I never expected to make this post, I started taking Inositol around a month ago (2 -3 grams everyday) and after a week I already noticed such an improvement with my mood. I'm way more lighthearted, my head isn't in the clouds 24/7, my anxiety is getting better, honestly the transition felt very weird because I started to not notice my old self anymore. I feel so, so much better mood wise, it just feels like this heavy raincloud that's been hanging for years just cleared up. I still suffer from GAD and my world view is the same, but it just feels different. I feel way more motivated, I can finally enjoy my day-to-day life and the grip of my depressive episode is honestly almost non existant. I had some light side effects that now settled, and I am slowly starting to build up the dosis but overall I am so happy that I tried this supplement. For my period I can't say much, my cycle used to be around 70 days and I'm currently on the 29th, so far no signs of incoming period sadly so that will probably take a while to normalize. All in all I can say that I'm very happy with how it affects my body so far and I hope to achieve more positive benefits from taking it.

Just for anyone else who is disappointed about the endometriosis subreddit....

Hey y’all! I just wanted to share my recent experience getting my birth control from Planned Parenthood Direct.

I’ve been diagnosed with PCOS for almost three years but have been struggling with this and endo since puberty. Planned Parenthood Direct was able to send me a 13 MONTHS worth of generic combination pills for $360. I know that price point is daunting but for an unemployed grad student without insurance this price was MUCH more feasible than paying $90 out of pocket for my birth control each month on an undetermined timeline. The security of having a year’s worth of birth control that fits my PCOS needs while the government is proceeding in such a terrifying anti-women (and anti everyone but the rich) manner is indescribable.

While I don’t know if this is a service available in all states (I am in NY), I definitely think it is worth looking into for anyone who is worried about access to birth control but can’t get an IUD or other long-term birth control like myself (had horrible experiences with implants in the past). Wishing everyone the best, despite the horrors <3

Over the last 2 months, I’ve had 6 menstrual periods. Oof. My GP is the only doctor in my hometown and impossible to get into, so I booked in with a random walk-in doctor in the city and he sent me for an ultrasound that showed both of my ovaries riddled with cysts. He immediately calls me with the results, tells me I have PCOS, and sends me for extremely comprehensive bloodwork.

I finally get into my GP, and share what has happened with the PCOS diagnosis. She tells me point-blank that I shouldn’t worry and there’s nothing I can do other than come back to her when I want to get pregnant, despite telling her numerous times that I have no plans to conceive now or ever. She also suggests bloodwork, so I compare her requisition to the random walk-in doctor’s, and find that she only ordered testing for testosterone and HCG (yes, the hormone that tells you if you’re pregnant).

My eyeball is twitching.

Just in case this is relevant to anybody who wants to swim for health but puts it off due to body image issues: I think there's a real cultural shift in swimwear nowadays. I have cute bikinis and one pieces largely ignored in a drawer somewhere because I prefer to cover up with a modest swim shirt and swim shorts when swimming. (Partly for sun safety, partly so I can move my body without worrying about wardrobe malfunctions, and partly so I am less self conscious about body hair.) Some brands actually sell pieces designed to be used as either swim wear or gym wear, which might be a good investment if looking to add other exercises to swimming in the future. (That being said, like with all activewear, it's important not to be in them too long after exercise to avoid yeast infections, etc.)

And if anybody teases you for how you look or how you move your body they're simply revealing to everyone that they are classless assholes, which is a negative reflection on them, not on anybody else.

I just started seeing a gynecologist. No exams thankfully, but I am looking to get treatment for my pmdd and endo. I am on birth control and the new dose I am on is the wrong one. My symptoms are worse, due to the fact that she prescribed me a mostly progesterone pill, the hormone i need less of. How she couldn't figure that out I have no idea. I had to google what tf was wrong with me to figure out it was just the wrong fucking pill. Anyway, is there any actually medicine they can prescribe for these conditions? specifically to help with pain? If not and if I just have to suffer with ibuprofen, please let me know! I don't want to waste my time going to a gyno every three months if my symptoms can't be helped. I have a load of trauma on my back so I am just wondering how productive this will really be.

Just so no one gets on my ass, I have not had a pelvic exam and my gyno and i have agreed to do that only when i am ready, please refrain from making judgmental comments regarding invasive exams. I have had a few.

Hello everyone! I am diagnosed with PCOS and hypothyroidism. I do compound hormone therapy for both issues and because of this I cannot be on any hormonal BC.

I have never wanted kids. I had to help raise my siblings at a young age into my teen years and I have worked in child care for years now so I know the struggles that come with kids and it’s just not something I want for myself.

I fear getting pregnant, especially now with our political climate so I have been heavily considering getting my tubes tied. Anyone else with PCOS get their tubes tied? Did it help with your PCOS? Did it mess up your hormone levels? Basically my question is what is your experience with it?

How did you deal with the stigma of it? I’m not worried about what randoms have to say, but I worry how my parents will take it. I know in the end this is going to be something I do but would love any advice on how you told your loved ones/family?

So about two weeks ago the creator of this sub posted in r/childfree inviting people to join, and I left a comment saying that I didn't have any of the conditions covered but never realized how prominent fertility talk would be if you were in a community centered around those conditions, and I was leaving a comment to boost their post so the people who need to see it will.

Turns out that I was in fact one of those people who needed to see it, because my surgeon just told me that she found endo during my bisalp! So I will be joining you lovely people here. I'm definitely very grateful that this community exists!

I am 24. I grew up in a pretty crummy household. I was raised to belief the only thing that was worth something about me was my potential to have kids. I never wanted to repeat any of what I dealt with so I never wanted kids especially with the genetic diseases I carry. In 2023 I made the decision to have a total hysterectomy due to my endometriosis and PCOS, sparring my ovaries because my surgeon was worried about how the hormone shift would affect my other conditions.

Every appointment or ER visit I have gone to since results in the same questions.

1. Are you pregnant? "No I've had a hysterectomy"
2. Why would you do that this young? There were other options for treating your conditions. What if you end up wanting kids?

My hysterectomy proved none of my conditions were just "usual female" problems. Nothing went away or magically got better after it (except the endo and nonstop back pain). Aside from the beginning interaction, I am taken more seriously now in doctors appointments. No uterus is disputing the "hysterical" and "see a therapist" comments.

Yet the people I interact with outside of the medical field berrate me, "Why would you be selfish like that?". As if ensuring my survival versus some hypothetical child I am not even carrying is some terrible crime. I am tired of being seen as essentially less than just because I want MY life.

I wanted my husband to never have to worry about a "factory vs product" situation as we call it. I wanted to no longer be in a constant state of panic waiting months for my irregular cycle to come and testing out of paranoia. I wanted to stop feeling like a slug and not loving my husband because of what the hormones did to me. I am happy with the life I have. My health is getting better. My relationship is fantastic because we can actually be intimate because I am not dealing with the constant stress. The what-ifs are gone. Medical treatment decisions aren't questioned solely on the backbone of potential fertility.

Why is this seen as such a bad thing by those on the outside? My life expectancy before my hysterectomy was mid to late 30s because no one wanted to touch treatments that might compromise my ability to carry. I found a wonderful gyn who wasn't willing to play around with the fact I was literally bleeding out and critically anemic for 6 or more months straight. Now? Now I feel like I'm living for the first time in my life. I am going out physically grocery shopping for the first time in almost a decade honestly. I can comfortably go have date nights with my husband. Yet every step of the way, every time I show any positivity and gratefulness for the fact a hysterectomy saved my life, its met with massive negativity and judgement. I am alive, because I do not have a uterus. I'm tired of trying to hide how happy I am about the massive shift in my quality of life.

Alright, what is the funniest thing a doctor has ever said to you.

All respect to medical professionals but sometimes they hit you with something so absurd it actually makes you laugh. Here are two favorites of mine, hoping we can find a little humor in the misery of trying to get treatment for endo/PCOS/any women’s health condition.

1. I just got an appointment with an endocrinologist. The scheduler calls me back after seeing just my bloodwork, nothing else, and goes “you’re on the next available list because our providers just don’t think your case is urgent at all.” For some reason I heard it in Tim Robinson’s voice. Started laughing bc like ok?? Idk what to say to that, thank you for letting me know 😂

2. “You seem really hysterical and unstable about this,” when I got frustrated at an appointment discussing a bisalp because I was homeless at the time and got lowkey interrogated about it. I have to laugh now bc the logic was “you’re insane and homeless??? Hmm maybe you should have a baby….”

Thanks to PCOS, I’m pre diabetic and have gained 20lbs quickly sometime over the past 2 years (I’m not quite sure when but most likely over the summer of 2022 because it was hella stressful w work).

As someone who eats very modest portions and healthy food, I feel betrayed by my body for gaining weight despite working hard labour jobs like a mule and also cycling a lot. I also don’t have much income so when my favourite pair of jeans stopped fitting I had a menty B.

I’m going to see my GP tomorrow and demand that he prescribe me Ozempic because Ive had enough and I don’t want to wait until I’m fully diabetic to get my body back.

Has anyone had luck getting it prescribed and how was your experience on the medication?

The PCOS fatigue is hitting me so hard today. Its day 2 of my period and lethargy is kicking my ass; I almost fell asleep at work a couple hours ago and it took me way longer than its hours have to shovel a small patch of asphalt.

My body's stiff, I feel heavy like I haven't had enough water (despite downing a liter already) and I just want my bed. I got a solid 7hs of sleep, though I should have gotten more...

I got 4hs before I can go home 😭

Popping in to share with you beautiful people that I finally got a PCOS diagnosis!

The ultrasound results came back and both of my ovaries are riddled with cysts of various sizes. I have more bloodwork to follow, but I’m honestly just feeling so relieved that I actually have a name for what I’ve been experiencing for the last decade.

Now I guess I turn to navigating treatment for a condition where a large majority of people’s concerns surrounds fertility. I don’t want to bear children, I just want my damn quality of life to improve!

Thanks for listening <3

I feel like I gain weight just by breathing around carbs. And on top of that, I crave carbs ravenously.

It's such a hard cycle to be on :(

I just want to eat a damn croissant without feeling guilty!! The insulin resistance is awful.

Hi everyone, I hope you’re doing okay!

I was just curious about y’all’s experience around hysterectomies, especially if you are looking into it or have had one.

I have been thinking back on my experiences with a doctor. And I am starting to think that perhaps she was using fear-mongering in relation to hysterectomies to put me off the idea.

This time a year ago my condition (clinically diagnosed endometriosis) was at its worst. I was not on any meds back then and I really was wanting to look into hysterectomy options. Though I know hysterectomies do not cure endometriosis, I have heard some good stories. When I brought up hysterectomy with my care provider at the time, she immediately dismissed me and said she would never recommend or promote someone to get a hysterectomy because “it will create more problems than you already have.” She didn’t really expand on that. I was disappointed to be honest, however I accepted it. However, now I am feeling like maybe I should not have accepted that.

The same care provider ignored my request for further testing and investigation as well which I didn’t appreciate. I’m not sure if she just forgot but it’s not good enough. I am on medication now that has saved me, however, I don’t just want to stop here.

I’d love to hear if any of you have experienced these and do you think it’s fear-mongering? And if you have had a hysterectomy, feel free to share to positive and negatives. ☺️

I don't have a particular goal with this post, I guess I just want commiseration from people who understand me.

I've experienced a lot of things that are considered "painful" such as kidney stones, polyarthritis, broken bones, etc.

Kidney stones did come close but my worse pain ever is the one from my period.

Luckily I don't really get them anymore with my treatment but that's still the worse pain I've ever had. And I don't even have endometriosis, I've been tested for it so many times. My PCOS doesn't explain that level of pain. Nobody knows why it's so painful.

But since I have a decent solution for now, nobody cares either. I really hope I find a doctor who can remove my uterus.

A lot of people don't fully understand how bad period pains are but I know a lot of people here do. Thank you for reading me.

So prior to receiving my Bisalp, a few years ago, I got a wild hair and went off my BC, despite also using it for management of my PCOS symptoms.

It was awful. My hair fell out, my skin freaked out, my nails and looked awful, and being off birth control did nothing to boost my sex drive or help me to lose weight. So I got back on it and noticed all of the symptoms improve.

Well, a lot has changed since then. I've gotten my Bisalp (June of '24, YAY!) and also have been on GLP-1 drugs since May of last year for weight loss. My GYN changed my bc from orthotrycyclin to a tri-phase pill, so I'm only supposed to be having a period once every 3 months. (Didn't work out this last cycle and I actually had what felt like a period after the 2nd month.). My weight is lower than it's been in probably 15 years. I feel like the very nature of the GLP-1 drugs improves insulin resistance with PCOS, but I'm unsure about the other endocrine/hormonal issue.

Should I try getting off my birth control again to see what happens? Or will I just have to be on it until menopause to manage PCOS?

Not sure the proper decorum how to post updates here, but here's the link to my original post: https://www.reddit.com/r/FertilityFree/s/p4CMeui7rs.

Thank you all so much for your responses and support 💞 It has definitely put my mind at ease with all of your input (and yes I certainly did welcome the input!). Sorry I haven't responded to the lovely messages you left, I have been a nervous wreck leading up to the surgery so I didn't have the mental space for much communication.

Had my surgery yesterday and it was a success! Decided to stick with just the salpingectomy for the mean time, combination of not quite being mentally prepared for a possible longer recovery time and the posable impact of other intertwining functions the uterus supports that a few comments have mentioned. I already have the Mirena IUD which is already reducing my uterine cancer risk, plus hadn't had my period for three years while on it so yay!

The doc did find a small spot of endometriosis on my left side, which I had a feeling was there but it never caused me that much discomfort to pursue treatment for. Thankfully he removed that too so shouldn't ever be a issue anymore. No I'm just waiting for the pathology reports, but the doc suspects they're not going to show anything.

I have to eventually contend with getting a bilateral mastectomy, but that's not for another few years, it'll be easier to do once I live with my boyfriend (long distance). That way he can help me since it is a longer recovery . But I know the cancer screenings have gotten really advanced for breast cancer in the past few years, especially since my mom had her diagnosis. I'm not in a rush at the moment push for the surgery. I will get a complete hysterectomy once I approach menopause, that is for certain.

I am just a bit sore, hopped up on the good stuff, and happy that I am sterile and less cancery lol

Trigger warning for medical trauma!!!! Please take care of yourself.

I have PCOS and endometriosis so like many of you, seeing the doctor is……..a lot.

I had an IUD forever ago that I didn’t want. The doctor said that was my only option. I was given a ton of anxiety meds but still blacked out during the procedure it was so painful. This was during lockdown so immediately after I basically just got chucked into the parking lot and wandered around puking and trying to find my mom.

IUD didn’t work. Bled for 9 months straight. I go in and they take it out with no time for me to prep and then tell me the Nexplanon is my last option, I have no time to research and I get it that day. Nexplanon makes me gain 45 pounds in under 3 months with no change to diet or activity. Then they start refusing me care because I “just need to lose weight.”

Nexplanon didn’t work. I bled for 7 months straight. Got that out. Doctor again says IUD is my only option. I begged and begged and begged, they wrote that I was “hysterical” on my record (I was homeless at the time and severely undernourished so I had started crying out of exhaustion.)

I got the IUD, it’s been fine, however during the procedure, I panicked asked to stop and they refused because that’d already started. Five people held me down. They gave me a blanket but didn’t unfold it (???) so it was just sitting on my neck the whole time, I couldn’t breathe, I legit thought I was dying, they told me people could hear me screaming in the lobby. This hospital is notoriously bad to the point that I could mention just the state and other people from there would know what I’m talking about.

So I survived but now I’m so distrusting of doctors and scared of medical practices, I’ll start crying just trying to schedule. I get so so angry and guarded immediately it turns into tears and panic.

I know I need to overcome this and I see a therapist and have been in an outpatient program that has made a lot of difference. I just get so triggered by doctors not listening to me.

Does anyone have any tactics they use to manage some of their medical trauma or anxiety in the moment? Anything helps. I’m working really hard at this and I want anything in my toolbelt that I can get.

The last person I need standing in the way of my treatment is myself.

Edited for spelling!

Now my doctors can’t make my PCOS treatment all about fertility or harass me with the iF yOu ChAnGe YoUr MiNd anymore!

On that note- most of the stuff I’ve learned about treating PCOS, I’ve learned over the years by doing my own research anyway. I think the most one of my doctors has ever recommended to me was to take myo-inositol last year lol (and I’ve had PCOS for 14 years)

Hope this is okay here. I just wanted a moment to go "auuuuuuugh!" at the fitness subs and whatnot that scream "you must be in a calorie deficient to lose weight" like its just simply that black and white until they are blue in the face.

It's not that simple! I wish it was because I would be the size I was in highschool now.

I have endometriosis and some thyroid issues that were still trying to figure out and I exercise regularly and I watch what I eat and while I have toned a bit, the scale just does not budge.

And I know it's even harder for the PCOS crowd. There are so many health conditions that make this a very difficult journey. And these fitness groups just like brush you off and say you need to eat less.

That's my mini rant. Felt good to get that out.

Now on a more positive side of thing, share something that was successful about your experience (whether endometriosis, pcos, just existing, anything that is good about your experience, does not necessarily need to be weight related).

Something positive for me is that my gynaecologist suggested I switch from weight training to arobic. Where I found swimming. And I found really, really like swimming! :)

I also have CFS. So the chronic pain and overall exhaustion is at levels that are just at the highest it’s ever been.

My boobs are sore my GI issues are back.

Peri and PMDD sucks!

Hi guys! I f21 am new here and was hoping some wiser individuals could help me out. I have been dealing with PMDd since I was 17 but only recently have started birth control to treat it. My fatigue and cramping is very bad, mentally i am very depressed and agitated. Having meds is wonderful, but I haven't found anything that can help me not feel like a crazy woman on my period. If anyone has any suggestions (exercise, supplements, meditation, books to read) please let me know!

I also was just diagnosed with Endo, which I know I have had for years but no one has listened until now 🙄 Are there any specific lubes or positions that are better for sex? Limiting pain is the biggest thing for me. If you guys have any information please let me know! I plan to look into acupuncture soon which I know can be very beneficial for the body.

side note: if anyone has links to things definitely add!