PCOS affects about 6 - 12% of women in their reproductive age.
The damaging statistic however is 100% of these women have had 50 or more people comment on their weight, mood, skin, or timeline for having a child.
It’s time to normalize talking about PCOS and I’m totally open to a PCOS b*tch session - there will be lemonade for sure.
𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘳: Not written on my period, cause those are irregular AF.
PCOS (strokes imaginary beard, oh wait, it isn't exactly imaginary)
Not exactly high up on the severity index, but it can be a major disruptor for a lot of women.
PCOS to me has been a gift that never stops giving - weight gain, serious cravings, a moustache, a little beard, occasional acne.
When I was diagnosed with it (over 10 years ago) all the gynac said to me was - ‘Oh there’s nothing to worry about - you just have to lose weight’
Sounds super easy, isn’t it?
WELL, IT ISN’T!!
For years I’ve had people comment on my weight. Top 3 things I’ve always heard:
Hey, you’ve put on a little weight
Oh wow, you’ve lost a little weight
Your face looks so chubby!
Now, you don’t really want to stop and explain to them, that you are gaining weight because you have PCOS and with it comes insulin resistance, hormonal imbalances, weight gain in spite of exercise, food cravings at odd times that you mostly give in to, and stress being a huge contributor. Instead, I’ve awkwardly smiled and said I’m trying.
But here’s a little insight into living with PCOS -
What no-one really outlines about this condition is, this weight gain/loss has always been followed by hatred towards my body, feeling miserable about all the pounds that keep adding on, low self-esteem, dwindling confidence, the constant comments, the blemishes on my skin and oh the infamous facial hair. Not to forget the actual period itself! Irregular AF, but with immaculate timing.
The worst part, this is just MY experience, countless other women have a range of other symptoms that show up. Right from terrible acne to hair loss, difficulty having a child to very heavy bleeding.
PCOS looks different on everyone. Different but ruthless nonetheless.
Let me now get to the most obvious question - Did you ask the gynac to give you anything for it?
No Shit Sherlock. And my gynaecologist did what 90% of them do for PCOS patients
*Drumroll* Birth Control
Helps you a little, complicates a lot more. I am not going to list down the damaging effects of birth control because we know them and chose to ignore them (most of the time!)
Are there alternatives - yes, no junk food, a serious diet, a calculated exercise regime, and most importantly - managing stress - easy peasy lemon squeezy
In an ideal world, it’s the perfect solution, but realistically, it doesn’t all come together like that. Not for lack of trying, but it’s circumstantial.
I guess the point I’m trying to make is, it’s time we -
- normalize talking about PCOS
- normalize not commenting on a person’s weight, eating habits, or moods
- normalize questioning your doctor about birth control as a ‘solution’ for PCOS and push them to look for alternatives
I haven’t learned to manage it entirely, but I have made peace with it and that’s a start.
I have friends that suffer from it too and we have started to hold each other accountable and that’s helped.
I haven’t lost a whole ton of weight, but I am learning what works and what doesn’t
I haven’t figured a way to stop that mighty moustache, I just don’t care what people say anymore
The cravings haven’t stopped, I’m slowly learning to substitute them with a tad bit healthier snacks.
The doc’s recommendations and prescriptions have not changed, I’ve just started to look for alternatives that are less damaging.
Bottom line: PCOS can be damaging and the number of us suffering from it, is only getting higher. Every once in a way it's important to remind ourselves, we cannot let it define us, make us hate our body, or crush our self-esteem.
PCOS can suck it
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