pcos - what am i in for?

[el_9_elle]

I've always suspected something was wrong. I've never had regular periods, I've always had a lot of discharge of a milky colour, I've had quite severe PMS symptoms and small white bumps on my vagina. Recently (in the last 6 months) I have developed severe acne and it has been quite detrimental to my self esteem! I've also developed a bit more body hair than I had had in the past (some I always had such as the hairs around my nipples)... this was not so significant that I worried about it...but i did worry about the acne. I was also concerned because I've not had a period for over three months.

I had bloodtests done around the time of my last period and as I remember, my oestrogen was very very low, but i think my testosterone was relatively normal. My androgen binding globulin was low. I also had a fasting test and my insulin levels appeared relatively normal i think.

I saw an endocrinologist who suspected I had PCOS and I had an ultrasound yesterday that confirmed that I have multiple cysts on my ovaries... I didn't ask at the time but does anyone know why my left ovary was situated in the middle of my body - not towards the left and why it seemed significantly smaller than my right ovary?

I've been rather depressed since finding out. I'm 19 years old and am of normal weight at the moment. I did NOT deal with the sudden onset of acne well (falling into a bout of depression)...and I'm fearful that obesity will also hit me as suddenly and unexpectedly. I know it is common for women with PCOS to be obese...I really want to know my chances of NOT becoming obese. Is there anything I can do to prevent it? I have a very accentuated waist and hips which I understand is not typical of the physique of someone with PCOS (who is usually heavier around the middle). Would i be likely to see some indication of obesity by my age if I was prone to it? I'm really really worried.

I'm not only worried about these cosmetic symptoms - I am also concerned about the implication this disease has on my fertility.

Ahhh, I have so many questions....

Am I destined to be a obese, pimply, hairy and infertile woman?

(I hate feeling so negative...but I also want to be prepared for things i might have to face....because i wasn't prepared for the acne and it was certainly damaging to not only my face, but also my personality!)

[angiehall]

Hi,

I also have PCO. This disease will treat each woman differently. I don't have trouble with acne or the harriness, but I went through nine years of infertility (just had my daughter in March of this year) and I struggle with my weight. I also have irregular periods and VERY long periods. I have been able to lose weight, but not all women can. There is a medicine that may help you call Gluchophage. You may want to ask your Dr about it.
I wish you the best,
Angie

[el_9_elle]

Thanks for your post and CONGRATULATIONS on your pregnancy and childbirth! Nine years of infertility must have been so frustrating, but it's reasurring that your attempts at conceiving weren't futile.
I will look into the medication you mentioned. Will it help prevent me from putting on weight, or should I only take it if I appear to be becoming overweight? At what age did your struggles with weight begin?