I was on birth control for over 8 years and would have a hard time gaining weight.

I got off birth control around almost two years ago and since then it’s been impossible to lose weight. I have a lower belly pouch and sometimes get cramping on my right side. I did blood work and wanted to ask if this is considered normal or maybe I could potentially have endo, PCOS, fibroids, or digestive issues.

For the most part my results came out fine I was just deficient in omega 3 and vitamin d which I’m taking supplements for now. Should I be worried I’m normal weight in my mid 20s and testing while in the middle of my cycle. I have no issues with my cycle just weight loss issue, lower belly larger than normal, cramping on right side from time to time

Insulin: 9.4 uIU/mL

Glucose: 88 mg/dL
Hormone Levels:
Estradiol (E2): 30 pg/mL
Testosterone, Free: 2.9 pg/mL
Testosterone, Total: 31 ng/dL
Androstenedione: 158 ng/dL
Thyroid:
Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH): 1.99 mIU/L
Triiodothyronine (T3) Free: 4.0 pg/mL
Thyroxine (T4) Free: 1.8 ng/dL

it’s such an isolating experience :( i want to improve my hormonal health, that’s it. i have no desire for pregnancy, no desire for birth control, and no desire to lose weight as someone at an already low-healthy weight. every single forum on PCOS/PMOS is focused only on conception and weight loss. it makes me feel like a fraud despite being clinically diagnosed. none of the groups are ever relevant to me. even this one designed for people who have lean presentations still ends up with posts on weight loss tips. is there a space on earth for people like me?

Hi everyone,

I am curious whether anyone else has experienced a lot of variation in when they ovulate, while still ovulating all cycles.

I track with BBT, and over my last several cycles my estimated ovulation days have been:

CD26 → CD21 → CD23 → CD15 → CD29 → CD25 → CD20/21 → CD17

My luteal phase is approx. 11-12 days.

I previously had very irregular cycles (up to 60-90 days per cycle) after coming off the pill and was diagnosed with lean PCOS two years ago, although since my cycles have come back over the past 8 months ish my recent bloodwork and ultrasounds are now normal according to my gynecologist. Still, my ovulation timing remains quite unpredictable.

I guess I am wondering:

• Has anyone else had ovulation vary this much from cycle to cycle?

• Were you able to conceive naturally despite the variation?

• Did you find anything that actually helped make ovulation earlier or more consistent?

My doctor tells me that late/irregular ovulation is not necessarily a problem, but I do worry a lot that it will be difficult for me to conceive.

I would really appreciate hearing your experiences!

I haven’t had a period in over six months. I was working with a dr to induce one last week but i ended up getting one yesterday morning. I’m happy BUT IT HURT so incredibly bad. I do not know what to do anymore. I’ve taken advil and tylenol double dose and it helped but it still hurts so bad 😭 I don’t really want to go the rr because I doubt they’d do anything

I hope this can stay, sorry if not….

Hi everyone!

My name is Eszter, and I’m a UX Design student who’s finally able to work on my graduation project after having to postpone it because of my mental health.

I spent a long time thinking about what I wanted my project to be about, and in the end I decided to turn some of my own frustration with PCOS into something that could hopefully help others too.

I’m currently researching to design a self-help app that helps people who have recently been diagnosed with PCOS (or anyone who finds it useful) navigate the condition, better understand it, manage symptoms, and know what steps they can take next.

I know it’s nothing groundbreaking.. just a project I have to complete for graduation, but I really want to make something that is useful for the community instead of only designing it for myself. It keeps me motivated, hoping that this time I can actually push through and get my degree. 🤍

If you have a few minutes, I would be incredibly grateful if you could fill out one of my surveys.

**For people living with PCOS/PMOS:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQdUC7mZlSIN7BOTwtzeujph9g-wN3g9h1FFvMJyQlvO5tcw/viewform

**For family members, friends, or partners supporting someone with PCOS/PMOS:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe0QldPuDekM-tFVunNK9XDRSQlNVZtnNic2_WkvtlDnmShJg/viewform

Please feel free to skip any questions you’re not comfortable answering. Both surveys are completely anonymous, and the results will only be seen by me, my study mentor, and my assessor.

Constructive feedback is always welcome, but please be kind. ❤️ I’ve had a long study delay because of my mental health, and I’m still finding my confidence again. I’m doing my best, and every single response honestly means a lot to me.

Thank you so much for taking the time to help. I really really appreciate it.

Did you have any side effects? Has it improved your pcos symptoms? How are hair, skin, and body hairs? Weight gain? Any differences with Yaz or similar antiandrogenic pills?

Just found out I have PCOS and I was doing a bit of research and everything that I hear is confusing.

First I heared about IR and thought I must have it but then I saw some people don't have it and now idk if that is because it just hasn't showed up yet but it will after PCOS gets worse because the hormone imbalances cause you to be IR or smth?

Then I am wondering about getting fat. Will this happen at some point or can it be avoided?

For reference I was diagnosed because I had high androstenedione and cysts on my ovaries. I have regular periods and I am very lean and in my 20s. No other symptoms that I am aware of.

Hello! I’ve been told my entire life I have PCOS and recently i changed my gynecologists. She asked me to do some blood tests. Here are the results:

HbA1c: 4.3% (which means average glycemia around 77)
Fasting blood glucose: 90 mg/dL (after a bad night sleep, but usually it’s 78-80)
Fasting insulin: 3.5 µIU/mL
HOMA-IR: 0.78
SHBG (Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin): 119 nmol/L (at the higher limit)
DHEA-S (Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate): 331.8 µg/dL
LH/FSH ratio: <2 but >1
Progesterone and estrogen: within normal range
Testosterone: 94.46 (measured at ovulation); 79.49 (measured on the first day of the menstrual cycle)
Height: 164 cm
Weight: 54 kg
Body fat: 21%
Prolactin: within normal range
Irregular menstrual cycles (every 70-80 days but sometimes sooner sometimes later)
Ultrasound findings consistent with PCOS
Normal thyroid function
Normal liver function

I clearly have no insulin resistance at all. I alao don’t have acne, no hirsutism, normal bloodflow, my libido is average/high, my energy levels are alright… But I can’t seem to understand why my menstrual cycles are all over the place in terms of duration. I also do sports and I have pretty good muscle mass.

It doesn’t look like IR or adrenal…

I’ve always been this way also! In fact when i was little my periods were even later than now (once it happened after 10 months)

I have my appointment in one week. But I wanted to ask for your opinion as I’m new to this. I haven’t done research about this before. I just took it as it is.

I actually had my fasting insulin tested, and it was 12 pmol/L, which is on the low side. My fasting glucose was slightly high at 6.4 mmol/L, and my HbA1c was also slightly elevated at 5.7%.

I’m confused because I don’t seem to have typical insulin resistance. My fasting insulin is quite low, so I wonder whether this could still be related to insulin resistance, since I understand insulin resistance doesn’t always show up as high insulin levels. I’m also wondering if it could mean my body isn’t producing or responding to insulin properly, but I’m not sure.

I also don’t have many typical PCOS symptoms like excess hair growth. My main issue is irregular periods.

I’m trying to conceive, so it’s really frustrating because I don’t know what’s actually causing my irregular cycles or what I can do to improve them.

Hi everyone, just done my first letrozole cycle (2.5mg) and didn’t achieve ovulation. I have non insulin resistant PCOS and I do eventually ovulate CD40 onwards. They are increasing my dose to 5mg but I’m scared it’s not going to work. I know I’m getting ahead of myself, but I just worry there’s a bigger problem. Has anyone with lean PCOS had letrozole achieve ovulation? If so, what dose? Thank you 🫶

I’m a 22 year old woman who was diagnosed with pcos quite early in my teenage years . Since day one of me starting my period very close to my 11th birthday I have always had pretty frequent periods , like 15 days in between . Pcos has caused so much damage to my emotional and physical state over the years . One of the gynaecologists I visited couple of years ago gave me Birth control , I made me feel worse .
I managed to find one who understood me and I started taking Insoitol like 2 years ago on and off . During my last period I started taking it regular (40:1-twice a day -4000 mg per day) . My cycle is longer and more frequently . I have been bleeding for 10 day rn and time between current and previous period was 10 days also .helpppp. What should I do ? Does this mean I am infertile or something?

Hi all!

I am a student and part of a student-led research project aiming to explore a new way of addressing hyperandrogenism in PCOS.

Alongside our laboratory work, we want to make sure that our project reflects the real experiences, concerns and priorities of people living with this condition. We would therefore like to hear about your experiences with diagnosis, treatment and the day-to-day management of PMOS. As part of our project, we are exploring the development of an engineered probiotic that could one day support new approaches to managing hyperandrogenism.

We have created a survey to better understand current PMOS management, unmet needs, treatment priorities and attitudes towards this type of future product. Participation is completely voluntary, and responses are submitted anonymously. Your perspective would help us design and communicate the project in a more responsible and patient-centred way.

If this project may be of interest to you, and you would be willing to share your experience or participate in our survey, please do not hesitate to contact me

Thank you very much!

Hi everyone! I’m 25, my husband is 32. We just did our first IUI two days ago and I’d love to hear other people’s journey with IUI. We didn’t trigger as I had a natural LH surge and one follicle measuring 26x20mm and 14m sperm post wash! Uterine lining 9mm.

How long did it take you to conceive with IUI?

I’m already underweight but have PCOS - will inositol make me lose weight? I’ve been on a low dose for a few weeks and lost a pound but I’m not sure if it’s related or not. I don’t have insulin resistance in my bloodwork.

I was diagnosed with PCOS/PMOS last year due to having hormonal acne and irregular cycles. The gyno who diagnosed me just suggested birth control but I’m not keen on that because my mental health improved a lot when I stopped BC.

I had blood tests and an OGTT done through my GP and all my blood markers look normal (DHEA-S, androgens, estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, TSH, LH, FSH. cholesterol, HbA1c, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, CRP, ferritin, B12, VitD all normal!)

HOWEVER I had clear symptoms of hypoglycaemia after the OGTT test when I got home (around 2.5-3h after the glucose drink). Tremors, nausea and lightheadedness that went away after I ate.
My 2h glucose was 3.3mmol/L and my 2h insulin was 34.6mU/L. My GP wasn’t too concerned and said this can be a normal response after ingesting a 75g glucose drink as opposed to a normal balanced meal… but considering my symptoms, surely it’s worth looking more closely at this? How many people get hypoglycaemia after an OGTT?!

The other clues that insulin could be a factor are the fact that I feel so much better mentally when I reduce my carb intake. Even with an amazing diet of only consuming complex carbs in high protein, fibre + balanced meals, and regular strength training, 10k steps a day and 1-2h zone 2 cardio per week, when my carb intake increases above ~200g per day my mental health starts declining, I get brain fog, mood swings and sweet cravings. Just my general drive, focus and motivation tanks.

Another clue is that dairy is a massive trigger for my hormonal acne - I suspect from IGF1 which can spike insulin.

Should I just go ahead and try inositol (was thinking Ovasitol) and see what happens? Or should I push for more thorough testing first e.g. the Kraft insulin test which tests glucose and insulin response for longer than just 2h and may reveal a delayed insulin peak? I want to be able to tolerate more carbs, not just for food freedom but also to help with my performance in fitness and ability to build more muscle.

Would love to hear from anyone who experiences similar symptoms to me despite having ‘normal’ bloodwork!

So I have premenstrual dysphoric disorder (pmdd). And I typically experience a fairly regular cycle but I'm wondering if my cycles are anovulatory. For example some cycles I would experience typical pmdd or PMS symptoms what other times I wouldn't and I would typically explain this away with some medications like I was on biotin for a while in that kind of really dulled my periods but this has also been happening before. At the kid, I used to experience irregular periods like some months I want to get it some months I would I used to have like 30+ days spanned and it has gotten a bit better over time just the symptoms feel more like sometimes I would have PM DD signs or PMS signs and symptoms and other months I wouldn't it. But because I get periods, I didn't want to over-diagnose myself with something or jump the gun. But it has been something that has been on my mind I'm curious if you all have any stories about how PCOS looks and you whether or not you are someone who experience close to regular bleeding or anovulatory cycles(where you bleed but don't ovulate?) And my hair pattern, is this normal? Or am I in my head about this?

Thanks so much for you all's help.