How are you dealing with this? I started Metformin a month ago and I haven’t pooped in almost 3 weeks. I take magnesium and psyllium husk daily. I drink 3L of water per day. Laxatives do absolutely nothing. I’m genuinely getting worried.

One thing I keep noticing with PCOS is how many of us feel hungry again shortly after eating and end up blaming ourselves for it

Something that helped me was making my meals more filling instead of trying to eat less all the time. I try to include protein like eggs or chicken plus fiber from veggies beans or oats and some healthy fats. It sounds simple but it can help you stay full for longer and make cravings easier to manage. You dont have to change everything overnight ❤️

Does anyone else struggle with this too?

I’m really happy that I got a conclusion but I’m also sad. I don’t really feel like a woman anymore. My testosterone levels, weight, cramps, and fatigue always affect me. I’m gonna try to find the best supplements for my condition but rn I’m in a bittersweet state

Hi all,

I am 30 years old and have PMOS. Nothing worked. No metformin, myo-inositol, Agnus cactus, lifestyle changes, the coil etc. Just in the last year the pattern was that I bled every single day for 4 weeks and then nothing for 6 weeks. And these bleeds are not spotting. They are heavy. At the moment I am wearing a sanitary napkin that is actually a medical supply. I just cannot do this anymore, also the cramps. I have been thinking about a hysterectomy for a long time. As I do not want to have any children, that wouldn't be a topic. A few years ago I pushed it towards the future because the step seemed to permanent but now I think this is it. Can I get your opinions if it's worth it and will improve my life?

I know that menopause will then start and I would be working with my Gyn to have the right hormones.

In around April of last year I was diagnosed with PCOS following my meeting the criteria of irregular periods, acne and an internal ultrasound that showed my right ovary having over 23 follicles. I have a normal BMI so I think I would be lean PCOS.

I did not want to go on any medication as I do not want children, my only major concern has always been my acne.

I bought a couple supplements that I had heard were good for PCOS (Inositol and Zinc) shortly after diagnosis and used them maybe 3-4 times per week. Didn't see much change probably as I was not using them consistently.

I moved overseas back in July to serve in the Peace Corps Response Program and since being here my acne and hairloss has been a bit worse. I assumed that my PCOS must be worse and spoke to my in country doctor about considering going on spironalactone.

Before they would support me going on medication they wanted me to get another ultrasound and have my hormone levels tested. In my ultrasound the ovary that had 23 follicles had reduced to 8. My testosterone was in the low 20s. My blood sugars/glucose have not changed significantly between now and before I started taking inositol but were already in normal levels

The only real change I have made is taking the supplements, I am in shock that a supplement could have done all of this but it is the only thing I think it could have been!!!

While I still have the acne and hairloss its seeming more like it is from the high chlorine content of the water here, not my PCOS ?? which seems to have completely reversed ???

Hey girls,

I'm (26) writing today because I think I've reached my limit and gave it my all. So PCOS is one of the many conditions I have and I actually get my periods every month now(after losing 40 pounds), my blood work is totally normal.  I did everything I could not to get on bc to ease my acne and oiliness. The issue is I can't even use topicals because I have type one rosacea and am very dermatitis prone. I can't get on antibiotics or accutane either because I have ulcerative colitis. I also developed seborrheic dermatitis because of pcos.

I really want to start bc but the thought of it causing new symptoms that I never had (hirsutism, alopecia) once I get off of it is terrifying me and it's the only thing stopping me from taking it.

I'm just tired of being sick and ugly and want to feel more comfortable in my own skin..

Has this happened to anyone?

Hi everyone,

I had a baby in 2025. I’m still breastfeeding but he is pretty established on solids, so it is mostly only at night / nap time. For some context, I did need to use letrozole to get pregnant and was successful on the third medicated cycle.

I had some blood tests done as I’m experiencing a massive amount of hair loss. I feel like theres always hair all over my house and I’m having to hoover it up so many times a day! I also have only had 4 periods since giving birth. My periods were quite irregular before but I always heard this usually improves after pregnancy.

I would love to address the hair loss but also to do something to help regulate my cycle. I would like to have more children in the future and it would be nice to be able to monitor my cycles and not have to go through the fertility clinic again, as it was quite mentally exhausting. I have been taking myo inositol but other than having one period after starting it (which could have been a coincidence as it arrived about 5 days later), i have not seen much of a change at all.

I would love some advice on what actually I need to ask my dr for following my blood results. Do i need further tests, e.g for insulin resistance ? If so, what tests? Is there a specific medication i can request to manage my condition? I’m in the UK and the NHS have been really bad at helping me manage this condition my whole life (I have known about my PCOS since I was 14).

My blood results are;

FSH 5.0 IU/L
LH 18 IU/L
Progesterone 0.8 nmol/L
Total testosterone 1.5 nmol/L
Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) 22 nmol/L
Free androgen index (FAI) 6.8%
Prolactin 374 mU/L
TSH 1.05 mU/L
HbA1c 35 mmol/mol
Vitamin D 46 nmol/L
Ferritin 46.4 µg/L
Total cholesterol 5.7 mmol/L
HDL cholesterol 1.49 mmol/L
LDL cholesterol 3.89 mmol/L
Triglycerides 0.70 mmol/L
Full blood count Normal
Urea and electrolytes (U+E) Normal
Liver function tests (LFTs) Normal
Bone profile Normal

Really appreciate any advice and support!

i got diagnosed with PMOS earlier this year and i haven’t had a period since october 2025. i’ve had discussions with my endocrinologist about medication and all, i just want reassurance that other people have also gone this long without a period. this whole situation makes me so anxious which doesn’t help make my period come back.

i hate that there are so many different 'rules' and opinions on treatment for PCOS. One person will say do keto, take 9000 supplements and go run 10 miles aday. someone else will say only eat meat and just weightlift, dont run. i hear so much different advice on social media and from the doctors i dont even know what to do anymore. the social media aspect just pushes us to take 12 different pills a day and to never touch sugar. i know i should be doing what feels best for me, but i have yet to find something that actually works. #exhausted #overit

Please no advice - Just need to be heard

I was diagnosed with PCOS (PMOS, I guess) in my early teens because my periods were so irregular. I have always been fat, had signs of insulin resistance, and had HS from a young age.

In my late teens I starved myself and exercised brutally until I lost a bunch of weight only to gain back twice as much. I am 29 now and gain weight EVERY SINGLE YEAR. I have been through 2 eating disorder programs (OP & IOP) and I cannot fix my relationship with food and/or exercise.

Today, I don't work out and I don't eat "healthy" either. I keep gaining weight.. each meal feels like a struggle because I try to find the most PERFECT thing to eat at each meal and can never decide.

I am close to hitting 300 lbs and miserable about my health. I feel like if I hit that number I will have a psychotic breakdown.

I am not diabetic, I don't have high blood pressure, or high cholestrol. I have tried Inosital, Doxycycline, Clyndomicine, and Metformin. I had a CT scan done for my lungs a few months ago and they caught fatty liver in that screening. I also have mild sleep apnea. My PCP has put in for GLP 1s MULTIPLE times but the insurance keeps denying it.

I started a TTC journey earlier in the year, but it is on hold right now. I have been advised to get WLS to at least get the "temporary balloon". I have been so against WLS but as I creep closer to 300 I feel so out of control. However, my fear with both GLP 1 and the WLS is gaining all the weight back when I stop taking the medication or remove the balloon when I am ready to TTC...

Does anyone understand or relate? Please don't tell me about your exercise routine, diet plan, or assortment of vitamins and supplements that helped you lose weight.

I’m 9 months postpartum with my first IVF baby and I’m wondering if anyone’s PCOS got noticeably worse after pregnancy and breastfeeding. I already had mild PCOS before pregnancy and needed IVF to conceive. From our first IVF cycle in 2024 we got 15 eggs and 8 blasts, and my daughter was conceived from our 3rd embryo transfer. Before IVF my AMH was 7.5 µg/L and testosterone 1.4 nmol/L. After giving birth my periods returned and have been fairly regular, although some cycles are longer. Breastfeeding gradually decreased from around 7 months and my baby completely self-weaned at 8 months, so I’ve barely breastfed for almost 2 months now! I recently went back to my fertility clinic to start planning IVF #2 and was surprised that everything now looks significantly more pcos-like than before pregnancy and IVF: my ovaries had many more small follicles, I didn’t ovulate that cycle, my lining was only 4.5 mm on CD24, my AMH has increased to 13.52 µg/L and testosterone elevated to 2.9 nmol/L (lab range 0.5–2.0). My doctor thinks getting eggs with stimulation shouldn’t be a problem, but I’m more concerned about transfers because I tend to have a thin lining and may not ovulate every cycle anymore. I strongly prefer natural/modified natural transfers because my first two medicated transfers failed, while my 3rd transfer using my own ovulation worked despite a 6mm lining. Has anyone had their PMOS look significantly worse on ultrasound and bloodwork postpartum, especially soon after weaning? Did it settle down after a few more months, or did it stay that way? I’ve been taking myo-inositol & d-chiro, NAC, ALA, prenatal, etc., eating healthy for the past two months. How is it possible that it’s gotten so much worse than before?

Hi! I’ve had PCOS since I was 17 (I’m 26 now). I currently weigh 66 kg (145 lbs) and I’m 1.63 m (5’4”) tall. I struggle with a lot of facial and abdominal swelling/bloating, and I’m about to start retatrutide (reta).

For those of you with PCOS who have tried reta, how did you feel while taking it? What changes did you notice? Did your symptoms improve?

I’m nervous, but honestly, I’m also so frustrated and exhausted from dealing with these symptoms. I’ve tried everything: inositol, weightlifting, increasing my protein intake, supplements, and walking after meals. Despite all my efforts, I haven’t been able to lose even a single kilogram. I just keep gaining weight, and it’s so discouraging.

I’d really appreciate hearing about your personal experiences, especially from others with PCOS. Did reta help with your weight, insulin resistance, inflammation, or other symptoms?

2 years ago I got a concussion and my health completely changed. I had previously been diagnosed with PMOS but was able to be symptom free after having my gallbladder removed and moving countries. My body balanced, I lost weight randomly, cycle regulated, more energy, no inflammation… all was good! My hormones were also normal.
Then the concussion hit. My energy tanked to the point I was bed bound every day after work, I had sleep issues, gained a bunch of weight (despite being way more active AFTER the concussion), moon face, periods disappeared, body composition shifts, severe bloating, swelling in my whole body but especially legs/feet and face… it has been rough.
My body then shifted about 1.5 years post concussion from a distended stomach to very squishy and new angry stretch marks. The swelling in my legs and face also slowly got worse. Thankfully, my energy had improved somewhat and no more sleep issues. (I have been tested for Cushings/cortisol stuff, pituitary issues, etc and all normal).
I’ve tried inositol/a supplement blend (this worked well for me before the concussion), acupuncture, herbal remedies, antihistamines (for suspected MCAS that helped my energy), compression garments for the swelling, magnesium glycinate… basically you name it, I’ve tried it.
I’ve currently 4 weeks into metformin (week 1 500mg, week 2 1000mg, week 3 onwards 1500mg). My energy has improved I think but otherwise I’m not seeing any changes yet. I know it’s early and I’m trying to stay positive. Does anyone have success stories, especially with symptoms like inflammation, or even post concussion? I’m sure my symptoms have flared from the PMOS, but I also know the concussion completely dysregulated me and I worry that metformin won’t do everything I need it to.
Thanks in advance for your stories and thoughts xx

Hey, So I have insulin resistance type PCOS and I’m genuinely at a loss at the minute and I am wondering if anyone can assist me. My skin has never been so bad. I have been breaking out and scarring on my jaw and chin area since around May time and I really really cannot cope with it anymore. The ONLY thing I can think that has changed is my increase in white rice and chicken intake. Is there any science behind this?! For reference I’m a 22 year old and I eat 80% whole foods and exercise regularly. My periods also are totally irregular and they come once every 2 months or so. They just got to a stage in Jan - May where they were like clock work for the first time in many many years. It’s just a kick in the teeth when you see people online saying “it’s caused by what you put into your body and your gut health” when I’m quite literally mega healthy. Does anyone recommend any hormonal contraception? I’ve been on levongesterel before but I put on weight like no tomorrow :( as per usual with PCOS, I feel out of answers and rather hopeless ..

So for a while I have been having irregular and heavy periods but I never thought it would be due to pcos. Honestly, I have no idea what to eve write because I'm terrified. I don't know what to do, I'm scared. I have heard so much about what other women with pcos go through and it's also the fact this is basically life long which just puts the nail in coffin. I'm scared. Help.

​

I have PCOS and I'm struggling so much to lose weight, especially around my stomach. What has actually worked for you? I'd really appreciate any advice on diet, exercise or managing PCOS symptoms.

I've seen a lot of posts in this sub Reddit about how people have had great results with Metformin. I have been on 1500mg of Metformin for a couple of years and I don't see anything different. I'm taking a lot of other medications as well and now I'm just wondering why I'm taking this on top of all my other things if it's not actually doing anything!

30F finally diagnosed about 7 months ago.
The main issues which led me to pursuing testing were progressively irregular periods, hirsutism, and body odor.
Previously during my late teens and early twenties, I had tried many different birth controls and had experienced severe anxiety and depression on all of them. I stopped BC at age 21, so when my doctor insisted I try an oral combo pill to regulate my period and abate my symptoms I was very nervous.
I was initially put on Junel Fe which immediately seemed to help the body odor. My period came in my first off week after not having one for months and I couldn’t believe it. I noticed a little fatigue so I played around with the timing of my pill for the next few months. Otherwise I didn’t notice any unmanageable symptoms.
In July I received a letter from my new insurance (job change) indicating that they would not cover Junel and I was being switched to Hailey Fe. The first month was rough. Spotting nearly every day, crampy, and hungry constantly. But what I was not ready for was the anxiety like I had experienced many years ago. Anxiety about EVERYTHING. From personal interactions to things like did I turn the stove off… I felt like I was going insane. Being older now I knew what was happening and I just had to remind myself of that. But that doesn’t fix the sweats and nervous tummy problems. I told myself to “give it a few months” as they say with a new BC. I’m now in month three and decided to pay really close attention to my brain from the off week through now. My off week was great. I was out with friends and family and had a wonderful time. Outlook on life was positive, was truly feeling good. By Day 2 I felt the raincloud come over me. I get that sick to the stomach feeling and I just cycle on whatever worry is in my brain at that moment. The mind chatter never stops. It doesn’t usually anyways but it’s all negative. My insurance told me I’d have to pay for Junel out of pocket to go back, which isn’t crazy expensive but still an extra expense. But given the situation I’ve considered the IUD. The pill hasn’t helped my hirsutism at all. The body odor I am afraid of returning but I’d rather have to deal with that over the anxiety. And I wouldn’t have to worry about missing a pill given that I travel for work and sometimes silence my alarm before long plane rides.
My gyno recommends staying on a pill for PCOS side effect management but I don’t want to experiment again until I find one that works like Junel.
I’m curious what others experience has been on IUD or if you’ve switched either which way. If you kept reading thank you I know this was long :)

for background: 7 months post partum. i have pcos, was diagnosed before pregnancy. now post partum my symptoms are back. sorry for the tmi but i have awful BO (i think this must be hormonal) and the hirsutism is bad too. i am on ozempic which is helping with the weight but i need something for the androgens. is there anyone on here thats done a combo of ozempic + spiro or ozempic + yaz? or did spiro help you even at a low dose with certain symptoms i.e hair growth, odour, acne, hirsutism?

Hey,

I’ve been diagnosed with PCOS very recently and have elavated DHEAS and Testosterone.

I’m so afraid to start Spiro because of the horrid stories with excessive hair shedding

I currently don’t have any head hair issues but have acne

Any ideas or theories why it happenes ?

I’ve asked my derm but he said he has never had any of his patients have any hair loss issues while on Spiro

Thanks in advance

So I just got off of a short video appointment with my gyno to discuss my years of experience with vaginal dryness which occurred AFTER stopping birth control for years. I NEVER had issues before birth control. It’s made things more uncomfortable and painful sometimes. I use lots of lube now to get through it enjoyably. Gyno asked if I engage in foreplay to see if that helps. No it doesn’t really help. So I asked AGAIN for the millionth time to check my estrogen and progesterone levels to see if they are imbalanced and the reason why my periods are so wacky and I’m experiencing dryness. She flat out said they will come back normal and that they wouldn’t be able to tell us nothing and that I’m having periods so they are where they need to be and that dryness isn’t because of a hormonal issue then. Not too many sentences later she’s asking if I need more progesterone to help with my heavy prolonged periods or to bring on a period 😑. But you just said my levels are normal so if they are normal why would you offer to refill that? And then mentioned as a solution to the dryness some estrogen cream or suppositories to help. If my estrogen is normal why am I experiencing dryness then. Her reason is some women don’t produce as much. So if my levels are normal like how they previously were prior to birth control, I shouldn’t be experiencing dryness or discomfort. Why is she fighting me so hard on checking my estrogen and progesterone levels? What does it hurt to just check them? What if you’re wrong and they aren’t normal? I literally hate this and her other solution was putting me on birth control to try to help it but my chart says clearly “Do Not Want Birth Control” and almost every visit with her, she’s trying to get me on birth control. Nothing I say matters at this point. I feel completely invisible and like I’m just supposed to suffer with this discomfort because she barely even wanted to give me the estrogen suppositories. Strongly considering other gynos at this point.

I get extremely sleepy after I eat dinner no matter what I eat, like I could literally fall asleep while standing up. I know it's an insulin resistance symptom but I already take metformin. I also check my sugar and it's below 140. What could be wrong with me?

PCOS help please?

Hiya, I am 6 months post partum and had private bloods done as I don’t feel right. My testosterone is double what it should be. My cholesterol is high and my hba1c is 2 points down from being pre diabetes. I have had irregular and heavy and painful periods literally my whole life. My periods are messed up now still. I had awful teenage acne that I had to be medicated for. I have large under skin spots now too. I crave chocolate literally 24/7 and literally half hour after dinner I am absolutely starving for chocolate. I have coarse dark facial hair that I have to shave everyday too. My doctor thinks I may have PCOS. Does this resonate with anyone? What does PCOS actually mean? Could you share your experiences please? Does this sound like insulin resistance? Does PCOS affect your mental health? I have been struggling with panic attacks and anxiety for years. I have googled but I’d rather get real life experiences from others who are in the same boat. I don’t want to sound insensitive so I’m sorry if it comes out that way. I’m 31 and wondered why it’s never come up until now.

Thank you ❤️

Hello,

Giving some background, i have PCOS with IR and hypothyroidism. I had endometriosis, which i had a laparoscopy for and they put Mirena IUD. I'm taking pioglitazone and metformin.

I just went back to my endocrinologist and she said my blood tests improved and that maybe i wouldn't need to take the diabetes meds forever for the insulin resistance.

Has anyone heard of this or lived it? I thought once you got IR it was basically forever..