Well, I take no meds for my PCOS. I treat symptoms as needed.
For example, I use certain things on my face for the breakouts. I take Ativan when I have a panic attack. If I start to get depressed I go back on antidepressants. If I get a migraine, I take meds for that. I don't take Metformin or anything else.
I am not good at taking meds. And that includes natural remedies. I just forget to take them. I am actually going to be going on birth control pills again soon though, in the hopes of controlling the headaches. I hope that I remember to take them! lol
Honestly, I don't know what happens if you don't treat it. I know that I was told that you can leave it be and just deal with symptoms. Which is what I chose to do.
IMO, the worst problems with that would be increased cardiac risk factors and diabetes.
this goes along with the primary treatment being healthy behaviors - diet and EXERCISE
You're right about diet and exercise. To me, I don't consider those to be treatment. I guess for here I need to rethink that! lol To me that is logical living no matter any health conditions!
I read that if you do not treat it, (and if you then are having no periods) your risk of uterine and endometrial cancers go way up.
There's also a high risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes, if I remember right.
I'm on spironolactone for the hair growth and a bit for blood pressure, as well as metformin for helping with regulating cycles and hair growth, (as well as for IF I have insulin resistance- idk- my blood glucose levels were fine) and Errin (a progesterone-only bcp) for controlling cycles.
__________________ Diagnosed September 2008.
Current Medications:
Spironolactone (in adjustment- 100mg made me dizzy)
Metformin 2000mg
Mirena IUD- placed 8/27/09
I found that because i was undiagnosed and treated for 10 years it has reduced my fertility and made it harder for me to conceive. Since being on treatment i have regained my cycles, controlled my IR and lost 20kg
Just wanted to concur with others. Your risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia (high lousy cholesterol, low healthy cholestoral) all go up. But, as others have said, if you eat a very healthy diet and exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy weight, for many people that is a treatment in and of itself. If you haven't had your insulin tested, your cholesterol, or if you don't take your blood pressure every now and then at the stores that have those free machines...you should go get a check up. Many people thinking having high blood pressure or cholesterol is a big deal, but IT IS. Heart disease is mostly preventable, and so is diabetes.
Im a thin cyster- with no IR, good cholesterol levels, low blood pressure, no sign of heart disease, and I get regular periods (though too often and too heavy.) I cant take bcps as they cause a host of other problems for me. I cant take met as my levels are already low and Im not IR. Im also allergic to spiro. That leaves me with pretty much just going the healthy eating and living route. I battle acne and hair loss mostly: I use the acne.org system and that has worked very well for me for my acne issues. I havent been able to get a hold on the hair loss, but I did have some success using a certain fish oil pill (which I dont think is available anymore- at least I cannot find it anywhere now. and now that Ive stopped it, my hair is shedding more again.) I exercise some, but should do it more often I know. Wish I could get control of these periods...I'd love to give every other one I have to someone else out there who needs one! I dont think Im doing any harm by not treating my pcos- but Im also not IR, which can lead to all sorts of other problems and that should be treated in some form, whether diet/exercise or meds or both. If I was IR, I would likely be on Met.
__________________ Diagnosed 06/03
Hair loss, Acne, painful Fibrocystic breasts,
Excess Hair on chin, Irregular periods (too frequent, too long.) Not IR. Using acne.org system (love it- it works)
PCOS Untreated? 
