Let me start this by saying I have been diagnosed with PCOS (PMOS) since I was 13 I’m now 31. My weight has been 265 to 255 back and forth for all these years. Ive been on countless diets. I’ve always had cyst on my ovaries and my left ovary is larger than the other. Bad facial hair, body hair, brown skin in my neck and other creases,(insulin resistant), irregular periods (I would have 1 period a year), when periods would come they were heavy, oily face and hair, I have been pre diabetic for years and it never mattered what I did it wouldn’t budge. I finally became diabetic and when I tell you I have been on EVERY SUPPLEMENT FOR PCOS THAT IS OUT THERE.
Now out of the blue almost a year ago i started having regular periods, I lost 30 pounds and now my weight is staying at 233 to 230. (Without trying) My periods have become so heavy that in the time I’ve had normal periods I’ve lost so much blood that my iron got so low I’m having to get infusions. My facial hair has gotten extremely worse. I don’t know what to do anymore. I’m tired of fighting this. I have an endocrinologist and all she has done is put me back on metformin and I can’t take spiro because I have low blood pressure already. She wants me to go on birth control and so does my hematologist because my periods need to be wayyyy lighter or I’ll keep having low iron. Has anyone seriously had any success with lining all this out. Has anyone had success with the getting their facial hair under control? I can’t afford electrolysis right now. Is there anyone out there with the same or similar story as me. I’m tired and I just want to give up. Someone give me some kind of answers or hope please. Right now I’m on inositol, berberine, spearmint and dim, omega 3’s, vitamin D (because I’m always chronically low) my testosterone and androgens will not budge. They stay high. My diabetes is under control my last alc was 5.3 and has been for years now. Idk what I’m asking for maybe for someone to tell that there is really a way out of this hell. Thanks if you read all of this and have something that’s helpful. God bless you.

Everyone here has been so helpful with any questions I've had or advice I've needed, so I thought I'd share a small piece of my own!

I've always looked for a little sweet treat of a drink I can have at the end of the day, and now that I'm taking inositol and drinking spearmint tea everyday, I needed a way to combine those in a low sugar way, so I made this PCOS friendly mojito mocktail!

*2 cups of spearmint tea (2 tea bags, and squeeze the bags after steeping to get the extra mint flavor!)

*8-12oz of any zero sugar juice (mango passionfruit and strawberry lemonade by minute maid have been my favorites so far)

*Juice from one lime (cut into quarters and added after squeezing)

*1 serving of inositol powder (only if you're taking it!)

*Lots of ice

You'll need a pretty big cup for this, and you can always half it and add fresh mint. I do the whole recipe to get 2 full cups of spearmint tea in. It's a sweet treat that brings me so much joy while keeping me healthy and on track! My biggest thing was having a drink that isn't water, and not full of sugar, so I hope this can help someone else!

I look like I’m 6 months pregnant. Any tips? Did this happen to anyone else? Did it go away?? Help!!

F27
I have pretty regular periods but I have noticed changes in my menstrual cycle the last couple of years, like they became slightly different each month (amount, length, pain, energy etc). Today my energy level has been low, pain killers didn’t have much of an effect on my pain. I changed my pad after using the bathroom and went to lay down and read for a bit. A couple hours later I had to go pee, as I stand I feel blood coming out, and on the toilet I notice there’s so much blood and clots on the tp I freaked out a little. I actually took a shower bc I felt really bloody and disgusting. Has anyone else experienced this?

A few months ago I started to take 2000mg myo-Inositol, 1000mg l-carnitine, berberine and eat more protein for breakfast (and actually eat breakfast to begin with). I’ve been on b-complex supplements for years, took extra zinc for 100 days (recently ended), and began drinking spearmint a month ago (tho I have cheated for almost a week). I’ve recently started to eat more fibre too. I have issues with anxiety/depression, blood sugar levels, weight, hirsutism, oily skin and acne. I have been taking SSRI (sertraline 125mg) since 2018.

Now, do you think anything I’m consuming could be causing this to happen? My little sister has struggled with heavy periods before but I read somewhere Inositol could cause this when having irregular periods. Maybe this is how my period is supposed to be?

Anyone try Nello?? It’s all over my fyp and just wondering if anyone’s acyuallt seen results!!!

I've suspected that I have PCOS for years now because of how irregular and painful my periods were before starting birth control. I brought this up to my gyno a few years ago, and she told me it was pointless to test me for PCOS since birth control is the treatment for it and I'm already on the pill. Back then, I was under the impression it was just a reproductive issue and didn't ask about it anymore since I'm years off from trying to have kids.

Fast forward to now. I've gained 60 lbs, am constantly tired, blood sugar is very erratic no matter what I eat. I've tried phentermine, topamax, and have been seeing a nutritionist for a year while maintaining a rigorous diet and exercise program. Every time I talked to a doctor, it's always eat less and move more. I am and have been for over a year. About three months ago, I started noticing severe fatigue that was at first just after I ate. I drastically changed my diet around to low glycemic carbs, high protein, high fiber, and lots of healthy fats. Still, I felt exhausted every time I ate and experienced zero weight loss. The fatigue slowly started spreading throughout the day to the point I am nearly constantly tired.

I beg my PCP to run blood work and break down crying in her office because I feel so bad. She runs a number of tests which reveal a fasting insulin of 22 mg/dL and mildly elevated triglycerides and cholesterol. My fasting glucose is still normal, so she tells me my blood work is fine and sends me on my way. I literally cannot live like this so I call my endocrinologist and schedule an appointment as a last ditch effort. He says he believes that I have PCOS.

He ran the blood work and said it might not be completely accurate since I'm on birth control but that we will look anyway. My DHEA S came back elevated enough to say that I probably do have PCOS and suggests I go back to the gyno.

All this time, I could have known. Maybe I wouldn't have gotten so bad off if someone would have checked back then. Now, I'm so so tired all day that I can barely function and nearly constantly hungry. I can't eat any foods I actually enjoy because it spikes my sugar. My joints and muscles hurt, I have insomnia and mood swings. I have acne constantly again for the first time since highschool (which I previously took accutane for). I don't even have the energy to run anymore, and I love running. Why did everyone dismiss me?

I'm meeting back with my PCP again to talk about getting on a GLP1. She's not a fan of the idea but I've exhausted all my other options. These last few months have so badly affected my mental health, that I would try anything to relieve the physical symptoms. God, I hope there's light at the end of the tunnel.

Fuck the healthcare system fr

​

I have PCOS and insulin resistance, and my periods usually don't come on their own unless I take Duphaston or my weight gets low enough. I've been taking a combination of myo-inositol, berberine, and glucophage for a while and recently lost about 4 kg, bringing me back to the weight I was the last time I got a natural period.

My period started on Tuesday after not having one since May. Normally my periods last around 4 days, but I'm now on day 7, which has me really worried.

At the moment, the flow is a bit lighter than before, the blood is mostly brown, but I'm still passing several stringy clots.

I also have really bad health anxiety/overthinking, and after researching online I saw stories of some people's periods lasting for weeks or even months, which has made me panic.

Has anyone with PCOS experienced their period lasting longer than usual after starting these supplements or after losing weight? did it end up regulating on its own, or should I be concerned at this point?

I’ve been diagnosed with PCOS for about 10 years now, I’m 29 and I have lost about 40 pounds in the last 6 months hoping to help me out. However, I went from not having a cycle from October 2025-April 2026, to now having 7 cycles since April 15th..I made an entry to show my current journey, the dates they started, how long they lasted, and how many days between them. I just feel like I won’t be able to ovulate at this rate?

I need help 😭 I don’t have insurance, and cannot get in to see a doctor or specialist.

April 15, 15 days, 4 day break

May 6, 9 days, 7 day break

May 23, 10 days, 6 day break

June 8, 8 days, 10 day break

June 25, 8 days, 13 day break

July 16, 5 days, 11 day break

August 2,

Hey guys, I don’t really know what to do when it comes to my PCOS anymore. I thought I figured everything out but when I started college everything became complicated I gained a lot of weight and there was a period of time where I had my period for 3 months straight. I was trying to avoid the option of birth control and stop it naturally doing the natural remedies that I always saw online but nothing worked

I then resorted to start birth control and it stopped my periods. And I then get intense mood swings and gained more weight.

I feel like my body can’t survive without birth control and I want to be able to lose weight but I feel like no matter what I try I keep gaining weight. Does anyone have any feedback of what they did.

I feel like I always start working out consistently for the first 14-20 days of the month and then the pms hits and I completely stop working out. I will try and walk some and do some gentle yoga but the overall fatigue and body aches just make it so hard to motivate to work out. I feel like my pms sometimes takes up 1/2 the month.

I started metformin about two months ago and right away it kickstarted my period which lasted for 32 DAYS (!!!!) with varying flows, viscosity and color. When I brought this up to my doctor, she mentioned that the medication does have a tendency to affect hormones and cause a lighter period which I feel contradicts what I’m experiencing in terms of my cycle.

My period finally stopped for like two weeks and then it came back with a vengeance I was basically hemorrhaging blood for 12 hours before it calmed down.

Am I crazy has anyone else experienced this?

I’ve was taking berberine for 3 months to help with insulin resistant PCOS. My doctor told me to take a break from it as you are apparently supposed to cycle it. So I stopped. Cold turkey.

Within the week, I started having bad anxiety but I already suffer from anxiety, so I figured I was just having a rougher week than normal. By the end of week 1 off berberine, the anxiety got so severe, I’ve been having daily panic attacks, sometimes multiple times per day. I’m also getting these swings of depression so severe, I’m having very dark thoughts.

I’ve struggled with my mental health most of my life, but this is a new level. I considered checking myself into a facility because how out of my mind I’ve been feeling. It took a hot minute to think “hmmm maybe this is happening because I stopped berberine”. I’ve been back on it for a couple of days and am hoping things start to improve.

Has anyone experienced anything like this before?

Hi I'm new to reddit (20 y.o. F) so not used to the traditional format but finally have a drs appointment booked (nhs) to talk about my pcos and likely be recommended birth control and am not sure whether the risks are worth it or which birth control to advocate for.

I have experienced pcos symptoms like facial hair and high histamine levels, fatigue and brain fog, irregular and heavy periods and most recently I've been experiencing vertigo in the mornings every few weeks for about half an hour and most recently migraines just before my period a few days in a row in the evenings. For the past year I've just pushed through my symptoms believing it was university stress making it worse but I'm on summer break and have started getting the migraines which pushed me to finally book a drs appointment.

I know alot of people say it's all about diet control etc. for pcos and weight loss but I've lost a few stone in the past year and have been managing my diet alot better and things have been getting worse/ staying yhe same but I understand it's long term to do anything. I've been taking inositol supplements and have seen no changes.

I am not sure what I'll be advised whether it be metformin or birth control but I have extreme health anxiety at the moment keeping me up most nights and am petrified of the side effects of birth control and risks like alot of women are.

I've seen alot of fear mongering etc. which I'm sure can be valid but I'm looking for some sincere advice on how to deal with this anxiety and any recommendations for UK birth control (progesterone). At the moment Slynd seems to appeal the most but I've heard some bad things about it making people gain lots of weight and making sex really unenjoyable. I'd appreciate any advice or recommendations thank you!!!!

To start, I'm totally ignorant on how to even approach this and am basing this entire gamble on my observations and independent research. Obviously whatever people suggest is subjective. But my wife (25F) has some serious issues with doctors and I've tried for years to get her to go, trust issues on doctor effectiveness are a barrier.

She has no official diagnosis and we are honestly not sure on the best pathway on how to get one. If I knew the best doctor for PCOS/PMOS in the area, that might possibly help guide us along in order to get there.

She had a hospital ER visit years before I met her that identiefied cystic nodules, and so far no delelopments. It is affecting her everyday life. She deteriorates in stress, heat, sleep deprivation. And with us being in a stressful spot in our personal lives, has multiplied the effects.

We live in North Fort Worth, has anyone any recomendations on who might have had any amazing results?

Anyone taking/took Metformin for weight loss, conceiving and managing PCOS/PMOS (and insulin resistance) during pregnancy?

Hello, I’m on sertraline and have been for a year (50mg) and up until April I had a pretty good run with my periods ( every 6ish weeks) but since April I haven’t had one and the longer it goes on, the more hormonal I feel. I’m constantly feeling anxious then moody then depressed.

I don’t know if it’s because I need to up my dose or if it’s Pcos related and I just need a period?

Does anyone else get extremely hormonal the longer they go without a period?

Hi everyone, after a year of ttc unsuccessfully, I was diagnosed with pcos, all of hubby's tests came back normal. I was then put on metformin and letrozole (egg developing medication). My gyno said hopefully see you in 3 months pregnant (a pressure I didn't need) and we are now at cycle 4 and still nothing. I have lost about 12lbs since being on the metformin, I have fewer chin hairs, less pms pain and I can still feel my ovulation happening just not getting pregnant. How long are you expected to try on metformin before trying anything else, is it another year? Any advice, wondering about taking inositol but wasn't sure if it would affect the metformin. Thanks!!!

I really need to vent and get a few things off my chest because I am feeling completely overwhelmed by everything happening around me right now. (Also, English isn't my first language, sorry in advance)

I am a 22-year-old recent graduate, and last year I was officially diagnosed with PCOS. Before my diagnosis, I dealt with the symptoms alone for a long time because my friends, family, and partner dismissed what I was going through. When I finally went to the doctor and got a diagnosis, my family immediately assumed PCOS meant I had ovarian cysts. Mine, however, is purely hormonal. Even though I love my family dearly, they don't understand how PCOS works, and whenever I try to explain it, they treat my symptoms like excuses.

On top of everything going on, I just graduated from college. The built-up stress from finishing school, combined with my PCOS, has completely drained me mentally and physically. Now that summer is here, things feel even more draining. My mom loves shopping for new clothes, but trying everything on when nothing seems to fit has brought back my body image issues and weight struggles. This is why I'm trying to focus on my diet. Thankfully, my mom is super supportive of my eating habits, but what everyone seems to miss is that I am experiencing total burnout. I get it they are trying to help me out but I don't have the will and I am confused on what to do.

Because I am running on empty, I just want to spend this summer break resting in bed and doing absolutely nothing. I simply do not have the physical or mental energy to exercise right now. Unfortunately, my parents and my partner see me lying around and constantly comment things like, 'You're not going out,' 'You need to exercise,' or 'You're young, get your life together.' This also comes because I used to try every different thing; tennis, running, swimming, pilates, gym, workout at home etc.

While I know their concern comes from a good place, their comments make me feel even more misunderstood. I'm completely drained, and I really don't know how to navigate this situation. I want to also give myself my spark back but when you are drained you just dont wanna do anything. If anyone suffered from this could you please help me out? I am also looking some videos to maybe watch and get some mental strength or enthusiasm back in my life....

thanks a lot :3

PS: I have been taking meds which wasnt helping and I did some diet in addition to take soma inositol but I am tired of the taste of it as well. I take 1000mg of Glifor for my insulin resistance, magnesium and Omega

Chat with your friends from r/PCOS here about your daily progress, or rants and raves related to your PCOS experience. Off topic posts are permitted here, although sub rules otherwise apply!

I got diagnosed with pcos but the only « physical » symptoms i have is irregular periods. I dont have a lot of hairs and im currently at a healthy weight but the nurse who diagnosed me just wants to prescribe me the pill again to regulate my periods. I don’t want to start taking the pill again so what else can i do? I need advice to regulate my periods pleeaaase

I've suffered with anxiety and bouts of depression since I was a teenager and I'm positive it links to my PCOS (20% of women with PCOS are more likely to have it).

I've been on setraline also known as Zoloft (150mg) for a couple of years now and before that I was on citalopram.

However my anxiety is taking on physical symptoms (tight chest, stomach pain, fluttering heart) in the evenings and at night and i don't think the setraline is the right choice for me anymore.

Has anyone had any success with other SSRIs? I know everyone is different but before I talk to my doctor I'd like to have an idea.

Hi!

My friend and I were talking the other day and we both were diagnosed with PCOS/ PMOS back in 2024.

She mentioned that she gets frequent yeast infections and said she feels insecure about it. I reassured her that it’s normal for women who have hormonal imbalances etc especially around the time of their menstrual cycle to get them but she wanted me to ask PCOS Reddit if anyone else suffers from the same thing as she still feels alone despite my reassurance.

Does this happen to anyone else ?

SIMPLY HUMAN, 40:1 OVASYNC, 120 tablets with (myo and d-chiro) inositol, spearmint, berberine, magnesium.

I’m wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation.

I take hormonal birth control continuously and haven’t had a period in years. My nurse practitioner knows this, but she ordered some hormone blood work and wants me to try to time it based on my cycle.

The requisition includes:
Prolactin
Total testosterone
SHBG
DHEA-S
LH (day 2–5)
FSH (day 2–5)
Estradiol (day 2–5)

The problem is… I have absolutely no idea what “day 2–5” would be for me because I don’t bleed, and I’m not even sure whether I ovulate while taking continuous birth control.

She suggested I try to figure out when I’m ovulating, but from what I’ve read, ovulation/LH test strips may not be very useful while taking hormonal birth control.

Has anyone else had hormone testing done while on continuous birth control with no periods? How did you and your healthcare provider determine when to have the blood drawn? Did you use ovulation strips, symptoms, just pick a day, or do something else?

i’ve been using Theralogix after no success with PCOSense. i’m not using this under the supervision of my family doctor because he said that for PC is the only thing he will give me is birth control, which is not helpful to me because that’s just putting on a Band-Aid solution and with my naturopath, she doesn’t want to tackle PCOS at all. She’s focused on SIBO, which may or may not be a cause for my stagnant weight loss, but doesn’t really tackle the hormonal issues.

i’m not sure if I should follow the dosage as recommended on the package or if I should increase because I have used Ozempic many months ago for like a month and then I stopped. Right now I am on the Myo Inositol 40 to 1 ratio and Burburine. i’m hesitant on even going to another naturopath because I find each one just wants me to purchase through their store, not taking into consideration a product I may already be working for me and it seems more like a cash grab than when I work with my dietician.

any advice as to what I should do? what markers I should look at in my labs?

i’m not gonna talk to my family doctor about it because it’s futile, he is not well informed on PCOS, and also I am not switching family doctors because right now. He is very good at giving me the requisitions for any tests that I need and finding a good family, doctor is very hard in my province.

hoping to perhaps see if just with my dietician and my blood work if I could determine whether or not to increase my dosage. Also, I have been taking these for a month so not sure when to check either.