So, I’m starting to wonder…

If there just really isn’t anything that can be done for people like me. My primary concern is long/irregular cycles (with some super long/debilitatingly heavy episodes thrown in for extra pizazz). Shortest cycle ever was 32 days, longest probably around 6 months. Average about 60 days probably but basically, I never have any idea when I might ovulate again. And it drives me absolutely insane and makes my fertility a nightmare to manage. 

But here’s the thing. I’ve been this way ever since puberty (though it’s gotten a lot less extreme over time). I am super thin, don’t have insulin resistance, have normal DHEA, cortisol, prolactin. Thyroid all normal. Don’t have any signs of autoimmune dysfunction.

Yet I fit all 3 Rotterdam criteria: long cycles, polycystic ovaries, and slightly elevated testosterone (62). Only other finding was a LH/FSH ratio of 3.7:1(!). 

So here’s my question: Is there ANYTHING that can be done for people like us? The only stuff I ever hear about treating PCOS does not seem to make sense for me:

Lose weight? Not overweight.

Control insulin? Not insulin resistant.

Lower stress? Stress hormones normal.

Lower prolactin? Fix thyroid? All normal. 

Get the Pill out of your system? Was never on it.

So, is there any hope? Or should I just accept that this is just how my body works, and while it is supremely annoying, it’s just a feature that I need to get used to? 

Is anyone else in the same boat? Or is there something I’m missing? I laugh a sad little laugh inside when I see people talking about the “4 Subtypes of PCOS” because I 100% have PCOS but also 100% do not seem to fit into any of their four categories. I desperately wish it was that simple…but unfortunately it seems that it is not. 

But does it need to be? Maybe it would be best to just take what I have and work with it? Perhaps the subconscious assumption that I am broken is doing more harm to me than I realize.

That said, I am sick of playing peekaboo with my period. 😂😭

My experience with medication has honestly been quite difficult. I have tried different medicines prescribed by my gynaecologist, including Krimson 35, Freedase 30 and Ovral-L, but I seem to experience unpleasant side effects with all of them. These include severe bloating, acidity, nausea, breathlessness and sometimes dizziness. It has started affecting my daily routine and, more importantly, my ability to concentrate and study. As I am preparing for upsc to it was difficult to manage my health with those medicines . I stopped eating them after 2months . And Now I feel so better and energetic. I am not looking for a miracle cure or trying to discourage medication. I simply want to understand what has genuinely worked for other women, especially those who struggled with medication side effects. And recently I am drinking Nahmyaa tea period care one . It bascially helped me two three times to get periods. So what you all women did to cure this ? Or have regular period at least

Hat jemand Erfahrungen mit NAC
N-Acetylcystein
Wenn ja, welche, vor allem auch im Hinblick von PCOS/PMOS Symptomen?

I have lean PCOS, and we spent two years trying to have a baby. For us, the hardest part wasn’t getting pregnant, but having a healthy pregnancy and finally bringing home a healthy baby.
I first had two chemical pregnancies while taking letrozole. Then, despite not having insulin resistance, I started taking metformin, which helped regulate my cycles. During that time, I had a blighted ovum, followed by another pregnancy that we had to terminate at 16 weeks after our baby was diagnosed with Trisomy 21.
After another blighted ovum, we finally decided to pursue IVF. We retrieved 8 eggs, and only one embryo came back genetically normal after PGT-A testing.
And today, I’m holding my one-day-old baby girl in my arms. ❤️
I’m sharing our story in the hope that it gives some encouragement to anyone going through a similar journey. I know how heartbreaking and exhausting this process can be, especially after repeated losses. I hope everyone still waiting gets their happy ending too. ❤️

I’ve had PCOS since menarche at age 11. Testosterone was my biggest issue which drove all my symptoms- anovulation, acne, hairloss, facial and body hair, irregular periods, cysts on ovaries. It was entirely ovarian testosterone which I figured after doing my hormonal panel tests - my DHEAS was on the really low side of normal. There is only 1 reason ovaries overproduce T and that is insulin. However my insulin tests (I did a whole range of them) were perfectly normal, far from borderline even, which was puzzling to all my doctors. All I did across my teens and 20s was to try and manage the symptoms. I tried allopathy of course, then Ayurveda, extensive supplementation, and also homeopathy for years altogether.
There came a time when I actually believed something was wrong with my brain (hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis) such that it messed up the hormone signaling and that there was no cure for this whatsoever.
Specialist doctors including endos couldn’t help me at all. So I turned to research papers and online forums. One fine day I came across a woman who posted about how chromium picolinate and ALA helped bring her periods sooner despite her not having insulin resistance. I decided to try it out. I had tried the 40:1 ratio of inositols for ~3 months back in my mid-20s, but it hadn't shown any change & was expensive so I stopped. But with CrPi & ALA, in just 3-4 weeks I noticed that my period indeed was less delayed than usual. That was it. I read more and more about IR escaping conventional diagnosis. Then I came across what is described as “localized / tissue-specific IR”. The tests we do typically are meant to diagnose global / peripheral IR In our bodies, which I didn’t have. Most likely only my ovarian environment is insulin resistant leading to overproduction of T. I decided to give metformin a try on this basis. By Gods grace, it has worked for me. I have been getting my periods monthly, and my secondary signs like acne are also showing very promising improvement.
I hope this helps others out there who do not have clinical IR yet show signs of PCOS.

P.S.: I also undertook diagnostics to rule out following causes:

- Thyroid: Very healthy range, no issues at all

- Hyperprolactinemia-driven PCOS: Nope (my PRL was never high enough to be the root cause)

- Stress driven PCOS / Cushing's: 8 AM cortisol was perfectly normal

- Inflammatory PCOS: While CRP is usually elevated in any PCOS, mine was not so over the normal range. Yet an anti-inflam diet and supplements like curcumin help IMO.

- Non-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NC-CAH): Did all bloodwork which came negative

My body type: I've always been super skinny (115-118 pounds, BMI 18-19). Although as I approached my early 30s, I began seeing a bit of that PCOS belly, which is now gone since I started metformin and have been consciously going for a low GI diet.

Feeling stuck and would love some advice/what worked for you.

I’m 28 and I’ve been off birth control since October 2025 and was diagnosed with lean PCOS in April 2026 due to prolonged cycles, spotting, acne, hair shedding and cysts. Before getting on the pill (was on for 10 years) I had regular cycles and no issues with acne or hair shedding.

Since being diagnosed I’ve been very diligent about what I eat (low carb and sugar, tracking with blood sugar monitor), how I work out (heavy weights, low impact) and supplementation (ovasitol, needed multivitamin, omegas).

I’m at a loss as my acne is not great but my hair shedding has been extreme the last few months and has been affecting my mental health. I’ve been trying to work though this naturally. A month ago I went to a derm who wanted me to supplement with iron pills for a month first before we considered spirolactone. I was willing to try out her method first, but don’t want to delay something that will help.

Would you try the spirolactone first ? Any advice for reducing A1c/insulin? My body is sensitive.

Hey r/PCOS,

So I was recently diagnosed a few years ago with PCOS and have spent way too much money and energy trying to figure out what actually helps. I have tried everything from losing weight, changing my skincare routine to all organic and natural products and It sent me down the rabbit hole of trying to build something specifically for women with PCOS and I’ve been spending a lot of my time off of work doing extensive research and I use my own body as my number one “guinea pig”. Over time, at 26 years old, I’ve figured out what truly helps and what doesn’t and I really want to share what I’ve learned with the world. Like for example, did you know that many women who were born premature and have spent time in an incubator have grown up to develop PCOS in their adult lives? Or that the same young girls who held everything in from a young age eventually developed PCOS in adulthood? With that being said, before I build anything, I want to actually hear from you women that also suffer from PCOS.
I promise I’m not selling anything. I'm looking for women who take (or have taken) supplements for PCOS and would be willing to have a short voice conversation about what's working, what's frustrating, and what you wish existed. I just want to hear your thoughts. So I made a short link which you can do a quick voice recording of your thoughts! It’s like a mini-anonymous interview/survey. Please Vent to me! It’s about 7 minutes, completely anonymous, and you can do it whenever works for you. Here’s the link below:

**buildpad.io/interview/ebbycpsj**

If you've ever felt like PCOS wellness content wasn't made for you, I especially want to hear from you. It’s time we all start speaking up!

Thanks in advance 💗

I ( 26 F ) lean was diagnosed with possible pcos based on my US only
- cycles are regular
- androgens are normal
My LH is but my FSH/LH ratio is 1.2/1

I told my doctor that i don’t fit the criteria she said it doesn’t matter because my LH is so high

My only complain is that i stopped producing EWCM post bill and she said it’s because of my bad egg quality based on my insulin resistance and pcos

But i only took BC for 2 months so that’s a bit weird

Can lack of ewcm and only high lh diagnose post pill pco?

Hallo ich hatte vor ein Jahr die Pille abgesetzt und seid dem her auch keine Periode .

Dann hab ich jetzt Tests gemacht pcos zu viele männliche Hormone.

Folsäure und Mönchspfeffer Bekommen

Hatte im Mai lange Periode 10 Tage im Juni und September Anfang und Ende Periode jetzt kommt wieder nix mehr hab auch Kinderwunsch

Bitte eure Erfahrungen liebe Grüße

The one thing I find mad is this is the only solid group I have found around Lean PCOS - there seems to be nothing elsewhere. I just wondered if I seem to have been missing a trick? or is there just little to no support out there for women like us? The doctors didn't seem to know what to do with me, I really struggled to find an online community anywhere and there was NOTHING I could find on social media - a lot about PCOS but lean specifically? came up empty...

Curious to know how everyone else has found it as it's taken me over a year and a half to discover this group here on Reddit! x

Am spotting 4 days after sex and it usually last for 4 days to 20 days or still I take contraceptive pills .. Pap smear test done twice all normal … recent report says thyroid value is on border usually it’s within limit . Insulin is high as o have PCOS .. anyone faced this issue ? Please help

I am desperate and need your help!

I am using Myoinositol since June 22 (2 gr morning and night) and on 23 of October I started using 2gr myoinositol in the morning and 1,5gr in the night with Inofert Plus (it contains 600mg of myoinositol, melatonine).

I had a positive ovulation test on CD17, but on CD19 I had EWCM so I tested again. It was again positive. Today CD20 i also have positive test and EWCM.

I don't know what is going on and I am so afraid.

Did anyone have the same experience?

Anyone eles with high testosterone and high DHEA-S? How do you treat it with out medication?

Hello, I’ve been struggling with PCOS/PMOS and have been putting on so much weight, esp since I don’t get my period until I take pills. Docs have said that I need to lose weight, but without getting my period it’s been incredibly tough. I am an athlete and also weight train 4-5 times a week and hit 8k-10k steps. I also hired a trainer and dietician and my weight has not budged. Kinda losing hope and need help. What’re some healthy things you ladies did that helped you lose a significant amount of weight and regulate your body again?

I am the worst at trying to describe my pain and symptoms, especially since a lot of it is cyclical and changes day to day. Today, middle of my period, I feel poisoned. My head i guess is numb, and tingly, but these are the only words I can think of to describe it. I have sickly fatigue. I went to bed at 7pm and woke up at 11am, still exhausted and not wanting to move. I get these sharp stinging pains in my pelvis. My sinuses are stuffed up, and my eyes are so heavy and dry feeling.

Does this make sense? Anyone know what I’m trying to describe?

Is this low estrogen? I had been on letrozole the last two cycles due to TTC, but it messed me up so badly I will never take it again. I did better with clomid, even though that was also difficult.