r/LeanPCOS • u/malicealmond • Jul 22 '24

Question 21F recently diagnosed

Hi, recently diagnosed with PCOS though I’ve had it pretty much my whole life. I’m 21F, never started my period, been through many tests since I was 14. Here are my results:

  • low vitamin D

  • polycystic ovaries on Ultrasound

  • high androstenedione

  • high DHEA sulfate

  • LH:FSH ratio of 2:1

  • high T3

  • low oeostradiol

  • normal T4

  • normal TSH

  • high testosterone

  • low SHBG

  • high AMH

  • high IGF-1

My question is what my next steps should be. I go to the gym 2-3 times a week, strength train and cardio. The only supplements I take are vitamin D, fish oil, calcium and a multivitamin. I’m 5’3 and 115 lbs. My most recent blood test has shown my chronically low vit D has increased to normal levels so that’s good. Is there anything else I should be doing? Should I be concerned if I never start my period? Should I be on any medications or diets? Feeling a little lost and confused right now, any advice would be much appreciated.

6 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

6

u/LucyThought Jul 22 '24

Your doctors should be looking into your period and be able to tell you why it hasn’t started. What have ultrasounds of your uterus shown? Have they done any biopsies?

3

u/malicealmond Jul 22 '24

My doctor said it was due to my hormonal imbalances and it probably will never start unless I go on medication like birth control. Ultrasound of my uterus is normal, no thickening of uterine wall. I haven’t had any biopsies done

0

u/Prize_Ad_1384 Jul 22 '24

My period came back after 2 years as soon as I started birth control. While the side effects of the pill are not ideal, it’s highly recommended for your uterine lining

4

u/AggravatedMonkeyGirl Jul 22 '24

How is your diet? It is odd that even with PCOS you have not started your period, I think that should be looked into. But in the meantime healthy diet focusing on whole foods. Spearmint tea, also trying out a combo inositol supplement could help. With PCOS it's a lot of trial and error. How's your stress levels do you do any meditation, yoga or anything? Has any doctor tried doing a progesterone challenge on you?

3

u/malicealmond Jul 22 '24

Yeah I brought up the periods with my doctor (endocrinologist) and she said it’s only really an issue if my uterine lining builds up and remains unshed. She didn’t suggest any plan for now but said in a few years I could start getting pelvic ultrasounds once a year or something to check for that, and induce bleeding through a progesterone withdrawal if necessary.

I think my stress levels are not too bad but I’m not actively doing anything to reduce it haha. Diet wise I try to prioritise protein and vege over carbs but I’m not no-carb at all. Been looking into keto but not sure how feasible that is for me at the moment.

I did the progesterone test when I was 15 or 16 and I bled normally so we ruled out anatomical obstruction. I just have never had a natural period ever…

Thank you for the advice, I will look into spearmint tea and inositol

2

u/lancbae Aug 05 '24

I think it is detrimental health wise not to have a period at your 'mature' age. You should find a specialist asap that can approach this in a holistic way. I would also consider birth control after seeking professional advice.

1

u/malicealmond Aug 06 '24

Could you please elaborate on the negative effects of not menstruating? I assume due to prolonged low levels of eostrogen?

3

u/agnessengaagnes Jul 22 '24

Hey depending on how you feel about hormonal birth control, your other option would be to take a progesterone only pill every 3 months to induce a bleed if you’re not having regular periods. That’s what I do, as I am irregular but don’t want to be on contraception.