new and really sad

[Waterfalllady]

I'm new here (24 y.o.)today and I found out today I have PCOS and I am pretty sad about it. I am a virgin right now so I wouldn't realize I have difficulty concieving. I really want to. My mom really wants me to. I teach at a Catholic school and they are strongly against birth control except for medical conditions like PCOS. In that case, they still look down upon it but permit it. They also do not permit fertility treatments. Since I am a Catholic school teacher, I had to go on a seminar on this about three weeks ago.

I don't know how to tell my mom. I am very sad and scared for my future. That whole Catholic seminar I had to go to a few weeks ago did not help.

Also, I have a few questions:
-My gyno said she didn't see any cysts, so how can I have PCOS (my blood tests confirmed it)?

- I have had issues with my menstruation since I began at age 10. I have seen many gynocolgists since then because of my excessive bleeding. How come they never took me seriously? I ALSO HAVE EXcESSIVE BODY HAIr! Don't you think they'd put two and two together?

-How much is a concern is insulin resistance if I am thin? I am very concerned about this, but have no odd symptoms.

-How do I tell my mom?

- Can PCOS cause anxiety?

Thanks so much!

[sweetstar]

Well first you need to know that it's not the end of the world, keep your head up I found out I had PCOS at age 23. I had every single symptom under the sun regarding PCOS, and the GYN never said anything to me. It sounds to be like if you don't have cysts and your not overweight.. you have PCOS as they say, but not as bad as it could be.

You mention you don't have any cysts, there really is no structure to PCOS at all. Some women have all symptoms, some have hardly none besides they can't get pregnant, etc. The blood work and your other symptoms probably is why you were diagnosed. I was ask why though.

You need to know that women with PCOS get pregnant all of the time. It's not uncommon to become pregnant. As long as you are doing the right things, you increase your odds greatly. Yes, it is harder and you will have to do more things then most women. But you'll never know until you start trying to get pregnant. Have faith in that

As far as talking to your mom, I would print off the brochure they have on here for friends and family. It's under the "PCOS General" tab, then at the top they have what we call Sticky's, which are topics Kat wants to keep at the top to always see. The article is called "Pamphlet for close relative and friends of women with PCOS". Print that off and maybe do a little research of your own.

Don't feel embarrased to tell your mother, just read up, have an understanding and then figure out what steps your going to take to help yourself. The best thing anyone can see you do is, do everything you can to make you better. For me that was loosing weight, I went on a Low Glycemic diet (very good for women with PCOS) and lost 83 lbs. I now have my period regular all of the time. I decided to do it naturally and take no medications. That's not what everyone does, but I sure am glad that I did. My big thing was, I didn't want to go on medication for the rest of my life. If there was a way to do it naturally (with anything) I'm going to do it that way.

It's natural to feel how your feeling. The way I looked at it and still do, is that it's a blessing to know NOW, not while I'm trying to get pregnant. I know my body better now than I ever had before, because I forced myself to, which I am very happy about.

The best thing I can say to you, is do research understand and take control of PCOS. Right now your just feeling overwelmed (understandably). For me when I told my mom I said you know how I have excess hair, dark spots on my neck and a very irregular cycle? She's like yeah??? Then I went into more about PCOS and how that what I have. My whole family and friends were very supportive and still are. The fact that they see me trying makes them so proud and supportive. I am not trying to conceive at this time, but instead just preparing for the future. I am now ovulating on my own.

Insulin resistance is common in women with PCOS, I am not sure how common for the "thin cysters". But you can have testing done for that as well.

PCOS and Anxiety.. well I'm sure it can. I can actually say the fact that your concerned means your probably someone who will DO something about your PCOS, and not let it just do it's thing and just "live" with it. I've known I had PCOS for 18 mos or so now, like I mentioned I felt it was the best news ever finding out there's a REASON for having an abnormal cycle, excess hair, etc, etc, etc.

Any questions you have, we are all here to help!

[Coze381]

Hello-

Although you already know this, you are not alone. Anxiety is something we all deal with - the key point is to remain calm through all things and though the Anxiety may creep up, do something to relieve it... mine is writing... i love to write...

As far as telling your mom, research first what you are dealing with so you can properly talk to her about it. Remember, this is just a stumbling block, not a wall... The point is to get up and keep going, you CAN keep your goals in sight and achieve your goals...

i leave you with one piece of sage advice that i never forget... with God, all things are possible.

D.J.

[Eva37]

welcome to sc you dont have to have cysts on the ovaries to have pcos. Confusing i know. there is alink to the newbie roadmap in my siggie for you

[Waterfalllady]

I talked to my mom today, she seemed realitively confused and in denial about it.

[Natelover]

I know how you feel about your mom not being very receptive. When I informed my mom she seemed very indifferent. She just shrugged it off and them continued to ask me when I was planning on getting pregnant. We have been trying for almost a year. I just wanted to tell you that there are others who are also enduring this and that I wish you all the support and compassion of someone going through a similar situation.

[Waterfalllady]

I know how you feel about your mom not being very receptive. When I informed my mom she seemed very indifferent. She just shrugged it off and them continued to ask me when I was planning on getting pregnant. We have been trying for almost a year. I just wanted to tell you that there are others who are also enduring this and that I wish you all the support and compassion of someone going through a similar situation.

Thank you so much for the support. I am so happy I found this message board the day I was diagnosed. This group is great. I am sorry your mom doesn't understand...I'm here for you.

[Coze381]

People who do not have the problems do not understand the problems. My friend shrugs off my baby making progress like it's no big deal... Whoopie you lost two pounds while i'm cheering from the rooftops about the two pounds lost... they just don't understand how hard and difficult this process is. Keep the chins up girls... we will prevail!

[Stacie M]

I'm new here (24 y.o.)today and I found out today I have PCOS and I am pretty sad about it. I am a virgin right now so I wouldn't realize I have difficulty concieving. I really want to. My mom really wants me to. I teach at a Catholic school and they are strongly against birth control except for medical conditions like PCOS. In that case, they still look down upon it but permit it. They also do not permit fertility treatments. Since I am a Catholic school teacher, I had to go on a seminar on this about three weeks ago.

I don't know how to tell my mom. I am very sad and scared for my future. That whole Catholic seminar I had to go to a few weeks ago did not help.

Also, I have a few questions:
-My gyno said she didn't see any cysts, so how can I have PCOS (my blood tests confirmed it)? PCOS is an endocrine disorder. Cysts are a symptom of it, but are not a requirement for diagnosis. There are many symptoms of PCOS, and some women have only a few, and other's have a lot. Think of it like any other illness. You don't have to have every symptom to have the flu, you only need a few, as everyone reacts differently to different illnesses. I have known I had PCOS (officially) for about 8 years. Most of the time when I have had u/s, I have had no cysts (or just a few).

- I have had issues with my menstruation since I began at age 10. I have seen many gynocolgists since then because of my excessive bleeding. How come they never took me seriously? I ALSO HAVE EXcESSIVE BODY HAIr! Don't you think they'd put two and two together?
Doctors are sometimes terrible at connecting the dots. They sometime see the small picture but not the big picture. That is how so many doctors end up treating patients for so many problems without realizing they are part of one illness. Also, a lot of GYN's just aren't as familiar with PCOS as they should be. You should look into meeting with an endocrinologist (a doctor who specializes in hormone disorders/diseases) or a reproductive endocrinologist (basically the same as above, but with more focus on hormone issues involving your reproductive system.

-How much is a concern is insulin resistance if I am thin? I am very concerned about this, but have no odd symptoms. Insulin resistence is probably more common in overweight people, but is definitely seen in thin people as well. Your doctor can perform a glucose tolerance test to see how you handle it.

-How do I tell my mom? My personal belief is that we focus way too much on the fertility aspect of PCOS. Tell her the truth, but don't make it into a dire fertility situation. You have an endocrine disorder that is most likely genetically related to diabetes. You can take meds and follow doctors recommendations to control it. That's all she really needs to know.

- Can PCOS cause anxiety? Yes it can. Not only do hormone imbalances make us more prone to anxiety, the fact that you have learned you have the problem can cause anxiety.

Thanks so much!

I know this seems like odd advice, but really, try not to focus on the fertility aspect of PCOS. Focus on getting healthier, whether it be by changing your lifestyle, taking metformin, etc. Many, many women with PCOS have no trouble getting pregnant, and there are plenty of "oops" babies with PCOS moms. PCOS is NOT a stone-set infertility diagnosis. Sure, there are women with PCOS who have lots of trouble getting PG, but there a lot of women with PCOS who don't (and a lot of women without PCOS that need help). Just like all of the other symptoms, infertility doesn't equally impact everyone with PCOS.

[agent_kohlrabi]

Hi there--
Just wanted you to know that there are lots of ways to make a family -- you never know where God will lead you.
My husband and I adopted two beautiful children BEFORE we ever tried to conceive. We chose to not have biological children, and he had a vasectomy. I was just diagnosed with PCOS at age 38. I have no idea if I would have had difficulty conceiving or not.
You will find a way to make a family. Have faith.
E
p.s. You and your future husband will decide together how you feel about fertility treatments (if it is indeed necessary), in light of Catholic church teaching. My husband and I made our decision about his vasectomy knowing the Church's stand, but we felt it was best for us.

[kimicandoit]

I was diagnosed about 7 or 8 years ago now, but I am new to soulcysters! Don't lose heart! Life is full of many options, and frankly, it's up to you to decide what you want to do and what methods you want to take should you try to conceive one day.

Your mother is probably equally as scared for you as you are, but please, don't lose hope.. You are not sexually active, so children aren't an immediate concern right now. Look after your body, get healthy, try to eat the right foods and exercise. Do all the things your body needs to prepare for one day carrying a child. When the time comes, you will be giving your body it's best chances at falling pregnant.

The beauty about this forum is that you can talk candidly with all of us, with no judgment and with lots of love being sent your way.

Kimberley

[kimicandoit]

Thankyou for sharing your story! Please know you are not alone, and you have friends here.

Life is full of possibilities, you should never let yourself become hopeless. When the time comes for you to TTC, have your body and mind in its peak condition. You need to live your life in the best possible health, then you can decide what is best for you.

Good luck and a big hug.

kimberley