Ever feel panicked??

[Spark]

Hey guys,

Was diagnosed just in January of this year (age 22), with no symptoms apart from irregular periods...have been told not to worry about the diagnosis again until ttc and just remember it then if I do have trouble...but I get so panicked every time I come on to this website when I read of all the symptoms women suffer with and I'm so afraid they're going to happen to me...I guess I've had this problem for years and if I haven't developed any symptoms yet, I probably won't?? Does anyone with pcos have a completely normal life where it's just not a big factor their life? I'm single, and I know this sounds ridiculous but I'm really worried that I'm going to get big, hairy, acne and lose my hair and be a lonely spinster! (I'm aware of how shallow that sounds but does anyone else worry about similar things??)

[TrishainAZ]

I did in the beginning too. But honestly, it DOESN'T effect me that much in day to day life. It was an issue when I was ttc, but as you can see by my signature, with some help I've been able to do that. I get zits here and there, but other than that, I feel like my life is pretty much normal.

[sheepiegirl]

Me too. I was diagnosed when I was 28 after coming off birth control and not getting my period. I'd been on birth control since I was about 21, but I had irregular periods before then.

I don't think too much about PCOS in my regular life. I knew about it, and that was good when it came time for me to try to have a baby, and I was lucky enough to get pregnant within 6 months of trying (with drugs!). My husband said he noticed my hair looks thinner, but aside from that I don't have much else in the way of symptoms. I know things might change, but I live a pretty healthy lifestyle, so I just can't imagine ALL those symptoms coming on later in life.

[Rose28]

I was diagnosed around 16 or 17 (now 28), I didn't have any symptoms then other than irregular periods and pain with cyst ruptures and I'm still the exact same way. So, no change. I used to worry about PCOS when I was younger and wasn't able to accept it, but I definitely don't feel that way anymore. I would even go ahead and say that it has made me a better person, I mean I hate being poked and prodded, but I don't feel panicked at all anymore. You're still so young, give yourself time.

[pigskinprincess]

Spark - I feel your pain! I had the same problem for years. Every doctor I saw from the time I was 18 until I was almost 27 told me not to worry about it since I was not TTC.

Last year we moved and I started seeing a new doctor. She is a younger doctor (early 30s) and I told her about my concerns even though I was not actively TTC at the time. She immediately scheduled an ultrasound and bloodwork for me. That's when I found out I have PCOS.

I started doing a lot of reading about PCOS and my husband and I decided to start TTC soon after that diagnosis. It's been a year and I'm still not pregnant.

If I were you, I would talk to your doctor about your concerns. If he or she is not open to further tests, I would go somewhere else! PCOS affects me even though I didn't realize it for a long time. I wish I would have known more about it years ago.

[StephPortmann]

I have PCOS and the only problem I had was irregular periods and a wacky fsh/lh ratio. Which was the main cause of the lack of periods. I'm 5'7 and weigh 113-115lbs. As for ttc...I'm currently 12 weeks pregnant and did it without being on any meds at all. However, I did try injections and IUI in the past which failed. Guess it just wasn't my time to have a baby.

Don't worry .

[doolin]

I am 33 I was just dx'd last summer b/c I was having trouble TTC. I've always had irregular cycles (5-7 weeks). After I started researching PCOS, I began to realize that the acne I sometimes get on my back and my pluckable excess hair are connected. Other than that, I am completely "normal". I am thin and look feminine. I don't think anyone would be able to guess that I have PCOS. The only real downside that I've experienced is TTTC. (and that is awful)
Bottom line: I have always looked the same and PCOS hasn't exhibited greater and greater signs through the years with me. It affects everyone differently.

[cysterChristy]

normal here except missed periods. would not have thought anything of it except TTC

[Spark]

Thanks guys, I actually feel a million times better listening to that! I think it's really easy to expect the worst when you see how much women who write on this site suffer with their PCOS; but obviously people write on websites like this when they feel really stressed about it (like I did!). Guess people don't feel as much of a need to vent when things are going well for them so you tend not to hear as much about the good stories! I know quite a few people who have PCOS and not one of them looks the 'typical' PCOS picture - if it is as common as one in five women then surely more people don't have obvious symptoms than do have symptoms?! What do you think?
I'm just going to try get on with things and enjoy being young and healthy!! Thanks!