Question:
I have PCOS and Have a Female Question...

I'm turning 21 in Feb. and have my first appt. with an OBGYN the first week of Feb. I've never had a true physical before and I'm scared. A few years ago I was diagnosed with PCOS (Poly-cystic ovarian syndrome) and I want to get everything taken care of. I don't know what to expect or what I should do etc. Please forgive me for being a baby about this I'm just a very private person. :) Also for those who have PCOS what type of meds are you on? Thanks, you guys are the greatest!    — Rebekah A. (posted on December 30, 2002)

December 30, 2002
I was diagnosed with PCOS in August. My endocronologist put me on Glucophage 1500 mg/day. I was quite sick when I started this. I am fine with it now. I have lost 10 pounds since being on this. Good luck
   — Dawn M.

December 30, 2002
I was diagnosed with PCOS several years ago. The diagnosis was confirmed via ultrasound. Since I sometimes go several months without having a period my OB/GYN prescribed progesterone to take to initiate a period if I go over 80 days without a period. Since I've had WLS I am now having regular although heavy periods.
   — Kelly S.

December 30, 2002
I don't have PCOS, but I wanted to tell you that no one likes having a vaginal exam. It's NEVER fun, but it's not horrible either. Just remember to breathe deeply, and try to relax everything below the waist. I'm 33, have 3 kids, and have had a million exams. I still get worried, and end of crying during the exam, but NOT from pain, just because it's an embarssing thing for us women to have to do. But, it's necessary!! You will be FINE!! Remember... BREATHE!
   — Diana L.

December 30, 2002
Are you worried about what the exam entails? Try this web site http://www.scarleteen.com/pink/gyne.html It goes into detail. Any don't worry, we all hate it, but its only a few minutes of your life and it's over.
   — Monica H.

December 30, 2002
Hi, I also have PCOS. I cannot tolerate the glucophage which is the medication of choice. I take avandia 4mg instead. However, my endocrinologist believes that having WLS will take care of the problems and that I may not need medication down the road. Best wishes to you, the other posters are right, female exams are no fun, remember to breathe is very good advice! God Bless!
   — garnet156

December 30, 2002
I have had my share of exams- and what must be done , must be done. Personally I don't mind if it is a male or female Doctor examing me. However, some women suggest another woman doing the exam is "easier". Just know, that if you do end up with a male, you can request a Nurse or PA be with you ifit bothers you. As for meds (for PCOS) I had to fight and change Endo's just to get on Metformin, and stayed on it until I became pregnant, however I also plan resuming it afterwards. I am also on Prozac for the lovely ups & downs PCOS gives me. Once on Metformin, I have never felt SO NORMAL (mind body soul) in my life. WLS helps your conditions, but will not cure your PCOS.... while my old Endo said I did not have the test results to "warrant" Met, my new Endo gladly perscribed it as it is the #1 treatment for PCOS. So, even after your weightloss- if something doesn't feel right, keep going back.
   — Karen R.

December 30, 2002
You will be fine! I don't even sweat it anymore because I am so comfortable with my doctor and he keeps it lighthearted, quick but thorough. However, if you have questions do ask. They will not think anything is silly. Make sure they know this is your first exam and you are scared. Mention it to the nurse when she does blood pressure etc.<p>As far as the PCOS I have a 25+ year history of secondary ammenorhea (no periods). For many years I just avoided it because like you I was afraid to go to the doctor. When I finally went I found out that by ignoring this condition I was putting myself at a significantly increased risk of ovarian and uterine cancer. It also became so severe that the chance of me every having a baby is about 1/4% even with the really strong fertility drugs. At my age now (almost 42) I would not even try as the risks for the baby are so much greater. The year I turned 34 and had lost a ton of weight and all of the baby issues came flooding out, but by then it was pretty much too late and besides I still believe in the ideal family - a mom and dad and I'm not married. Sorry I digressed. The moral of my story is start working with a doctor now and get comfortable with him or her and get those exams and get your PCOS under control as best as possible. Don't eliminate your future options because of being scared. It really is a quick simple exam.<p>As far as my treatment for PCOS I have been on Depo Provera injections since 1995 with great success. I get them every 8 weeks, instead of the 12, as that is what worked best for my body. The more frequent doseage of the shots balances out the excess estrogen the fat on my body is producing. The bleeding has been non-existent since 1996, and I don't miss it. The only drawback to the Depo Provera over the pill is that it does take longer before you can become pregnant. But only having to think about getting a shot a few times a year is great! The shots have put my ovaries into a state if hibernation as such. The lining of the uterus is thinned way down so it is not likely to develop cancer either. It is a great way to protect yourself from the risks of not having periods when your body really should be. I do have facial hair growth but I had that from the Hirsutism that comes with the PCOS anyway. So even if it's a little more I had to deal with it anyway. As far as possibly gaining 5 lbs a year, like I'd notice it on my 432 lb body. Even after I've lost my weight I will stick with the Depo Provera. My body has responded so well to it. One time about 3 years ago I went off of it for about 4 months and by the time I went back on my body was literally screaming for it. I had so many symptoms like I was pregnant. Within a few hours after the shot and by the next day the symptoms were so much better and within a week they were gone. My body had finally been getting the progesterone it had lacked all those years and then I took it away. I could hear my body sigh with relief once I had the shot. LOL You had to be in my body to understand.<p>If you are trying to solve both obesity issues and PCOS then the glucophage seems to be the drug of choice - but not always effective. If all you want to do is protect your future fertility and get your body funtioning normal or put into a state of total rest then go with the pill or the Depo Provera. I tried the pill for 9 months and had nothing but continuous heavy bleeding so that is why I tried the Depo Provera. It solved the bleeding and my hormonal driven headaches. Good Luck! You will be fine!
   — zoedogcbr

December 30, 2002
Hi there - I was diagnosed with PCOs when I was 15 (now 26). I had to have lap surgery on my right ovary to get it drained (no big deal). I was on glucophage and am currently on birth control to help control it. My doctor also thinks that wls will help with my PCOs. Wish you luck and the exam isnt great, but you'll get through it.
   — kandi S.

December 30, 2002
Hi Rebekah - I never had a pelvic exam till I was 34, and I was really nervous. I was very upfront with the OB/GYN about it being my first pelvic exam and not knowing what to expect. He was pretty reserved and not all that friendly, but his nurse was super-nice, and she kept telling me I was doing fine. It turned out I needed a second opinion, and I went to see a woman OB/GYN who had a super bedside manner and I felt more comfortable with her. Anyway, you put a gown on and you lay down, and then they pull out these kind of metal legs from the end of the table (the "stirrups") and you put your feet in there, and every woman on earth, my doctor said, wants to push themselves back to the head of the table as far away from the doctor as possible. So they spend a lot of time saying "move down" and "relax." (So, just look at the ceiling and breath and pretend noone is poking at you.) First they insert some fingers in you while they press down on your lower abdomen. Then they take a metal thing called a speculum that's sort of shaped like a duck's bill and they insert it and open it up, and they peek inside. Nothing was painful. Just weird. I was very upfront about "Hey now - this is not a well-used area, if you get my drift. I'm a big woman with a little vagina, and I want a little speculum." I'd say there's nothing in the world these docs haven't seen, heard or been asked, so just be very honest about your nervousness, and say that you need everything explained. This may be way more info than you wanted, but I felt like you were asking what the actual exam is like. Good luck - it will go fine!
   — Kim A.

December 30, 2002
i am 37. i was diagnosed with PCOS 20 years ago. please feel free to email me with any questions at [email protected].
   — [Deactivated Member]

December 31, 2002
I would also just like to add that if you have PCOS, I HIGHLY reccomend treatment from a Endocrinologist. Ob/Gyn's specialize in human reproduction etc. PCOS is an Endocrine disorder! Yes, it does affect body parts & conditions that your Ob/Gyn does have knowledge in; however PCOS is not an exclusize reproduction issue. Your Ob/Gyn may not be treating the entire disease, just a side affect (ie no periods) and they may not know SQUAT about the endocrine system. Treating just one side affect does not get to the root of your problem. You need to get to the bottom of the disease, and why it is affecting other parts of your body. In my case, BC pills were a 15 year band aid that did nothing to help my situation.
   — Karen R.

December 31, 2002
I would highly suggest you go to a reproductive endocrinologist (a fertility specialist)-- even though you're only going for a check up. PCOS falls squarely in their specialty. Good luck! <br>
   — Beth S.

January 1, 2003
I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH PCOS 2 YRS AGO AND I WAS GIVEN METFORMIN AND BIRTHCONTROLL PILLS. IT HELPED OUT. YOU NEED TO FIND OUT ARE YOU JUST HAVING THE SYMPTOMS OF PCOS OR DO YOU ACUTALLY HAVE PCOS. THERE IS DIFFERENCE AND TREATMENT IS DIFFERENT. I HAVE THE SYMPTOMS OF PCOS.
   — LUKESHA C.

May 20, 2003
It was interesting to read all the post to this question. I was diagnosed with PCOS around 1990 and have taken Provera 10 mg for 10 days every other month for a cycle. I did take Metformin when I went through two infertility treatments but that upset my stomach at first. PCOS is very complex and I urge you to read all you can about what happens to your body (you'll be amazed what it can effect).
   — Starrlina

May 20, 2003
Just to let you ladies know my wife Jens PCOS is much better. Her hormone levels are normal and she is off the birth control pills she had taken for many years to keep the pcos under control. Her endocrylonologist was very happy with her progress. Her suyrgery was december 2001.
   — bob-haller

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