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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

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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.

I went to the doctors when I was 15 because of acne, excess hair and irregular periods and was put on Dianette with out any investigations. I took this for 15 years and whilst it did control the acne to some extent I wanted to come off the pill as I felt it was affecting my mental health. My symptoms then came back even worse than before. I went back to the doctors and they just said to go back on the pill unless I was trying to get pregnant. I didn’t want to keep masking my symptoms so decided to do some functional testing with a company called Future Woman as they test androgen and stress hormones as well as the usual sex hormones. I’m now awaiting my results and they will provide diet/lifestyle/supplement advice so I can hopefully get the root cause of my symptoms.

I was diagnosed when I went to University in my second year. I had had symptoms since I was 15. My family assumed I was pregnant when my periods would not show up for months. It feels awful to be honest, I envy women who do not suffer with PCOS.

I was diagnosed with PCOS after coming off the combined pill (Gedarel) which I had been on for roughly 3 years. I came off it in August 2023 and had not had a period by Christmas, which was when I contacted the GP because I felt that something wasn't quite right. I knew it would take a while for my periods to regulate again after coming off the pill (I didn't have irregular periods before going on the pill) but something wasn't right. The GP did blood tests which flagged up elevated testosterone levels and then she did a TV ultrasound which showed that I had multiple ovarian cysts (this was not picked up on a regular ultrasound which had been done the previous year). She diagnosed PCOS there and then on account of my high testosterone levels but referred me to a gynaecologist. I saw the consultant today for the first time - he wasn't very helpful at all and didn't seem to have a clue about my medical history but he has referred me to an endocrinologist and has requested a hormone blood panel to be done on day 2 or 3 of my next period (I assume this is to get a definitive diagnosis). I was quite surprised to learn that I had PCOS as I never thought I fitted the symptoms. I would have excessive hair growth but have had 10 rounds of laser for my bikini and underarms which has helped a lot, but I do have significant hair growth on my lower belly, lower back, arms and thighs which are apparently predominantly male areas of hair growth. I also experience frequent bloating and have lower belly fat which I'm quite self conscious about as I am quite petite and slim everywhere else.

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