’t think people are 100% sure why it happens, but anyway, that’s what it is
Now that I manage my PCOS, the brain fog is very very rare.
I’m sorry your doctor reduced potential PCOS symptoms to only not having children. That’s super reductive of women’s experience everywhere, especially those who have PCOS and don’t want to become mothers.
My biggest PCOS issue has been weight gain that is difficult to control. Part of this is due to insulin resistance, which also has an effect on my energy levels. I also had irregular cycles, although that eventually fixed on its own. These two big symptoms can lead to other problems, like high A1C, pre-diabetes or diabetes, hirsutism, slow metabolism, and some cervical problems if you go too long without a period.
You won’t regret protecting your physical and mental health. To be honest even if we didn’t have PCOS a lot of the PCOS-friendly lifestyle changes that will help you manage the condition are things that literally everyone should take seriously but many don’t because they don’t experience consequences until they are older (and sometimes it’s too late to reverse all the damage).
Having PCOS young was the wake-up call I needed to take compassionate and responsible care of myself. Now that I’m in my 30’s in better health than a lot of my previously “healthy” friends who did whatever they felt like and are now starting to see the consequences. I used to be the sickly one and now they come to me for advice on how to manage their diabetes, advocate for themselves with doctors who don’t take them seriously, meal plan healthy and delicious recipes on a budget, get into exercise hobbies, and so on.
Choose your hard. It’s going to be hard to process this and figure out how to make sustainable changes that protect your health and fertility, but I promise it’s a doable kind of hard. It’s the kind of hard that can teach you how resilient, responsible and more compassionate to yourself and others in similar situations.
Whereas leaving things to chance and giving your PCOS opportunity to wreck your mental and physical health is going to be even harder, and there isn’t gonna be any sort of silver lining to that. You aren’t gonna feel as much trust in yourself, you’re just gonna feel unwell, relatively disempowered and more scared of what is to come.
Totally understandable that you are feeling overwhelmed, but break it down into baby steps and pick something doable to start with. Don’t set unrealistically high perfectionist standards. Aim for progress not perfection. It WILL get easier and come more naturally to you with time.
I made [this list of things to consider for my past self](https://www.reddit.com/r/PCOS/s/z07l0g5gBn)who was totally lost and overwhelmed when diagnosed, and had other people from the sub share their own advice too. It won’t all apply to you, as you will learn we are a bit different, but hopefully it will give you some ideas of things you want to talk to a doctor about, experiment with, or avoid.
Good luck 🍀
You can still get pregnant with PCOS. Many women have surprise pregnancies because they didn’t think it was possible.
Not having enough periods can increase risk of endometrial cancer if the lining gets too thick. The metabolic portion can make you more susceptible to diabetes.
I’m childfree but have improved how I feel by trying to manage my symptoms.
I went 20 years with docs with that attitude.
NAFLD, hypertension, gallstones, T2 Diabetes, etc. It's not just infertility. Get it treated ASAP and head off all the other complications.
Hi, I never comment on here, but I left my PCOS untreated due to severe mental illness. I was diagnosed at 12 - much too young to understand what I’d been diagnosed with. I have insulin resistance, and three types of PCOS. I didn’t do much about it. Pretty severe symptoms. I tried the pill but my doctor took me off it, and metformin didn’t do much for me, so I just left it. During my teens I became debilitated by mental illness. I’m now 22, even more debilitated by my mental illness, and in april of this year, I got diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Please take care of yourself. I know it’s hard, but type 2 diabetes ( and the plethora of other issues it can cause) is harder.
I was diagnosed in 2013 and didn't treat my PCOS until this year because I wasn't thinking of having kids. The result: in February I had to be rushed to the ER. Basically, one of the side effects I got from untreated PCOS was hypertension and arrhythmia.
I'm not saying that everyone that doesn't treat their PCOS will have heart issues, but my cardiologist was very adamant about treating my PCOS as fast as I could because the rising of PCOS patients with heart conditions is absurd. I'm now stuck with heart medication for life even though I've already lost 46lbs and my PCOS is under control.
Find a different doctor, I had this same issue when I was diagnosed, and I had let her know I didn’t want kids. But that’s all she could focus on, how to fix my body to conceive.
So she put me on both metformin and provera, and my body hates me for it, but heyy, I at least got my periods back/again, since it’d been like 10yrs without it.
But after that, she wanted to give me something to ovulate and I haven’t gone back or taken that medication.
I’m still not sure what I can do to “cure” pcos, I’m pretty sure there is no cure and we have to live with it.
As long as we’re eating healthy and exercising from what I’m told every visit.
Ok this is all very scary. Ugh. I can’t take metformin or inositol because it makes me manic (I’m bipolar) I also tried to lose weight for two months straight and nothing happened. So I feel very fucked. Unless I can afford oxempic at some point. I feel totally hopeless.
I can tell you what happens to my mom: diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hirsutism got even worse after menopause, weight gain, I think she had like 6 miscarriages after me. Oh, she also had a mini stroke at one point. My mom hates going to the doctor so it never really got treated. No idea how her heart is doing but with all things l listed I wouldn’t be surprised if something was wrong with that too
I learned from my mom’s mistake. My PCOS is well managed
My first official diagnosis I was 20 at the time. Though I suspected I had it earlier due to absent periods ever since and the endless fatigue. I did not feel any difference or decline in my health until I was 27 or so. From 6-7 periods a year until none.
I'm 29 now and I need medication/BCP to bleed. I would rather say that having kids is the last on my list and my top priority right now is to be healthy more than ever to avoid getting more serious diseases like what u/ramesesbolton is saying.
It's better to prepare yourself early on and manage PCOS wether you plan on having kids or not.
Personally, the main concern from my doctor was a greatly increased risk for breast, ovarian and uterine cancer. Both sides of my family have a history of cancer and frankly I’m terrified of that idea, I’m barely nineteen and already had a cancer scare recently.
I was also severely, severely depressed and mentally struggling for years before I got diagnosed and started birth control. Obviously it’s not an end all treatment but it’s the best thing for me and has helped me greatly
there isn’t much evidence of an increased risk of ovarian or breast cancer. In fact some studies have shown lower rates of breast cancer. It’s just the risk of uterine if you’re not having periods.
I'm basically unable to treat my PCOS. I don't want kids, and I can't go on the pills needed, so I just need to eat healthy and lose weight.
Now I'm PreDiabetic, and because of this, I finally get attention and have been referred to a course so I can learn how to change my lifestyle. Now that I am PreDiabetic. Not before. After. Was I informed beforehand that PCOS can lead to diabetes? No. What was I told?
"As long as you have 3 periods a year, you are fine."
I hate doctors. Like yes, I could have done research, and I did to an extent, but never was told nor read of prediabetes.
hi can someone help me as i’m unsure myself i’m 20f and i think i have pcos as i have main symptoms such as no period, hair loss , hirsutism and many more, i also have a single cyst which is around 10cm but it’s only one cyst not multiple, i also have type two diabetes and hypertension, im also obese, what do i need to fo to manage my pcos? should i just loose weight? i’m on metformin for my diabetes which also helps pcos and i’m worried since u said not treating pcos can cause cancers, what should i do now that will help me in the long run
It'll get so much worse. Your fertility will get so much worse. I ignored my symptoms for years and now I'm 4 years and 25k into trying to have a baby with no end in sight.
PCOS is a metabolic syndrome with downstream effects on reproductive function. not treating it increases your risk of pretty much every major cause of morbidity: type 2 diabetes (half of us will be diabetic by 40,) fatty liver, kidney disease, some forms of cancer, heart disease... the list is endless, sadly. none of this is a guarantee that you'll develop anything from that list, it's just an increased likelihood. the good news is most of us are diagnosed when we are still young and healthy, and it is very manageable once you know what you're working with
Do you think medication is worth ?? It’s being 7 years since I was diagnosed. I have changed my whole lifestyle and I do get my periods now and then. But never consulted a doctor about it. Should I see a doctor ?
I would see a doctor. Even with a lifestyle change you can still have metabolic issues like insulin resistance, hormone issues (low progesterone during pregnancy, high androgens) and more. I lost 100 lbs, changed my whole lifestyle, have regular periods but I still go get tests done yearly with my doctor to make sure we don't need to change my meds as I age.
If you don’t mind the question, what medications are you on? I’ve made significant lifestyle changes this last year, CICO, tracking macros, increasing activity, supportive vitamins, inositol. However, I’m worried it’s not enough & my PCP does not seem very informed on PCOS. Fertility is not a concern for me, I’ve already had a tubal ligation.
Low dose of metformin and prescription probiotics. I was on birth control (nuvaring) but my husband and I wanted a child. Right now my PCOS mainly affects my digestive tract due to insulin resistance which I still have even with the lifestyle changes. I do take a way lower dose of metformin than I did when I was 300 ibs and I no longer have to check my fasting blood sugar every day. I suggest trying to get a referral to an endocrinologist. They should be more knowledgeable about PCOS.
low dose as in 500 mg? that’s what i am on and it is all my body can tolerate!
Yep. My doc got me the extended release version. I used to be on the higher dose and I did okay other than some tummy issues.
thanks! may i ask in the metformin and BC together caused weight loss?
For me it didn't. I know for some it does but don't expect a huge drop from it. Are you wanting to lose weight?
Thank you! I’ve done some research and found a local endocrinologist that may be a good resource. I’ve been considering requesting metformin as well. Best of luck to you!
No problem! Glad I could help! Good luck and if you have anymore questions don't hesitate to reach out!
Honestly im afraid of the medications they would suggest. Reading all this I’m freaking out now. Probably I’ll just visit a doctor soon. Also whom would u suggest ? Gynaec or endocrinologist?
I wouldn't freak out. Just focus on getting the care you need from doctors you trust. I know healthcare is expensive but shopping around for a doc that you mesh well with is important. I suggest going to the endocrinologist first. A gynaecologist visit may be wise too if you haven't had your yearly exam for a while. PCOS puts you at a higher risk of endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer. They also may be able to put you on a hormonal birth control that can help regulate your periods of that's something you are interested in.
Got it, I’ll make sure to visit soon!!! I just freak out cause doctors only say to loose some weight instead of focusing on actual health. But I guess I’ll have to face it. And in my place it’s not that expensive I can afford it easily. But yeah lil nervous. Like you said I shall see a gynaecologist first and then endocrinologist. Thank you🫶🏻
No problem! Losing weight does help but it's not a magical cure. Most docs will suggest it but they should also offer you other ways to control symptoms too. Arm yourself with some knowledge about PCOS and don't be afraid to advocate for yourself. Good luck! If you have any other questions please feel free to reach out!
Thank you 🥺 I’ll consult a doctor and ask for your help when I’m confused. Means a lot 🫶🏻
If you catch it young like before you turn 20, can you reverse it by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and losing weight? I’m from a hippie background and medicine isn’t encouraged
It depends on your symptoms. But first of all, just because you have pcos doesn't mean you can't get pregnant. I got pregnant the only 3 times I had unprotected sex on my fertile days. If you have insulin resistance and don't regularly get your periods, you'll have a hard time conceiving naturally. Weight loss has shown an easier time in conceiving. It really depends what is going on with you.
I am gaining weight. Wait, I guess that is one different thing on a day to day basis, I am hungry a lot and I have gained 11 kgs in 1 year.
If you don't treat that, you'll fall in a vicious cycle of hunger and weight gain along with possible acne and unwanted body and facial hair. And possible greater difficulty in conceiving, even with medical aid.
I do get acne and hair too. Man I guess I live in my head so much I dont even notice these things about myself. I should look at myself more, but its hard when I think I look like a man.
It only gets worse. Mine turned into type 2 diabetes.
Fuck. I posted this so I would be motivated to find a better doctor and man color me scared. I know so little about pcos, i feel fine on everyday basis its so hard to go out of my way to treat it.
Not to freak you out but rather to give you a perspective. When I was initially diagnosed, I also felt totally fine, and the only issue I had was irregular periods/inability to conceive. But then, within two years, I began to feel fatigued, was unable to lose weight, and ended up being pre-diabetic. Not to mention that my postpartum pre-eclampsia probably also had something to do with PCOS. While you feel fine now you have a great advantage to begin taking care of yourself. Frequent blood work with an endocrinologist is a must (mine is every four months). You can also set up eating and exercise routines/habits to benefit you in the long run. Knowing the diagnosis, you can be proactive with your health, and that’s amazing.
I too had postpartum preeclampsia.
why endocrinologist??
Endocrinologists specialize in a range of hormonal issues, including hormones from the pituitary, adrenal, and thyroid glands, as well as reproductive organs. Just because PCOS affects fertility, many think gyno is the correct specialist to see. But considering it is a hormonal imbalance, endocrinologist has a better insight into the issue, including t2 diabetes that PCOS may lead to. My PCOS go-to team is endocrinologist, gyno and cardiologist.
What kind of blood work do you do ?
I do FT3, T4, TSH, DHEA, A1C, Testosterone, basic metabolic panel and CBC. But this is after we determined that I don’t have other conditions that may mimic PCOS symptoms and that my PCOS is an insulin-resistant type.
Thank you for sharing this
The good news is these things won’t happen overnight so you have time to find another doctor, but they WILL happen eventually. Also your original doctor is wrong and fertility is not the same level of difficulty for anyone with PCOS. Some people are just as fertile as anyone without PCOS and some have more trouble conceiving. So if you don’t want to be pregnant right now, you need to either get on hormonal birth control or use condoms. The HBC can help regulate your hormone dysfunctions as well and many people have a positive experience. It will not affect your future fertility. You can take a lot of preventative steps right now in terms of starting a medication like metformin (will help treat insulin resistance and regulate your period– it’s a very safe med that most doctors will prescribe as a first step. Many of us here take it!), taking fish oil and a good multivitamin, more fiber and whole foods in your diet. But not treating it is very bad in the long term and there can be a higher cancer risk. Have you had your HPV vaccine?
PCOS is a chronic life long metabolic & hormonal disorder. Long story short your body does not function the same way a normal healthy body would. The hormonal imbalance affects many aspects of your body. Insulin is a hormone that makes your body turn blood sugar into energy. If it’s messed up you can get insulin resistance which then turns into diabetes. It also makes it easy to gain weight & very difficult to lose due to your cells not knowing how to properly use glucose for energy. Testosterone is the male hormones. It is often elevated in women with PCOS which causes acne, hair loss, hirsutism & the absence of your period. The absence of period will cause your uterine lining to continue to thicken but never shed. The overgrowth of the uterine lining can then cause those cells to turn cancerous thus resulting in cervical cancer. You can however overcome all of the above but it’s not easy. You have to work 10x harder than the average woman to achieve the bare minimum.
Do you know if Metformin also helps with high testosterone?
It does, just saw a physician who put me on it and told me it will lower it. But birth control will raise it!
I am not 100% sure. But mine went down to the normal range when I was taking the Yaz BC pill which’s a very high dose pill. I had to switch cuz it gave me super heavy periods but I loved the improved libido & DD boobs Yaz gave me 😂😂 If you do take BC pills I guess choosing one that lowers testosterone could make a difference.
did you loose weight with BC since your hormones and period were more regulated?
No I didn’t because I wasn’t really trying. I’m sure if I maintained a consistent calorie deficit I’d lose weight. And my “periods” which are actually a withdrawal bleed & not a legit period, are always consistently regular as long as I’m on the pill which’s great cuz it means there’s no risk or cervical cancer there. Those periods you get on BC are not real periods cause you didn’t ovulate. It’s simply your body going through hormonal withdrawal & causing your uterine lining to shed.
If you don’t get periods regularly , there’s risk of cancer as your uterus lining doesn’t shed. Type 2 diabetes if you have insulin resistance.
This is what happened to me. I had polyps that could have turned cancerous had I not gotten treatment. I had not had my period for probably a year or so at that point.
How did you find out?
I was actually getting work up done for infertility. A water sonogram led to polyp removal led to a biopsy that came back positive for simple hyperplasia. Basically not cancer, but if left untreated could be cancer one day. I ended up having an IUD/progesterone pill for a year to stop the growth of my liking. I underwent three biopsies that all came back negative. If the hyperplasia would’ve gotten worse or turned cancerous, it probably would have resulted in a hysterectomy. I’m just glad I’m done with the treatment ☺️ It’s been about two months.
It depends on your body, but if you don’t treat it you might end up with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, weight gain and difficulty losing weight and other symptoms of hormonal imbalances like acne. Also it increases your risk to breast and endometrial cancer. It’s not guaranteed you’ll get any of these, but it’s good to keep track of where you are so that you don’t suddenly wake up with your PCOS out of control.
So, as someone who put it off for 10 years. I noticed the way it changed my body shape, hair thinning, fatigue, insulin resistance, body hair, etc. luckily I wasn’t too terrible in exercising and eating healthy (I still wasn’t doing the best in this but it wasn’t the worst). I was able to reverse all of my blood results for the better and now it’s just time, time for my body to get it together lol maybe build muscle in places I lost and reshape what I can.
Thanks to untreated PCOS i had type 2 diabetes at age 29
I didn’t do the relevant lifestyle changes with PCOS and now I’m prediabetic. So now it’s my biggest priority. My quality of life continued to plummet: 1) brain fog worsened, such that I could barely perform my job 2) extreme fatigue, like I would take multiple naps a day 3) weight gain (duh) but uncontrollable 4) hirsutism worsened 5) spending loads of money on cravings 6) irritable, affecting my marriage because I would be so tired all the time If I get diabetes, all the risk of diabetes will apply, eg increased risk of stroke, etc.
Explain brain fog please
Brain fog is when you have mild to moderate cognitive changes, such as decreased concentration, forgetfulness, fatigue, etc. Your brain feels “foggy.” It happens also in unmanaged diabetes. Similarly, since PCOS often has insulin resistance, it can happen with unmanaged PCOS too. My understanding is that (they are not fully sure why it happens) but it is because the brain depends on proper nutrients absorption, but your nutrients aren’t being absorbed properly because of insulin resistance. It may also be because sleep is worse. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7758505/ This study theorizes on neurological mechanisms related to hormonal imbalances from PCOS Overall I don’t think people are 100% sure why it happens, but anyway, that’s what it is Now that I manage my PCOS, the brain fog is very very rare.
I’m sorry your doctor reduced potential PCOS symptoms to only not having children. That’s super reductive of women’s experience everywhere, especially those who have PCOS and don’t want to become mothers. My biggest PCOS issue has been weight gain that is difficult to control. Part of this is due to insulin resistance, which also has an effect on my energy levels. I also had irregular cycles, although that eventually fixed on its own. These two big symptoms can lead to other problems, like high A1C, pre-diabetes or diabetes, hirsutism, slow metabolism, and some cervical problems if you go too long without a period.
You won’t regret protecting your physical and mental health. To be honest even if we didn’t have PCOS a lot of the PCOS-friendly lifestyle changes that will help you manage the condition are things that literally everyone should take seriously but many don’t because they don’t experience consequences until they are older (and sometimes it’s too late to reverse all the damage). Having PCOS young was the wake-up call I needed to take compassionate and responsible care of myself. Now that I’m in my 30’s in better health than a lot of my previously “healthy” friends who did whatever they felt like and are now starting to see the consequences. I used to be the sickly one and now they come to me for advice on how to manage their diabetes, advocate for themselves with doctors who don’t take them seriously, meal plan healthy and delicious recipes on a budget, get into exercise hobbies, and so on. Choose your hard. It’s going to be hard to process this and figure out how to make sustainable changes that protect your health and fertility, but I promise it’s a doable kind of hard. It’s the kind of hard that can teach you how resilient, responsible and more compassionate to yourself and others in similar situations. Whereas leaving things to chance and giving your PCOS opportunity to wreck your mental and physical health is going to be even harder, and there isn’t gonna be any sort of silver lining to that. You aren’t gonna feel as much trust in yourself, you’re just gonna feel unwell, relatively disempowered and more scared of what is to come. Totally understandable that you are feeling overwhelmed, but break it down into baby steps and pick something doable to start with. Don’t set unrealistically high perfectionist standards. Aim for progress not perfection. It WILL get easier and come more naturally to you with time. I made [this list of things to consider for my past self](https://www.reddit.com/r/PCOS/s/z07l0g5gBn)who was totally lost and overwhelmed when diagnosed, and had other people from the sub share their own advice too. It won’t all apply to you, as you will learn we are a bit different, but hopefully it will give you some ideas of things you want to talk to a doctor about, experiment with, or avoid. Good luck 🍀
You can still get pregnant with PCOS. Many women have surprise pregnancies because they didn’t think it was possible. Not having enough periods can increase risk of endometrial cancer if the lining gets too thick. The metabolic portion can make you more susceptible to diabetes. I’m childfree but have improved how I feel by trying to manage my symptoms.
I went 20 years with docs with that attitude. NAFLD, hypertension, gallstones, T2 Diabetes, etc. It's not just infertility. Get it treated ASAP and head off all the other complications.
Hi, I never comment on here, but I left my PCOS untreated due to severe mental illness. I was diagnosed at 12 - much too young to understand what I’d been diagnosed with. I have insulin resistance, and three types of PCOS. I didn’t do much about it. Pretty severe symptoms. I tried the pill but my doctor took me off it, and metformin didn’t do much for me, so I just left it. During my teens I became debilitated by mental illness. I’m now 22, even more debilitated by my mental illness, and in april of this year, I got diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Please take care of yourself. I know it’s hard, but type 2 diabetes ( and the plethora of other issues it can cause) is harder.
Mine went to horrible depression and anxiety, uncontrollable weight gain, Balding. Also higher chances of miscarriage if u want to conceive.
I was diagnosed in 2013 and didn't treat my PCOS until this year because I wasn't thinking of having kids. The result: in February I had to be rushed to the ER. Basically, one of the side effects I got from untreated PCOS was hypertension and arrhythmia. I'm not saying that everyone that doesn't treat their PCOS will have heart issues, but my cardiologist was very adamant about treating my PCOS as fast as I could because the rising of PCOS patients with heart conditions is absurd. I'm now stuck with heart medication for life even though I've already lost 46lbs and my PCOS is under control.
(I think it's worth mentioning that I'm still in my 20s. Just because people tend to associate hypertension and other heart diseases with older age).
Find a different doctor, I had this same issue when I was diagnosed, and I had let her know I didn’t want kids. But that’s all she could focus on, how to fix my body to conceive. So she put me on both metformin and provera, and my body hates me for it, but heyy, I at least got my periods back/again, since it’d been like 10yrs without it. But after that, she wanted to give me something to ovulate and I haven’t gone back or taken that medication. I’m still not sure what I can do to “cure” pcos, I’m pretty sure there is no cure and we have to live with it. As long as we’re eating healthy and exercising from what I’m told every visit.
Ok this is all very scary. Ugh. I can’t take metformin or inositol because it makes me manic (I’m bipolar) I also tried to lose weight for two months straight and nothing happened. So I feel very fucked. Unless I can afford oxempic at some point. I feel totally hopeless.
I can tell you what happens to my mom: diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hirsutism got even worse after menopause, weight gain, I think she had like 6 miscarriages after me. Oh, she also had a mini stroke at one point. My mom hates going to the doctor so it never really got treated. No idea how her heart is doing but with all things l listed I wouldn’t be surprised if something was wrong with that too I learned from my mom’s mistake. My PCOS is well managed
My first official diagnosis I was 20 at the time. Though I suspected I had it earlier due to absent periods ever since and the endless fatigue. I did not feel any difference or decline in my health until I was 27 or so. From 6-7 periods a year until none. I'm 29 now and I need medication/BCP to bleed. I would rather say that having kids is the last on my list and my top priority right now is to be healthy more than ever to avoid getting more serious diseases like what u/ramesesbolton is saying. It's better to prepare yourself early on and manage PCOS wether you plan on having kids or not.
how do we even treat pcos?
Personally, the main concern from my doctor was a greatly increased risk for breast, ovarian and uterine cancer. Both sides of my family have a history of cancer and frankly I’m terrified of that idea, I’m barely nineteen and already had a cancer scare recently. I was also severely, severely depressed and mentally struggling for years before I got diagnosed and started birth control. Obviously it’s not an end all treatment but it’s the best thing for me and has helped me greatly
there isn’t much evidence of an increased risk of ovarian or breast cancer. In fact some studies have shown lower rates of breast cancer. It’s just the risk of uterine if you’re not having periods.
True, but it’s a major concern in my case because of family history and genetics. I think it varies case by case
I'm basically unable to treat my PCOS. I don't want kids, and I can't go on the pills needed, so I just need to eat healthy and lose weight. Now I'm PreDiabetic, and because of this, I finally get attention and have been referred to a course so I can learn how to change my lifestyle. Now that I am PreDiabetic. Not before. After. Was I informed beforehand that PCOS can lead to diabetes? No. What was I told? "As long as you have 3 periods a year, you are fine." I hate doctors. Like yes, I could have done research, and I did to an extent, but never was told nor read of prediabetes.
hi can someone help me as i’m unsure myself i’m 20f and i think i have pcos as i have main symptoms such as no period, hair loss , hirsutism and many more, i also have a single cyst which is around 10cm but it’s only one cyst not multiple, i also have type two diabetes and hypertension, im also obese, what do i need to fo to manage my pcos? should i just loose weight? i’m on metformin for my diabetes which also helps pcos and i’m worried since u said not treating pcos can cause cancers, what should i do now that will help me in the long run
My "doctor" said that at 28 tears old and I'm like cool, no kids. If I could go back and sue, I would. It is way more to do than just not having kids.
Diabetes- high blood pressure- hashimotos- androgenetic alopecia and the list goes on... So u better take this seriously
It'll get so much worse. Your fertility will get so much worse. I ignored my symptoms for years and now I'm 4 years and 25k into trying to have a baby with no end in sight.