| Re: I Have Been Diagnosed With Pcos
hey margaret,
i was 17 when i was diagnosed and it is very confusing and a bit scary. i have to say most of the people i know (and there are a lot of us) haven't been terribly affected. it's more of an annoyance than anything else.
it's different for all of us, one friend hardly ever gets a period, maybe one every 8 months or so, while i bleed for weeks at a time if i'm not taking a high dose estrogen pill.
everyone i know has trouble managing their weight, although with metformin and regular exercise and a low glycaemic index diet, it's not too bad and will probably make us healthier in the long run than our peers.
the acne etc tends to get better with metformin or the pill.
most people are really worried about what this might mean for having kids, but again, most of the people i've come across (and i work in a hospital where it's quite a common condition) have succeded in getting pregnant when they've tried. some have needed medical help, but only one had to go as far as IVF.
there is an increased risk of certain diseases like some cancers and diabetes, but again, you're probably in a better position than a lot of other young women because you'll be educated on what warning signs to look for and monitored regularly by your GP.
the best advice i can give is find a good GP and a good endocrinologist, spend some time working out what's best for you, e.g., diet and exercise, medication etc then just go with it. you'll be fine.
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