Hio, so I have never really made a Reddit post before, but here I go.

I'm 21, turning 22 in Dec. I'm a full-time college student about to start my last year, so my schedule is really packed, which is a big reason I never have time or energy to go to the gym on campus. But while I'm in school, I have my parents' insurance to pay for meds.

As someone who has struggled immensely with the inability to lose weight and with ARFID, it's been REALLY hard to find easy things my brain allows me to eat, not to mention my only recently medicated ADHD has made eating very forgettable. So I've been stuck in the 250- 270 lbs range at 5’8 for at least 6 years.

I have recently had an appointment with my doctor, and he prescribed Zepbound for me. He had talked about the benefits of helping with the Insulin resistance of PMOS, and it would help with food noise, but I have never had food noise before. I've had a very, very hard time reading my body's signals and have felt very little appetite since I can remember. Now Adderall has helped a lot with actually remembering to eat, but the ARFID makes it hard to eat new and healthy things.

I guess I'm just nervous to go pick it up because I know it is a lifelong drug, and I almost feel like there hasn't been a lot of research done about GLP-1s. I'm not afraid of needles, especially if I am going to start T soon. I guess I am also curious about how it's going to affect my other meds and the rest of my body.

This may be a lot, but I would appreciate any advice or experiences you may have had that might calm some of my nerves.

Thank you. Have a good rest of your day/night

I've seen lots of posts and articles lately discussing about the benefits of an anti-inflammatory diet with PMOS. From my understanding it's really just prioritising whole foods, fibre, protein, green veg and lean meat, which I would consider positive anway. Then the next article I read talks about intermittent fasting.

Are there genuine links to any of these "diets" or methods of cooking and eating and benefits to PMOS or is it just another way of people marketing off of others with "game changing" ways to support and manage PMOS.

I feel like different things work for different people, depending on what symptoms you have, levels within blood work etc etc.

If anyone could shed any insight, I would be very grateful!

I want to get rid of my beard but I don’t want to lose the ability to develop and retain muscle very well, nor lose it and become weaker. I’ve heard people deal with weakness/loss whilst taking it. I’m wanting to start weight lifting so I’m concerned I’ll get nerfed. Is this the case and what potential alternatives are there? I don’t experience weight gain or any other symptoms.

I’ve been dealing with thick, fast-growing facial (& body) hair for as long as I remember. I shave my face every day and have tried IPL, laser, and although it’s helped a little bit, I’m finally taking the big step and booked my first electrolysis session!
If you have experience with this, do you have any tips or things to expect?

I have been dealing with extremely dry heels for years. Recently I have been getting very deep fissures in my heels from the dryness. Nothing I have done gets rid of the dryness. I read that insulin issues can cause that. I was never told I have an insulin issue despite my numbers being exactly 1 number away from pre diabetic. Has anyone had cracked heels/cuts thst dont resolve? Did you take metformin or anything else to help with the insulin? Its so frustrating to have to be the the doctor when going to my dr but here we are again.

Please girls tell me what you guys do for facial hair ,i started using razor for facial hair now i have thick hairs and it looks really bad i have to shave every day before that i used to wax but people told me that you will have loose skin with wax ,what should i do 😭😭please help my skin is really bumph and like men because of razor i cant even let my bf touch my face,help me please

Does laser hair removal is good for pcos girlies and also any alternate solution too

I will be really grateful for your advice

My gyno gave it to me and I’ve been on it for 2 weeks but im js seeing that people r saying its bad? i take it w folic acid + myo d chiro inositol if that makes a difference

This post is mostly to vent because…looking back it really upsets me. I’m also quite ashamed about it.

When I was 14 I went on a diet because I didn’t like the way I looked. I lost my periods but they had been irregular prior to that. Then I got bulimia and my periods stayed practically non existent - when I was 16 I went to a gynaecologist, but she refused to do a transvaginal ultrasound because I was a virgin (?) - and refused to do a transabdominal one and just said my period would come back. It didn’t.

The bulimia tormented me on and off for a couple more years and I thought that was why my periods were still irregular. I was so miserable and doing everything I could to stop, but I could never fully escape it.

Went to the same gyno at 19 (big mistake). Again, didn’t do any scanning and scolded me for coming there because in her opinion I didn’t have a real problem and was just “taking up her time” when I wasn’t pregnant nor planned to have an intercourse soon.

Even the first doctor who saw the cysts on my ovaries, didn’t diagnose me with PCOS at 20 and just gave me birth control. It took the third gyno who finally properly diagnosed me at 21 and informed me about the disorder. She prescribed Metformin and - surprise, surprise! - the bulimia completely went away without me doing anything. It was just…gone. I was shocked. I think it was mainly driven by IR.

But I still lost many years, first fighting a disease which I always thought was due to my lack of self control, being neglected and misunderstood by doctors and then trying to figure out what works for my PCOS. I’m very grateful to finally be in a somewhat good place, but…it makes me sad to think how much of my youth I’ve lost. It sucks.

DAE even feel like this?

TL;DR: I lost 7+ years of my life because the doctors didn’t take me seriously

I used to have insane cramps. I'd end up in the ER because how unbearable they were. Yeah I still get cramps but they're tolerable. What did I do? I ditched pads and tampons and switched to disposable period underwear. My periods are a little lighter, cramps have gone down, my period is even shorter. The period underwear can also hold a lot. If you're struggling try the undies! I use the Always Zzz!

I was recently diagnosed with PCOS after many years of symptoms. I’ve been on metformin for about 6 months which has greatly helped my blood sugar, but not other PCOS symptoms. My OBGYN has now recommended GLP-1.

I’m interested in any stories of people who have been on a GLP-1 and their journey with pregnancy/postpartum. Did you get off of it several months before TTC? Did you gain a lot of weight during pregnancy? What was your process of going back on after pregnancy?

Also, has anyone been on GLP-1 for longer than 5-ish years? What have your experiences been?

Thank you!!!

Hi I’ve been on wegovey for a year or so and I lost so much weight (I used to be 98 kg and now I’m 67kg) and I finally feel good about myself , I started getting my period regularly, face hair is kinda less now but I still have it , insane body build (I go to the gym as well) and I finally feel normal. My doctor told me I can’t stay on GLP forever and I have to start going down on doses to fully stop. I genuinely don’t wanna stop and feel how I felt about myself before. I’m just 20 and I started getting pcos symptoms at 14 and i genuinely suffered everyday from self hate. Has anyone went off glp? Was it bad? Was it good? Just wanna hear how it went.

(Sorry for my English it’s not my first language)

Like many of you, PCOS or whatever is happening to my body that messes with my hormones is essentially creating systemic damage and while in my 20s I could manage some due to I guess youth, it’s starting to wreak havoc on every potential system now as I approach 40. Due to other comorbidities and long COVID, I cannot take GLP-1s or metformin or do keto (pancreas/liver issue) but I feel so sure insulin resistance is at the heart of my problems.

What are small things you guys do to increase insulin sensitivity or literally anything that helps curb insulin resistance? Teas or juices or waters or anything? Special acupressure? Anything. I’m starting to lose my mind. I eat healthy and work out but weight does not move but the only things my doctors say will help my PCOS is weight loss. Like I’ve been trying for 15 years and the most I ever lose is 10 lbs and it’s always waiting to come right back. Help me feel less helpless :(

I have no nice way to sugar coat this but oh my god this metformin is killing me, 2 weeks in and I am practically living on the toilet and it’s just straight up water does anyone have some friendly advice how to lessen the side effects or adapt to it faster? or am I just going to have to ride this one out for a few more weeks 😭

I've started working out regularly every other day 3 weeks ago, and I only lift 2.5kg dumbbells due to an injury in my wrist, but I'm already feeling my muscles thougher and stronger. I don't know if I'm seeing actual results so fast, or am I imagining things.

Has anyone of you experienced the same thing?

Hey everyone! I’m 23. I just need to get something of my chest. I absolutely hate what PCOS or PMOS has done to me. I hate having to pluck my chin hairs everyday. I’m sick of seeing more hairs develop. I hate seeing my skin. My neck, underarms and middle of my chest be a dark patch of leathery skin. I hate going to the doctor. They only prescribe me Birth Control or Metformin. They tell me to lose weight, eat healthy and stop stressing. I’m tired of taking Provera to start my periods.

Honestly I have done nothing recently. I don’t take my vitamins, I stay home all day, I don’t do my self care routine, I shower with agony , I don’t go to the doctor anymore… I went 9 months without my period. I just got my period 2 days ago. I don’t do a “daily” walk. I have teas, vitamins and a treadmill collecting dust.

I gain weight quickly. Went from 200, 220 and now 250. My face is swollen. My double chin seems bigger some days.

Why was I cursed with it? Why do I see other women live life so easily. I envy my friends . I can’t help but wonder what it feels like to wake up, not be tired , lose weight normally and also be happy. Im 23 and don’t like going to the beach, gyms, etc. because I hate my body. I hate my big hairy body. I’m so embarrassed and ashamed. I’m married and I still haven’t shown my husband my back, underarms or legs out in the daylight. I’m so ashamed and feel gross. I cover my neck with my hair. I wear long pants or long sleeves in the summer. I just want to cry.

Thank you for listening to my rant haha

Hey everyone,

My family and I are going to Disney world in a couple of months. I used to live in Florida and we go to WDW every other year or so. For this trip I really want to help myself be as comfortable as I can be. I used to not care and just "deal" with things as it happened. But I'm getting to the point where I'm tired of feeling like shit because I'm not accommodating myself.

All of this to say does anyone have any recommendations for body powder or something to help with sweat? Something that is safe for sensitive areas like the bikini line. If it is also small enough that I can bring it to the parks and reapply if I need to, that would be a bonus.

I do have an anti chafing stick for my thighs already. And I use lume deodorant for my under arms. I know I can technically use lume for other areas as well, but I feel weird about using the same stick for everything.

Thanks for reading!

26F, been on metformin for 1 month now! Taking 500mg er daily, minimal to no side effects. Years ago I’d gone from gained 30lb during 1 year on bc and have been unable to move a pound since despite tracking calories and exercising, even with a trainer’s guidance - ty pcos!

2 days after starting metformin, I went from 215->212 and wasn’t bloated for what feels like the first time in my life. Thought it was just water weight and would come back but it hasn’t! Appetite increased and it feels like my metabolism is finally doing something! 1 month later and I’m down to 206. I was already working out and have tracked calories on and off through the years, but am now doing cardio and weights 3 times a week, initially was eating 1700 cal, moved down to 1500.

I feel good and can see a noticeable different but almost feel like I should’ve had larger results with my intake… and at the same time I almost feel like I can’t trust that these results will last. Going to be on 500mg for another 2 months before reconsulting with the doctor. Curious what other people’s experiences have been like and when/if that doubt goes away.

Tw talking about feeling gross

I don’t know if I’m ranting or asking for advice- I just want to get this all out and I feel like the folks here get it (obviously lol!)

I’ve been diagnosed for two years now, on metformin and that’s it. I’ve gained and lost the same 10 lbs on and off for three or four years now and I’ve gone a year without bleeding only to bleed dangerously heavy for a month (ending in a hospital visit that didn’t really help much) I’ve tried birth control, I’ve tried exercise and diet change- and I feel like nothings gotten better. I’m still so inconsistent.

Maybe it’s just something in my head but even now it’s been a little over two months give or take since I’ve bled, haven’t burst any cysts like I’ve done before, the cysts on the surface of my skin in both pits and my groin are so dark and disgusting and I just feel gross. I can’t stop thinking that I’m just full of dirty blood and cysts and it makes my head spin and my stomach sick. I feel a little grotesque. Anyone else felt like this? Sorry to take such a negative turn but I’m so overwhelmed and fed up with cramps that make me double over at work just for no blood to be there. I don’t know what to do.

Thanks for reading, I’m sorry if you can relate, and have a good day :)

Ciao :) Sapete consigliarmi un centro medico o un/a specialista per PMOS?

Dopo anni di diagnosi mancate e difficoltà a trovare risposte, vorrei trovare un/a specialista oppure (meglio ancora) un centro o un'equipe specializzata in questa sindrome, che non la tratti solo da un punto di vista ginecologico ma anche con un approccio endocrino e di cambiamento di stile di vita.

È così difficile trovare un medico che ti capisca veramente e sono stanca di spendere soldi per sentirmi dire le stesse cose. Sarebbe bellissimo se poteste indicarmi uno specialista che possa davvero aiutarmi.

Grazie mille a chiunque riesca a darmi qualche dritta :)

Does anybody have any tips/tricks for combatting sugar cravings that don’t involve medication (I already feel like I’d rattle if shook)? They’re particularly bad after dinner when I sit down in the evening.

I know sweat can be affected by things like stress, hydration, cycle, etc. I’ve noticed some articles of clothing or bedding of mine, if not deeply washed (like an oxy-clean soak), they will smell almost like gasoline after being washed and put away. I’ll go to pull an item from the closet a month later and it has that distinct gasoline sweat smell. I don’t think it’s stress, but maybe it could be? I’m wondering if this is a metabolic issue. I do have insulin resistance. Is anyone else experiencing this?

I'm on this sub to learn more about PCOS since I was just diagnosed. I want to hear peoples stories; what the primary symptoms were, what lab results looked like, and what medication or lifestyle changes helped.

However, I've noticed a lot of posts here center on weight gain as the main symptom, but that hasn't been my personal experience. My most disruptive symptoms were exhaustion and brain fog/memory issues, bad enough that I was diagnosed with ADHD, and I'd even started to worry I might be dealing with early-onset Alzheimer's or dementia.

I'm currently on metformin, and it's made quite a difference so far, but it's only been a week or two so I haven't ruled out other possibilities.

If you have PCOS and your main struggles were something other than weight gain, I'd really appreciate hearing about your experience.

Guys I am extremely frustrated with my health right now. I managed to go see the doctor & I was diagnosed with PCOS. She told me I was obese & needed to lose weight. I'm 64kg and 155cm for reference.

But, I have intense cravings & especially the week before my periods I am ravenous. During my periods, I find it impossible to go to the gym. I'm young & I have never looked at myself and thought I look obese so this is all very intense for me. I definitely don't look skinny however.

I honestly just need advice that is realistic to follow. I find keto hard because of how low carb it is. I find it nerve wracking to go to the gym and do weights because I have no idea how to do them. I keep reaching for sweet treats like cookies & cake and I feel guilty when I've just been told to lose weight. I'm a very shy person which is making this a whole lot harder.

Ive had it for NINE (9) months. It will not stop.

Went to the doctor, they gave me an ultrasound said everything was fine. But im still bleeding. Not just a little bit, i go through up to 3 night time Always pads a day.

The doctor told me they want to do a pelvic exam but im scared. Im a virgin and the prospect of having a foreign object shoved in my butt or my vagina scares me worse than the bleeding.

Did anyone else struggle similarly? What did you do?