Search PCOS experiences

I feel really confused about how much this will impact my fertility or not.

I was diagnosed after being to the doctors a couple of times over the years due to hirsutism since my late teens. I was originally told it wasn't PCOS and then went back to the doctor when I was about 22/23 as I was struggling to regulate my weight and was experiencing excessive male patterned hair growth. At the time they finally did diagnosed me with PCOS but said it was 'partial' as I didn't have enough symptoms - my symptoms were mostly hirsutism and weight gain, but I had regular periods. I find it incredibly difficult to live with the excess hair growth and have to keep on top of it on almost a daily basis & it has impacted my self confidence. Similarly experiencing difficulties maintaining my weight has been a struggle over the past few years - I've tried low carb diets to manage insulin resistance but it's been a balancing game of this and not falling into disordered eating.

Found out I had PCOS after a routine appointment about my injection contraception as I’d been bleeding the entire time and they were concerned. Was advised that my symptoms were all PCOS related and I’d likely never had a ‘regular’ real period in the last year I had been transitioning between the pill to the injection as my cycle was ranging from 19 days up to 35. I had been given advice on the excessive weight I’d started rapidly gaining too along with the facial hair I’ve struggled with since I was a teenager. Unfortunately my symptoms have only worsened and I have become pre-diabetic too.

I was diagnosed by my dr at 16. The hardest physical thing for me is probably the hair growth and weight. I have to be very strict with my eating and exercise. I’ve found i have to limit calories right down to under 1,500 and exercise with strength based activities to keep my weight maintained. The hair is a constant battle but i recently found sugaring and it’s much more effective for me than waxing

I was diagnosed late as I started having heavy and irregular periods at 11 and was put on the pill without any real conversation. I had terrible acne and fatigue until I was 17 with multiple pcos symptoms but my old doctor refused to test me as I didn't have diabetes,wasn't overweight and had good blood pressure. Luckily my family doctor had experience with pcos and got me an internal scan that showed pcos instantly. I've managed my symptoms for years through diet and exercise. Since I got married 2 years ago after 18 years on the pill, I have undertaken fertility tests and although discouraged from coming off the pill after being told I'd need internal scrapings etc and petrifying me (again male gp). I made the decision to come off the pill 12 weeks ago and although i can't say it was the best decision yet but I do feel more in control of my body and the choices I'm making. I wish there was more funding and understanding of pcos because it isn't one size fits all and simply putting girls on the pill from young ages without actually informing them of their choices can be extremely harmful to their mental health and self worth later on. I think women should be able to feel more empowered about their medical choices and it shouldn't be a taboo

Was not told much when diagnosed at all. GP just told me to come back when looking to get pregnant. Took years for me to identify the mental health side of the symptoms. We need more information about this.

- gained a lot of weight - went to gynea who did an ultrasound and saw the cysts - struggled to lose any weight over the past year - high cortisol - inflammation - need to be careful with inflammatory foods

I was diagnosed after coming off the pill at age 21 after being on the pill since I was 16. When I came off the pill my periods didn’t come back and lots of excess body hair grew. I was diagnosed with PCOS and put back on the hormonal contraceptive pill. In 2021 I decided I wanted to be hormone free so against advice I came off the hormonal pill. It took me a year before my periods came back and I had really bad acne during this time. At first they weren’t regular but they have got more and more regular as the years have gone on to about every 4-6 weeks. I now have the copper coil and feel much happier now that I don’t have hormones in my body. I do experience anxiety but I’m not sure if this is a result of my PCOS. Other symptoms I have experienced are acne, for which I went to a dermatologist and they gave me products which have pretty much cleared my skin. I do also have some excess body hair which has definitely made me feel self conscious. I find waxing to be the best method of hair removal. I’m currently getting laser hair removal which is helping! Sending hope to all those with PCOS!

I started suspecting I had PCOS about three months after stopping the combined pill I was on (Eloine). I had been on the pill for over five years and previous to that, my periods were regular. Around three to four months after stopping it, my cycle started getting increasingly irregular (ranging from 31 to 52 days) and my skin started breaking out badly (again, something I had never had any big issues with). Over six months in, I’m suffering from fairly severe acne and facial hair growth. I went to my GP over two months ago - they first dismissed my concerns as I’m particular slender and they said my irregular period was due to my weight. After pushing for more tests, they book me in for a pelvic ultrasound which showed bilateral ovarian cysts. I’m now waiting to get my period to do early days (1-3) blood tests to confirm the diagnosis. My main suggestion is to trust your instincts and really push for your GP to do the extra tests - unfortunately PCOS is as common as it is disregarded, but it can have such a massive impact on your life (I’m trying for a baby and obviously was distraught at the news this would now be difficult).

I was diagnosed with pcos when I had been struggling to conceive for over a year. I had been to the gp and after further investigations and a hycosy it was discovered I had pcos. It has impacted me with trying to conceive and it has taken 6 fialed rounds of assisted ovulation and 4+ years to finally fall pregnant. My main symptoms were the irregular periods, this is something that is quite difficult to live with as it not only effects ttc but also your mood and hormones.