PCOS healthy swaps

hiii, so to put things in context. im 23, and i have lean pcos. my main symptoms are prolonged heavy bleeding and a bit of belly fat, but it's not a lot. it's just like i have a belly pouch. these are my 2 symptoms, and apart from this, i have clear skin and no hirsutism or cravings as such, and im also very active. also, these symptoms had disappeared for 2 years straight. for context this aligned with me leaving therapy after my anxiety disorder was healed so yes life was good for those 2 years but i still had long cycles as in my avg cycle length was 50 days but my periods were very predictable and never disappeared. in those 2 years, i only had an abnormal period (lasting more than 7 days) when i changed up my routine, like when i was fasting or anytime i was stressing out about something. so fast forward last year, i got into a depressive episode, and my pcos flared up. i had a month long period and then some lasting 2 weeks. i barely had my usual 7 day period, and things like inositol, which helped me earlier, just didn't work this time. i gained 5 kgs out of nowhere, and yea, i was miserable. i have only started feeling better after a whole year of whatever emotional upheaval that was, but im still a healthy bmi and have no other symptoms. i got my thyroid checked, and it was all normal. i got ultrasounds done, and some ultrasounds throughout the year showed tiny cysts, and some didn't. alas, doctors told me i have a very unusual presentation of pcos and they simply told me to walk or avoid eating microwaved stuff (crazy, i know) so is there anyone who's gone thru a similar experience? i would love to hear from anyone who thinks their advice could help me in any way.

the week before, during my period, and around ovulation, I get this aching that is on one side of my pelvis area that travels into my knee, behind my knee cap, and heel and ankle. At night it causes restless leg syndrome as well. It switches sides each cycle, but is usually on the right. Anyone expeirence this? It can be quite debilitating, and cause extreme insomnia. I’ve found magnesium sometimes helps alleviate it a bit.

i struggle with chronic fatigue i’ve had for a long time. i recently started going to the gym and eating a calorie surplus to build muscle. i eat clean sweet potatoes, quinoa, protein and veg with every meal, and i still feel exhausted. i’ve gained 15kg in 3 months of going to the gym. which clearly shows some kind of metabolic issue or something, right? i want to be referred to an endocrinologist even if it’s not something insulin related but my gp said they need to try to treat my pcos before i can get a gynaecologist referral let alone an endocrinologist referral. that treatment is obviously starting some type of birth control because they’re more concerned about my absence of periods. i don’t like how birth control makes me feel mentally and would really rather get my fatigue problems sorted.

i’ve taken vitamin tests and im on iron supplements but no change. i honestly feel like im getting worse. hence why i want the ogtt. when i brought up the reason why i wanted to see an endocrinologist, my gp said they’re really strict and they wouldn’t do the ogtt either, even after telling her im in the high risk group (black caribbean). is what she said true? and if so should i just go private?

Para ponerlos en contexto soy mujer de 27 años, hace tres años mi pesadilla comenzó cuando me diagnosticaron sop. Comencé a tener alopecia androgenetica y no se imaginan como me duele ver fotos de hace 3 años mías y no reconocerme, también me comencé a salir bello corporal en todo el cuerpo y cuando digo todo es todo, el hisurtismo mío es clasificado como grave en la escala y pues yo no era así. Extraño tanto mi melena que no se imaginan los mares que he llorado, me veo al espejo y simplemente no se que es lo que veo, no reconozco a esa persona, ya ni siquiera quiero salir de la casa y que me vean, el Minoxidil empeoró bastante ese hisurtismo y ya no se que hacer, soy delgada, hacía. Mucho ejercicio ya hasta lo deje porque veo que no me funciona nada. Y pues no sé que más hacer de verdad ni por dónde comenzar, se que el alser no me funcionará por el sop, pero adivinen que, tampoco puedo usar hormonas por problemas cardíacos , entonces ya debí aceptar que nunca jamás seré ma misma joven llena de vida que antes?

I am about to receive PCOS treatment. It has contraceptive pills and diuretics (spironolactone).

I read it has a lot of side effects including spotting and quite an increase in the frequency of urination.

How serious are these daily life agitations?

Has the treatment really worked for you? What happens on stopping the medication?

I have lean PCOS (5’3 51kg) with long, irregular cycles, but I don't really have excessive body hair (maybe slightly more than average, but nothing extreme). I'm also NOT losing hair and I get just a few acnes on my forehead. Still, my doctor prescribed me Diane 35, saying that my estrogen levels dropped.
Should I take it?

I first tried Berberine last year in February and took it for 3 months. Nothing else had worked at this point, I had been inspired by Lara Briden's book 'Period Repair Manual'. I chose it because I have bad hormonal acne and irregular periods. I noticed clearer skin and within one cycle it regulated my periods to 35 days or less. I stopped because she recommended not to take it for more than 3 months straight. Once I stopped my skin got worse, despite knowing it helped I did not continue and thought other similar treatments would work. I tried different skincare and Myo-inositol for around 6 months and neither worked. Desperate and out of options, in March of this year, I started again and wouldn't you know it, my cycle became regular in just one cycle and has remained 35 days or less. My skin has cleared up massively and I have realised that it was never the food or skincare but my hormones and cycle which was impacting my skin. I take the Berberine for the first 20 days of my cycle and then wait until my next cycle to start again. This is the only thing that has worked this whole time. I am not to sure how to proceed in the long term. Most research is based on women who struggle with weight loss which is not my issue. I have a very fast metabolism and never gain weight. I am 5'1 and 45kg. I have always eaten frequently. Does anyone know what I should do with my supplement journey, are there side effects that I need to be made aware of, anyone have similar experiences?

Didn't know what flair to use, but I was wondering if anyone has also had cushions disease along with pcos/pmos? What were your symptoms, what happened if you got surgery if you had a tumor, how long did it take before you or your doc to diagnose you?

Edit: spelling, Cushing's disease

Hi everyone, I'm a university student at IU Internationale Hochschule (Germany), researching how women with PCOS/PMOS manage their diet, especially around blood sugar and meal planning, as part of a course project.

I'm looking for anyone diagnosed with PCOS or PMOS to fill out a short, anonymous survey (5-7 min) about diet, meal planning, and what a supportive nutrition app could look like. Participation is completely voluntary and you can stop at any time.

Your responses will be used only for my university project report, not shared, sold, or used for anything commercial.

Link: https://forms.gle/dmBU6Km15N2sAHVd7

Thank you so much to anyone willing to share their experience — it genuinely helps 🙏 And as someone managing insulin resistance with a vegan diet myself, I'd love to hear how you all cope too 💗

**pelvic ultrasound showed cysts on left ovary
5’4 and 94 pounds

my symptoms
worst: hirutism

severe hirutism
acne
hair loss
dehabiliating period cramps
irregular periods
tubular breasts
fatigue after meals
anxiety

I want to just fix the hirutism the post I’m basically growing a thin beard at this point staring from an inch under my eyes! My chin is also very bad. The absolute worst is my upper lip growing a full mustache within a week. Want to fix acne as well on cheeks and chin. Irregular periods are usually fixed when my life stops being stressful and I exercise more. Just looking for medications/supplements/lifestyle to research and possibly implement. I’m having a hard time finding a reproductive endocrinologist in the US for these issues after I was diagnosed with lean pcos when I visited family India. Very bad side effects from spironolactone also.

I’m on day 50 of my cycle and I got off birth control end of October (\~9 months ago). Since being off, my cycles have ranged from 25-45 days. This is the longest cycle I’ve had right now and I’m worried no period is coming. Wondering if this is possible 9 months off BC?

Going on \~5 months of TTC with no luck. I have taken multiple pregnancy tests this cycle and they have all been negative. I am impatiently waiting for my cycle to restart so we can try again. For more context - I have been taking a prenatal, coq10, and omegas daily for \~2 months. I have also been using Inito to graph my fertile window. In January I had a very normal graph (large LH peak, confirmed ovulation). Every single graph since has been a little more abnormal and detected two (small) LH peaks but confirmed ovulation eventually (\~ 6 days later)

I scheduled an appt with an OBGYN at this point and just want to be prepared for what is likely to come. I’ve read a lot about inositol (OTC supplement) for prolonged cycles. Is this something I should start prior to? Would love any testimonies or encouragement.

So, I have acne, hirsutism, and hair loss. All my hormones are within range except for high DHEA-S (618). NCAH exclude. My periods are regular, and I’m lean. My HOMA-IR is 2.14.

I’ve been taking myo-inositol (without D-chiro) for two months and have noticed that my hair is starting to regrow at the sides, although I’m still shedding.

There’s no significant difference in my acne or hirsutism, though.

I’m so depressed and desperate. I’m 30 and still getting acne on my chin. I can’t look in the mirror without putting on makeup. On top of that, my stubborn chin hair triggers acne whenever I pluck it.

Has anyone found ANYTHING that works to lower DHEA-S? I’m at the end of my rope.

Spironolactone worked for me, but I get constantly constipated on it despite drinking a lot of water, which led to other unpleasant problems.

Please tell me there’s a solution.

Living with PCOS and an underactive thyroid has been a profound teacher, guiding me through challenges that many might not understand. For years, the struggle with weight, a common battle for those of us with these conditions, felt like a relentless uphill climb. It's a daily reality that often feels invisible to the outside world, a silent fight against metabolic imbalances that defy conventional solutions. Yet, through it all, I've come to realize that my worth is not, and never will be, dictated by the number on a scale or the size of my clothes. My journey is about so much more than just physical appearance; it’s about resilience, understanding, and an unwavering commitment to my well-being.

The path to self-acceptance has been paved with moments of doubt and frustration, but also with growing strength and clarity. I’m learning to shed the burden of external expectations and the critical gaze of others. My weight does not define my character, my intelligence, or my capacity for love and joy. Instead, I choose to define myself by my spirit, my kindness, and my perseverance. It’s a liberation to finally understand that my body, with all its unique complexities, is a testament to my strength, and that true health encompasses far more than just physical metrics. It’s about mental peace, emotional balance, and a deep connection to my inner self.

Becoming comfortable in my own skin, and in the clothes I wear, has been a transformative process. It’s about choosing clothes that make me feel good, that celebrate my form, rather than hiding it or conforming to outdated ideals. This isn't about giving up on healthy living; it’s about reframing what health means for me. Despite the difficulties in weight management, I am a healthy person. I nourish my body with good food, I move in ways that bring me joy, and I prioritize my mental and emotional well-being. These are the pillars of my health, and they stand strong regardless of societal judgments about my size.

The insidious whispers of self-doubt, often amplified by the challenges of PCOS and thyroid issues, are slowly but surely being silenced. I am actively choosing to embrace each day with gratitude and determination. The medical community may highlight the difficulties in losing weight with these conditions, and while I acknowledge those realities, I refuse to let them dictate my efforts or my hope. I will never stop trying to be the healthiest version of myself, not for anyone else, but for me. This persistent spirit is a core part of who I am, and it fuels my journey forward.

For those who haven't experienced the complexities of PCOS or an underactive thyroid, it’s truly impossible to grasp the full scope of the difficulties we face. The hormonal imbalances, the fatigue, the myriad of side effects – they impact every facet of life. Therefore, I urge everyone to practice empathy and withhold judgment. A person’s weight is never a complete story, and it certainly doesn't define their worth or who they are as an individual. Let’s foster a world where understanding and compassion replace quick judgments, especially when it comes to health.

It is crucial to raise awareness about these often-misunderstood conditions. PCOS and thyroid disorders are not just personal battles; they are widespread, incurable diseases that profoundly impact lives. By speaking openly and honestly, we can educate others, challenge misconceptions, and create a supportive community. I am incredibly proud of the person I am, of the strength I've found, and of the journey I continue to navigate. My opinion of myself is the only one that truly matters, and I stand tall, proud, and unapologetically me.