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dada

I have never had regular periods. I started mine at 14- even the first one was ridiculously heavy. I had chopped-liver looking clots and didn't know if this was normal or not. I could go 3, 4, 5 months without a period and then when it came it would be like getting all my periods in one go. After not having a period for 9 months- I went to the GP. I had blood tests and an ultrasound which were inconclusive, and needed an internal ultrasound for my diagnosis. As I was only 16 I didn't feel comfortable with this. I continued to struggle with periods that were unpredictable, heavy and painful, plus acne and low moods, not knowing I had PCOS. At age 19 I reached a breaking point with my mood. Although my PMS wouldn't necessarily be marked by a period, about once a month I would feel so low that I couldn't even leave the house. After a bad experience aged 16 with the mini pill, I was very reluctant to try hormonal contraception. However, after lots of research I decided to get the hormonal coil. After getting the coil I had discomfort, so got an ultrasound just to make sure everything was in place. That's when the ultrasound technician showed me my ovaries and said she definitely thought I had PCOS. She referred me to my GP to discuss what this meant for me. The GP I saw was useless. Clearly just reading off the NHS website. He talked my ear off about fertility, which wasn't on my mind aged 19. He also told me to lose weight, then backtracked because he read the bit about disordered eating. At the time I was 68kg and 5ft9 - fully in the green on the BMI. Now aged 22, I can say getting the Mirena coil at 19 is the best decision I've ever made. I've had 2 periods since and they were very light- I fell completely freed from all my hormonal problems. For my PCOS, I have also changed my diet to be lower in carbs, higher in protien, which I think has really helped too.

awd

When my periods began as a teenager they were extremely heavy (using pad/tampons at same time and still soaking through clothes) as a result, I began the contraceptive pill at around 13 years old. Over the years I have tried different contraceptives but around 2 years ago I decided to stop taking these. From here this is where I noticed new symptoms - my acne returned and I noticed a lot of dark facial hair and hairs on my neck/chin. My periods began getting closer together, and then stopped completely. I was diagnosed at the end of 2024 after discussing my symptom ms with a GP and having a blood test, following this i began the combined contraceptive pill - whilst this has massively helped with my acne, facial hair and regulating periods, it comes with its own other side effects, but on balance the positives outweigh the negatives for me. It’s worth noting I have since my late teens had high blood pressure which I’ve had medication for in the past, and in the past couple of years had high cholesterol levels too. I had never thought that this could be in relation to PCOS however I understand now this could be a possibility. I have always struggled with my weight, I exercise regularly but struggle to lose weight and on the occasions where I have been able to lose weight, I have found it very difficult to keep it off. To help with my symptoms and to hopefully lower my weight, I am looking at trying to eat a better balanced diet, and trying other supplements such as inositol and hormone balance tonics

jj

Jj

I was on microgynon for about 8 years and came off it in April 2022 because I wanted to see what it was like without it and because I knew that in 3-5 years, my boyfriend and I wanted to start a family so I wanted to be ready. I read online that after 3 months, you should speak to a GP if you haven't had a bleed so I did and she told me it wasn't long enough and I'd be fine. By the end of August, nothing had happened so I went back and a male GP sent me for ultrasounds which showed polycystic ovaries and a thin endometrium. I went back to review the scans with a third GP, who didn't think we needed to do anything but dropped in that she could refer me to Gynaecology, which I pushed for. I eventually got hormone levels done and everything came back fine in January 2023 and the male gynaecologist asked if I wanted a family right now, to which I said no, and he told me he didn't think it was worth worrying about and that he could put me back on a pill to get a bleed. I said I didn't want more pills but he told me I needed to do 3 months so I did and hated it so came back off it again after the three months and didn't bleed. We then did a progesterone withdrawal test and I had a 3 day bleed and then nothing. I've been going back and forth but all they say is that my symptoms "don't add up" because my hormones are fine, my smear test is fine, my endometrium is thin and I'm not bleeding and not pregnant. They've never checked progesterone to see if I'm ovulating at all and now I'm worried because I'm getting married in February and we want to start a family so have been off all contraception, including condoms, for the last year and nothing is happening and I don't know if it will because I don't know if I'm even ovulating. It's incredibly frustrating. I eventually then saw another gynaecologist, after asking to see a female one (I explained that it was no disrespect to the male gynaecologist but I wanted a female who actually knew what it was like to menstruate and therefore may understand how it feels to lack it) and they told me I might be exercising too much (I explained I go to the gym for roughly an hour 3-5 times a week) and then they sent a letter to my GP with factual inaccuracies so I had to chase to get that redone. They have now referred me to the fertility team but they're going off hormone levels from January 2023 and from scans from about the same time which seems silly as so much can change. In the meantime, my weight is fluctuating and I seem to put weight on incredibly easily, even when I eat the same thing day in, day out and I have lowered my exercise but am now working with a PT who specialises in PCOS. I just don't really know where to turn to next, if I'm honest. I'll be 29 in May and my partner will be 33 in July and we want to start a family but I don't know how long that will take now.

Was being investigated by the NHS for chronic fatigue. After being inconclusive after over a year of investigations I got a hormone test with Superdrug which showed high levels of testosterone. I then went to an endocrinologist privately with my hormone results and hirsutism. They gave me an ultrasound and diagnosed me with PCOS. I've been treated for two months on metformin and spironolactone. Tiredness has improved... but many other symptoms remain unchanged. It feels frustrating. I feel like I am trying hard to live my life perfectly - trying to not spike my insulin, spending thousands on laser which doesn't help, endlessly exercising. One day of indulgence sets me back to zero. 3 weeks into my cycle my fatigue comes back in force. However I am hopeful that eventually I will find a way to manage.

Went from clear skin to terrible acne from age 12-28. Hairy face, boobs, bloating and problems focussing or having energy to do anything affecting job, relationship and holidays. Doctor said “yes sounds like PCOS, try being healthier” (never been obese). Eventually found Yasmin without breaks has finally fixed my skin and reduced body hair. Energy a little better but not great. 3 other women in my family have these problems + migraines.