Women living with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) share their stories; from struggling to lose weight, trying to have a baby, managing acne and excess hair or losing their hair.
If you are a woman with PCOS and you would like to share your story, please get in touch by emailing media@verity-pcos.org.uk
PCOS stories
"You may not be able to have kids, you got what you deserve"
Tuesday, 1st February 2011
Kay shares her story
Hello, I have been moved to tears by reading the stories on this website and thought I would share my own, even though its not a very exciting one.
I am 27 and have been diagnosed with PCOS for about 3 years although looking back the symptoms were there well before that. My doctor referred me for a scan and when I went to the hospital but I never saw a doctor. The technician who did the scan said, "You have PCOS, you will never have a baby but there is drugs you can take".
I went home without ever seeing a proper doctor or hearing off one and had no idea what PCOS was. It wasn't till a few years later when the symptoms got worse i.e. I was practically growing a beard, that I thought it was time to go back. So I finally got referred to a gynaecologist and went to my appointment. Low and behold it was the same guy who I had seen (previous to being diagnosed) for a consult on a termination (don't judge me folks, if I could take it back I would, biggest regret of my life).
Anyway, his words were, "I have seen you before when you had a termination, now you probably wont be able to have kids so you got what you deserve." It was the lowest moment of my life. He blamed everything on me being overweight and referred me to a dietitian.
Yes, I am overweight. HOWEVER, I eat normally, I don't eat much junk food and I don't have a sweet tooth. I'm no angel either, but I don't binge eat or eat excessively yet the weight keeps piling on. I tried to explain this but he was not having any of it and thought my weight was a way of palming me off. I am now in a rut, not only do I find it difficult to lose weight and yet find it so easy to put more on, I know the key to combating the symptoms are in weight loss yet PCOS suffers can put weight on in a blink of a eye. This is not a excuse not to try to diet, this is the truth. I have excessive hair growth on my face, terrible mood swings, no sex drive, I bleed all the time and have done for about a year and see no end.
Apparently the pill would take away my symptoms yet I cant have it because I am overweight, so instead I am meant to lose weight but I struggle to do that when I already eat healthy and exercise.
I will admit at first I was casual about PCOS thinking it wasn't a big deal, then the symptoms got worse and worse, I learnt more about it and my heart goes out to anyone that suffers.
The medical profession could not care less, I know there is no cure but the psychological damage it can do to someone is not taken into consideration. A woman should not have to grow hair like a man and bleed all the time or not bleed at all or have trouble conceiving, not to mention the array of other symptoms, without a doctor caring enough to take your condition seriously.
I have to live with the consequences of the fact I terminated at a young age and maybe I wont be able to have children now. I was engaged to be married but I ended it as I was unhappy with myself and my symptoms, yet I am still grateful every day that I am healthy compared to so many other people in the world.
Please, if you are reading this never give up or be too downhearted, there are people that do care like the wonderful people that run and support this charity. Don't let PCOS ruin your life or change who you are as a person.
Us PCOS sufferers are overlooked and misunderstood but its nice to know we aren't alone.
So I shall carry on with yet again another diet and carry on plucking my ever growing facial hair (LOL) and hope the future brings more positive things for all of us!