PCOS in our daughters

This is a general statement for anybody who has overweight daughters, especially those who seem to be putting on extra weight during puberty.  If you notice that their menstrual cycles are extremely erratic, have more than the usual mood swings, seem to exhibit secondary male charasterics like deeper voice, depression (I know...its a teenager..lol) facial (or unusal pattern) hair growth, excess tummy fat, darker skin at creases and folds of neck and underarms (with exessive skin tags), yet are active but not staying in a weight range for their activity (possibly developing signs of diabetes) ....have them checked for PCOS, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, a hormonal deficiency.  I was plagued with it from age 20 (I am now age 53) and my youngest of 3 daughters (all conceived thru fertility medication) was just assessed with it.  I have known since she was 14 that she had it, but her pediatricion brushed it off as an inactive teenager.  My daughter worked out for 3 years, 3-5 days a week and  her weight never changed!  She had all the above mentoned signs of PCOS.  She is now 18 and has recently seen an Endochronoligst.  She is now under treatment with low-dose estrogens and an androgen inhibitor.  She feels and looks much better in just the 1+ week she has been under treatment. She follows a good ADA eating plan and works out even more! Definately check with an Endochronoligist.
Best wishes in all your WLS related situations...
Kim in Fontana

Wow I am glad to hear that she was able to get some relief and help for her PCOS. I also have it and I was given Metformin. I was on it for years and I didnt know there was other medication treatments out there for it. As a matter of fact they had adjusted my dosage after 5 years of it and I finally got pregnant.

Thanks again for the info I will talk to my Dr about other meds.

I have just recently joined OH and have recently started the path to WLS.  I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 31 when I was married and couldn't get pregnant.  My weight had been up and down since puberty but I thought it was all my fault.  After all my research I found that all this time it was my body that didn't work right and not just the stuff I was doing to it.  I am currently taking Metformin but still have a lot of the symptoms.  I was able to get pregnant at age 34.  Of course I attest my pregnancy to a 40lb weightloss, a balance in my hormones, and a new man after my divorce at age 33.   But after my  beautiful daughter was born, I have put the weight back on and I am on a rollercoaster with my weight.  I can lose about 20lbs but as soon as I let my guard down I gain it right back plus a few.  That is why I am starting my journey with WLS.  And to make sure that I am around for her for a long time.  The info that I found about heart disease and diabetes scared me so much.  But my biggest fear is that my daughter will have to suffer through this horrible thing, PCOS.  She is only 4, soon to be 5, but I am already trying to teach her about what is healthy eating and getting her to be physically active.  It does help that other mothers with PCOS have the same concerns.  Thank you for the advice.  I do wonder if I should just get her set up with a specialist before we get to the point of trying to control things.  Does anyone know if there is anything that can be done or checked before puberty hits?

Cindi 

Turns out it's probably genetics.  My grandmother had it (my mom's mom) my mother had it and now I have it.  What really blows is i'm afraid to have a daughter because I don't want her to go throw the same trials and issues i have suffered all of my life because of it.  i really think that there needs to be more and more testing to determine the cause and what's going on with it and how to potentially cure the darn thing!

My 16 yhr old daughter was diagnosed with PCOS on Wed. The Endocrinologist started her on time released Metformin. She is also doing 24 hour urine collection this weekend to check her cortisol level as he is checking her to see if she has Cushings Disease. 2 years ago she went from 130lbs to 208lbs within 9 months and we finally found a doctor that thought that was not normal. I'm relieved to know now that it's a treatable condition and not just that she is taking after my side of the family in the obesity gene pool.