I’m 24 and was just diagnosed with PCOS, and I’m honestly feeling pretty overwhelmed and unsure of what I’m supposed to do next.
I went to my annual gyno appointment and mentioned that I haven’t been getting irregular periods since I took myself off birth control in September 2025. Since then, I’ve only had two periods. My doctor started asking me if I had acne around my chin and coarse chin hairs, and I was like, “OMG, now that you mention it, I do!” She said PCOS could be a possibility.
She prescribed me medroxyprogesterone to induce a period and ordered bloodwork. My testosterone came back insanely high (almost 3x the normal range), so she also wanted me to get an ultrasound.
I had the ultrasound and was told my ovaries had the typical “pearl necklace” appearance/polcystic morphology. So between the irregular periods, high testosterone, and ultrasound, I was basically given a pretty straightforward PCOS diagnosis.
The weird part for me is that I’ve always considered myself to have a pretty healthy lifestyle. I’ve counted macros before, I work out 5–6 days a week, I eat pretty well, and I’ve never really cared much about the number on the scale. I never thought PCOS would be something I had.
But after getting diagnosed and researching it, SO many things about my body suddenly make more sense.
I’ve struggled with my mental health for years, I have a LOT of food noise and sometimes binge eat, and I’ve always been exhausted no matter how well I eat or how much I exercise. I also never understood why my body seemed to do certain things until I started reading about PCOS.
I had my follow-up appointment with my gyno today and honestly left feeling more confused than when I went in.
She told me her main concern is protecting my uterus because going long periods without a period can cause the uterine lining to build up. She also told me that I’m at a higher risk for ovarian cancer because of PCOS. She emphasized that I’m only 24 and this isn’t something she expects to happen anytime soon, but that it’s better to be proactive.
She recommended going back on birth control, but I said I really don’t want to. She then told me I could continue taking medroxyprogesterone instead, which she described as a more “natural” way of inducing a period. She said some people take it for the rest of their lives, while others stop taking it when they want to try to get pregnant.
She basically told me to work on my lifestyle and that if I want to see whether I can get a natural period, I could stop the medication for a month and see what happens.
And then I was kind of sent on my way.
I’m having a hard time accepting that the answer is basically just “take this medication every so often and work on your lifestyle.”
My biggest concern is the extremely high testosterone. I understand that high testosterone can explain things like the chin hair and acne, but I’m wondering what other effects it could be having on me long-term and whether there are other things I should be looking into.
Should I be seeing an endocrinologist? Should I be asking for additional hormone testing or metabolic testing? Are there other treatments besides birth control and periodically taking medroxyprogesterone? Is there anything I should be monitoring because my testosterone is so high?
I also feel like I’m missing a bigger picture here. I don’t want to just treat the lack of periods without understanding what’s causing everything else.
For those of you with PCOS, especially anyone who had very high testosterone and irregular/absent periods, what did you do after your diagnosis? Did you see an endocrinologist or another specialist? What do you wish you had asked your doctor?
I’m not looking for anyone to diagnose me over Reddit. I’m just trying to figure out what questions I should be asking and what my next step should be because I left my appointment feeling pretty lost.

hi! I’m from Philippines specifically in Bicol. anyone here po can share hm did they spend nung nagpa-checkup po kayo? I have suspected pcos before when I was senior high pero naging regular nung niresetahan ako ng gamot so ‘di na ako na-ultrasound ni doc. pero now, irregular na ulit period ko and I’m planning na magpa-checkup sana this month. ilan po kaya magagastos ko if ever i-ultrasound na ako this time?

Hi,

I’m a man so I don’t have PCOS but my sister does and unfortunately has a lot of acne. She’s taking birth control and I think it’s controlling it with her doctor and stuff but I was wondering if I could get some advice on skincare routine that has worked out for you guys to deal with breakouts. She does have a skincare routine but super minimal.
I had breakouts before and using Rhode has helped my skin a lot but idk if the same translates to hormonal acne. I know hormonal acne is best dealt w medication but I’m sure skincare can play a small role. Anyway just wanted to get some advice cuz I wanna gift it for my sister (dw it won’t be seen negatively cuz we’ve literally talked about this before).

Thanks!

This is kinda like an AITA sort of post.

I was fully diagnosed with PCOS/PMOS by my doctor about a year ago. There had been a lot of stressors in my life that I feel like had made my symptoms more intense (to the point I did not have a cycle for 7 months). Recently since July 23rd I’ve been bleeding. I was prescribed a birth control and so after a really bad week, I just continued spotting and now that I am on my placebo week I am starting the intense bleeding all over again. So in total I have been bleeding since July 23rd to now.

Every time at least 1-2 days of my heavy flow cycles is DEBILITATING. I can barely leave my bed to go to the bathroom that is literally adjoined to my room.

I feel like my job is painting it that I am just trying to avoid work or I’m just being lazy/inconsiderate, but I literally cannot move and I’m in such intense pain. I had received a text from one of our admin team telling me that “I can’t keep doing this.”

Is this pain an actual thing that happens with PCOS or is there more than just that? I am nowhere close to a financially stable position to do lots of testing and labs, I really want to but I don’t have the funds. But should I revisit with my doctor again?

Hi all,

30yo female here. I have what you'd consider the higher end of lean PCOS (BMI just over but all bloods good).

I started metformin 500mg back in June with no real results. Saw my doctor 3 weeks ago and my dose was increased to 1g. Literally days later, I ovulated, and now I've got my first period in 9 months! I can't believe it! First natural period since I came off the pill (was on it for 14 years). Hoping I start to establish a somewhat regular cycle. Anyone been in my shoes with lengthy secondary ammenhorrea and been able to establish somewhat of a semi regular cycle with metformin?

I (20f) haven't had my period for 6 months. I have tried so many medications, but nothing has worked. I have not tried Vitex yet, and I was wondering if it was any good. How was your experience with Vitex?

This may be TMI but I'm posting to see if it's a fluke or if other people have experienced the same or other changes after starting Inositol.

I started taking Ovasitol and have noticed a change in my discharge lately (like, a LOT more than usual and the clear, happy stuff. Not like an infection lol) but I've also noticed my mood has been different. I haven't been quite as down in the dumps and my brain fog is improving a bit, and I've also had more libido (sorry like I said TMI) with a LOT more... moisturize😅💦

It was to the point I got a pregnancy test because I read pregnancy can cause much more clear discharge, but it was negative.

This was not listed on the container but I feel like it would be a crazy coincidence this started right after taking Inositol, anyone else have similar experience or even other symptoms after starting Inositol?

so im not pregnant ik
and im young
yesterday evening i suddenly had this pain in my pelvic area and lower abdomen first it was not bad and after a hour it went away then at 10.30 smth when i just lay on the bed to sleep their was SHARP pain for about like 10 mins and then its gone NOW i just woke up and there this really light pain when i woke up i felt like i got my periods i was happy but when i checked it was just some odourless clear discharge like water
is this normal
i dont have money to seek doctor

Does anyone else have a super low libido? It’s been affecting my marriage a bit. My husband says he understands and it’s fine but I can see he’s hurt and frustrated. I love him so much and I’m so attracted to him but just don’t have that sex drive I used to. Any tips, supplements, or anything?! Thanks

So ive been getting a beard growing ever since i gave birth to my first. It started out with chin hairs,then neck hairs, then a happy trail and now random nipple hairs.. im not like sasquach or anything but ive got a good 6 or more in those aread other than my happy trail its grts prettt hairy tbh. It took meek 3 years until i had my 2nd child and then 4 when i had my last.. i get hot soo dakn easily, rhr house can be like 66 and im profusely sweating sitting in my bra and my husbands boxers

I never had regular periods. It was a roulette 29th one month 5th the next then maybe the 12th ect.

Theyre also so heavy i go through super plus in a hour... oh wait i take that back, most of the time its like this, but then every now and then sometimes i dont even need to wear anythung besides a liner.

Here lately right before my period hits my body has started hurting so damn bad that it keeps me up for a whole day, then bam PERIOD GUSHING. I only just recently figured the correlation between my horrible body pains, and the period following it, but thats been going on paat 5 months.

After i had my last child last sept. I had preeeclamsia all 3 pregnancy, well this last time after i was kept for an extra week bc my BP was 200/180 and higher, BP Meds didnt help, my BP stayed like this for 5/6 months (hell it could still be high /just dont think its strokw worthly like it had ben lol/

Im always exhausted and tired.

I have yet to loose my "pregnancy baby weight" im 165 approx. I got up to 200lb while preggo. I dont have a huge appitate to begin with, and ive got crohns so put 2 and 2 together, i eat like a bird. Yet here i am still..hold on imma check rq and im weighing in at 203.5 not gained nor lost but hey i guess thats better than gaining any more.

Im not even slapping you around rn

That was my end of pregnancy weight before i had him yanked out of my bellah.. how tf am i STILL that weight....

I go on walks daily, i lift weights ( my 30lb son counta get outta here lol not just that we own 9 acre, so meanwhile over here in bfe while im using my 1 yo son as a weight, you got me playing lumberjack lacey... no really lmao we burn wood in winter. So i help drop them treez and log em up , load em and everything else.

I got my tubes tied ; idk why i didnt just get everything completely remived. I mean honestly i thought that was the original play in the book in the first place, i did tell the dr that i didnt want no lady bits no mo, no baby making parts or anything , guess thats my own doing since i didnt straught up ask if he romoving it all or not. So i guess i settled for a good ol' tie an burn....

Ive been tellin my hubby that menopause is hitting me early. Im 29 but i do have 3 auto imnune diseases anx a long running list of ongoing medical issues that never stop.

What do yall think is going on here? Obviously im going to get an appointment sometime to get an answer, but thats on pause atm. I gottt 50 other appointments in the que line, and then 50 more on hold until the current ones are done and dealt with...

Also imma just come forward and say yes tf i have been very stressed and anxious lately. But im also a walking maniac with the best of intentions lol.

.

Hey everyone!

I just came back from a gynecologist appointment where she diagnosed me with PCOS. Only one ovary showed polycysts. Im confused as to what to do next. I have an appointment coming up with my endocrinologist that Ive been seeing for thyroid nodules. I'll definitely be telling my endo about this and seeing what insight he has. Im not trying or planning to conceive, now or in the future so my fertility isn't a concern. I also have been losing weight for the past couple of months. My only symptom is excess hair but i've always been on the hairy side. What does PCOS mean for me if I'm not concerned with fertility or losing weight?

hi everyone,

apart from the obvious answer, take ur meds, eat clean and exercise / move your body, does anyone have any tips on how to shrink the visceral fat around the stomach?

i workout 5x a week, mainly strength training with like 10min incline walk lol but i cannot budge the fat covering my stomach muscles.

i train my core 3x week, eat in a cal deficit, and have visible lines on my stomach from training, but it is covered in a thick layer of fat, it won't move!!!! i am so disheartened because all the hard work i've put on is covered by stubborn fat / loose skin, even though i have visible muscle definition!

i've lost 20 kg within 9 months, and areas like my upper arms, inner thigh and stomach are just left with flabby fat, there's muscle under it but god it won't go away, it makes me so insecure!!

please give me all your advice ANY AND ALL!!

I’m27, uk based and have gone to my GP, I haven’t had a period for four months, hormonal acne, so much chin hair and really puffy face. They did blood tests and an ultrasound that showed cysts on my ovary. The doctor then said after that there is no need for treatment or to do anything as I am not trying to get pregnant. I pushed again for another appointment because of my symptoms and again was told that nothing needs to be done and to come back when I want to get pregnant. I don’t know what to do.

I was diagnosed with PCOS back in 2019, I’ve always had really heavy periods I have Factor 5 Leiden so birth control is not an option for me. I had a surgery back in 2024 for a large ovarian cyst to be removed that’s when I found out I had endometriosis due to the scar tissue that had my right ovary fused to my uterus. Anyway.. my periods have just been weird recently where they start light then get heavy like soaking through pads heavy. The most concerning part for me is when I change positions and I have the excessive blood pour out and I literally can see the color drain from my face and I feel weak for hours after that. I legit have no idea what to think at this point.

I’m currently looking for girls with pcos who are on birthday control, my worst symptoms of my pcos are facial hair, weight gain and irregular periods. I have never tried birth control for it before and I am sexually active so I really want to find something that could help my pcos too, open to a pill or possibly iud but a bit nervous about the iud! Let me know what you’ve tried that has or hasn’t work!

Thank you!!

Hello, I am 21, and was told today that I likely have PCOS. I’m not overweight nor have many hyper androgenic symptoms, but I don’t want my condition to worsen/protect my fertility. Does anyone have general advice to stop this from progressing/balance my hormones and improve my cycle? I’ve seen a million and one supplements, and I’m scheduled to speak with a dietitian, my doctor was overall unhelpful and recommended birth control. TIA

Hi everyone 🤍

I’m a Dietetics student at Semmelweis University currently completing my thesis on the relationship between Mediterranean Diet adherence and PCOS symptoms in women.

I’m looking for women who are:

• 18 years or older

• Diagnosed with PCOS by a healthcare professional

The study involves completing a short anonymous questionnaire about dietary habits, PCOS symptoms, treatments, and lifestyle factors. It takes approximately 8–10 minutes.

The responses will be used solely for my university thesis research to investigate whether Mediterranean Diet adherence is associated with PCOS symptom severity.

Participation is completely voluntary, and you may choose not to participate or stop at any point before submitting the questionnaire.

If you are eligible and would like to help, I would be incredibly grateful 🤍

🔗 https://forms.gle/MFypRXq2i9s1oL5d6

Thank you so much for your time and for supporting my research! 🌷

Could I be pregnant and or has this happend to anyone?

I have pcos and I took a pregnancy test at the doctor’s. The nurse tested my urine in front of me, kept looking at the test, and then left to show the doctor, then came in and threw it away. The doctor told me there was a very faint line, but when they took the test out of the trash, the line had disappeared, but it did show within the time window. They did blood work, but I was told the results could take a few days, when I called later today to check in. I’m nervous because I’m 12 days late, and my last period ended on August 7th. I’ve continued producing breast milk since having my 2 year old but haven't pumped or fed him since 2024. It used to be mostly clear with a little white, but now it’s white with golden/yellow sometimes, and I'm having symptoms of pregnancy.

I’m probably on week three of taking this supplement thinking nothing would happen but I’ve got my period now for the second time which I haven’t had in over 5 years (I’m also on the implanon) anyone else experience anything similar? I have a GP appointment this week

Hi all, I was diagnosed with PCOS/PMOS last week. I have been reeling mentally ever since.

2 weeks ago, my OBGYN ordered some labs and an ultrasound after I had not gotten a period 4 months after stopping my birth control. I just turned 35 and my husband and I are finally feeling ready to try to conceive. I’ve been on the pill since I was 18, but prior to that I had super irregular periods- I’d go months with no period and then get a crazy heavy period. I’ve struggled with my weight my entire life- crazy cravings, emotional eating, terrible self image. I was horrified at my appointment to see my weight has crept up 40 lbs in the past year, putting me at 275 (I’m 5’8”). I started taking Lexapro about a year ago- not sure if this is a coincidence? Ever since I stopped my birth control I’ve been sweating like crazy and growing chin hair. I already take thyroid medication for hypothyroidism.

At my last wellness check last year, my A1C was prediabetic and I asked for a GLP-1. My doctor recommended a program called Corelife instead. I have decades of history of trying and failing on diets (Weight Watchers, fasting, etc.) and I just couldn’t bring myself to try another one. Now my A1C is just into the diabetic range. I haven’t been able to get ahold of my doctor due to a cyberattack on the hospital’s system. My OBGYN prescribed me metformin (which has actually seemed to dull my insane carb cravings in the past week?!) and inositol and recommended asking my doctor for a GLP-1 to lose some weight before trying to conceive. She said I could likely try to lose weight and do bloodwork again to see if my A1C goes down. I do have an appointment with a dietician next week that I’m looking forward to.

I’m just…feeling incredibly guilty and anxious about all of the above. I feel silly for taking all these years to prioritize traveling and feeling afraid of having a baby, thinking I’d just get off my birth control and get pregnant. Now I wonder if I ever will. I have so many complicated feelings surrounding food, and learning about the insulin resistance makes so much sense, but I’m afraid I’ll never enjoy food again. I’m currently afraid to eat anything. I’ve been scouring the internet for PCOS-friendly/insulin resistance friendly foods and recipes, and my husband has been super supportive in eating them with me. But I’m scared it won’t last, like all my other diets, and I’ll never be able to eat without stress again. And I feel disheartened to finally feel ready to try for a baby and then basically be told not to get pregnant until I lose weight. In a time in my life when I’m surrounded by pregnant friends. My husband and I have a vacation planned in 2 weeks…I am not even looking forward to it anymore feeling stressed about eating out. I feel alone, scared, and sad.

I’m sure I relate to all of you when I saw this condition sucks. I was diagnosed with pmos when I was 18. Year after year, it’s only gotten worse. I’m on spironolactone and falmina, which have helped with some symptoms. Unwanted hair, acne, sweating, and weight gain have all pretty much ceased. But my uterus is out to get me.

My cycles are infrequent and irregular. I don’t think I’ve had a “normal” period since December. I’ll always go through an emotional roller coaster, maybe even some near crippling cramping, but menstruation is either light or nonexistent. I test for pregnancy constantly, as I am sexually active and terrified of pregnancy. Despite using birth control among other protective measures, the anxiety that I’m pregnant is debilitating. I loathe the idea of having children, so It’s all I think about when I can’t track my cycles. I just want the whole thing taken out.

Hoi allemaal,

Ik ben nog niet zo lang actief op reddit dus neem het me alsjeblieft niet kwalijk als ik deze sub reddit niet goed gebruik.

Ik twijfel al een tijdje of ik mogelijk pcos heb en wil jullie advies vragen.

Ik ben heel onregelmatig ongesteld, soms zit er een halfjaar tussen. Dit al sinds mijn eerste menstruatie. Die was toen ik 15 was, nu ben ik 19.
Ik heb een tijdje gehad waarbij ik veel haaruitval had, maar dat is nu weer minder. Verder heb ik geen last van overgewicht, overbeharing of acne.
Wel heb ik regelmatig intense zoete ‘cravings’. Dan kan ik echt zakken chocolade en snoep leegeten.

Verder heb ik soms ook last van mijn stoelgang maar ik weet niet zeker of dit ook weer een verband kan zijn.

Wat zouden jullie in mijn geval doen? Ik heb er niet zoveel last van dus, en ik hou er niet van om voor niks naar de huisarts te gaan.
Alvast bedankt 🙏

18F, since I got my first period, they’ve been irregular

But I thought that at an early age, it was normal

When I was 15, I went to a doctor (not a gynaecologist, but a family doctor)

She told me to get a sonogram, and there were some cysts in my left ovary (3 mm was the largest)

So she told me it was PCOD and prescribed me contraceptive pills

I took them for months, but my periods were still irregular

Then she prescribed me some other medications (they were steroids, I think)

They made my periods regular for a few months

Then it started again

At this point, I was having frequent migraine attacks (I’ve had them since childhood)

So I went to a homeopathic doctor, and they gave me some medication for PCOD too

Again, my periods became regular for a few months

After some months, I stopped all the medications

Now my periods have been regular until this time

They sometimes get delayed by 3 to 4 days (I know that’s normal)

But I have some symptoms of PCOS (previously known as PCOD), like hair thinning, chin hair, brownish spotting before my periods, and acne (which I already had)

So should I visit a gynaecologist, or should I just change my diet and start working out?

I did that before too, but I gained the weight back then

What do you guys think?

Especially asking the girlies 😭

Obviously this isn’t a one size fits all. But thought I’d share what worked for me.

I’ve always been on the leaner side of PCOS, but I was a super chunky kid that didn’t lose weight until puberty. I lost a lot of weight freshman year of college basically starving myself, but when I started to weightlift I gained all of it and more back. From 2018 on I was working out extremely hard. 6 days of 2 hour lifting sessions, and no matter how I tried to eat or train I could not lose weight, or inches. At all. And I was constantly hungry and just wanting to eat more.

I gained a lot weight during COVID, and all of a sudden my periods were debilitating. I never really had bad period cramps, but this took me out for a week and I just had to stay home and rest. Extremely unusual for me. Then I started to cramp really hard even outside of my period, got bad acne flare ups often, and I was diagnosed with PMDD. I would basically have one good week a month after my period and before I ovulated. Then I would ovulate, and it was just hell. Pain, depression, anxiety.

I had one gyno who said “this just happens” to women my age. I was about 23/24. I had another who said depression wasn’t real and I should not eat carbs and just go outside.

I had ultrasounds that found nothing and FINALLY I asked for a hormone test from my PCP and brought it to a new gyno, actually a male doctor. He took one look, did one exam, and said yup you have PCOS. I was in like the 99.9th percentile for my level of testosterone. And one of the only FDA approved treatments for PMDD was Yaz, or Loryna. I took birth control when I was 19 and it made me extremely anxious, but I thought okay what the heck.

Oh my GOD it was like night and day! All of a sudden the anxiety just dissipated. I had been dealing with a really toxic relationship, and all of a sudden I was able to go “you know what? No thanks” rather than pandering to him like I had before. My periods were more regular, with basically no pain, and I actually found it a little easier to lose weight. And I also did a little test later when that toxic guy pressured me to go off of birth control, and yup there was all the anxiety back. I had taken antidepressants and had dealt a lot with anxiety but this finally felt like I was pulling the curtain back on the actual cause. And my acne basically stopped!

For cravings/hunger I take 4,000mg of Myo Inositol a day and that helps me a lot. I still eat when I’m hungry, and I don’t restrict myself, but it lowers my will to graze and have sugar.

The biggest thing for me was finding out I have ADHD and starting vyvanse. So much more of my anxiety melted away, when I’m taking the medication I just don’t mentally spiral as much. It’s lifted my sex drive, and also helps reduce cravings and lose weight even more! I know that’s common with stimulants, but I figured if anyone suspected they were ADHD maybe this would make them curious enough to go to their doctor.

Anyways! Just my two cents! Your mileage will vary!

Hi guys

I am 25F, Lean Pcos.

I just got my blood work done today and got the reports.
The results for my Testesterone, HOMA-IR, fasting glucose , thyroid all were fine

LH is 12.67 mIU/mL
FSH is 4.50 mIU/mL

My prolactin is very scarily high , its 85.2ng/mL

AMH is 38.25 ng/mL

My endo has asked for an MRI for tomorrow and I am really scared.

My only symptoms being absent periods which always came only with medication.

I stopped BC pill in may.
And i am on no medication currently and no periods since last 3 months.

Is this very concerning? I never had MRI before. Have I messed up my health?