Healthy Living

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Weight Problem and PCOS: Is It Also Haunting You?

I know that I’m not the only person experiencing the signs of PCOS or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. According to wikipedia.org, Polycystic ovary syndrome abbreviated PCOS or PCO is the most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age, and is a leading cause of infertility. I’ve noticed that I’ve always been overweight and I thought my eating discipline was the issue. But I have tried almost everything in order to loose weight - diets, slimming beverages, exercise, and herbal slimming medicines but none of them worked for me.


When I reached 23, I had infrequent menstrual periods and I found it very alarming so I decided to see a doctor. The findings showed that I have PCOS and it’s one of the reasons why I never loose weight. When the doctor educated me more about the problem, I realized that I was unaware that abnormalities had occurred even when I was younger and had I known, it could have been treated earlier. My mom told me that she and my dad were already suspecting hormonal imbalance as a cause of my weight problems but they just ignored it and now they’re paying for my medication so to make up for what they used to ignore during my childhood.

The following are some of the signs that occurred in my body as a result of PCOS:


  • Weight gain, carrying extra weight around my waist
  • infrequent menstrual periods
  • increased hair growth on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, and toes
  • acne, oily skin, and dandruff
  • patches of thickened and dark brown or black skin on the neck, arms, breasts, and thighs
  • skin tags, or tiny excess flaps of skin in the armpit and excessive snoring

    after the findings, the doctor said that I’m also having problems with the following:
  • ovarian cyst, infertility, and insulin resistance

Now, I’m on my 2 nd month of medication and I really feel better. The doctor suggested a low-carb diet for me, gave me pills for my hormonal disorder which has also lots of beneficial side effects (e.g. clear skin, acne treatment, less painful period, and as a contraceptive), and she also gave me medicines for my problems on insulin resistance. Because of this medication, I started loosing weight from the first week and now, I’ve lost around 15kg or 6.8 lbs. I’ve noticed that the dark spots on some areas are now lighter, pimples and blemishes are reduced, my boobs are fuller, the extra weight around my waist has been reduced, and the strands of my body’s hair are thinner and lighter as well.

If you’ve noticed some of these signs in your body or in your sisters, friends, or children, never hesitate to see a doctor. I suggest that this kind of problem should never be ignored because if treated at an early stage, I believe that true physical beauty and confidence will follow.

 I hope that this will serve as an inspiration and provide better understanding to most women around the world. Let us make sure that every woman is confident, beautiful inside and out, and feels so good about how they look.

Syndication:

From the Community…

Comments 1-6 of 6
  • Sharon's Avatar
    Posted by Sharon Sat Jul 26, 2008 12:45am PDT

    I would like to know what medicine your docotr put you on. I am 32 and I have PCOS I was diagnosed with it when I was 26 years old and I have not geen able to have children. Are you able to have children

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  • Allie's Avatar
    Posted by Allie Wed Aug 6, 2008 7:56pm PDT

    I'm quite curious as well, I myself have PCOS and am overweight, I'm 17, who knows maybe what worked for you may work for me. If it could I'd really like to talk to my doctor about possibly trying the medication you tried.

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  • Lai Sy's Avatar
    Posted by Lai Sy Tue Aug 19, 2008 5:06am PDT

    Thanks for leaving your comments. My doctor gave me Metformin for my weight problem and insulin resistance; and I'm currently taking Diane35 pills to correct the hormonal imbalance. I take Metformin three times a day, that's every after meal. Right now, I won't be able to conceive because I'm still taking the pills but my doctor assured me that after the medication, it's perfect for me to have children. I hope you'll try the same but it's very important that you see your doctor first before undergoing the same medication. God bless!

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  • Susie's Avatar
    Posted by Susie Tue Sep 2, 2008 12:37pm PDT

    Hi Lai,

    I have PCOS too, and I've been doing a lot of research about it. I'm going to ask my doctor for Metformin/glucophage. I'm nervous about the side effects I'm going to have. What did you experience? Are you still losing weight? What did you do to control the extra hair? Has that stopped just from the Metformin? I have done so much research on this and am amazed that only two nights ago did I begin finding the articles about Metformin. I hope you're still checking these, the last message was from 8.19.

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  • Kristin's Avatar
    Posted by Kristin Wed Sep 17, 2008 9:56am PDT

    I have PCOS and have been on Yaz and Spironolactone fo almost five months now. I have seen and felt so much better. My mood is balanced, it's easier for me to loose weight, no more acne,less hair on my face, and I have much more fuller breasts. Thank goodness for my Dr. I had been suffering with this for five years and didn't know what was wrong.Good Luck!

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  • Sharon's Avatar
    Posted by Sharon Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:30am PST

    Thank you Lia for sharing your story. I can't wait to go to the doctor and ask about the medications. God Bless

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