As you may be aware from previous blogs that I have written, I have PCOS. September is PCOS Awareness Month and so this blog will be a little bit different. Instead of food finds, recipes and ideas for healthier life choices I wanted to share some information with you all instead. 1 in 10 women have PCOS and all of us are affected differently. However, there are quite a few myths and misinformation floating around out there.
What exactly is PCOS? Well, that can be a hard question to answer. Believe it or not, you can have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome without actually having any ovarian cysts. That sounds false but I promise you it is true. To diagnose PCOS you need to meet at least 2 of 3criterias.... irregular or no periods, high levels of androgens in blood, polycystic ovaries on an ultrasound. Also, most women realize they have PCOS after testing for infertility but the symptoms can actually begin manifesting as young as age 11 or 12.
One of the scariest things about PCOS is that doctors don't really know the cause. Many symptoms can be treated or masked but there is no cure either. Many women with PCOS are told to take Metformin for insulin resistance, birth control pills for period regularity and hormone control, to pluck /wax/shave facial or body hair and to hide hair loss that might occur. Hiding and controlling the symptoms sounds well and good but it is hard to tell people that the only thing they can do is mask the symptoms for as long as possible.
As I stated previously, most women only find out they have this when they try to concieve a child. I am one of the people that knew something was wrong long before I tried to have a child but my doctor referred to my concerns as "women's troubles" while giving me ways to cover up my problems and not even trying to diagnose until I was ready to try for a child. This has been a common problem heard from many women with PCOS. Why there is not more early testing as soon as you voice concerns I do not know.
Some of the most common symptoms are listed in the above graphic. I can personally attest to many of these. My hair dresser commented earlier this year that my hair is not as thick as it once was and I am beginning to lose more than I used to. I am insulin resistant, often over tired, had trouble conceiving a child, gained most of my weight all in 1 year and have never been able to re-lose it all, have crazily irregular periods and can be prone to mood changes when not on any hormone (birth control) pills.
There are a LOT of myths about PCOS. So many times I see videos on YouTube, TikTok and other platforms where people say things they just know to be true and it is incorrect. I just want to take a minute to address my "favorite" ones....
Myth: If you lose weight all your symptoms will dissapear and you will be healed.
Fact: Weight is a common symptom but not the cause. Also, you can be skinny with PCOS.
Myth: Taking birth control will make you "normal" again.
Fact: Taking birth control helps with a couple symptoms but far from all of them.
Myth: You did something to cause this condition
Fact: The cause is unknown and genetics is a possible factor
Myth: If you are infertile you must have PCOS
Fact: There are many causes of infertility and this is only one possible reason
Myth: If you don't want to have children you don't need to worry about PCOS
Fact: PCOS can impact many parts of your health and diagnoses is important
examples include diabtes, hypertension, endometrial cancer, depression
Myth: People with PCOS can lose weight the same and everyone else
Fact: It is true that losing weight helps but it is also true that losing weight is
more difficult since the weight gain is one of the side effects of having PCOS
Myth: You will know you have PCOS without any testing
Fact: Only with blood tests and ultra sounds will you know for sure. Your symptoms
could be from other health issues.
Myth: Every woman with PCOS should take the birth control pill
Fact: While this helps with some symptoms in some women it is not something everyone
needs. Also, if you are trying to get pregnant this is obviously horrible advice
Myth: If you have PCOS you will never have a child
Fact: It will likely be a harder road and there are people who may not be able to conceive
but that does not mean all people with PCOS will not have children. It took a long
time, the help of Clomid and doctors direction but my child is a beautiful miracle.
Myth: PCOS is a rare condition. No one you know actually has this syndrome.
Fact: 1 in 10 women have PCOS. It is very likely you know many women with PCOS that
do not talk about it or may not yet realize they have PCOS. Those of us that are vocal
are rare but that does not mean the syndrome is rare.
If you believe you may have symptoms of PCOS I highly recommend speaking with your doctor, especially your GYN. Many things are not considered in your normal exams until you are older unless you have an underlying condition. An example to consider is that you may not be checked for diabetes until you are 45 but if you have PCOS you may develope diabetes in your 20s or 30s. Always share your concerns with your doctor.
For all the other CYSTERS out there.... keep educating, keep talking and keep praying for a cure.
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