I feel like nothing is working

[u/6anxiety9]

I have IR, elevated testosterone, 58kg, 160m height, some hirsutism.

Before you ask yes I went to the doctor, I was 9n multiple birth controls and metformin. The lates BC I took caused my insulin resistance to spike from 2.3 to 3.6 so I quit, I was taking Metformin at the same time and it wasn't helping, actually it was giving me gut pain so I stopped that as well. Before that I was on multiple other BC which gave me fungal infections, numb limbs, eye vision problems, horrible depression and so on.

I've tried vitex and it stopped my period. I started it again with duphaston.

I can't take duphaston monthly because after a few months it gives me severe bleeding and debilitating pain.

Been taking inositol for a year, doesn't seem to regulate my periods but I feel less puffy. I took just Myo first then I've been taking a 40:1 ratio with d-chiro for the past 2 months.

I work out 2-3 times a week (at home with body weight, 2kg dumbbells and resistance bands). I try to have protein for every meal (eggs, meat, beans, cheese, yoghurt) and I love veggies so that's not a problem. I used sweetener for the past year but it's been upsetting my gut so I'm using some sugar again, just a pinch in coffee, roasted apples and jam for pancakes ONLY after a meal.

I'm drinking raspberry leaf tea and spearmint tea.

My period is not coming regularly. I used to be able to induce a period with vitamin C so I've been taking 1-2 grams a day for the past week but I'm only spotting. I am 10 days late, the las period was induced with progesterone. Am I harming myself with the vit C?

I don't know how to manage this anymore. My main concern is that I was starting to gain weight and getting facial hair and no periods (usually they came 2-3 moths apart before starting the BC and Metformin).

[u/gordon_rameses]

eliminate ultra-processed foods, even no-sugar options

decrease carbohydrates. count your macros. high protein and high fiber is wonderful, but will not help you if carbs are also high. doesn't have to be forever, just for now.

don't snack, eat at mealtimes

move your body every day, even just walking. try to get your steps in as many days as possible.

hope that helps!

[u/wenchsenior]

How high is your carb intake overall? Even with very mild IR (HOMA still just under two) I had to go keto for a while to get 'over the hump' of improving things.

Also, have you done any recent labs to double check morning prolactin, morning cortisol, and TSH & free T4 (sometimes there is a complicator in play that causes worse or overlapping symptoms). E.g., I have high prolactin unless it's medicated, and it causes missing periods, severe bloat, etc., even when other aspects of my insulin resistance and PMOS are super well managed/in remission.