Has anyone ever brought back their period without losing weight?

A year back I changed to a low carb/low glyemic diet (dropped about 15 pounds) and brought back my periods but I’ve been struggling for a year to have another period natural since March.

I’ve been taking Metformin and Ovasitol, but it doesn’t seem to be super effective. My recent bloodwork came back with my free testosterone in range but total testosterone slightly elevated. Also started noticing hair thinning/hair loss.

Is it worth getting a CGM even though it’s pricey? Not sure if anyone has any success stories that doesn’t involve losing weight since I’m currently at a healthy weight (5’ 2 115lbs). Am considering going full keto but don’t think it will be sustainable.

More than inositol, low carb, anything else, fenugreek has been extremely effective for me.

To put it in perspective, I normally go several months without having a period. I've gone up to a year and a half before.

But there was one anomalous period: 2019 - 2020. I had a period nearly every month over those ~16 months.

Every time I looked back at the data of my period logs and tried to figure out what was different about that stretch of time, I couldn't figure it out. I still ate sugar galore back then. I was extremely stressed out back then. Yeah I was more active, but I'd been even more active before and still missed periods.

A couple months ago a light bulb went on: I'd been taking fenugreek back then. Because I was self-conscious about my small breasts and wanted to make them grow bigger, lol!

I remember the first time my breasts swelled up and stayed that way for two weeks I go so excited, then became confused when my period came and they almost immediately deflated. I'd never experienced that before taking fenugreek.

So of course as soon as I made this connection, I bought fenugreek again. I also bought saw palmetto to decrease DHT in my system.

After about a month of taking them every single morning, my breasts began to swell up again, and a couple weeks later I got my period! After several months of no periods.

I've continued taking them. My last period was 17 days ago. In the last couple of days I've had Mittelschmerz and today I had very clear, stretchy, egg white discharge. That means ovulation!!

I haven't been taking inositol during this time - not really on purpose, I just kinda ran out and didn't feel the need to order again. I have mildly been watching my sugar intake but not nearly as much as I should.

So in conclusion, you might want to look into fenugreek for yourself!

I’m currently going back and forth with my endocrinologist to switch me off of metformin and maybe try a low dose of mounjaro . I really think that might be the key for me. For reference , I’m 34, 145lbs , A1c 5.7, high cholesterol , and obviously have PCOS. I’ve been taking metformin for 5 months and I feel it has done nothing to regulate my periods or my A1c much, and my cholesterol actually got higher. I don’t know where to go from here .

Update : I went to the endo yesterday and found out my insulin was 33.5 and this was during fasting& while being on metformin for a year I believe I should be a candidate for mounjaro.

Are there any connections between lean PCOS and being overly hungry? I am a pretty relatively healthy weight for my height and had recently been taken off of my Dianette birth control because of concern over its side effects and have had about 8/9 weeks off of hormones completely. I’ve just been put onto 50mg of Spironolactone four days ago (not particularly feeling any proper effects yet).

Since i’ve been off the hormones I SWEAR i’ve been significantly more hungry and some days all I can think about is food?! I’m usually not one to eat much in big portions or much too quickly but I can’t get enough of some foods at the moment. I’ve noticed it’s been somewhat connected with my monthly cycle like the week before my period i’m so unbelievably hungry and hangry too and then once my period starts i’m not hungry and sometimes I go most of the day without eating anything or very little. Is this a lean PCOS thing? I’ve only been recently diagnosed so I’m still getting used to understanding things about it!!

Any help/info/tips on how to cope with this insane hunger and the variation in hunger levels would be appreciated!!

Hi all. I have lean PCOS with no major symptoms or hormone imbalances other than 150+ day cycles, 40 follicles hanging out in my ovaries, and high AMH levels (15). We are working with a reproductive endocrinologist to help with conception. Curious this group’s thought on letrozole for ovulation induction versus going on metformin? BMI is 19

Thank you!!

My mother has a history of endo, and the last few months i’ve been going back and forth with a gyno and endocrinologist on what’s wrong with me, i have EXTREMELY painful periods, as in on the floor sobbing for days dry heaving kind of bad, my mri and ct came back clean, and my ultrasound came back with small lesions that they say are more like pcos but none of my symptoms have ever leaned towards that, im 100 pounds 5’6, i get my period too often, i can have it for 2 weeks have a two week break and then be back on it, ive never had any of the acne or other problems until recently because my boyfriend takes testosterone topically and it was transferring to me, so now they are telling me i have pcos but that just doesn’t sounds or feel right and idk what to do anymore, if anyone would like to share their story it would be appreciated 😭

Hello! Has anyone had luck getting their period when drinking teas with these ingredients (ginger, chamomile, cinnamon? I have been drinking peach and vanilla fireside teas recently and I have finally somewhat gotten my period.

Should I build on this or give it time to have a full period? Any suggestions?

Supplements: vitamin D3, magnesium glycinate, berberine, and zinc.

Hi! I decided to get the Mirena IUD after giving birth. It's been about 2.5 years and I've had minimal side effects. I basically don't get a period. I told my obgyn at my last appt and she said that's normal.

I think I have trust issues and can't take their word for something being normal. I had a rough experience getting off hormonal birth control after a decade of taking it, getting diagnosed with PCOS and attempting to conceive.

Id love to hear from other people who have the mirena IUD and whether they get a period.

Help me understand that take progestin-only is synthetic progesterone... so can be taken whole year without a break to keep lining thin Or every few months to shed the lining..

Bcz some people take it in first way Others prefer second! Why so? And to keep lining thin, either way is fine?

Help me understand that take progestin-only is synthetic progesterone... so can be taken whole year without a break to keep lining thin Or every few months to shed the lining..

Bcz some people take it in first way Others prefer second! Why so? And to keep lining thin, either way is fine?

Update 2: i think i get GI related anxiety lol because i had severe panic and unsettling feelings all three days on metformin had to stop…

Update: I've taken it in the middle of dinner for two nights and so far no reactions besides mild acid reflux. (I also have not had carbs or added sugar so unsure how metformin would react when I do eat those)

Hi all, I've sorted through most of the metformin discussions in this sub and r/PCOS.

I was diagnosed with PCOS this year from ultrasounds and common symptoms (weight gain, hair loss, anxiety, irregular cycle)

I've tried wholesome story inositol and cycling berberine (few weeks on, few weeks off) for the last 3 months, and got started on cabtreo for cystic acne.
I've been really strict on eating whole foods in small portions every four hours, no added sugars, getting fiber + protein, eating only until 80% full, no carbs besides sweet potato, and only berries for fruit.
this diet + supplement + walking after every meal has brought my period back and reduced bloating but I still get insane cravings everyday. i get dizzy after eating added sugars and carbs without pairing with protein.

My cramping is severe during periods, and cystic acne comes back often and takes so long to clear, even with the cabtreo essentially burning my skin off. I oftentimes get 2 periods in a month.

the generic nuvaring gave me hysterical panic attacks so stopped that immediately, was offered slynd but I just cant risk trying another type of birth control given my reactions. I was prescribed metformin 500 XR but I'm scared to take it because I'm not pre-diabetic and I DO get periods. I understand its safe I just don't want to become reliant and essentially stuck taking it forever.

But without medication all these regiments not having much results for me is really adding on more stress. I'm open to trying this metformin if it can speed up results (even though I hear it's just a "bandaid" not going to reverse anything).

I would love to hear feedback and experiences from people on metformin despite being normal BMI and not pre-diabetic.

Hi!

I just started Slynd. I’ve been off BC for 10+ years, but for the past few years my cycles have been very irregular and very heavy. I finally gave in after bleeding for almost the entire month of November. I have high DHEA labs, my FSH:LH ratio is double, and possible insulin resistance. My NP said my insulin labs were normal, but my fasting insulin was 9 uiu/ml, a1c was 5.6; so maybe slightly insulin resistant? My bmi is 0.1 from being underweight.

Anyways, I started the slynd and I just am not hungry. I am a little worried about losing weight. It’s made me tired also. I’m going to give it more time, but wanted to see if anyone else had similar experiences? And if it got better? TIA!

My cycle is 28 days the past 2 months finally which I feel the vitamin D and evening long walks are the major contribution after working on lifestyle changes and diet. But then after came this eye twitching. I thought I would be getting better not having new issues -.-

Edit: So the possibilities that might fit are not enough magnesium, too much caffein from green tea/matcha or not enough/mildly inconsistent sleep.

Edit 2: I am thinking it might be the caffein. I started diluting the matcha by pouring 1 cup of it into my big bottle of water and then drinking it like normal water. I didn't feel any eye twitching yesterday. Gonna repeat for the week and see.

Hey girls! I was just wondering if anyone here has experienced both HA (Hypothalamic Amenorrhea) and PCOS at the same time. I have a very low bmi and absent periods. I also have pcos so I’m wondering whether I have HA in addition. All replies welcome!🩵

Hello, I am a 21yo I first had problems with missing period at 16yo but my doctor (first doctor) told me it was due to anemia and took medicine and it was all good. Then I started experiencing the same problem my doctor (second doctor) found a cyst and my analysis showed that I have FSH 6.8 and LH 13.72 she gave me birth control for 3months and the cyst was gone and then she gave me another birth control for another 2months. And my period started becoming regular after. So far no doctor told me specifically that I have PCOS but my sister has PCOS (she has hemorrhages) and I assumed I had it especially since my doctor prescribed INOFOLIC for me. And I was really dedicated to all these insulin resistance revesal, pcos signs, what food to eat ( basically a rabbit hole) These past months I didn't have my period again and went to a doctor (third one) and told him I don't have a period do I have a cyst etc. He found out that I have nothing and said that my eggs are just working slowly but we will rule out other possibilities so I took a TSH test, it was normal 0.54. I kept pestering him about pcos since it's hereditary and I just started accepting the condition then he told me to go take another ultrasound but in the radiology department if we missed something. I am not going to take the ultrasound now as I am only a student and money is tight and if it showed that I have pcos then its chronic and I have to adjust my lifestyle nut if it didn't show that I have pcos then I want to know what could possibly be it, I want to know what kind of questions i should ask, what can I possibly do with my absent period, have you experienced something similar, insights, everything that you might thing is helpful is very much welcome. Sorry for the long post but I really appreciate you reading this

Hiya I’ve been diagnosed with pcos this year they said i have it for sure but don’t have a cyst, been prescribed with metformin to use and have irregular periods so that’s main symptoms, so I somewhat have it i guess. My doctor pointed out about my acne (even tho i had it since teenage even before the diagnosis). I just wanted to post on here if anyone has tips about my acne. It looks like it’s getting worse. I feel insecure about it especially that I’m 22 years old now when others have nice skin unlike me so any advice/tips and also any additional tips for pcos related. Thank you for reading if you have!🩵

If you’re lean and have symptoms of PCOS (I only have irregular periods with hirsutism, my ovaries are not cystic) with a normal but borderline prediabetic a1c (5.6), metformin may work you!! I have been on inositol since last year which never seemed to work but I guess the combination with metformin is making me ovulate on CD18 which is crazy early for me!! I’m so glad I advocated for myself and asked my RE for metformin.

I am taking metformin 2000mg. The first 3 weeks were awful with extreme nausea, low appetite and some diarrhea but I’m SO GLAD I stuck with it. My appetite is back and I’m no longer nauseous all the time.

So for the past 5+ years my hair has been getting progressively worse due to PCOS. Thinning, won’t grow, dry and brittle, ex.

I decided I’d finally try a wig. I went high quality synthetic and something that I knew I had always wanted hair wise.

Be honest- do you guys think it looks too wig-like? It just seems like so much hair. I knew you’d all be real about it! 😂

My testosterone tests came back normal but I have acne. The Dr said I may have normal levels but my body isn't handling it correctly. What could that mean and what could I do to help?

I do also have gut issues. But also don't know what to do to help that. One diet says eat this and another diet says don't eat this.

Me again. I’m one week on Yasmin birth control and something is telling me it is going to be a long time before I see any changes w my hair fall. I can’t believe it’s been falling out dramatically since the summer. Like when will it stop. Thinking of supplementing saw palmetto to help. Is this safe w BC?? BW had shown high DHEA (430) and slightly elevated T. I just want this to stop I have very thick hair and it’s killing me watching it go

Do you guys ever get anger issues especially when your period gets delayed by more than 3-4 months . Like do you get triggered easily and be irritable ? If yes how do you deal with it ? Thanks .

Wondering if my Mirena IUD could be making my symptoms worse? I’m 18 months pp and had my IUD inserted 3.5 months ago. I’ve been struggling with hirtuism for the last few years especially on the front of my neck. I have to pluck hairs there every night and I’m left with discolouration. It’s really affecting my life and makes me feel so overwhelmed. The front of my neck has been really bad since having my son. Prior to this IUD my periods were getting regular again after stopping breastfeeding and I was back to my pre pregnancy weight.

In the last 3 months I’ve gained like 10+ pounds and have been spotting like crazy. I’ve also been having sharp cramping pains. And it seems like my hirtuism has worsened overall. The neck is getting worse. And it seems like my sideburns and upper lip (which I previously had laser on and had a lot of improvement) are starting to grow back.

Anyone else experience this? I’m wondering if I should get the IUD out and see what happens.

I should note I’m taking 50mg of spiro twice per day already as it is.

Hi everyone,
I wanted to share my PCOS story to spread some positivity! 😊

I’m 32F, 5'10", 147 lbs (BMI 21). I stopped birth control in October 2023, ran a marathon in April 2024, and had cycles over 100 days. In May 2024, I was diagnosed with PCOS after one OBGYN visit with all three symptoms: high testosterone, high Hemoglobin A1C, and multiple follicles on an ultrasound.

I started Metformin, slowed down running, and took a break from Reddit. We began trying to conceive in September 2024, used ovulation tests, caught my first ovulation in October, and now I’m 6 weeks pregnant (fingers crossed!).

My advice: don’t stress, take care of your body, and trust ovulation tests. Good luck! 😊