polycystic ovaries syndrome

does anyone suffer from polycystic ovaries syndrome? i have been recently diagnosed with this condition that effects woman in a variety of different ways. particularly woman that are overweight. most woman that are diagnosed have a very difficult time losing weight. researchers believe this is due to the way the body handles insulin. there are many serious ramifications, including infertility, etc linked to pcos.

just trying to find out more information and how to cope. weight loss is critical to having pcos and i'm struggling as to how to tackle given that it will be harder to lose weight.

Fri. Jul 20, 2:07pm

I have PCOS too. Keep in mind that there is a very wide spectrum of symptoms and ramifications that each person can experience. I would encourage you not to immediately focus on the idea that it will make it harder to lose weight. I've dropped nearly 30 pounds from my high weight of 258, most over the past 6-8 weeks, without undue difficulty -- when I stayed diligent to my diet and exercise plan. (My plan has been to eat healthfully, keeping calories between 1,500 and 1,800 per day, doing 30 minutes of cardio daily and 30 minutes of weight work three times per week).

If you follow a reasonable plan diligently and find it difficult to impossible to lose weight, then you may want to consider that the PCOS is complicating matters and seek further advice from a doctor and/or nutritionist who is experienced in working with women with PCOS.

In some PCOS boards that I've visited, the people were on very extreme diets. Some extremely low calorie, some extremely low carb. I wouldn't jump right to those extremes. Try out a middle ground first and see how it works.

But losing weight is a great goal to pursue. It will lower your risk factors for all of the diseases that women with PCOS are more prone to. Some women see a disappearance of their symptoms, resumption of regular periods, etc., after losing weight.

The PCOS Association has lots of info and discussion boards online that you may find helpful.

Link

Friday, July 20, 2007, 4:02 PM

My younger sister was diagnosed w/ PCOS several years ago-the doctors said her ovaries were covered in cysts so severely that they doubted she would ever be able to get pregnant. She was never super overweight but did put on weight easily, had a slightly hairy faice and high blood pressure. 3 years after beginning treatment not only is she the proud mother of her first beautiful daughter (7 months old -no fertility treatments needed surprisingly!) and her weight and blood sugar and blood pressure are completely under control.

PCOS is not a death sentence or an automatic given that you can't lose weight easily or will have trouble having children. Follow the guidelines that you doctor has given you, eat a healthy diet and keep exercising and eating right and PCOS may just be a name for your condition and nothing else! Don't give up or give in to what they tell you right away!!

Friday, July 20, 2007, 10:30 PM

thank!

thank you both for your insights. it's been a frightening few weeks, but understanding what is happening makes it a bit more manageable. i will be seeing my doctor on monday to discuss treatment options, including oral birth control and glucophage.

i'm already religious when it comes to working out, 4-6 times a week. i see a personal trainer at my gym 3x a week, which is part of a hospital and am seeing a dietician. i'm praying that the medication will help. in addition to pcos, i also have lupus and fibromyalgia, plus have had two hip replacements. so all combined it's just a lot to handle at 32. however, i know i can get through this, but it's helpful to hear how other people have adjusted.

again, thank you for sharing.

Friday, July 20, 2007, 11:15 PM

treatment

do you mind me asking what she has done for treatment?

Friday, July 20, 2007, 11:16 PM

my younger sister (only 20) was diagnosed with polycistic ovaries syndrome late and as a result had to have one of her ovaries out. thankfully now, she is doing great, she' s made a concious effort to eat better and cut out junk food and is now a size 4 and has a fantastic figure.

Saturday, July 21, 2007, 5:38 AM

Hi Op-I'm the 10:30 pm poster.

As far as treatment goes-my sister had a D&C to start-she was not ovulating but had a lot of lining building up in her uterus, then they put her on a certain kind of birth control pill (I can't remember the name and she isn't around this weekend!) which got her hormone levels stabilized/normalized. She sticks to a diet of foods that don't spike your blood sugar (low-glycemic)-she'll have a sweet potato instead of a white potato or whole grain bread instead of white bread. Small substitutions that are generally healthier anyhow and exercises at least 4 days a week. She had high blood pressure too and they put her on a diuretic to lower it. Her doctor had once told her that the likelihood of her conceiving was very small because her ovaries were so scarred and had so many cysts but the hormone/birth control she was on somehow got her ovulating again (not every month but all it takes is one time!) and she got pregnant after only being off the birth control for 3 months.

After she gave birth to her daughter she did have to go back on the pills to encourage her body to ovulate and prevent new cysts from forming. So far, so good.

Saturday, July 21, 2007, 3:07 PM

pcos

It is great to know that others deal with much of the same feelings , symptoms that I do . I was diagnosed with PCOS about six years ago.I am 22 right now. I would love to get to know everyone and learn about your experiences with pcos and how it has affected you and your weight / weight loss. Also What are some of the medications that you have found works welllfor you? I take provera. I was just wondering if there are others that you find works well.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 12:08 AM

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