Broad shoulders? Or feeling unwomanly?

Pearl1981 · 07-26-2007, 12:18 PM

I feel like Im quite masculine in this dept, although no one has told me this, I know I am broader than everyone else...

I got a feminine face though

I wonder if PCOS determines body proportions

I still feel quite masculine with this PCOS tho

stellarnix · 07-26-2007, 06:04 PM

It can be really hard to feel pretty with PCOS. Yes, it can determine your proportions. My doc said one of the ways they know to test for it is if a woman is very boxy looking. It tends to take away your curves.

Mirrors are evil, second only to scales.

joyblack · 07-26-2007, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pearl1981

I feel like Im quite masculine in this dept, although no one has told me this, I know I am broader than everyone else...

I got a feminine face though

I wonder if PCOS determines body proportions

I still feel quite masculine with this PCOS tho

One of the things about PCOS is that it makes us develop along male lines. Not all of us in exactly the same way and none of us to the same extent overall as most males do, but the vast majority of us along male lines in some respects. And that's the hardest thing for most of us to accept, because initially at least, I think most of us have a mental picture of ourselves that we would like to conform to, as feminine. That's why the idea of having to shave can at first be devastating and most of us don't really like the idea of having to admit to having a moustache or beard. However, I have to say that when I admitted to myself that I had a moustache (rather than simply some hair on my upper lip) and that I had many of the features that are generally common to men rather than women, I found life a whole lot easier. Now I don't waste time arguing with reality, I simply get on with living life.

Nicky5282 · 07-26-2007, 09:52 PM

I don't feel I am lacking in curves. But I do feel I have a really thick NECK!!??

Pearl1981 · 07-27-2007, 08:06 AM

What parts of your body do you feel are more masculine?

tinkerfaerie · 07-27-2007, 10:32 AM

Good grief, I didn't know it had anything to do with this part. I can't believe all of the things I am putting together with having pcos, it's amazing to not feel so alone and like a freak.

I have broad shoulders, and probably bigger hands than most women. I don't have the hips I would like, or the girly type of figure. I have a thicker neck than I would like, most women I see are very delicate in that area.

I will see as I lose weight how much of that changes, I haven't ever been thin enough to find out.

AnnieC · 07-27-2007, 10:59 AM

I don't know if I buy this. I too have broad shoulders but my whole family is built that way. PCOS will make you store fat in a more "male pattern" such as the stomach, but I do have hips as well. Now I'm pretty lacking in the boob department because PCOS will do that to you, but I don't think it will actually change the bone structure or the actual shape of your shoulders.

Pearl1981 · 07-27-2007, 01:19 PM

Hello AnnieC! I always thought extra testosterone growing up did make us a bit more big boned...?? I hope not

I got a lot of breast. How does PCOS reduce breasts? Is it the tesosterone?

Does pcos influence facial features like jaw n chin etc

VivC · 07-27-2007, 02:20 PM

I'd think a lot of it probably has to do with when your hormones first got out of whack. The younger you were, the more it could affect your build, etc. I haven't read that anywhere, but it just seems logical.

I've got broad shoulders, too. But I've got decent butt/boobs/hips. I do have a short stubby neck, but that just runs in the family, lol!

tattwo · 07-27-2007, 02:36 PM

I got a short thick neck and the fatty hump. Plus the broad shoulders. From the back I feel that I look masculine. No one has said anything about but I do feel self-conscieous about. Other then than I look very femine. You know hips, boobs, butt. - shapely. But just feel extra thick in the neck and shoulder areas.

AnnieC · 07-27-2007, 02:39 PM

I have read that testosterone "stunts" breast growth. I was around 8 or 9 when I first noticed that I wasn't like the other girls, with a happy trail that ran from my breasts down past my belly button. I just think my big frame has to do with genetics, since my whole family is big.

KatCarney · 07-27-2007, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stellarnix

It can be really hard to feel pretty with PCOS. Yes, it can determine your proportions. My doc said one of the ways they know to test for it is if a woman is very boxy looking. It tends to take away your curves.

PCOS does not do this...Insulin resistance does. Generally speaking, waist to hip ratio can be in indicator of 'fertility'. As insulin resistance improves, and fertility increases, waist to hip ratio frequently gets better.

In other words, a woman changes from more of an apple to an hourglass shape.

I've never heard of pcos affecting overall bone structure.

KatCarney · 07-27-2007, 03:07 PM

Out of curiosity, I wanted to look up what defined 'broad shoulders' on a woman. Turns out, 'fashion models' (yep, the skinny ones) have shoulders that are more broad than the average woman, and overall have a more masculine frame.

http://www.femininebeauty.info/shoulders.htm

whittydoodle · 07-27-2007, 04:07 PM

yes I too struggle with the big shoulders thing. I love to lift weights but don't do it much anymore becuase when I work out I start looking like a man! I know I have high testosterone(WOW I butchered that one sorry!) so when I so when I work out my shoulders and arms start looking ALOT more manly! It is good to know I am not the only herman munster running around! HA! J/k

Pearl1981 · 07-28-2007, 08:03 AM

Kat they do say fashion models look better straight up and down with broad shoulders ???

I think half of its an insecurity thing, as in being self conscious. I bet half of us never been told we are broad, we just think it in our heads because we feel a bit less feminine from the PCOS.