Annakins

I'm 23 and was told last year I have PCOS. Thing is, my dr never told me I was diagnosed when I was 17 and had some hormones checked. I found out when a free clinic got a hold of my medical records. I didn't have insurance for a while, so I had to stop taking spironolactone and haven't had a physical in a while.

I have a huge problem with hirsutism. I probably spend about 45 mins a day plucking the hairs out of my face, and I constantly and obsessively pick while I'm driving or sitting down. Because of the hair, my face gets red/irritated and HURTS from infected ingrown hairs. Some days, I just feel so gross. I stay inside and DREAD going out with friends. I feel I can just never look nice. And I feel manly.

I've always been overweight, but my family has been under extreme stress the past year or so, and I have gained 30 lbs in one year! I can't get rid of it! I feel disgusting and know I am unhealthy, and am very concerned about diabetes. My mother, aunt, 2 uncles, grandfather, and a few more relatives ALL have diabetes.......am I next?

I finally got approved for health insurance, and I intend on taking full advantage of it. Hopefully I can get back on spironolactone, because it did wonders for my facial hair, and ask them about being tested for IR and diabetes. I'm very interested in metformin.

Well, that's about me in a nutshell. I've been so unbelievably sad and depressed lately. I know my boyfriend is a wonderful man and loves me no matter what...but I feel so ugly and unsexy. I feel wrong in my own body. Looking in the mirror makes me cry :-(

If there are women out there who feel just like I do, please feel free to message me! My family and friends have no clue what it feels like to hate yourself so much, it would be nice to have a little support and understanding :-)

ChicagoGal22

hi hun, just want to let you know that u are NOT alone here.
im 23 too, and i can relate to your story very very much!
i was diagnosed last month dec. 08
although i always knew something was wrong with my body since i was about 14
but not having medical insurance is a big problem for me. anyways im overweight too im 5'7 & i weigh 210 lbs. i look horrible i carry most of the weight in my back & stomach. but my legs, thighs, arms, & butt are thin.. so you can imagine how i look LOL i have acne too & a little facial hair but mostly on my chin and neck is where the hair comes in. not to mention all the pain i get because i also have Endometriosis along with PCOS & Infertility. it sucks! i feel like i've been cursed sometimes. but i have hope & faith and trust in god to help me through this tough time. its so depressing & yep i hate myself too, i have very low self esteem and it effects my everyday life! i dont even like to go out anymore. i've been praying & praying for a baby the last couple years & a negative test is all i get. i feel like i have no future you know? every woman wants to get married & have children & have a good life with a famliy, atleast i know i do! but i just pray that i get insurance & get the help i deserve. thats all i can do. but just want you to know your NOT alone & everyone is so sweet on this site & helpful, if you ever need to talk just message me ok! i could use a good talk as well lol. hope everything goes good for you Today Tomorrow & Future! you've got my blessings.

ForeverCurious

Hi... I wanted to share my story and hope it can help you feel better knowing that you arent alone in this.

when I was 8 I hit puberty basically with everything but my period, I had acne so bad you couldnt even see my face that lasted 5 years I still have some now but not nearly as bad (Im 22 now), I got the hair issue more at that age as well, its gradually gotten worse over the years its also the age my weight went completely nuts, I wasnt diagnosed untill I was about 15 and its been a struggle for me since and still is, I have dark corse hair both on my face and body, I get a lot of ingrown hairs and I know they hurt like hell.. I have to much hair on my face to stand there plucking so I baught an epilator I think is what its called, its basically 5 tweezers at once spinning around fast that pull out hair, I wont lie.. it hurts like h*ll but it works, its easier and quicker.. I find using it helps me be able to look in the mirrior and like what I see looking back at me, which is a face with no hair.

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smcwhorter901

You are not alone! I am 24 and was officially diagnosed with pcos when I was 22 although a doctor had mentioned it to me when I was 19. I had a difficult time finding somone to give me the right test until I got my own health insurance and found a different doctor. I went through most of high school dealing with facial hair and it only got worse in my twenties. I lost a lot of weight when I was 20, but the next year went through a very stressful period and gained 60 pounds!!!! ... (and you're worried about 30...LOL!) I have been trying hard, but it seems impossible to get the weight off... I have struggled with low self esteem for a long time and felt like I wasn't fully "woman." I know how it feels to deal with depression and all of the symptoms you have, but I've also learned to see pcos for what it is - a condition. It can only control me if I let it! Feel free to message me if you need to talk!

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Annakins

Thanks so much for the posts you guys! It's nice hearing there are other girls who have similar problems...though wish none of us did, lol.

I've been on the phone the past couple days trying to get appointments. I got one for a new PCP in the middle of March, and one for an Endocrinologist at a good, well-known hospital at the end of March. I wish it were sooner though, I need someone to check me out. I just keep gaining weight even when I watch what I eat and it's really getting uncomfortable.

I have a question, do any of you get bad pains from your ovaries? It started a few years ago and I thought it was my appendix, but it wasn't. Now, I get them on both sides periodically all the time, but more concentrated when my period is approaching, like now.

ForeverCurious

"get bad pains from your ovaries?" omg yeah... its horrible and sometimes can literally take me to my knees cause it hurts so bad... sometimes it lasts a few days into a period which is generally more so when Ive missed one or more... those times Im generally bed riden. but I do get pains there without having my period or inbetween periods... they arent fun.

end of march? I would LOVE to have an apointment for then... so far I have been waiting and my drs office has been trying to get me into an Endocrinologist office since the summer... ottawa (ontario) has a shortages of drs and none seem to be taking any new paitents so Im stuck on my own while all my symptoms get worse... weight too it sucks... but I hope your apt goes well

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HopeFloats721

Amen Annakins, you are definitely not alone! I have had weight problems and terrible hirsituism since I was a pre-teen. I didn't get officially diagnosed with PCOS until a few months ago but it has always been mentioned to me. I too spend hours in front of the mirror plucking and epilating the nasty hairs. My face has scars all over it and acne from constantly messing with it. I wear tons of make-up to cover up the red marks. I hate it! I've tried laser hair removal, waxing, and electrolysis and nothing has ever helped me. Just know that I am in that mirror with you plucking away and we will get through this together.

Hope

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jen1n

It's so good to hear there are others out there like me. I often feel like I am the only person in their 20s suffering from the weight and hirsutism and not feeling like a woman. I completely understand how you guys feel. It is very frustrating some days.

Annakins

Sometimes I tell my boyfriend I feel like a man, and he laughs thinking I'm joking. If he only knew...

Ericaabby7654

AMEN!! I am 19 years old and if there is anyone out there who feels the way I do please contact me! I just recently got diagnosed with this annoying syndrome 3 long weeks ago. I knew something was not right with my body for the last 3 years. I was constantly depressed, throwing temper tantrums here and there, fighting with my mom about what's wrong with me, and not to mention i gained a total of 80 pounds. I am 198 pounds and I am 5 ft. 2 inches. tall. I hate to admit that on here but I need as much advice, and guidence as I can get. So much has been happening in the past few weeks. I just got a hysteroscopy/labroscopy done to remove a cyst that was on my right ovary. The dr confirmed that from the tiny cysts on both of my ovaries that I indeed do have PCOS. It has been 3 days since the surgery and I am very sore, gasy, and extremly bloated and bruised from the incisions. I just started taking Metforin a couple days ago which i heard helps with weight lose, so i'm excited to start a diet when I feel better from the surgery (yes I am procrastinating)

The dr thinks the cyst that he removed from my ovary is what was causing me pain. I have experienced pain during intercourse ever since I have been sexually active with my boyfriend. It only occurs during deep penetration, and it feels like he is hitting something. The dr. told me that from the surgery i do not have endrometrois, polyps, tumors, or anything of that matter.

Does PCOS cause pain during intercourse? If anyone can please answer this question which has been my problem ever since my boyfriend took my virginity I would deeply appreciate it!

Sorry to be graphic..but we are all women, and this is one of the embarrising symptoms I have that needs to go away! Thanks

Cyster_seven

I just read your post and I know exactly how you feel. Everyone else tells me that it isn't as bad as I think it is, but they have no idea what its like to feel this way. I too have all these symptoms and am the same way (no insurence & no more BC means all the prgress that had been made is gone.) My insecurities seem to rule most of my day to day activities, and when I look in the mirror, I don't feel like I should be that person I see.

Have you ever tried using cream hair removal though (like sally hansen facial hair removal cream)? It still isn't strong enough for some of the thickest- but it saves some time for me. the worst is looking in the mirror seeing something that you forgot. then, wondering if people are noticing?

its hard not to feel alone in this struggle... but know tha tyou're not! It gives me hope when I see success stories from others. I can only hope I can find this peace. I hope the same for you too!

Have a great day!

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Cyster_seven
join date: 1-10-09
age: 26
diagnosed: 2005
re-diagnosed:2009