Community members often post questions on the Plus Mommy Facebook page about Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). They are searching for plus size women PCOS stories and resources they can relate to. I don't have personal experience with PCOS so I've never blogged about it.
Then it hit me – why not turn to an expert like Amy from PCOS Diva and ask the community to share their PCOS stories? So I did just that! Below you'll hear from Amy, see links to stories, and supportive resources.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Support
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common female endocrine (hormone) disorders and is a leading cause of female infertility. The condition is caused by an imbalance of a woman’s female sex hormones. It affects as many as 10-15% of women of all women, and half of women with PCOS actually are undiagnosed.
PCOS can cause irregular periods, weight gain, depression, mood swings, acne, excess facial and body hair growth, and ironically, hair loss. It can also cause the absence of ovulation, which can prevent a woman from conceiving.
I have often heard PCOS referred to as the “Thief of Womanhood.” If left unmanaged, it can rob you of your fertility, femininity, health and happiness. I understand this label and struggled with all of the PCOS symptoms. It wasn’t until I realized that a diagnosis isn’t the end of the world – it is a chance for a new beginning – that my real healing journey began. When I started taking care of myself, loving myself and making me a priority, I became a new woman. My husband started calling me a diva. What a compliment!
It's most often managed with prescription drugs like birth control and the diabetic drug Metformin, but there is another way.
My mission is to help women take control of their own health and life and overall happiness. By altering your lifestyle and following my 5 Fundamentals of a PCOS Diva, you can reduce your symptoms naturally. After I started living the PCOS Diva lifestyle, I became pregnant naturally at the age of 37 and have a healthy little girl after having 2 boys, both conceived through fertility treatments.
5 PCOS Diva Fundamentals:
- Sizzle in the kitchen: Cook your own food. No crazy diets, just get in the kitchen and start cooking.
- Have discriminating tastes: Only clean whole foods allowed in your temple.
- Move it: Exercise. The more you move, the better you’ll feel.
- Practice extreme self-care: Love yourself and know you’re worth it.
- Be powerfully positive: Steer clear of perfectionism, self-sabotage, and negative self-talk.
The experience of healing myself and regaining my fertility, femininity, health, and happiness – and having a healthy little girl – truly launched my site. My daughter may inherit my PCOS genes and if she does, I want her to know that having it is not the negative thing I once thought it was. It is an opportunity to live life as a diva!
About the Author: Amy Medling, CHC is a health coach and founder of PCOSDiva.com, an online resource dedicated to helping women understand and manage the symptoms associated with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
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Abeer
Saturday 16th of March 2019
Hello,
I weigh 212 pounds and I am 5'4". I have one child who is 4 years old and we have been trying for the past year. I have had 3 miscarriages and a few false positives. Yep false positive! My last miscarriage was in november and before that my cycle was at 31 days. Since my miscarriage I have had just one period. 47 days after the miscarriage and now nothing anymore! I am currently at 52 days. I changed my diet since my miscarriage and it only made it worse. I already exercise 3 or more times a week. Still no period...my diet is better than when i used to be at 31 days cycle but somehow that made my pcos worse. Anyway, just thought I would share! Tests on monday to see what is wrong...
plussizebirth
Sunday 17th of March 2019
I'm so sorry for all the loss you've experienced. I hope you get some answers soon.
Sally
Saturday 13th of June 2015
i too have suffered from PCOS but thanks to the treatment I received I have two beautiful boys aged 8 & 9.
plussizebirth
Sunday 14th of June 2015
Thank you so much for sharing Sally!!!
Meg
Friday 12th of June 2015
Hey pcos diva i have a friends wanting books to read about pcos and getting pregnant, are there any you suggest? I am new to this stuff so i wasnt sure how to ask.. feel free to email or what not... i want to buy her a book as shes just found out that the last cyct on her overys had popped, thank you in advance
plussizebirth
Sunday 14th of June 2015
I'm not sure how often PCOS Diva checks this article, so you might want to go directly to her website or Facebook page linked within the article :)
Ashley
Monday 16th of March 2015
Okay so Here's my issue, I was told by my Doctor that I had some PCOS symptoms, but not all of them, My androgen levels were great, my progesterone levels were good and so were my blood sugar levels, though I have some insulin resistance. The issue was that the radiologist said that my Ovaries looked like they could have PCOS.
So the Doctor left me thinking okay huh! and so I am not sure now what is going on... Do I have PCOS or don't I? Then the Doctor said that with my losing 60 kg. I would probably be more successful having a baby. Not to mention that he told me that since I am over 30 ( I'm 32 in two weeks!) that I should just go right to try for IVF. but then ended that statement with but nobody will do IVF for you unless you lose about 60 kg or more.
I weigh about approx. 320lbs, and I am a size 20-22 pants, I guess that means I am huge (to doctors and such, but I am very proportionate for my size!) I have been off of Depo provera for over a year now, and recently my periods have come back to normal because I started taking iron supplements again (because I have Thalassemia... because I'm Italian!) but they are 40 days apart where they use to be 28 - 30 days apart. So now I am just in a land of confusion!
I am taking supplements like Maca, Chasteberry, red raspberry Leaves, Vitamin D and Iron and a Pre-Conception Vitamin, What else do I need to do???
I'm nervous that the doctor is right and I have to get gastric bypass to have a baby! and My husband and I said we would go the IVF route if we needed to but then the Doctor says no other doctor will touch me to do IVF with someone so big.... so what do I do now?? I am trying not to stress about it but as other people get pregnant around me I find myself getting sad that it isn't me and My husband.... what do I need to do now?? How do I stop myself from worrying? Are those Doctor's right??
plussizebirth
Monday 16th of March 2015
Ashley I can only imagine the amount of frustration and confusion you're feeling. Have you considered trying to find a size friendly fertility specialist or getting a second opinion from a size friendly provider?
Michelle
Sunday 7th of September 2014
Can I just say THANK YOU for talking about how there are indeed natural treatments for PCOS! After being diagnosed with PCOS, I began meeting with other moms and family members with the condition to find out what did/did not work for them in terms of treatments. I heard many horror stories about the the drugs for PCOS, family members who had surgeries to remove the cysts and even others that had an ovary removed! What I noticed is all of the treatments never really get to the source of the problem, but only it's symptoms. After navigating all kinds of natural remedies and having PCOS for the past 10 years, I was able to conceive three children naturally, without any drugs and I am so thankful! I encourage anyone with PCOS to look for natural treatments.
plussizebirth
Sunday 7th of September 2014
I'm so thrilled you like the resources I provide!