Recently, I have been going through a bit of a tough time with girl problems and having needed to do some research of my own, I found that there were very little information on the internet that is from someone who directly suffers from conditions so I thought I would write a post to share my experiences to hopefully help you along the way.
I suffer from PCOS which is also known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. I have decided to share my story of my diagnosis, treatment and how this has affected me psychically and emotionally over the years.
I suffer from PCOS which is also known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. I have decided to share my story of my diagnosis, treatment and how this has affected me psychically and emotionally over the years.
WHAT IS PCOS?
Polycystic ovaries means you would have usually developed harmless cysts which form in sacs within your ovaries, the sacs are used to release eggs however in PCOS these sacs are unable to release eggs which means ovulation doesn’t take place and instead they form around the ovary (like image below). PCOS is a common condition that affects how women’s ovaries work and affects around 1 in 5 women in the UK, but more than half of these women have little to no symptoms.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
There are many signs or symptoms with PCOS although having this condition doesn’t mean that you have any or all of these symptoms; some of the symptoms include irregular or no periods, difficulty getting pregnant as you have irregular ovulation or may fail to ovulate, excessive hair growth which is caused by having a higher level of male hormones called androgens, weight gain or difficulty to lose weight, thinning hair and hair loss and oily skin or acne. It is also said that having PCOS could increase the risk of problems in later life such as type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol.
There are many signs or symptoms with PCOS although having this condition doesn’t mean that you have any or all of these symptoms; some of the symptoms include irregular or no periods, difficulty getting pregnant as you have irregular ovulation or may fail to ovulate, excessive hair growth which is caused by having a higher level of male hormones called androgens, weight gain or difficulty to lose weight, thinning hair and hair loss and oily skin or acne. It is also said that having PCOS could increase the risk of problems in later life such as type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol.
TREATMENT
There is no cure for PCOS, but the condition can be managed through treatment. Doctors usually recommend that if you are overweight, losing weight and following a healthy diet can help reduce some symptoms. Medications can be provided to treat symptoms including excessive hair growth, irregular periods and fertility problems. In some cases, where fertility medications are ineffective, a simple surgical procedure called a laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) may be recommended, this will a surgical treatment that will involve a laser to destroy parts of the ovaries and is usually an option for women who are still not ovulating.
There is no cure for PCOS, but the condition can be managed through treatment. Doctors usually recommend that if you are overweight, losing weight and following a healthy diet can help reduce some symptoms. Medications can be provided to treat symptoms including excessive hair growth, irregular periods and fertility problems. In some cases, where fertility medications are ineffective, a simple surgical procedure called a laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) may be recommended, this will a surgical treatment that will involve a laser to destroy parts of the ovaries and is usually an option for women who are still not ovulating.
MY STORY
I was a late starter and I didn’t actually start my period until I was 17 (2007), I was one of the girls who used to be called “flat chested” as I hadn’t developed fully and always called “spotty” as I suffered from really bad acne along my chin and jawline. All I wanted to do was be a normal teenage girl, wear make-up and be able to feel like a girl – thank god for padded bra’s is all I am going to say.
I was a late starter and I didn’t actually start my period until I was 17 (2007), I was one of the girls who used to be called “flat chested” as I hadn’t developed fully and always called “spotty” as I suffered from really bad acne along my chin and jawline. All I wanted to do was be a normal teenage girl, wear make-up and be able to feel like a girl – thank god for padded bra’s is all I am going to say.
After plucking up the courage, I decided to go and see the Doctor/Nurse and I was put on a contraceptive pill (the yellow and green ones – can’t remember the name) to help reduce my periods as I suffered really bad with pains. I was taking these for around 9-12 months but my periods had completely stopped, I was worried about this as despite it being a god send not to have your time of the month and having absolutely ZERO pains but I knew it wasn’t right, and I didn’t feel right and I was worried how this would affect me in the future. Eventually towards the end of 2010 I had decided to go to the Doctors and get checked, they said that despite me having no periods there is nothing wrong as it could just be a side effect of taking the contraceptive pill but to stop taking it to see if my periods become regular again.
I was told to wait around 12 months for my body went back to normal and until my periods become regular again, but it never happened and for about 2 years I never had a period and albeit it was great not having a consistent period each month, it was still worrying to me. The only good news is, I finally started to develop properly and I no longer needed mega padded bra’s and by 19 I had an acceptable B cup bust and for some reason, I have continued developing properly since my periods had stopped, and they are now more than a handful. I don’t really know how the next part links but I only really returned to the Doctors and pushed at them when I returned from my holiday as my tummy had ballooned up and I looked physically pregnant – even a member of staff asked how far gone I was, so having returned to the Doctors they had completed some blood tests and had sent me for an ultra sound. For several weeks waiting for the appointment I had been in excruciating pain, unsure how to describe it but it was like someone was punching me as my whole tummy was swollen and was causing pain.
Having received the results from the Doctors a few weeks later they said that I have a blood condition “Factor V Leiden” which is basically a protein deficiency in my blood and means I have a higher risk of blood clots and/or thrombosis and can cause problems during pregnancy like pre-eclampsia (which can increase the chance of miscarrying or having a still-birth)
Following the results from the ultra sound, I was simply told that I have a condition called Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and that having little or no periods is normal and that I have to manage the pains as normal with pain killers and anti-inflammatory's. The only upsetting thing about this diagnosis was being told that this now means I have a high chance that I cannot have children and with any condition, as you get older this chance becomes more and more unlikely.
Now I have never had a motherly nature, in fact most of the time I dislike children and their sticky fingers but there was still the possibility of me having them in future, and it was my choice that as and when I am ready, I could try for children but now I felt that this chance was reduced. After the appointment, I got really upset and met with my boyfriend (now fiancé) and I was distraught, I went through a stage of really wanting a baby and wanting to try for a baby as I was worried that I might not be able to.
For those who don’t know, my fiancé has Cystic Fibrosis so the chances of him being able to have a baby naturally is around 2%, that isn’t to say there isn’t a possibility as many people with CF have been able to successfully have children but it does mean that there is a possibility that we would have had to go down the IVF route to be able to have a child. We did speak to his Specialist Nurse and we also looked into the process and methods about having a baby, of course there are risks and this played a huge part of the decision.
For those who don’t know, my fiancé has Cystic Fibrosis so the chances of him being able to have a baby naturally is around 2%, that isn’t to say there isn’t a possibility as many people with CF have been able to successfully have children but it does mean that there is a possibility that we would have had to go down the IVF route to be able to have a child. We did speak to his Specialist Nurse and we also looked into the process and methods about having a baby, of course there are risks and this played a huge part of the decision.
If I was a carrier of the CF gene then there would be a 50% chance that our baby would have CF also, as well as my complications of PCOS and having potential risks whilst being pregnant, we quickly realised that it was a bigger decision then we had thought. Having sat down with my fiancé afterwards and discussed the situation, we did make a sensible decision at the time that this was not the right time and we were both not in the mind set to have a baby, this was mainly my fiancés decision as I was very broody at the time and I think it was only because I knew of the risks of having children when I was older.
But I was only 22 and did I really want a baby right now? There was so much I wanted to do in life and having the above risks in the back of my mind, would I really want to put us through this huge process, with a high risk that a) I wouldn’t get pregnant at all, b) that I could lose the baby and c) our baby would have CF which can come with complications when developing and growing up as well as the baby having a life full of medications and hospitals?
So, I guess you can say we had left it at that. I had convinced myself that I didn't want children and that I didn’t want to put myself or my fiancé through all of the strain, emotions and potential heartache when trying for a baby…
I will continue my story shortly by writing a follow up post shortly, but I really hope my story helps even just one person with the same problems, so you don’t feel alone. If you want to ask any questions privately without posting below, feel free to email me at beau-elle@outlook.com or tweet me @charleywx_
3 Comments
Lovely post! I had a PCOS scare last year and went for a few tests, all came back clear but I really admire your bravery for posting this. Like yourself, I wasn't motherly at all until I had the thought that I may never have children. It's a scary one as you feel like something you take granted could be snatched from you. I can't wait to read more on this, it is very well written.
ReplyDeleteEmma | The Fashion Six
Glad to hear you got the all clear! aw thank you so much for your lovely comments! Indeed, you never realise how important it is to you until you find out it could be taken away xx
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