PCOS Experience - Smile

PCOS Experience - time for a smile...

PCOS Experience - words of encouragement

PCOS Experience - Hirsutism (Excessive hair growth)

We all know that each individual with PCOS has to deal with a set bunch of problems that the doctors have agreed exist.  What they don't tell you is that often times each person is blessed with additional problems that not everybody has to experience.

For some it is weight gain... others have no issue with this...
For some it is extremely painful periods... other have no issue with this...
I could go on, but many of you already know this...

The point is... frustration, overwhelming moodiness, hunger pains... all are symptoms that you do not have the situation under control.

These additional symptoms are clues that the endocrinology is way out of whack.  Your levels of progesterone affect hair growth, moodiness and weight gain.

There are many things the doctors will prescribe for you... like Vaniqa (a prescription strength hair removal cream) but these are expensive and treat the symptoms not the cause.  I had trouble with male pattern baldness and areas of my body that should not have hair that grew it in leaps and bounds.  It wasn't until I started on Spironolactone that I started to see real reversal of these issues.  Spironolactone (by the way) is actually a drug that is used for heart patients.  However, one of the side effects is that it reduces Testosterone (aka progesterone).  By lowering the level in my system, my side effects became very much improved.  I urge each of you to look for ways to treat the underlying causes rather than just the symptoms.  For me it ended up being a combination of Metformin, birth control, Spironolactone, and a variety of vitamin supplements. I'd love to hear your stories.  Write to the site with your successes (and failures).

~ WHamilton

Here's a really good video that explains one woman's experience with Spironolactone:
Monica Leftwich

PCOS Experience - Hope

I want to tell you a little story about a young lady I know who has PCOS and has wanted a baby for years.  Her first husband wanted kids too but although they tried (never used protection), they never even came close.  The marriage lasted a little more than 10 years.  When they broke up it just about devastated her....she took a long look at herself and made some changes for her own health.  She lost weight and worked really hard at getting healthy.  The goal wasn't anything more than becoming a better her...

She met and fell in love with a guitar playing construction worker.  He swept her off her feet and made her feel special.  That combined with her good health resulted in quite the miracle.  His name is Tommy.  Baby Tommy was born about 4 months ago to beaming parents.  She couldn't be happier with her unexpected blessing.  I can remember the day I got the text with a picture of her over the counter pregnancy test stick...I just about dropped to my knees.  You see, this lovely lady is my sister.
My point here is that she didn't give up on herself.  She worked hard on what she wanted most which was to be healthy.  Baby Tommy came after she got healthy and reduced the stress in her life.  Two factors that all PCOS women fight to achieve.  It is possible...and you can do it...I have faith in you and so does baby Tommy!