PCOS Experience

Hi dearest readers it’s me again for those who are new to my blog, my name is Joanna.  I love sharing my experience to inspire and motivate people.

As you notice the title of my article is about Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome or "PCOS" which also referred as "Stein–Leventhal syndrome". This is a Hormonal Imbalance condition, this is not that dangerous, however, if you didn't treat and just ignore this condition, it will cause serious impact to your health. Basically this condition affect from teens to middle ages females, however, there are instances that male also has experienced this condition.

One out of fifteen women worldwide affected by PCOS and might be increasing the numbers due to limited knowledge and lack of understanding about it, also other unrelated symptoms that we are just guessing condition ourselves . it can be easily to miss a PCOS condition to be diagnosis because of our ignorance.

The more we spread awareness and increase our knowledge about this Syndrome, the more women we can help. Once you identified or having any doubt if it is a PCOS you should immediately consult a doctor. Don’t be worry as I mentioned above its treatable and it’s better to treating PCOS symptoms before it get worst.

(Again I am not a specialist I just want to share my experience)

The early symptoms, how did I find out PCOS (base on my experience)

First of all I will share my experience on how it start then I'll explain how this PCOS affect the female body and how to handle it.

When I turned 14 my period became irregular. I experienced severe pain every time my period starts, growing up it is getting worst. Normally every girl should have minimum of 3 days and maximum of a week monthly period, however, mine is not like that. When the my period come I feel something unusual, like feeling dizzy I look pale. One day I lost my control and fell down because of dizziness. It is very difficult to be in that situation.

My mom decide to take me to a doctor (gynecologist) to see what is wrong with me. The doctor said it is normal for some teens to experience this and she even says a joke that it will be OK when I get married and have children. I don't understand why the doctor said that to me. (I was holding that words from the doctor until I reached college).

My second and worst experience happened while on my bowling class in college days. One day I attend my class with my friend I feel not good as I have my period that time but still want to attend my bowling class as my teacher selected me to participate for a bowling tournament. I finished my class and about to go home with my friend but she ask me to go to a shop. We went there and check around after an hour I get so dizzy and again I fell down and lost conscious in the middle of busy place. I was so ashamed on what happened and they took me to the clinic. The doctor told me I am anemic (low blood sugar) the incident happened around lunch time she ask me if I had my breakfast or lunch she ask my friend to buy some chocolate drinks because my blood sugar went down. I hold that words on my mind until I moved to another country, My period still irregular until I reach 25.

As I grow older I still carry the pain during monthly period and sometimes it get worst. I decided to go to see General Practitioner and explain her all the problems I am experienced, she advised me to consult a Gynecologist.

The Gynecologist suggest to have some tests, blood test, scan and X-ray to examine what was wrong. The X-ray result shows that I have a lot of cyst on my ovary, I was in a shock because cyst sounds like serious thing.

I was scared and nervous on what I heard from X-ray specialist. She didn't explain much but she send the test result to my doctor. I have to wait until the next day to see the whole result.

I was back home with tensed, upset and worried mind as you could imagine how it will be someone working abroad alone without a family to support in this condition. It was a hectic night for me , I couldn’t sleep that night. I was crying whole night and I don't want to tell anything to my mom and family because I don’t want them to get worried and beside I don’t know yet the whole result.

The next day I went to the Gynecologist to get the whole results, she said that I have PCOS condition she ask me if any history of diabetic persons in our family. I said no as my immediate family like my mother and father are not diabetic, however, my grandmother has diabetic. The doctor suggests injecting insulin direct into my vain. I was so scared and asking me is that really serious. I am so young to have this condition (my doctor is an old women and she look so strict) I want to ask more question but I’m afraid of her expression her answer didn’t give any satisfaction to me. I ask what is Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome because really I don't have any idea and I am confused what really means of that and she says: "you could check in the internet, Google it there you will know". I was completely shock with her response and made me more worried. I told myself why I see a doctor like her to know what is wrong but this is what I get. I talked to her nurse to understand what is PCOS and then she also ask to the OB Gynecologist doctor and the doctor explain very little she draw something on a paper which I couldn't understand even her explanation was not that informative.

I am not satisfied and don't want to undergo on what she suggested (inject insulin) I called my brother told him what happened and the result.

(My brother is a registered nurse and a certified dialysis nurse for 4-6 years, so he must know about insulin and something about my condition he advise me to see another doctor because as I mention during my college days a doctor told me that I am anemic means low blood sugar so I was so confused, as my brother told me they will inject insulin direct if it is serious diabetic condition and diabetic is high blood sugar there are some mild medication that can intake and injecting insulin direct to the vain is a last choice.)

I didn't understand why the doctor focus on diabetic thing. I just want to know why I experience extreme pain when I am on period, why it is irregular and having one or more months gap for next one. These questions on my mind didn't get an answer so I decided to consult another doctor.

I’ve search another hospital which is expert in OB Gynecology and checked of their doctors experiences because I don't want to feel disappoint again. 

The next doctor done the same process in fast and accurate result the entire test was done on the same day. I was so glad to meet my new doctor and she explain every single details including why I experienced my severe acne in the past, it was related to this PCOS (see my article title My Acne Story How I Get Rid of it). I feel that she is sincere and kind she wanted to help and improve my health.

She prescribe a medicine that will take in oral and she advice me to see if any change comes after 3 months to take those medicine. She advises me for follow-up check-up and review what is the progress of the medication.  She also advice me to do some diet and discuss with me the proper diet program. She said that if I could do the Australian diet will give me healthy life also I have to do exercise every day, brisk walking is the best. She said that walking at least 1 hour daily will help me to improve my monthly menstruation and lessen the pain.

What should you ask your Doctor about PCOS ?

The important question you should ask to your doctor is, “What is PCOS?” If your doctor can’t explain, then you should go and find another doctor. Having a good doctor that makes you feel comfortable will help you to cure any sickness.

What is Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome?

Do you know that hormones affect your body appearance and it’s like legates that tell your body mostly, what to do? Where the hair growth? Where and how to supply fat, when to ovulate.

Hormones even affect a person’s mood. Like being sensitive, moody, emotional, short tempered and even craving for a specific food that you really don’t need to eat. These are the effect of hormones affecting mood of a human. Which I was experiencing time to time J

So, these hormones express your body what to do. The endocrine glands are the group of hormones that are circulated throughout the bloodstream. The opposite of the endocrine glands (internal) are the exocrine glands (external), which are responsible for things being secreted outside of the body like tears and sweat. 

A woman with abnormal hormonal mixtures is all out of blow. The cause of the imbalance wasn’t precisely known, however, the hormones aren’t balanced and there is kind of a failing effect and everything getting out of order.

How  PCOS to be Diagnosed?

There are a few different testing methods utilized in order to diagnosis women with PCOS.

All doctors should discuss medical history with a patient before diagnosing a woman with polycystic ovarian syndrome. Many women find out they have PCOS when they have difficulty conceiving so it’s important to keep track of how long you’ve been trying to conceive, how long you go between periods, and how long your periods last.

The doctor should also perform a physical examination. During this examination the doctor will take note of physical shape, hair growth, breast shape and size, and skin tags and acne.

A diagnosis of PCOS does not require women to present with cysts on their ovaries. I know, this is sort of confusing. But, cysts can come and go over time.

Most women receive vaginal ultrasounds in order for the doctor to check for ovarian cysts. If women does present with cysts, more than likely they appear like a string of pearls.

Your doctor might also order a full blood workup in order to confirm a PCOS diagnoses. The blood test will check hormonal levels like testosterone, estrogen, FSH and LH, and insulin.

                                          
                                                           Illustration of PCOS

Normal Ovaries cell will be diminishing by having period and will be empty until ovulation occurs again.

Abnormal Ovaries with cyst stay like this

What are the common symptoms of  PCOS?

The most common symptoms of PCOS are:

·        Weight gain / Difficulty losing weight or Obesity 

·         Absent or irregular periods (cause pain)

      Metabolic Syndrome (difficulty in toilets)

      Excessive hair growth on the chin, chest, and face in women.

      Cystic acne

·         Cysts on ovaries

·         High levels of testosterone

High risk of PCOS are:

Hyperinsulinism

Infertility or An-ovulation

Increase of type 2 Diabetes

Cardiovascular Morbidity

Endometrial Cancer

Below are the areas to focus on when treating PCOS. 

If you are overweight, losing as little of your weight can improve your PCOS symptoms. It is extremely hard to lose weight. I experience the most success when I work out 5 days  2 hours brisk walk with cardio exercise and 2 days 2 hours normal walking with light exercise a week. It’s up to you on how you do or just consult your doctor how many hours of doing exercise you should spend a week.

Accept the fact that you are the only person who can help yourself on your situation, you have to watch what you eat and discipline yourself to avoid the foods which is not right for you.  If you control your nutrition, most of your symptoms will improve if you are determine all the problems will diminished and will have healthy living.

Follow the doctor's medication and consult best supplements for you it will help to improve fast the symptoms which you are experiencing.

Women with PCOS are affected by depression and anxiety. Changing your daily routine can be stressful it is very important to take care of your mental health. Dealing with battling your body, feeling like you’re losing your femininity, and trying to stay on track can drive anyone up. Stay positive you can do it!

THANK YOU BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE!

 I HOPE YOUARE INSPIRED WITH MY LITTLE EFFORTS HERE!

I AM GLAD IF I CAN HELP A FEW PEOPE WITH THEIR WORRIES!

PLEASE SHARE AND SPREAD AWARENESS OF PCOS

LOVE JOANNA :)