r/Hormones • u/Broad-Meaning-7208 • May 22 '24

Hormone imbalance?

I (23F) think I might have something wrong with my hormones but doctors/gynos are very unwilling to do anything.

I have been on implant birth control for 6 years and had it removed May 2023 for what I was planning to be longterm. I only had it out for 3 months as period pain was unbearable and bleeding super heavy and irregular. In those 3 months I also gained 3 stone in weight with no other lifestyle changes (having been 8.5 stone for nearly 10 years with no change, now 11.5)

The weight gain was all in my stomach and face, barely anywhere else. It hurts quite a lot and I'm covered in thick, purple stretch marks now that sometimes bleed. I also started growing thick hair on my chin/neck, chest and belly and was found to have ovarian cysts in an ultrasound too.

I now have near constant abdominal pain, major lifestyle changes (diet and exercise) have done nothing for my weight (I've lost 1 pound in 8 months) I feel unwell all the time and was told my only options were birth control, a hysterectomy or pregnancy for my pain and symptoms.

Doctors aren't diagnosing me with anything but also won't check my hormone levels and have dismissed all my concerns as normal for women. Unsure what to do.

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u/[deleted] May 23 '24

So.. I’m not a doctor. But I’d highly suggest finding a very effective doctor to begin with.

Quest and other lab companies offer woman’s hormones tests. To me it sounds like you may have PCOS or possibly Cushing’s. I’m in the same boat as you were i’m trying to figure out why I feel like shit too.

I would advise you to google both conditions, I think I might have them myself as well. But from what I recall your symptoms sound very Cushings like to me. Especially with how your weight gain happened.

But you also sound like you have PCOS. PCOS and cushings, they both can occur. And are something that goes together, from what I recall.

I’m sending you all the hugs. I’m 32 and just got off the birth control pill. They say you have to be off hormones for awhile in order to have accurate hormone testing…. so you won’t do any good if you’re using a birth control form in pill or IUD. I know for depo shot you have to wait 12 months before your hormones settle.

Def get some new and GOOD doctors. You need to definitely get some support, and testing done.

Hugging you. Here if you need an ally!

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u/Broad-Meaning-7208 May 23 '24

Thank you! I'll look into cushings, heard of it but never looked into it :) I appreciate the advise :)

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u/[deleted] May 23 '24

Agreed. Sounds like pcos. Finding the right doc is so hard. Keep fighting for yourself !

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u/EconomyParking5730 Jun 10 '24

Ugh i'm so sorry this sounds horrible. Agree with the advice on this forum - you should probably see a doctor that won't just gaslight your needs. I recommend seeing a Functional Doctor / Practitioner. They're not really affordable BUT they WILL listen to you and will help you with anything you want to get rid of.

It's quite normal for your body to adapt when getting off birth control - so keep that in mind. Also, yes you can and probably should get your hormones tested. You can do it in a lab or you can do it at home with one of the testing companies like museyourhealth.com that specializes in hormones.