Might have PCOS, doctor's appointment scheduled

TheNacho · 03-15-2009, 02:44 AM

Hello everyone,

I stumbled across this site while searching for more information on PCOS. It's so nice to have this resource with all of you here to answer questions!

I'm extremely concerned right now, I think I might have PCOS.

I'm 16 and I've never had an irregular period in my life, but a lot of the other symptoms fit me. I've always been somewhat overweight, but I'd always figured it was just baby fat that never went away or something genetic, since a lot of my family is overweight. I also pinned it on awful metabolism. I don't eat unhealthily, but large quantities occasionally. I noticed excessive hair growth on my arms, abdomen, chest, chin, and upper lip, and I combat this "problem" with lots of waxing, bleaching, and plucking. I won't leave the house or show my face to my parents unless I'm pretty much hair free. This symptom I'd pinned on the "Mediterranean gene" that plagues so many women.

My mother has diabetes, but she controls it with diet and exercise and has recently started taking Metformin. She does not have PCOS. My father's sister is overweight and has dealt with hair loss on her head for as long as I can remember. Nothing works -- rogaine included. She might have PCOS even though she was able to normally conceive four children with no trouble at all. This makes me think I might have a predisposition for PCOS that doesn't affect fertility...

I'm scheduled for a doctor's appointment with my pediatrician on Monday. (eww, it's a nurse practitioner as well and they probably don't even know what they're talking about). I'm scared of the battery of tests they'll probably have to put me through and the emotional anguish it'll cause. Right now all I want is a cure for the hirsutism. I'm sick of waxing, plucking, and bleaching, and I don't want to have to deal with laser treatments or electrolysis. I want a medicine cure. I hate this hair growth so much. I would say I spend several hours a week controlling it. I spend so much time thinking about it. It's the bane of my existence right now. The weight is coming off through diet and exercise. I've been limiting my sugar/carbohydrate intake so as not to get diabetes or other complications.

Sorry for the detailed history, I just needed someplace to vent. Do you think it's likely that I have PCOS?

navy_wife_martin · 03-16-2009, 03:47 AM

First of all I want to say I LOVE that a 16 year old not only knows the meaning of the word BANE but uses it correctly in context

Secondly...i know how utterly scary it is! I was diagnosed young myself, but it was actually a relief! that i had a reason for being fat and hairy and losing my hair and having dark spots all over my skin, etc etc.

If you do have PCOS, my best advice is just try and accept it and then own it!! I used to be SO VERY ashamed of my hair on my face..but after years of anguish i'm at a place where i can talk about being hairy to even a sexy stranger lol

i even shave or pluck with my husband, so it is possible to find happiness even with PCOS. Just love yourself, PCOS and all and realize it probably wont happen overnight, but only you can change how this disorder mentally affects you!

good luck and best wishes...Rena