Fertile Myrtle, that’s what they used to call me. With my first three kids it was almost as if I could just wish myself pregnant and then boom, that plus sign would appear. That all changed in late 2012 to early 2013. Month after month we tried for that last little piece of our puzzle that would complete our family. Finally, after 6 straight months of one little line on the test followed by my Aunt Flo’s arrival, I began feeling defeated. I scheduled my annual appointment with my gynecologist thinking maybe she could shed some light on my situation.
So there I sat in that cold room with nothing but a sheet and a hospital gown on. After asking me what felt like a never-ending list of questions, my doctor told me that she thought I had Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS for short. A quick ultrasound and blood work would confirm just that. That day she started me on medication that she hoped would help get my body back on track so that I could conceive. I am thankful to say that she was right and that our last little person joined our family in 2014. Sadly that is not the end of my story.
PCOS isn’t just something that you tackle when you are trying to get pregnant. It is something that I will now have to deal with for my entire life. In fact, it is something that 1 in 10 women have to cope with daily. So how is it that I never heard of this before my own diagnosis? Until recent years Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome wasn’t something that was readily talked about. Even today, it is still not something that women are typically educated on until their own diagnosis.
Women must educate themselves on the warning signs of the disease, the most common being irregular or missed periods. WebMd also notes the following as being important symptoms to watch for:
- Excessive hair growth or sudden hair loss
- Recurring headaches
- Weight issues
- Sleep Disturbances
These symptoms are just a small portion of a much bigger list. And it is also important to know that you do not have to have all of the complications for you to be a PCOS sufferer.
Painful periods and ruptured cysts are just a small portion of what should worry a woman who has been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. In March 2019, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) released an article that broke down the biggest concerns for women diagnosed with PCOS. Not only do these women, myself included, have to deal with excruciating periods, but we also stand a higher risk of other illnesses such as Type 2 Diabetes, Stroke and Heart Attacks.
As I am sure you may be wondering, how is PCOS diagnosed? As I shared about my own experience, it’s a bit of a step test. First, your doctor will ask you a series of questions. One of the most important questions they will ask is if you have had any issues with your monthly cycle. After that, a blood work panel will be done to look for increased levels of male hormones. This is then followed by an intrauterine ultrasound to look for cysts on the patient’s ovaries. After these three steps are completed a doctor can make a proper diagnosis if the patient has positive results from at least 2 of the 3. The Mayo Clinic has a more in-depth breakdown of what to expect if you find yourself being tested for PCOS.
So now that you have your diagnosis, what do you do? As I noted earlier, there is not a cure for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. But the good news is, there is a course of treatment that can alleviate symptoms for most. The PCOS Awareness Association has a thorough list of medications and other treatment options most commonly used for PCOS patients. From my own experience, I can say that birth control pills, Metformin, diet and regular exercise can greatly diminish symptoms.
I am living proof that a diagnosis of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome does not have to steal your joy. Yes, it can be a “Pain in the Ovaries” as I have been quoted as saying many times. But it is also manageable. My weight still fluctuates I hate to admit. Acne comes and goes from time to time as well. But life isn’t over.
And on the rough days, just use those Snapchat filters to the best of your abilities.
So here is what you need to do ladies: first, educate yourself of what the signs and symptoms are. If you think you may also suffer from PCOS, don’t put off going to the doctor. It is better to know and be able to start treatment. And then if you do happen to get diagnoses, follow the doctor’s recommendations. Remember, they are only trying to help. PCOS is not something you can just wish away, but it is something that can be controlled. My last piece of advice is something I have now shared 2 years in a row:
“Don’t judge someone by what you see on the outside. Whether it looks like they aren’t put together that day or are in a bad mood, you never know what they are quietly fighting on the inside. So this post goes out to you, all of my friends that are also silent warriors.”
-Heather B.
Do you or someone you know suffer from PCOS? When did you first experience symptoms? Have you found any treatments that work for you that were not mentioned above? Drop your thoughts down in the comments below.
