Hello!
I recently got diagnosed with PCOS, and as i don't know much about it, could you sorta give a sorta beginners guide?
Sure! So there are different “kinds” of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, depending on what triggered it. Sometimes it’s genetic, or came on from birth control or diabetes, etc. Each kind of PCOS can show itself with different symptoms. Like if you have high testosterone, you will have hair growth, acne, skin tags, etc. but those symptoms don’t show in every case of PCOS, like for me I have high estrogen. But overall it comes down to this: hormone imbalance that causes cysts on your ovaries. These cysts form every time you have a period, but in people with PCOS, that cyst doesn’t go away like it should naturally. It stays, it grows, it causes pain. Sometimes it’ll cause further problems like torsion or rupture (I’ve experienced both and they are extremely painful).
There are things that can help! Birth control for one, or other medications that can help balance your hormones. You might need to do a hormone panel with your doc to determine the right kind of drugs to take for your specific PCOS. Sometimes a change in diet, specifically anti-inflammatory foods, can also make a huge difference. Vitamins are also a life saver.
Unfortunately there is no easy cure for this. PCOS can lead to other issues like diabetes, endometriosis, infertility, and more. The best thing to do is control the hormones as soon as you can so that it does not lead to these other problems. Definitely get a care team that works with you and gets your body in the best place it can be. I wish you well and good luck!
