What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?
- A female endocrine disorder that affects the way the body's hormones work, which in turn affects different bodily functions; particularly fertility, insulin resistance, and weight maintenance.
- http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Polycystic_ovarian_syndrome
- http://www.thewomens.org.au/PCOSResources
My Story
One of the things to remember is that PCOS manifests itself in different ways, and that each woman may have different signs and symptoms, so my story up to diagnosis will be different to many other women who have PCOS or may be the same.
I went on 'the pill' in 2004 at age 15 as I had pretty bad acne that wasn't responding to any over-the-counter or prescription treatments. I had tried numerous face washes, scrubs, creams, and antibiotics and I still looked like I had a pizza face. One person reckoned I was recovering from chicken pox or measles! I had been referred to a dermatologist, who advised me that the pill may be the solution.
I had been menstruating since I was around 13, and had regular cycle lasting 28-30 days at that point. The pill pretty much just continued that cycle. After around 2 years on the pill, I began to get some painful periods. It was investigated with ultrasound to see if I had any issues, but the scan came back normal. I changed from 'Brenda' to 'Yasmin', which helped to alleviate the pains slightly. I then changed to 'Norimin' due to cost ($74.00 for 3 months vs. $25.00 for 4 months).
In January 2011 I went off the pill as my acne was under control and I wasn't using it for contraceptives. My cycle was normal for 2 months, then started to become irregular. By October 2011, my cycle was 3 months long! Not good at all! I was also having trouble with my weight (I was 95kg and fluctuating between that and 90kg on a daily basis), and the stubborn acne was back.
So I went to my General Practitioner (GP), and went for an ultrasound scan and a blood test. The blood test came back with normal levels - my oestrogen levels were normal, as was the androgen levels, the random glucose, and the cholesterol. The ultrasound, however, showed enlarged ovaries with numerous little cysts which hadn't been present in my previous 2 ultrasounds. The ultrasound results, coupled with my acne and weight gave the diagnoses of PCOS.
I was devastated. What would it mean for my fertility? Would I develop Type 2 Diabetes? What about my heart? All of these things are possible consequences of PCOS. However, with my blood test results as they were, I could be assured that with a change of diet and exercise habits to help lose weight that my cycle could return to normal and I could negate most of the side-effects. Also, a diagnosis of PCOS doesn't immediately mean a woman is infertile - so do not use it as an excuse to have unprotected sex! Most women with PCOS do conceive spontaneously and go on to have normal pregnancies, although they are at higher risk of developing Gestational Diabetes, and Gestational Hypertension during their pregnancies.
I was given a perscription for Metformin - a tablet that helps people with diabetes maintain their insulin and glucose levels - to help me on my way. I took it for nearly 2 months, but stopped once the gastro-intestinal side-effects became too much to deal with. I also went in search for a way to change my dietary habits and came in contact with a Dietitian who also has PCOS and specializes in dietary treatment of the condition.
Ideally, I should be having low GI foods, and a varied diet of fruit, vegetables, grains, lean meat and protein, good fats and dairy, with minimal intake of processed food and sugar. Most days I stick to it, but some days I do get lazy and just want to go for fast food and chocolate - I have just learnt to have the smaller sized meals and to choose healthier options. However, my diet now is much better than what it had been for the past few years and the weight is coming off! The other difficulty I face is working shift work, where I could start work early in the morning, in the afternoon, or be up working overnight and sleeping during the day. It's all about rearranging meal times and making sure I eat regularly - starving yourself or even going on the fad diets/meal replacements do not give your body what it needs and nor do they help you change your habits!
I try to take a walk every 2nd day, but I really should try to add more activity in my day. While I do walk upwards of 15,000 steps a day most days (the recommendation is 10,000 steps), I really need to do some exercise that raises the heart rate and challenges my body to burn the excess energy. I have gone to gyms before and found them not useful for me (and a bit of a waste of money), so I am trying to get to my local pool for a swim once a week and get in to a beginners Kendo class. The swimming will help with my asthma (sporting-induced!), and I enjoy being in the water. Also Kendo would be interesting (I have done Karate before and enjoyed it) and would help with my (non-existant-outside-of-work) social life!
My weight is more stable. I'm currently 89-90kg, and either maintain or lose about 500g-1kg a week! When I started eating better and more regularly, my weight immediately dropped 2kg in a week! But I don't expect to have those great big losses each week, and a slower weight loss will ensure that my body doesn't try to rebound from the big changes in weight! I have kept off 5kg, which is way better than fluctuating 5kg every other day! The acne is slightly better, although it does flare up in sync with my cycle and with stress!
As for my cycle, it is currently 34 days long and a little more regular! I keep track using the iPhone app 'Period Log' (costs around AU$2.99 and worth it!). Every woman should be familiar with her menstrual cycle rather than ashamed of it. It is a normal part of being a woman, after all, and many cultures celebrate it much more than we tend to. Plus, knowing what is normal for you really helps you understand your fertility as well as your health and wellbeing!
