Ten Things Women With PCOS Are Tired Of Explaining

Are you tired of explaining things to people, you know from the obvious to the not-so-obvious? I’ve put together a list of Ten Things Women With PCOS Are Tired of Explaining. Feel free to share with those who care so much!

 

***This post has been updated and republished. It was first published in April of 2016***

1.What Exactly Is PCOS?

PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, a common condition in wome. Women who suffer from PCOS experience an imbalance of sex-hormones, including higher levels of testosterone.

Common symptoms of PCOS include acne, hair loss or thinning, excess body hair growth, irregular or absent menstrual periods, infertility, along with weight gain.

And really you can just google PCOS or just go to PCOS Foundation and it’ll give you a full explanation of what it is, and I don’t have to answer you the next time we see each other again!

2.You’ve Been Taking Birth Control For How Many Years?!

Uhm, hmm… see what had happened was…

Trust me I wasn’t sexually active at 13 years old. However, birth control medications or oral contraceptives, are commonly prescribed to women and even young girls with PCOS to regulate menstrual cycles.

3. You Don’t Get a Period?

Some women with PCOS have maybe two periods a year. When they finally do get their period it can be debilitating. Some women with PCOS, periods may be extremely heavy and painful and in some instances, last for weeks at a time. Their periods are far from normal.

4.When Do You Plan On Having a Baby?

Oh if it only were that easy! PCOS is one of the most common causes of ovulatory infertility. Even if a woman with PCOS does get her period, it doesn’t necessarily mean she’s ovulating. In addition, because of the hormone imbalance, women with PCOS may experience more miscarriages than those without the condition.

So the answer here is simple, whenever my body decides to ovulate and/or a pregnancy finally sticks.

5. But You’re Not a Diabetic!

No I’m not a diabetic, but while Metformin is a common diabetes medication, it is often prescribed to women with PCOS to reduce insulin levels. Taking metformin or other insulin-lowering medications doesn’t mean you have type 2 diabetes.

6.Can’t You Just Exercise More or Eat Less?

Listen, if I ate any less than what I already do, I’d starve. If I worked out any more than I already do, I’d be invisible. Unfortunately, weight loss is much easier said than done if you have PCOS.

Over half of all women with PCOS are overweight having experienced gradual or even rapid weight gain. The reason? Insulin, a hormone that causes weight gain, is higher in women with PCOS. When you have a higher insulin levels it make losing weight more difficult. And no it’s not an excuse! Stop saying that!

Fad diets and other Commercial diet plans are rarely effective for weight loss in PCOS. It is recommended that women with PCOS need nutrition advice that specifically addresses their unique needs. Working with a registered dietitian nutritionist who specializes in PCOS is highly recommended.

7.Why You Are So Hairy.

I’ll never forget the day that my sister’s friends called me a Chia Pet, and the day her girlfriend called me a wildebeest. So I thank you too for making me feel like an animal on display at the zoo.

High testosterone can cause excess hair growth in women. Women with PCOS may experience hair above their lips, on their chin, and sideburns, as well as more hair on the rest of their bodies. Women with this unwanted symptom of PCOS spend a lot of time and money as to not appear “hairy.”

8.When Are You Due?

So many women with PCOS wish this statement were true. Women with PCOS tend to carry excess weight around their middle, making them look pregnant when they aren’t. This excess weight is the result of extra insulin being stored as fat. So thanks for pointing out exactly how fat I look, and once again reminding me of how I’m not pregnant yet again this month!

9.Just Wear a Wig.

Yes, not only do women with PCOS have to deal with Being Hairy (See above) but also with hair loss. This issue is perhaps one of the most devastating aspects of PCOS. High levels of testosterone in women can experience thinning hair or even male-pattern baldness. This can be detrimental to their self-esteem and confidence as a woman. Women with PCOS don’t want to wear a wig. They just want their luscious glorious hair back.

10. Relax, It’ll Get Better.

Unfortunately, PCOS doesn’t get better and can get worse with age if not managed. Long-term complications of PCOS can include the development of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic syndrome. The best treatment approaches for PCOS involve diet and lifestyle changes. So please stop telling me to relax!