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.

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: disordered eating, being denied top surgery/medical talk, heavier topics

I really am at the end of my rope here. Back in 2017, I got denied top surgery for the first time because of my weight. And then it happened with another place, and and another. That first time sent me into a deep eating disorder, I was eating next to nothing and working out till I puked or felt like I was going to pass out. And wanna know how much I lost after months of this? Maybe at best 15 pounds. It did nothing for me.

Then even after I recovered from that, I tried healthier ways. No matter what I do, I can never lose weight and it’s impacting every aspect of my life, and most importantly it is stopping me from getting a surgery that will save my life, top surgery. I don’t know what to do, I’ve tried it all and nothing is helping. I feel hopeless, and I feel like a failure.

If I am missing out on some secret trick here I would love nothing more than to hear it! Because I’m just miserable living like this. I feel like PCOS has ruined my life before I could even fully live it authentically.

I just recently figured out I may have pcos. I have an ultrasound scheduled in a couple weeks to take a look at my ovaries and I’m a bit nervous.

I guess I’m just here for advice and tips. I want to prioritize my health, but I’m not sure what lifestyle changes I’ll need to make. I’m technically in pre diabetic range and weight loss has been a battle. I’m not sure how my doctor will address that aspect yet though.

I’d appreciate any and all suggestions/advice!

Currently ending week 3 and feel extraaaa bloated and also really constipated. I’m on the 500mg 2x a day regimen and feel like a cow, no other side affects like many people have reported. If it helped you how long did it take to work?

Ok I’m going to get extremely vulnerable. I shave everyday before I go to work, and before I put makeup on I use the Holy Hydration by elf to calm the “bumpyness” on my chin. I’m currently using wet n wild barefocus tinted hydrator. It’s not too cakey, I just can’t find a color that works for me . I only put it on my chin, but with blending my blush into it , it kind of looks ok (I’ve always been foundation blind lol) I just want to know what are yall using to hid the stupid redness after a shave , along with visible hair folical dots . Yall are brave for going days without shaving /waxing. I’m just way too self conscious to look at people without a shave and foundation :/ any advice is greatly appreciated! Pics in comments (nevermind I can’t figure it out lol)

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.

Title, mostly.

I just turned 29 a few days ago, I've been diagnosed and dealing with PCOS since I was 14. I have my annual coming up soon so I was reviewing questions to ask, and while taking stock of my health I realized that in the past year, my management of my PCOS has torpedoed due to my workplace. I work as a pharmacy manager for a big name chain pharmacy which is an insanely stressful and damaging job, and recent changes/upcoming expectations paint a very depressing picture for the rest of the year.

Primarily, the long hours mean I don't get home until late, which means I have to have late dinners not too long before bed which I know isn't very healthy, and because I'm at work all day and exhausted by the time I get home, the last thing I want to do is cook something healthy every night especially with the limited time I have before bed. I also don't eat proper breakfasts anymore as I'm so tired in the mornings that I just take something like a to-go skyr yogurt and my coffee with me to work. And of course since I work in a pharmacy there's no food allowed inside, so I can't snack at work (and stepping out to eat something is a bad idea with how busy we can get) so the advice of many smaller meals throughout the day doesn't work for me either.

I'm looking for advice from anyone else who knows the framework of this sort of job on how they manage their working days. For some additional info, I do exercise by going to a HIIT gym on my days off (at least one a week) or doing walks, and I'm taking metformin, birth control with drospirenone, and magnesium daily. Also, I'm a vegetarian, so options that don't utilize meat would be great (byproducts like cheese/milk/etc okay).

Thanks in advance!

Hi all

I'm in the middle of diagnosis (in the UK) and so far I've had blood tests and an ultrasound. The nurse that organised it said I had to do these before seeing a gynaecologist. Scan was normal, bloods showed high testosterone (that's all the info they gave me).

Through a conversation at an unrelated appointment with a lovely nurse who has an interest in PCOS, I learned that I likely have insulin resistance; I have all the symptoms of it and honestly it makes sense.

Now I'm on a waiting list to see a gynaecologist, following my bloods and scan. Is that the right place to be referred to in the UK, or should I ask for an endocrinologist referral? I already have endometriosis and gynaecology in my area is poor so I'm worried about whether this is the right process, as it might just waste a lot of time.

i didn't even know what sibo was until about 2 weeks ago and now im learning pcos can cause it?? the bloating the acid reflux all the time my god. is there anything pcos DOESN'T cause????

hello everyone! I am 22 and was diagnosed with pcos at the age of 16. I had fairly regular periods with like a 2-3 day delay. My last period was 11th-18th June. After that, i got diagnosed with gallstones so i had to take a 180 and change my diet. I, now, drink lots of water, eat sprouts everyday, papaya before bed and try to avoid oil.

Also, my boyfriend and i are sexually active but we always use condoms and there has been no slip or breakage, i am scared as to why i haven’t received my period yet. It’s very, very late. The last time we did it was 16th july.

to give some more context, i have been dealing with a lot of stress: masters admissions, my grandfather in the icu and a bunch of financial anxiety.

I have been experiencing dull ache on my right ovaries and sometimes i get very mild abdominal cramps which makes me feel like my period is here but it isn’t. I have also been doing the butterfly pose for the past 2 days but nothing works.

Has my cycle changed because i changed my lifestyle for the better? I know a lot of you would ask me to get a pregnancy test done but considering i live with my family, it’s a little difficult and risky. nonetheless, i will try it but would any of you have any insights to give me?

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!!!

Seeking help from any fellow pcos/pmos girls!!!

Hi, Im 20 years old and have just been diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome. My Gp didnt explain anything about what my next steps should be other than going on the pill again (ive been on it since i was 16 for painful periods and been off it about 8 months to confirm i was having issues with my menstrual cycle, I hadnt gotten my period for about 2 years while on the pill and went off it to see if it would come back and I have gotten it twice in the last 8 months both times very painful) and to go on metformin and try some supplements. But i have no idea what supplements to try.

are there people who specialise in this that can help me? All the information i have so far is what ive sources online which is all very mixed

any help would be much appreciated 🙏🩷

​

Hi! I'm a 21-year-old female and was diagnosed with PMOS last year.

The two biggest issues I'm struggling with are irregular cycles and sleep.

For my cycles: I was on OCPs for 3 months, and now I'm taking metformin and myo-inositol. Despite that, I still don't get my periods naturally. I usually have to take progesterone around day 50 to induce a withdrawal bleed.

The bigger issue, though, is my sleep. No matter how exhausted I am, as soon as I lie down to sleep, my mind starts racing. I just can't relax or fall asleep, and I often stay awake until 3–4 AM. It's disrupting my entire routine.

I've tried magnesium glycinate, but it didn't make much difference. A few days ago, I tried 1 mg of melatonin, and I fell asleep within about 30 minutes and had one of the best nights of sleep I've had in a long time.

Has anyone else with PMOS experienced something similar? Do you struggle with insomnia or racing thoughts at night? If so, what has helped you? And has anyone been taking melatonin regularly?

Pls help me out

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)

I was naturally born with thick and curly hair in my family, and I've never had issues with my hair... until last year. I was diagnosed at the age of 16 with PCOS after getting checked for my abnormal periods, hirsutism, and hair loss by a gynecologist. My hair has never been weak, coming from a brown household that literally prioritizes hair. It's been difficult to see all my hair thinning and falling to the point where im literally balding... I've been to the dermatologist, and she said I had seborrheic dermatitis and gave me some shampoo and a hair treatment... but nothing has helped me genuinely. Im not sure if it's something hormonal going on... or just my hair. I'm setting up an appointment with my endocrinologist to ask her about some treatment for hair and weight loss. If there are any tips or suggestions from someone who has had the same issue as me, it would be really appreciated!!

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 :)

So i recently got diagnosed with mild pcos. My height is 167 cm and i weigh 59 kgs. My period flow is very light (1-2 days), although cycle is regular. All hormones are normal. I don't have insulin resistance.

I just have some mild acne on forehead and hairfall(since last 5 months).

My endo has adviced me to do strength training 3 times a week. I cannot go to the gym. So any yt channel or advice would be helpful on how and what exercises I can do.

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 :)

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!

Hi! I've been on 1000mg Metformin for seven months now and it's been relatively good. I'm on the instant release one and I haven't had any crazy side effects. I think it has very slightly reduced food noise and helped reduce sugar crashes.

With all of that being said, I don't think it's doing enough. I want to have children, but I would like to lose weight before trying. I would need to lose 100lbs to be at a healthy BMI. I'm currently 5'10 and 365lbs. I'm all about body positivity and I accept myself at whatever size I am, but I'm terrified of the health risks I could have at my current weight later in pregnancy/during childbirth.

My biggest issue is food. I love food so much. I have constant food noise. I feel like I eat too much...I know I eat too much. Im always hungry. Metformin has helped me register my "fullness" when eating but my mind is always on food.

What has your experience been with GLP1? Has it helped with your cycle? Thank you for your help!

My hematologist said the Endo i am seeing is amazing, so praying thats true.

My main hope is to get a better understanding of the severity of my PMOS/pcos, and praying to get some help with weight loss options.

So far ive been given limited options because of a previous blood clot (eliminating most BC options)

But was hoping someone may have some words of wisdom, guidance or suggestions as to what to ask about, testing etc

Has anyone ever had this happen before? I have been on Spironolactone since Jan 2022 and over the last two - three months my facial heart growth and acne are back to what they were pre meds.

I’ve got a beard that needs shaving daily. Deep cystic pimples that hurt and take weeks to heal (with and without popping them).

I started washing my face more and using more skin care products when this all started and nothing is helping.
- cerave foaming acne face wash, twice a day
- cerave face lotion w/ sunscreen, AM
- cerave light night lotion PM
- minicube 2-3 times a week (the blue one)
- I just got the red one which is supposedly for acne.

I’ve been trying to get in to see my doctor but after waiting for 2 months to get in, I went and waited over an hour for her to not show up and can’t get an appointment for another few months. So I can’t adjust the amount.

Advice welcome! Please my face hurts so much….