PCOS-I'm feeling lost, please help.

[alliesong]

Yesterday I went to the gynocologist to get my regular check up. I hadnt been to him before, as my old dr retired. After he asked me a couple of questions and did my exam, he stated that I have what's called polycystic ovary syndrome. He said it was because I was overweight and that even know it doesnt affect me now, it will later. He said I could develop diabetes, cancer or become infertile. Then he told me to stay on my pill, to go on a diet and exercise and i'd be fine, he also gave me pain killers for cramping. I am overweight, but im not huge and I do eat healthy and exercise regularly. I've been on a health kick and since lost 20 pounds and counting, so i'm already trying to improve my health in that way. My question is, after reading about insulin resistance and cysts and other complications, should i be on a very low sugar diet, should i get a specialist to make sure i dont have cysts or other issues as a result? This diagnosis is really a shock and im terrified that later I wont be able to have children or ill develop health issues. I'm 21 now and I feel lost and have no clue what I should do to help myself.

thanks for your time

allie

[GirlTCC]

Hi there! Your comments have helped me alot. I was diagnosed with PCOS a month ago. We have been trying to conceive for 6 months when I realised something was wrong. My period would stay away for 3 months on end. I have lost 3kg's already and need to lose 7 more before we can start planning to have a baby.
It is a nerve wrecking thing, but better to know what is going on than to wonder all the time.
I will look out for a low carb diet thanks to your comments :).

[jakesgal88]

I talked with a dietician and the best thing to help get your excess weight off is to watch your carbs as a previous poster stated. I just found out last week and after a week of eating 180g of carbs a day I have already lost 6lbs. She said when you eat carbs to eat a protein with them. It helps your body to better break down the sugar. So like an apple with peanut butter or a piece of string cheese. Cottage cheese and pineapple. Your body will tell you that you need the carbs when you first start... but after a week, my cravings have went way down. I'm even going to try a recipe where I cook the veggies I like on pizza, put them in a 13x9 inch pan, add sauce and meat, and layer with cheese. Put it in the oven and let the cheese brown. I love pizza, but it has a lot of carbs, so this may just work. (Or you could just eat one slice and have a salad. lol).

Good luck! Take care of it now while its not causing you problems. I think I had it when I was pregnant with my son who is now six, but just got diagnosed Nov 2011. I have suffered from panic and anxiety attacks, irregular cycles, hair loss, excess hair, tingling in feet and hands, and having a hard time losing weight. Now I have insulin resistance. Had I found out when the cysts started, I may have avoided a lot of other problems by monitoring my diet from the beginning. Don't feel the need to take the medicines they give for it right away. I have been encouraged that I can keep this under control by controlling my eating and exercising.

[baby_girl2012]

I was also diagnosed with PCOS about 5 years ago, it can mak eit harder to get pregnant because of the irregular menstrual ( not impissible my gyno told me worst case I would have to take some meds that resensitized the ovaries and another after to rebalance hormones) but don't stress to much about that as the lady before has children so do I, I got pregnant about a yr after diagnosis, I was ideal weight at the time of diagnosis and since have gained access weight (but no one told me about the Carb thing).

[msniki412]

You do not have to go crazy overboard on cutting all sugar out. I lost 65+lbs just by walking, and cutting back on bad foods. The best thing I can say is to watch you carb intake. We cannot process carbs as normal bodies can, so that is why we gain weight. I would suggest a lower carb diet, but watch how much fat you take in. Eat good carbs in moderation, like brown rice, whole wheat pasta/bread. Take fiber supplements since most of the low carb food does not contain fiber. Start slow and then work your way up. Good luck

[adviceneeded85]

Hi, I was diagnosed last year and don't think it has anything to do with your weight other than it can make you heavier, I am normal weight, have no excess body hair, acne etc but I have them it just happens to some people I suppose.

Don't be worried about being infertile the fact that your already watching your diet is a great start and you will find plenty of forums online telling you whats best to eat and what to avoid! I think low carb diets are usually the best :) Stressing about fertility will only make it harder when you do want to start trying as it has a really negative effect.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle such as diet, not smoking etc will all reduce your risks of developing diabetes, cancers etc but I wouldn't worry yourself about these, it doesn't happpen to everyone who has polycystic ovaries.

[rachyrou]

I was diagnosed when I was 18. It isn't because tour overweight. If anything the illness causes you to be overweight. Don't be scared. You can control it with diet and sometimes medication. Oh and I had a little girl last year and pregnant again. Don't worry too much. Any questions pop me a,message id be happy to help. I was shocked and scared when I found out too x