That’s So PCOS
Last October, I went to my annual OGBYN exam, which resulted in some blood work and an internal ultrasound. This appointment, blood work, and ultrasound resulted in a diagnosis that I was not completely prepared to receive. However, I was prepared for some type of diagnosis as I knew something was going on with my body from how it was showing up and communicating through symptoms.
The symptoms I was experiencing range from heightened anxiety right around the time of my period, irregular periods, excess hair growth, abnormal acne, and menopausal type symptoms. I knew my hormones were not “normal” for me even though I had been off birth control for 16 months. I understand that it can take the body time to regulate itself after coming off the pill but needed some extra insight and help on what my body was communicating.
After the conversation with my OBGYN, the blood work, and the internal ultrasound, I was Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, which is better known as PCOS. This is a hormonal disorder, which can cause serious health problems & complications with fertility. Women with PCOS may not ovulate, have high levels of androgens, and have many small cysts on the ovaries.
My blood work showcased this & the internal ultrasound showcased a “pearl necklace” of tiny cyst around each of my ovaries. These tiny cysts are actually abnormally large follicles that are on the ovaries and are fluid-filled sacs. Not all women diagnosed with PCOS have these cysts.
Women with PCOS often have increased levels of inflammation in their body – hello autoimmune disease #thatssoceliac. There are studies that have linked excess inflammation to higher androgen level.
There are four types of POCS:
Insulin-resistant PCOS: This is the most common type of PCOS. This type of PCOS is triggered and/or correlated with smoking, sugar, pollution and trans-fat. In this, high levels of insulin prevent ovulation and trigger the ovaries to create testosterone.
Pill-induced PCOS: This type is the second most common PCOS. It is triggered and/or correlated with birth control pills which suppress ovulation. If you experienced regular periods [menstrual flow might occur every 21 to 35 days and last two to seven days] before starting with the pills, then this might be a sign of Pill-induced PCOS or if your levels of LH are increased in the blood test then this could be a sign too.
INFLAMMATORY PCOS: In PCOS due to inflammation, ovulation is prevented, hormones get imbalanced and androgens are produced. Inflammation is caused due to stress, toxins of environment and inflammatory dietary like gluten.
HIDDEN PCOS: This a form of PCOS that can be triggered and/or correlated with thyroid disease, deficiency of iodine, and/or deficiency of zinc.
I am not exactly sure what type of PCOS I have, but if I had to put myself in one of the boxes, I would split it between pill-induced and inflammatory. However, after learning more about my body over the last two years, I think the mix of celiac disease, levels of mold [especially, black mold], and imbalance of microbiome in my body’s inner ecosystem plays a part my hormones having a party of their own.
This diagnosis was a punch to the gut and all the possible “what if’s” ran through my mind, which 100% got my anxiety on its high horse. I got very sad for a few days. I let myself feel the emotions. I spoke the emotions out loud to my husband & my community, who rallied around me.
I got angry with my body as I’ve been doing my best to take care of her and provide her with the best. I had to remind myself that she is still serving me & is very loudly communicating with me through this diagnosis. I am more than my diagnosis!
I got pissed off at society for making me in this moment feel less of a woman since my body may not be able to do what it was made to do; reproduce.
I fell more into prayer & really leaning into what God has planned for not only me, but my husband through this situation.
After my diagnosis, I was given three options:
Go on a medicine that helped with ovulation but had way too many alarming side effects – No, thank you! I know there is risk in every decision, but the side effects were a little too alarming for me.
Go on a medicine that is utilized by diabetics and to treat insulin resistance but cause serious GI problems -- no thank you! Celiac is already doing that enough for me!
Approach the diagnosis holistically -- Yes, my OBGYN was on board with me approaching this diagnosis the way I felt best for my body & my health!
I have a plan in place to help my body through this diagnosis. I firmly believe that this diagnosis can be reversed through continuing to serve my body through a healthy diet, implementing vitamins and supplements that are needed based off functional testing, and honoring my boundaries. I’ll say it again but @tayloredwellbeing has been my saving grace when modern medicine seems to fail me. Please let me state again, that I believe that modern medicine is great and has brought a lot of good when it comes to life saving measures. My personal choice and belief are that holistic medicine is best for everyday health and how to not only optimize but serve the immune system. I am very much looking forward to continuing work with Taylor Sappington & serving my body through this season and many others.
As I continue to learn and understand more about PCOS, I will share with the TSC community. I really appreciate all the support this community continues to give. I greatly appreciate all the brave women who spoke about their own experiences with PCOS and infertility.
Just a friendly reminder, we are more than our diagnoses. Our diagnoses do not have to be our life sentence.