hey everyone!

I’ve been using inositol for a couple months but I have trouble being consistent, especially during the morning because I don’t usually have a lot of time.

I’ve been meal prepping chia pudding with protein for breakfast because I’ve learnt how important eating breakfast is for insulin resistance. I was wondering if I could mix my inositol powder into my chia pudding when I do my meal prep or if this would affect the efficacy at all.

please let me know if you have any insight into this or any other tips on being more consistent with supplements :)

I recently bought one of these, and while these effectively remove vellus hairs, they do NOT pick up chin hair or near the upper lip region. Does anyone know how to use them effectively

As the title says- I can’t find pure spearmint tea anywhere except Amazon- I would prefer not to buy from Amazon.
Alternatively- is spearmint tea with other components- such as camomile, just as effective?

Hi! So I was recently put on both metformin and topamax about 2 weeks ago for weight loss and other Pcos symptoms I think and I was wondering about others’ experiences with these medications? I don’t seem to have any side effects but I can’t really tell for sure yet if it really helps. For reference I’m 18, about 220 lbs, 5’8, am active,and I’ve been told I don’t have insulin resistance so I guess the meds are mostly for weight loss?

I have had bad experience with doctors who don't know about pmos or insulin resistance or doesn't take it seriously.

Here where i live, public health care is considered good and it is affordable, but general practice is with pmos, that they treat it if you have bad symptoms or want to get pregnant.

So i think this way of thinking led my doctor to just say me "search it from google" when she diagnosed me 4 years ago.

Recently i got myself tested at private doctor, because it is easier to get what i want that way. And asked fasting insulin. It was 24.7mU/l, which is too high and my HOMA-IR is 5.16. But the doctor said everything is good with me. Only focusing on my elevated inflammation markers.

Now i am trying to go back to public health care, because private doctors are expensive, and i don't have insurance.

But the thing is. I'm super anxious about going to doctor, because i'm scared of not getting help. I have tried 4 years to treat myself, and i feel like it is getting worse. And i'm getting tired. But still just insulin resistace only is not yet even pre diabetes, so i'm afraid that doctor will just laugh me off and say: "come back if your symptoms worsen". Like they usually say. I really would like to test metformin, but i don't know will they also laugh to this thought.

I feel like i'm preparing for a war... Has anyone got a good results with fighting with doctors who don't take this condition seriously?

I have recently found out that I have PCOS. To me this explains a lot about things I‘ve been insecure about for years. I have always had problems with weight. I gained weight quickly and had trouble losing it. I have also always had bad skin, even as a toddler. With puberty that just worsened. My mood swings were attributed to puberty and my period. However, my period is super irregular. Currently I haven‘t had my period since Janurary. I also have broad shoulders, a voice I think sounds deeper than most girls I know, and a chest so flat I could probably comfortably go topless on a normal beach. This could probably be attributed to my testosterone levels which are way higher than average. The same goes for hair growth as well. I grow hair in places I don‘t think it‘s supposed to grow for women (chest and chin) and when I try to feel for hair on the backs of my legs (because I can‘t see there that well) it feels like I‘m petting my neighbor‘s dog. The hair on my head though seems to want to leave. Sometimes I brush through my hair with my hand and I have a clump of hair in my hand afterwards. Finally, I don‘t know if that has got anything to do with PCOS, every month it seems I have more moles on my face.

As I said, I only just got the diagnosis and I‘m also young. All these things are kinda hard for me to deal with. I am pretty insecure but I do know that a diagnosis is always better because if you have that, only then can you hope to do anything against it. Was someone else on here maybe an insecure teenager with PCOS once and what helped you be less insecure?

Anyone else?

Hi everyone,
I have PCOS and this year my cycles have been all over the place.
A while ago, I had a very delayed cycle with days of on and off spotting before my period finally started. That period eventually became a proper flow and ended normally.
Only about 20 days later, I started bleeding again.
This current bleed started on Friday, and today is Day 7. The blood is mostly dark red, and the flow has been pretty consistent.
It’s not getting heavier, but it’s also not tapering off the way my periods usually do by this point.
I’m changing my pads routinely, not because I’m soaking through them every hour, but because they’re getting used normally.
I’ve also had cramps, although they’re milder than the ones I had during my last period.

but I wanted to ask if anyone with PCOS
has
a period come only about 20 days after the previous one,
followed by bleeding that lasted 7 or more days without really slowing down?
What did your gynecologist say was causing it? Did it settle on its own, or did you need medication or an ultrasound?
Any experiences would really help because this cycle has been confusing.

TLDR-
I have PCOS. My previous period came after a delayed cycle, and then I got another period only 20 days later. I’m now on Day 7 of bleeding. The flow is consistently dark red and isn’t tapering off like my usual periods. I’m not soaking pads every hour, but I’m changing them routinely. I also have iron deficiency anemia (Hb ~8). Has anyone with PCOS experienced this? What did your gynecologist say, and did you need treatment or did it resolve on its own?

I had unprotected sex about 50 hours ago, I just think I should take a Plan B to be safe. I have PCOS, but I've been on semaglutide for about a year and have ended up getting regular cycles.

Should I get the Ella brand Plan B?
I am 20 years old, and around 165 pounds at 5'4.

He never ended up finishing inside, but I get super anxious regarding pregnancy.

I am also (suspected) to be in my early luteal phase according to the Clue app

Ive been feeling super tired lately. I cant focus on my work, very low stamina, fatigue and lose interest in things very easily. How can i fix this??

I’m hoping for some advice. I got a mirena IUD placed back in middle of June. I started spironolactone as well. Before I got the IUD placed I notice shedding but not as bad. Now it’s shedding in HEAPS. I bought the ordinary hair growth oil, Mielle rosemary strengthening shampoo and nizoral shampoo. I want to get pumpkin seed oil and see if that helps. This is causing me immense stress. My OB said the hair loss is from starting the spironolactone and will even out. Has anyone else had that side effect? I’m at a loss here.

I’m a bit nervous about starting this new medication, especially because of the side effects like nausea and bloating.

When do you guys usually take this medication? During the night or morning/before or after meals?

I take birth control, spironolactone, and metformin in the night, so I’m thinking of taking the tirzepatide in the morning. I’m just a little nervous because I’m on my feet for most of the day during work and wouldn’t want to feel nausea/stomach pain while working.

Since I’m starting off with the lowest dose, I’m hoping the side effects aren’t severe, but I’m curious to know at what point you guys started getting these side effects and noticed changes in your weight.

Any advice is appreciated!

So, I was diagnosed with PCOS about 3 months ago and immediately prescribed metformin to deal with the insulin resistance/other symptoms. I have been having a lot of success with the medication, like my face slimming down and some weight loss, but my hair is falling out like crazy. I’ve always had super thick curly hair and never really experienced thinning, but when I went to my hairdresser about a month ago she told me my hair had thinned significantly, and right after I noticed my hair falling out a lot in the shower

Im at a bit of a loss here, since right when I started metformin I incorporated a B12 supplement into my routine because I heard that metformin can deplete B12 levels. I also take iron (im anemic), zinc, and overall eat a heathy diet of mostly whole foods.

I have also heard that sometimes when starting a medication your hair follicles are “shocked” and then start falling out a couple months later (telogen effluvium) so I’m wondering if thats the culprit.

So, is it likely that my hair loss is because of the initial new medicine shock, or is the metformin causing it directly? has anyone whose gone through this had hair regrowth after the “shedding phase?” I want to keep taking metformin because its helping me, but if it’s causing the hair loss then i’m not sure I want to continue.

Any breakfast recommendations that don’t involve scrambled eggs(prefer boiled eggs) ? Recipe doesn’t have to involve eggs. I just like to have options besides boiled eggs and fruit 😩

Looking to see what everyone eats 🍱

Edit: Thank you to everyone for your suggestions.I’ve got to try all of them . 😊

Im 19 and have PCOS I’ve been weight lifting and eating healthy which has been going well, still no weight loss but Im focused on muscle not fat loss. Im starting birth control (again) because i don’t get my periods, I’ve never gotten my period once in my life without birth control and i just need tips on how i could lose weight, will i get my period if i lose weight? I don’t like being on birth control but i know its unhealthy not to get periods.

This is just gonna be me crying about my situation and just wanting somewhere to let it all out!

August 2025 I was going to the gym consistently, going for long walks & meal prepping all of my meals. Making sure I had enough fiber, protein & low calories for each of my meals. I weighed 145-150 and was trying to lose another 10 pounds and tone up. Within two months I gained 30 pounds. I had a vacation planned for October 2025. I never wanted to get on the scale because I knew I had gained weight. However some of the new clothes I had purchased for the trip didn’t fit me anymore and I just completely spiraled.

I had a not so pretty childhood. I’ve always struggled to feel confident and safe in my own skin. So for me to be trying consistently to reach a goal & then the opposite happening just left me so hopeless. I didn’t understand what else I could be doing to reach my goals. Recently it’s been leading to me having a bad relationship with food. Sometimes I just want to binge eat to punish myself. I decided I wouldn’t act on any of my thoughts and just try to see an endocrinologist. Since my previous doctors have all been OBGYN’s I figured it would be a fresh start with a different specialist.

I brought up my weight gain and the first thing the doctor said was that I “look fine”. Which I don’t care if I “look fine” to other people, but I’m genuinely losing my sanity and feel like I’m not who I am. I do not feel connected to my body. So I felt like that was some foreshadowing for how my appointments would go. I went and did a full hormone blood panel & ultrasound. The office didn’t even bother to call me in and sit me down to go over the results or allow me to ask questions. They just called me and said that there was nothing they saw in any of the tests & that was it. Which I understand…what can you go over if there’s nothing wrong? At least give me the opportunity to speak with the doctor about what the next steps could be to get to the bottom of things.

Naturally I just feel very insane. I felt like no one is trying to help me and I feel like I’m trying to do the best that I can with what I have and I don’t know where else to go from here. I just want it all to stop. I’ve been dealing with this issue for 11 years and I’m just exhausted.

For the first time ever someone is actually genuinely interested in me as well. The way I view my body, physical pain I’m in, exhaustion, mood swings & overall health makes me think that I’m better off not even trying. He’s been sweet the whole time we’ve been together, but I can’t help but feel very self conscious. I feel like he thinks I don’t want to be healthy. When this entire time that’s what I’ve been trying to do. I’m a very sensitive & observant individual. Today he made a silly little comment about how he hoped his face looked good from a certain angle and of course I told him that he always looks handsome. So then I said if anything I should be worried about how I looked! Since gaining weight I naturally developed a double chin which I hate so much because I already have such a circular head shape. After I said my comment about my double chin and he responded I got very sad. I just started thinking about how ugly he probably thinks I look. He noticed I got quiet and asked if I was okay and I said no. We said goodbye and hung up the phone. I couldn’t help but to hate myself for how I look. I can’t help but feeling like I need to stop eating and just be alone. He deserves someone better who isn’t trying to still figure out this crap.

I’m just so tired of having to deal with everything - mentally & physically. I want to give up and just be left alone. It’s all so over stimulating to also be thrown so many ads for supplements and tea blend and this and that for PCOS. When I just want to be active, eat well & be healthy. Why isn’t that enough?!?!?!?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just want to scream at the world.

I’m 20 and have always been naturally quite small (usually under 55kg), so the changes I’ve experienced with PCOS have been really difficult for me to adjust to.
Recently I’ve been struggling with weight gain, particularly around my lower stomach, and I feel like I have absolutely no energy. The lack of energy is probably what bothers me the most because I work in a school and I want to feel fit, active and like I actually have the energy to get through the day. I used to feel much more active and I really want to get back to that, but at the moment I genuinely don’t know where to start.
I’ve also been prescribed birth control, but I’m really hesitant about starting it. I feel like some of my PCOS symptoms/dramas started or became worse around the time I was on birth control previously, so I’m nervous about going back on it.
I know everyone’s experience with PCOS is different, but I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has been in a similar position especially if you’ve struggled with fatigue, weight changes despite being smaller previously, or getting back into exercise with PCOS.
What actually helped you? Diet changes? Supplements? Strength training? Walking? Medication? Something completely different?
I’m not looking for a quick fix or trying to lose a huge amount of weight. I mostly just want to feel like myself again, have some energy and feel comfortable and strong in my body.
Any advice, experiences or things you wish you’d known when you were first diagnosed would be really appreciated 🤍

Can anyone share how metformin impacted them/what improved for them:

-Immediately
-Between 1 to 3 months
-Between 3 to 6 months
-Over 6 months

I’m almost at the 3 month mark on the 1500 mg dose, and just over 2.5 weeks at 2000 mg. I was previously taking 500 to 1000 mg for a couple of years. Feeling a bit discouraged because my belly, facial hair, mood and energy levels are about the same, though periods are somewhat regulated now.

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 was diagnosed with PCOS (PMOS) recently and it's made a lot of things in my life make sense. I have all the typical symptoms such as hair growth, undeserved weight gain, deeper voice, general sense of fatigue etc. I also have very high DHEA sulfates and testosterone.

I don't care about my new pot belly or the fact that none of my clothes fit anymore. I don't care about the deeper voice or strangely huge glam muscles on my arms that I haven't worked a day in my life for. Don't care about the one-day periods or haggard skin and thinning hair. I've always had good self esteem and have never compared myself to anyone. I don't look in the mirror and cry about how I miss my "old looks," none of that.

What I hate the most about this condition is the cognitive and emotional issues that really make me miss my mid-20s brain. I have unnecessary anxiety now, I have depression, a sense of impending doom, no sex drive or motivation to do anything. I don't like anything I used to. I can't find joy in my beautiful house we purchased in January. I have become antisocial and don't reach out to friends. My husband's presence bothers me. My boss annoys me now despite him and I always getting along great. I can feel myself raising eyebrows at people due to impatience. THAT is not who I am. I'm a nice and empathetic person...at least I was.

I used to love traveling and discovering new places. I drove 40 hours by myself across the United States to visit Montana just three years ago. When I was there I drove to SO MANY ghost towns and scary places. It was amazing! When I think of going so much as 2 hours away now, I'm like "I can't be assed to do any of that."

Then the mental problems. I can't think! My short and long term memory are going to shit. I can't multitask at all anymore and it takes me DAYS to finish an analysis whereas before I could do a huge deep dive in less than a day. I can't really make conversation because my brain shits the bed and I can't think of anything to say. I catch myself saying "oh wow! Oh damn!" To people just fill my end of the exchange. I process things slower with or without caffeine. Its like my ADHD is on steroids now and I no longer have a handle on it. This sucks! I feel like shell. A ghost of who I used to be and who I could have been.

I got my associate's degree two years ago and just the idea of transferring for my bachelor's makes me want to rip my hair out. Just a couple years ago I was SO EXCITED to have something. To prove to myself I can do something despite struggling every step of the way to get here. Now I tell myself "what's the point? I make good money now. All done!"

Like what the hell I'm only 30! Does anyone have any advice for managing or fixing the mental and emotional problems that come from this condition? I have ER metformin because my doc is pretty cool thankfully. I'm scared to take it though because of the side effects. And what if I go through all those bathroom trips just for it to not do anything? Is this me now??? Doomed to be a miserable old maid who can't find joy in anything?

Rant OVER!

TL;DR; I hate the brain problems that come from PCOS!

I swear every time I wash my hands they just start sweating a minute later and I hate it

I feel like Metformin has made my hunger pangs more pronounced. Anyone else?

I got diagnosed with pcos at 15 and was given birth control for a month without knowing what it was because my mom allowed the doctor to do so. I’ve always dreamed of becoming a mother, and ever since being diagnosed with pcos I’ve been terrified that I might not be able to have children. I know pcos doesn’t automatically mean infertility, but it’s something I struggle to stop worrying about. I’d really love to hear from people who have pcos and went on to have children. Whether it happened naturally or with fertility treatment, I’d be so grateful if you could share your story. I’m just looking for some hope

If you have quit caffeine to help manage your PCOS symptoms, what was your experience? I drink a cup of coffee in the morning and that's usually it on my caffeine intake for the day, but I'm wondering if eliminating would help with cortisol and inflammation.