Living with PCOS

Five to six million people in the United States have PCOS or polycystic ovary syndrome. While individual experiences vary, the symptoms of PCOS include irregular periods, excess hair growth or hair thinning, weight gain, acne, and infertility. In this resource, Ash Nadeau discusses her PCOS story; however, she emphasizes that everyone’s experience with PCOS is unique.

In her 20s after switching from hormonal birth control to an IUD, Ash began to experience abnormal hair growth, weight gain, and acne. She attributed these symptoms to the IUD, but her medical provider sought a blood test and ultrasound to determine whether they were symptoms of PCOS. Both the blood test and the ultrasound confirmed that Ash had PCOS. She had abnormally high levels of androgens, and several cysts were visible in the ultrasound.

Her diagnosis brought a range of feelings. She felt less like a woman and was concerned about her fertility. Her medical provider told her that she would need a drug to stimulate ovulation to get pregnant. Nevertheless, during a period in which she stopped taking birth control pills, she got pregnant. While she didn’t experience infertility, her PCOS experience included struggles with metabolism, insulin resistance, and anxiety. Ash notes that while having PCOS has brought its struggles, she has also gained strength and resilience from the experience.

For me, PCOS meant struggling with physical symptoms and metabolic challenges, insulin resistance, and mental health issues like anxiety. For others, it can mean issues with fertility. The important thing to remember is that no two PCOS journeys are the same.

SOURCE: Heartland Community Health Center • AUTHOR: Ash Nadeau •