I am contemplating on going back on BCPs. I stopped because I felt bloated all of the time, but TOM was shorter which gave my hormonal weight gain and acne a break. Once I stopped taking BCPs my back broke out and the spots haven't healed, after two years still! I think I need to be checked for PCOS but its hard to find a gyne that lives near me with my insurance. My goal is to go into the new year at 180. It seems to be attainable if I stay away from gluten and corn and workout after work. But I have been craving pretty bad for those no no foods and I am so tired after work. I have popped an old friend of mine to help with energy, and it helps but I know I should take something more natural or maybe not. Plus my TOM starts at the end of the year so my hard work will be circumvented again. Argg...
I think that I need to be on something. If I have PCOS I know exactly what I need medicine wise which would help the weight gain, insulin resistance (my suspisions) and the hormonal acne.
Starting tomorrow I will be treadmilling and walking/jogging my bike path again, but what will I do when I run out of my old friend so that I can have stamina during the work week?
Taken from website http://www.pcos.insulitelabs.com/PCOS-Symptoms.php
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) can be caused by Insulin Resistance and may take the form of numerous symptoms, which vary from woman to woman.
Weight Gain or Inability to Lose Weight. Many women with PCOS gain weight around their abdomen, taking on an apple shape rather than a pear shape. Such weight gain is linked with imbalances of glucose and insulin in the body.
Other women may not necessarily gain weight but find that, no matter how hard they try, they cannot lose any weight. Not every woman with PCOS will have problems with excess weight. In fact, up to half of women with PCOS are lean. Even lean women with PCOS may struggle with high insulin levels or insulin resistance, however.
Absent or Irregular Periods (Amenorrhea or Oligomenorrhea). Nine or few menstrual cycles per year may be a sign of PCOS. Bleeding may be heavier than normal. These conditions are caused because the ovaries are not producing hormones that keep the menstrual cycle regular. Irregular or absent menses indicate that a woman is probably not ovulating.
| ||||||||
Infertility. The high levels of excess
insulin seen with PCOS can stimulate the ovaries to produce large amounts of the
male hormone (androgens), which can possibly prevent the ovaries from releasing
an egg each month, thus causing infertility. Because women with PCOS don't have
regular menstrual cycles, many are unable to become pregnant. With help,
however, many PCOS sufferers conceive. Excess Hair Growth (Hirsutism). This symptom causes excess hair, which can be difficult for many women. For most PCOS sufferers, hair in the mustache and beard areas becomes heavier and darker. Masculine-looking hair on the arms and leg is also possible, as well as hair on abdomen, chest or back, together with more growing in the pubic area. High levels of male hormones cause this condition.
Thinning Hair. Just as heavier hair growth is
possible, so is the type of hair thinning that many men experience. This is
caused in women by higher levels of androgens.Acne. Pimples and oily skin can also bother women with PCOS. The acne is usually found around the face (especially along the jaw line), chest and back.
Ovarian Cysts. The elevation in insulin levels contributes to the formation of cysts in the ovaries in part due to the hormonal imbalances and also because the ovaries are highly sensitive to the influence of insulin. These multiple, immature ovarian cysts, after which the condition was named, are associated with irregular menstruation and trouble conceiving.
Polycystic ovaries are defined as 12 or more follicles in at least one ovary as seen by ultrasound. Follicles are small, fluid-filled sacs containing eggs. In PCOS, the follicles bunch together to form cysts. Note that not every woman with PCOS has polycystic ovaries.
Fatigue. We hear from many women with PCOS who are tired all the time! Fatigue is a common symptom that may be related to PCOS in that insulin resistance can be one cause of reduced energy levels. Furthermore, many women with PCOS also have low thyroid function (hypothyroidism), a very common endocrine condition, which itself causes fatigue.
Other Skin Problems. Skin tags - thick lumps of skin sometimes as large as raisins - can form as a result of PCOS. They are usually found in the armpits, at the bra line or neck and can easily be removed by a dermatologist. Darkening and thickening of the skin can also occur around the neck, groin, underarms or skin folds. This condition, called Acanthosis Nigricans, is a sign of Insulin Resistance, the underlying cause of PCOS. Other women with PCOS note an increase in dandruff.
Mood Swings. Many women with PCOS may find
themselves more anxious or depressed by their appearance or their inability to
become pregnant. Mood swings can also be caused by hormone problems. Managing
your PCOS symptoms may help to relieve depression.High cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia) and High Blood Pressure (Hypertension). Increased LDL cholesterol, the "bad" cholesterol, is known as a marker for risk of heart attack and stroke. Women with PCOS must pay special attention to their cholesterol levels and also their blood pressure, as both of these markers of heart disease are more prevalent in this community.
Sleep Apnea. Women with PCOS are at risk for sleep apnea. This may be due to the increased BMI (Body Mass Index) in about half of women with PCOS. Another possible reason for the increased prevalence of sleep apnea in women with PCOS is the effects of testosterone on blood vessels.
I don't have all of the symptoms of PCOS and when I take my glucose tests they are normal. But I am suspecting something. TOM has been appearing earlier and earlier for four months now. I will play dectective soon on this issue.
Now time to decorate the apartment with Christams cheer. I hope everyone is well.
~ColorCodedContradiction
