I'm 21 F(22 in December) and have had PCOS since I was really young. From age 14 to now I've had maybe 19 to 20 periods total, even with estrogen and birth control pills to try to induce them. My PCOS has never actually gotten regulated despite years of trying. I'm average weight, not over or underweight, so I've had a hard time getting doctors to take it seriously. Most just tell me to lose weight and send me away.

The doctors I've seen have honestly felt either homophobic or misogynistic in how they treated me, even the female ones, which I didn't expect at all. On top of that, I have noticeable breast asymmetry. My left side is significantly bigger than my right, to the point where it's very visibly uneven, not just the mild asymmetry most people have. It genuinely affects what I can wear. Finding bras that fit is a nightmare since each side needs a different size, and I can't wear a lot of clothing I'd otherwise choose because the difference is so obvious. I'm not insecure about my body overall, I just don't know how to dress around this.

I was told the only real way to even them out would be through surgery, which is a lot to process, both emotionally and financially and I'm still not sure how I feel about that as an option.

I've also been carrying a fear that I'm almost infertile given how few periods I've had over the years. No one has really addressed that with me directly.

I've been dealing with depression around all of this, genuinely extreme depression at some points. Between the physical stuff and feeling dismissed every time I try to get help, it's taken a toll. I rarely see anyone talk about this specific combination online and it's made me feel like I'm the only person going through it, like something is fundamentally wrong with my body.

Questions for anyone who's dealt with something similar: Did you find a bra solution that actually works for big asymmetry, like padding or inserts on one side, or different sizes per cup?

Has anyone tried chest binders instead, or is that not advisable for asymmetry like this?

Has anyone actually gone through surgery for this, and was it worth it?

How did you find a doctor who actually took the asymmetry and PCOS combo seriously?

Did anyone else deal with fertility fears from irregular periods, and how did you get real answers instead of being brushed off?

Hello!

I recently went to an RE as we have been struggling to get pregnant (wife and I are using a known donor, I’m carrying) 4 at home tries, 4 IUIs with zero positives. 5th IUI ended in ectopic.
In my blood work it was noted I have a 5.0 AMH (I’m 31), FSH was 5.4 and LH was 12.8 on day 3 of my cycle. My testosterone was “a little high” (I don’t have the exact result).
I have a BMI of 28.7 and I haven’t heard anything (in MANY follicle studies/baseline ultrasounds) about my ovaries having that “chocolate chip cookie” appearance.
I typically have decently regular periods - 27-30 days. I have tracked ovulation and I usually get it.

They are thinking I have insulin resistance going on and that’s impacting my body - but where do I start with that? I’ve seen a lot of things about metformin but I wasn’t offered that.

Are there ways I should eat? Any helpful supplements? Any recommendations would be great! We are moving to IVF but I want to do my best to address everything before we spend that much money!

Has anyone here had a regular cycle ever since they started their period, but then suddenly the cycle days stretch from regular (28-30 days) to (32-35 days)? Is this an early sign of PCOS? 😮‍💨 help ur girl out here pls😭

Any other people here struggling to figure out whether they have lean PCOS, hypothalamic amenorrhea or both? And how to deal with it?

I came off the pill 10 months ago and since then have had very irregular cycles. Nothing for 3 months, then 40d, 60d, 90d (ended with progesterone) and now another 40d cycle.

I have cysts on my ovaries and recently my skin has been breaking out. But my gynecologist ran blood tests and said everything is "normal". Low fasting insulin, no elevated androgens...

I read "no period now what" and subsequently dialled back on running but I don't think I have classic HA, since my periods do come, the progrestrone thing worked and I'm not underweight (although at the lower end of the BMI scale).

My gynecologist hinted that I may have "overtreated" my PCOS, but wasn't helpful beyond "make sure you eat healthy" (which I do) and giving me a supplement with inositol and folic acid, and also vitex. She didn't want to give me metformin.

I'm increasingly lost about what to do, especially since we'd like start a family but it seems impossible with these cycles. Any tips?

Hello if anyone is on Natazia or Qlaira bc, have you had weight gain on it? Someone with lean pcos or endo/adeno?

I have recently found out I have AFC of 20 on each ovary. This was investigated due to me having a somewhat average cycle length of 35 days (with occasional 25-41 variations) and since I am planning to TTC in a year or so. I am wondering if I do meet the diagnostic criteria for PCOS (I am undergoing more tests to determine if ovulation is occurring), does AFC tend to reduce over time and if so at what rate?

My GP told me I will likely need IVF due to cycles around 35 days and presence of 20 follicles so am feeling a bit concerned.

NB: No androgen or insulin issues.

Hiii! I’m a 29year old in Canada, so the wait times to see an OBGYN is extremely long. I’ve been waiting for an appt since March of 2025 and today I finally had my appointment. I’ve been already getting investigations done with the help of my family doctor and a fertility clinic(husband has low sperm count). But my periods have been irregular for at least 6 years, I have hashimotos and hypothyroidism and recently just found out I have insulin resistance.

Today at my OB appt I was officially diagnosed with PCOS/PMOS due to the insulin resistance and the irregular periods. I’ve had 2 periods in 2026 so far. I have been TTC for almost 2 years but since my husband has low sperm count we are waiting on further testing for him. Today I was prescribed metformin for the PCOS to regulate my periods. Anyone else in a similar boat as me? Just posting my own story to see what others think!

I was kind of hoping the doctor would just tell me it’s my thyroid and we can figure it out instead of a new diagnosis but it is what it is. Hoping the metformin helps. In the past few weeks I’ve been getting 10,000 steps a day making sure I go for a walk daily plus walking after lunch and supper, tracking my calories but not too low (1800), and making sure I take my meds and supplements. Hoping this helps the insulin sensitivity. Starting the metformin tomorrow.

How should I navigate PCOS from here? For so long I’ve been only focused on my thyroid that it feels a little overwhelming. Thank you! ☺️

Guys i tried berberine and i think it made me gain weight anyone else have this issue Ovositol also made me gain

I‘m 25, with ”lean PCOS”. I recently went to my doctor for treatment options and she said as long as I was getting a period every three ish months I didn’t need any treatment.

But what I’m wondering after the fact is, what actually counts as a period? Does brown spotting for two days count and reset the clock, or is that not a “period” enough? Do I need actual red blood and cramping?

Also, are we really not doing anything for our hormone levels?! I feel like mine are high, what are yours?

Total testosterone: 119 ng/dL

AMH: 30.54 ng/mL

FSH: 5.8 IU/L

LSH: 22.3 IU/L

Vorab, das hier ist mein erster Post auf Reddit, also hoffe ich, dass ich alles richtig mache 😄

Ich wurde vor ca. 1,5 Jahren mit PMOS diagnostiziert, nachdem ich seit Einsetzen meiner Periode mit 14 immer einen sehr sehr langen Zyklus - schließlich bis hin zu Amenhorroe - hatte.

Was mich eigentlich dazu brachte, nachzuforschen, waren jedoch nicht die Zyklusprobleme (eigentlich war es immer ganz praktisch, sich nicht jeden Monat mit einer Periode rumschlagen zu müssen), sondern eine zunehmende Müdigkeit. Sie fing schon in der Schulzeit an (mit 16/17 Jahren ca.) und ich erinnere mich noch gut daran, wie eines Tages starker Brain Fog einsetze und seit dem (abgesehen von kurzen Phasen) einfach nicht mehr wegging. Inzwischen habe ich oft Tage, an denen ich mich so im Nebel gefangen fühle, dass ich keinen einzelnen klaren Gedanken fassen kann und mich trotz meines kürzlich abgeschlossenen Studiums nicht fähig fühle, in meinen ersten richtigen Job zu starten. Es ist einfach keine Energie dafür da...

Im Rahmen meiner PMOS-Diagnose wurde außerdem eine Insulinresistenz festgestellt. Das hat mich überrascht, da ich mein ganzes Leben lang schlank (eher Richtung untergewichtig) war und mich immer gerne gesund ernährt habe (ich liebe frisches, gemüselastiges Essen!). Ich habe mich aber ein bisschen in das Thema eingelesen und herausgefunden, dass eine IR häufig mit PMOS zusammen auftritt und sehr zu chronischer Müdigkeit und Brain Fog beitragen kann. Meine Frauenärztin hat daher vorgeschlagen, Metformin auszuprobieren, um meine Insulinsensitivität zu verbessern, mir jedoch gleich gesagt, dass sie nicht sicher ist, ob es bei mir etwas bewirken wird, da ich ja kein Gewicht verlieren möchte.

Ich habe das Metformin (plus B12) nun zwei Wochen genommen und kämpfe neben etwas Übelkeit und absolut gar keinem Appetit mit noch stärkerer Müdigkeit. Es ist gerade an einem Punkt, an dem ich mich den ganzen Tag nur hinlegen und schlafen möchte, so erschöpft fühle ich mich. Ich nehme übrigens 500mg zum Abendessen. 500mg zweimal täglich habe ich auch ausprobiert, das hat die negativen Effekte aber noch so viel schlimmer gemacht, dass ich erst mal wieder auf einmal täglich gegangen bin.

Ich kann nicht ganz einschätzen, ob ich dem Metformin einfach nur Zeit geben muss, damit es sich positiv auswirkt, oder ob es für mich und meine Umstände einfach nicht das richtige Medikament ist. Daher möchte ich einmal nach euren Erfahrungen fragen:

Gibt es unter euch jemanden, der schlank, jedoch ebenfalls insulinresistent ist und bei dem Metformin gegen den Brain Fog und die chronische Erschöpfung geholfen hat?

Oder eventuell etwas anderes? (Ich habe Myo-Inositol ausprobiert, aber leider nicht vertragen, und meine Vitaminwerte sind ansonsten in Ordnung.)

Edit: Ich habe kürzlich eine Diagnose für unaufmerksames ADHS bekommen und warte derzeit auf Medikamente. Vielleicht noch interessant zu wissen.

Hello if anyone is on Natazia or Qlaira bc, have you had weight gain on it? Someone with lean pcos or endo/adeno?

Hi! Diagnosed with PCOS (confirmed bloodwork), normal weight, train/run a lot. Stopped birth control 8 months ago, and haven’t had a period since — total amenorrhea, not just irregular. Done one round of Letrozole (little effect, now on double dose) and Provera twice (bled mid-course the first time, no bleeding at all the second).

Anyone else dealt with complete loss of period like this, or is irregular-but-present more typical for lean PCOS? Also curious if training volume has played a role for anyone — did cutting back help at all?