From an early age it was suspected that I might have PCOS because my mother way diagnosed with it and actually told she would not be able to have kids - ever. A month later she went in to get BCP to regulate her cycle and found out she was pregnant
. So much for that never going to be able to have kids thing.
But anyway, on to my story. I have always been on the heavy side and as far back as I can remember I have had a lot of facial hair, and by high school I finally decided to start waxing for my own self confidence, which by this point was crap. By age 16 I still had no inkling of AF and my doc was a little worried, but was willing to give me another year before going about doing anything. Unfortunately I lost insurance and hope.
By age 20 I still had never met AF and my mother suggested BCP to regulate as well as protect since obviously miracle babies run in the family haha. With the BCP I finally met AF and get a monthly visit.
Two years later I had limited medical coverage and discussed the possibility of PCOS with a GP, who agreed to do some tests. Everything came back relatively normal except for my prolactin level which was through the roof. They wanted to send me to an endocrinologist, but the insurance wouldn't pay for it, so they just sent me for a CT scan which thankfully came back fine. They basically said I was already on BCP so nothing else they could do for me and I just needed to lose weight. I was already living a very healthy lifestyle, mostly organic, and very active, but I still weighed around 240lbs. I gave up trying to talk to the doctor because it was getting me no where, just more depressed.
I am now 24 and recently moved away to a university that has a great health center that is free for students. I was hesitant to go, but when I finally did I went for something like a pulled muscle as a front to try to get a Rx for Vaniqa. The GP saw referred me to a dermatologist for the facial hair and she intern recommended a different doctor in the health center that was actually a specialist with PCOS. My first meeting with her was amazing! She really put me on track with everything, running the right tests, helping me get back into a healthy lifestyle, and she started me on metformin which I am now up to 1500mg. This doc is even planning on running fertility tests because I never had a period on my own, but since it happens on the BCP the "plumbing works" as she puts it.
It is great to finally know that I am not a failure and as so many other people have stated, that there is an answer! I have already started losing some weight and am feeling healthier and more in control of my life.