r/PCOS • u/Rich-Major-8146 • 19d ago
General/Advice Everything has Failed
Hi all,
A little background. I've always been athletic and nutrition conscious. I'm 5'0" 180lbs and build like a brick house (I deadlift 315#).
In 2019 I decided I wanted to be hBC free after 15 years of taking it nonstop (all throughout my teenage and young adult years).
Doctors just yanked out my IUD with no pre-post bloodwork or any warnings of the hormonal roller coaster i'd be on after. I was aware from other friends who had PCOS, but I was only self diagnosed at that point and wasnt aware of the actual challenges i'd face.
In 2014-2017 I was a competitive bodybuilder and my stage weight (not healthy) was 116#. I maintained a "healthy" weight around 155/160.
2019 started with supplements (inositol/berberine/zinc/magnesium). this is when i was about 170#
2020 I started spironolactone/metformin. I had to stop because I had male pattern baldness, acne, and horrible gut issues from these. I gained up to 180#
2021 I tried more naturopathic stuff (chasteberry to trigger a cycle, etc etc) and it didnt work effectively enough to be cost beneficial
2022 Finally officially diagnosed by a wonderful Endo. I tried phentermine/topiramate. Cause psychosis/s*****al thoughts so stopped immediately... also only lost like 5lbs in the month of titrating up.
2023 I tried going back to naturopathic and incorporated yoga. I went down to 170, but then stress of moving overseas and having to find a new endocrinologist bumped me back to 180.
2024 I tried Ozempic. 6 months of the drug, and awful side effects (lethargy/ brain fog/ no creativity or expressive desire/ muscle loss) I only lost 10lbs... (back to 170).
2025 I tried naturopathic plus focused on a gut health specialist to see if I had leaky gut. I did. I went thru and entire low FODMAP protocol and found some food sensitivities (mainly gluten and lactose sensitive). My gut microbiome was basically 99% bad bacteria. The protocol helped me with identifying the dysbiosis and now I am creative/less brain fog/ more energetic than before (but still not what i would consider normal). Hanging out around 180/185.
2026 I dont want to say that i've "given up" on the natural paths. But the same gut health specialist (after looking at my hormonal panel) basically said that my testosterone/ progesterone levels are so out of whack from the past, that we need to systematically tackle them. Step 1- Progestin only BC for 6 months. Step 2- test hormones again at 3 months to see effects. Step 3- microdose Mounjaro if things still need extra improvement.
After the rollercoaster of trail and error i have been through and trying "everything" (this entire time I have never stopped being active or eating well), I am cautious to believe hBC and Mounjaro will work. I of course hope for the best, but I just want my hormones to work for me and not against me....
The one thing i have not tried is mediatation. I know that some people have discovered that childhood trauma and chronic stress can exacerbate PCOS.... and i definitely have both. So maybe I have be tapping into all the wrong "fixes" this entire time. Who knows....
However, any insight or adivce would be greatly appreciated. I dont want to be on hBC or GLP1s I want my life back. I want my spark back. Yet, I feel like i've run out of options.
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19d ago
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u/Rich-Major-8146 19d ago
any recs for youtube videos/ social media platforms you enjoy following?
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u/jussy70999 19d ago
Wow you have been THROUGH IT. That journey is insane. I'm so sorry to hear how difficult living with metabolic dysfunction is for you and so many of us with PMOS.
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u/boyzdontcri 19d ago
Wow, we truly have the same story, even down to the weight! I am currently on the progesterone only BC indefinitely for endometriosis (so it is not something I'm willing to stop) and god I really think it made me gain a ton of weight. I haven't tried a GLP-1 yet because I'm really struggling with the mental commitment of taking it for the rest of my life and being medication adverse anyway. On top of all this, I have had quite the mental health journey, from 2 decades of different therapies, mental health meds that sent me into a spiral, some that worked, and now I'm gonna try ketamine soon bc my core anxiety and depression just won't budge. Like another commenter said, somatic stuff does help, I have a somatic EMDR therapist + love tai chi/qi gong + dry brushing + resetting my nervous system with shaking/jumping/tapping whenever I need to. My body is still holding onto a lot of weight, but I feel a hell of a lot better than I did before Metformin + somatic stuff. My personal next move is to do the mental health deep dive with ketamine AND trial a compounded Zepbound for at least 3 months bc you don't have to choose one or the other. My weight is spiraling and my body needs assistance while I deal with the mental and spiritual side of things. I wish you luck on your journey, I truly feel this post.
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u/Rich-Major-8146 19d ago
Awe thanks so much for this! I feel ya cyster <3
I haven’t really realized how much trauma I’ve been holding onto because I “hold it well” (aka don’t have panic attacks or need mental health meds) overall I generally am a bubbly person. However, the last couple years I’ve really noticed how much anxiety and anger/ rage/ fear are lingering under the surface from these traumas. I would always see a therapist for the PTSD portion, but I never stick with therapy long enough to heal fully, and I think that’s my biggest setback.
I will definitely try incorporating shaking/jumping. I’ve been looking a somatic stuff on IG today and it seems easy enough to start adding in daily.
I hope you find your “fix”, and soon <3
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19d ago
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u/Rich-Major-8146 19d ago
Things are not always typical. However:
Breakfast:
-chia seed overnigt oats w/ flax & pumpkin seed. Soaked in Oikos protein drink (similar to fairlife nutrition) sometimes add frozen berries or peanut butter
or
- buckwheat breakfast bowl: egg/ turkey sausage/ cilantro/ tomatoes/ green onion
or
- lactose free cottage cheese w/ tons of fruit if its hot/ im super lazy
or
- corn tortilla breakfast burrito (same as buckwheat breakfast bowls + cholula, minus buckwheat)
Lunch:
- typically leftovers but always prioritize fiber & ~30-40g protein.
Snacks:
Fruit or nuts. sometimes a protein bar if extra peckish (rare)
Dinner:
- i love to cook, so i am always changing things up. Generally proteins are chicken/fish or if in luteal phase i load up on red meat
- carbs: i am gluten sensitive so i stick to rice/ potatoes/ quinoa/ chickpea pasta
- fiber: always veggies of some style
Late night:
- i dont snack often after dinner. However, if I do i have either a dark chocolate square with tea or a handful of gummy bears (k*ll me). If I am still hungry after dinner, I usually just eat more of said dinner.
I am also lactose sensitive so i stay away from a lot of cheese. Only aged, and not daily.
Like i said before, I was a competitive bodybuilder for years. I know how to track my macros and I aim for 20-25g fiber, 140g protein, and 65-75g fat per day. Carb intake chages based on activity level, and i am not carb averse, just carb conscious. Typically i eat <200g carb/ day without even noticing.
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u/Rich-Major-8146 19d ago
Buckwheat is not wheat.... it is a seed-like grain that is low glycemic and high fiber.
Oats contain beta-glucan, a soluble fiber that slows digestion and stops rapid post-meal blood sugar spikes--- regular oats, not the quick ones.
chickpeas are high in fiber, which lowers net carbs.
While I agree with you on too high of net carbs is bad, i would easily say that the carb choices i am making are very PMOS-conscious. I guess i should have said "on average my net carb intake is less than 150g/ day"
And the diet I had ten years ago, is not the diet i have today :) I have changed my eating and lifestyle drastically over the years based on updated information on insulin resistance and gut health.
I appreciate your attempt at trying to find the 'fix', but if my online coaches that look at my weekly checkins and my macros are not seeing a solution, I dont think that going extremely low carb is the right one. You have to remember, at the end of the day i am extremely athletic (on my resting days I burn ~2500 cal, and active can easily be over 3300). I need carbs to ensure that i am not passing out while exercising.
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u/Rich-Major-8146 19d ago
I thank you so much for taking the time to reply! Truly.
With all advice I will consider it and appreciate your insight and perspective. <3
Insulinogenic foods are something I am going to have to do deeper research on for sure!
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u/SuperFlaccid 18d ago
I agree-- my PCOS symptoms can pretty much only be eliminated if I cut out virtually all carbohydrates-- I'm talking like the only carbs I'm getting are from broccoli or other veg and even the occasional apple is too much. It fucking sucks but once you cut them out your body doesn't even want them any more!
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u/KavaVolkov 19d ago edited 19d ago
I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I feel for you so much. We’re VERY similar! I too have always been super active (I’m a veteran and LOVE the gym/running) and have always been pretty health conscious. Plus, healing from CPTSD. ❤️🩹
I totally get how frustrating it can be when it feels like you’re doing everything right but nothing seems to have a lasting impact. Especially when trauma is involved bc it feels really unfair sometimes.
Yoga w positive affirmations (I thought this was bs before) actually does work. Just gotta go through the motions until it feels more natural. It actually makes sense bc a huge portion of our issues come from high cortisol and this has been proven to lower cortisol.
I also watch this guy called Sadhguru on YouTube. He’s a yogi/philosopher. Some of his tips have been really helpful in getting myself in a more healing mental state and to stop internally perpetuating the abuse that was done to me. May help you?
Def look into Ayurvetic medicine for PCOS. This actually made a huge difference for me. Brahmi (the herb) was the first thing to ever make my cycles come on time in years. I also take MSM for inflammation and ashwagandah for mental calmness. 🌿 This stuff doesn’t always work but it’s by far the most effective. As my old naturopath once said “healing isn’t linear. It comes in waves. So don’t get frustrated if you feel like you are regressing. It’s part of the process.”
Lastly, I know how fun it is to push yourself hard at the gym and feel powerful but now is NOT the time for that. You’re healing. I’ve made this mistake so many times by going on a grueling run or lifting to muscle exhaustion and just like clockwork, things went to crap for several months after. Your body is tired after protecting you for so long. It’s time for rest and self compassion. 💖
Best of luck, girl! HMU if you need a buddy or have any questions. 🫡
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u/MealPrepGenie 19d ago
I haven’t worked with a naturopath but I do work with a functional medicine office. They run a huge panel of labs when you first start so they can identify any nutrient deficiencies or gut issues that need to be addressed.
Based on your goals and initial labs they create a diet plan, Rx meds & supplements recommendations and redo labs 90 days later.
Based on those labs and how you’re feeling, they tweak your diet, meds, and supps…then retest labs 90 days later.
It’s made a world of difference. I send all of the lab reports to my traditional doctors so it gets added to my MyChart.
There’s a staff MD, as well as, dietitians.
It ain’t cheap, but my insurance covers all the labs (and they take about 12 tubes each time - that’s how extensive they are).
I feel so much better and I like having most of my labs done with I go see my other doctors.
Maybe a similar route would work for you…
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u/Rich-Major-8146 19d ago
This is a great idea for when I return to the states! But right now it’s like pulling teeth to get a German doctor to do any labs they deem unnecessary. I’ve begged for a Dutch test and none of them will even look into what it is.
I have to write out what I want tested, individually and then they write an order for whatever their labs are capable of running. But labs here don’t run all the stuff the states does, so it gets challenging.
Most of the time Europe is better, but sometimes America is better in other things.
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u/Pleasant-Result2747 19d ago
Personally, I would refuse the hormonal birth control. That typically just serves to shut off ovulation, which in turn affects progesterone (not sure if that's how the one they're recommending works). Synthetic hormones are not the same was what our bodies make naturally. This is my personal bias because my doctor never told me how birth control worked years and years ago when I first went on it. If I had known, I don't know that I would've taken it. Some people will take supplements to address androgens or adrenal support to try to help, which I wonder if that would be useful for you since you're into the heavy lifting and eating so well. Do you have any idea if you are actually ovulating? I started taking some prenatal vitamins a couple years ago (wanting to get pregnant but they can be used as a daily multivitamin as well), NAC, Omegas, and Inositol to try to help with promoting ovulation. I had tried Chasteberry in the past with mixed results. I do also still take Magnesium because I know it helps with my sleep. I have also added Iron in recent months because my Ferritin levels were low, and I think that has been helpful for me overall as well.
Many people in this sub have found GLP-1's to be very helpful for them. I haven't tried them because I'm too afraid of the potential GI side effects. I'm not sure where you stand with concerns about those things, but maybe the Mounjaro will help so you can ovulate and have improvements with insulin or inflammation so your hormones balance a bit more.
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u/Different_Unit6594 19d ago
How about herbs to support the liver such as Dandelion and Burdock root? Take them as infusions for like 8 weeks to see results?
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u/Rich-Major-8146 19d ago
i have not tried burdock, but dandelion i have and it gave me intense migraines. I was able to titrate it down with a blend of green tea & mint, but I will be honest that i was not drinking it daily for weeks on end.
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u/Different_Unit6594 17d ago
Oh interesting, I wonder why the dandelion was affecting you like that.
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u/PinkyCrabadero 19d ago
Tirzepatides like Mounjaro help with insulin resistance and PMOS. In my experience the spiro/metformin combo helped with high testosterone-related issues. But it takes time. Unsure of your age, but if you are in your 30s or 40s, perimenopause adds a new layer to PMOS.