PCOS, or PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome. It is a bitch of a disease. Just a few of the symptoms include:
Acne
Sudden weight gain
Moodiness
Irritability
Impossible weight loss
Erratic insulin production levels
Erratic periods or lack of period
Hair growing where it shouldn't be
Hair falling out from where it should be
Cramping
Hiatal hernias
Heartburn
Infertility
There are more but this is just a portion of the symptoms. Sounds fun doesn't it?
Not everyone who has PCOS has all of these symptoms. In fact, some don't have cysts on their ovaries as the name would imply. (The syndrome name is currently under review for this reason)
One of the main issues with PCOS is a hormone imbalance. This is the source of the acne, weight gain, hair growth, and erratic periods.
There is no cure or even solid treatment for this disease. Some do well being on birth control as the hormones are able to be regulated. Some are put on Metformin, which helps keep their blood sugar and insulin levels even and can sometimes help to lose weight. But if you can't take either of those like I can't, what else is there? They give you a list of foods that you should stay away from when you have PCOS, but the list of things that are okay to eat seems to grow shorter and shorter every day. No carbs, no processed flour or sugar, no gluten, no sweetener, no dairy. What is left? That's right, not
much.
I was diagnosed with PCOS about three years ago after a cyst on my ovary burst. Ay treatment I have gone through has been unsuccessful in helping any of the symptoms. I have had most of the symptoms I have now since I was a teen, but they finally just figured hit what the cause of it all was.
So how can I get better if there is no treatment plan out there? Doctors and the public need to be better educated on this disease so that hopefully someday there will be a cure or at least a treatment plan for people like me, but who knows.
PCOS is a big pat of the reason I am a fat girl in a skinny world.
More to come. It is time to educate.
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