I'm 20 years old, from Memphis, TN. I do clerical work full-time at the doctor's office. I haven't officially been diagnosed yet with PCOS, but late last year I was diagnosed with amenorrhea. (Highly irregular or non-existant periods.) As of today, I haven't had a period since early August 2009.
As far as PCOS symptoms go, there is the amenorrhea. And hirsutim (I had always thought that it was very mild and that was just bad genes.) I don't really have that bad of an acne problem- people tell me I have nice facial skin, but I do break out frequently on my upper legs and thighs. Fortunatly, I'm not very overweight. I've lost 50lbs since February by lowcarbing and I'm 20lbs over my maximum BMI (best that I've been my entire life considering just last November I weighed 208lbs) In February I started working out at a gym next to my work and for the last few months I've gone 2 hours a day nearly every week day with the goal of joining the neighborhood martial arts dojo once I've lost that last 20lbs.
For whatever reason, when my weight feels significant fluctuations in small amounts of time (there have been months where I could not afford meat so I'd have to get off it), my period comes back for a month. I've tried to control this by gaining and losing 10lbs purposely, but it didn't work.
My mother suffers with ovarian cysts that she can't afford to treat, and although my grandmother died when I was very young, I've heard stories that she suffered with PCOS-like symptoms from the time she hit puberty.
I'm going to get my shots updated for school in another week and I plan on bringing up PCOS with my new doctor.
My old one had never heard of PCOS and she acted like I was crazy. I got two basic blood works done and my hormones came back as normal both times- but my mother claims they didn't test me on everything. She wasn't a good doctor either, she told me I had amenorrhea, gave me no details, no information, no treatments, just a referral to an OBGYN that I never used.
I'll say it now: I'm a virgin and I'm deathly afraid of the OBGYN. I'd let them stick me with as many needles and knives as a doctor could fit, but I'm absolutely horrified of letting someone touch me down there, even for a serious medical purpose(like, my mom tried to take me when I was younger and I literally bolted from the car.) But because I'm interested in the military, I'm trying to get up the courage to overcome that fear. Before that, I'm hoping to get a refferal to an endocrinologist.
But I'm sort of rambling. My mother sent me this messageboard as a sort of support should I become diagnosed with PCOS for sure, but I'd rather come here before then just so I know what to expect.
I really appreciate the board here, I like the idea of this being a supportive sisterhood where a lone, worried sufferer can seek refuge.
Welcome and ((((hugs)))). Obviously no one here is going to be able to diagnose you, but your symptoms sound an awful lot like PCOS.
Many primary care physicians are not up to date about PCOS. It's very common to be sent to an OB or an RE (if you're TTC, which it doesn't sound like you are). My OB/GYN didn't know about PCOS, my neurologist (I have migraines), mentioned it about a BCP I take being hard on a cyster, and why was I taking it with obvious PCOS. I got on here and started researching, and I went to my PCP and requested blood work, Metformin and Spironolactone. Since I came in with a lot of research done, and all the blood work came back consistent with PCOS, their office now has me listed as having PCOS.
My advice on the doctor is to learn as much as you possibly can, print stuff out and highlite it if you need to and take it with you to the doctor. Have a list of questions, and if you want to, a list of blood work you'd like them to run for you. Since you've got longer cycles, if you're not TTC, don't be surprised if they ask about a BCP...that's all a personal opinion, and I'd do my research and have some thoughts about that going in.
On a full pelvic exam: no they are not the most fun thing ever for a virgin to have...IMHO go to an OB for that visit...they give pelvic exams all day, so they're quicker and typically more gentle than a PCP who only does a few a week. On the 'it's not so bad' side, they really aren't, especially if you have a good examiner. If you're truly panicky, tell your PCP and see if they'll give you something for anxiety. Make sure that the OB knows you're a virgin...they'll typically explain more and use smaller stuff since you are. If you were a younger teen, I'd tell you to ask about putting off a full pelvic, but typically once you hit your 20s, if you visit, and haven't ever had one, they want a baseline.
Let us know how the visit with your regular doc goes.
Thank you very much for the information. I haven't gone back to the doctor yet.
Actually, I've had a bit of news though. I hope it's not too much information but Halloween night I lost my virginity and magically Monday morning my period has been back full swing since. I don't know if the two events are connected but I thought it was more than just a coincidence considering it takes about a year for me to get it to come back .
Thought it was worth mentioning. Again, thank you, I'll update with any news on the PCOS frontline.
Hi,
Good luck with this journey. My best advice would be to become and expert and read everything you can get your hands on. A list and journals articles are a great thing to present to a doctor! I go to a Reproductive Endo. He is the best and is very informed about PCOS.
Thanks!
New and Frightened 
