16, diagnosed with PCOS when I was 13. Worried?......?!


Question: 16, diagnosed with PCOS when I was 13. Worried?......?
I was diagnosed with Poly cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) when I was about 13 because my periods were really irregular and it runs in my family (all my cousins have it that are female x).

But I've been reading about it more recently as I was getting a bit worried that I hadn't had my period for 2 months now and I read that people with PCOS are more likely to develop Cancer in the ovaries/womb. I'm really scared and I am a bit of a hypochondriac which sucks and isn't helping :/

I know that I only have a mild version of PCOS because I'm not over weight, at least I dont think I am , I'm 5ft 6 and on good days I'm about 57kg and on days where I fancy eating loads (lol I have depressing moments) I weigh about 60kg.

Also I don't have the extra body hair. I'm not sexually active either. My doctor won't put me on the pill because apparently they wait until its really bad and when I don't have a period for 6 months.... sucks.

Any advise? Or has any one got this too that can possibly reassure me?

I'm a bit of a worrier, sorry! lol xx

thank youuuuuuu x

Answers:

i have mild pco too.. dont worry.. its just delayed ovulation and thats why you dont get your period.. but it'll eventually come.. the more you stress over it the more it'll be delayed so better chill and just forget about it..

i'm so glad you're not on the pill.. thats just terrible and it doesnt really work.. best thing to do is just deal with it and wait for it.. dont think about it..

its nothing to worry about =]



I've also just been diagnosed with PCOS. I'm currently 21 years old, but they've been watching my periods and blood work since I was 14.

There are 3 qualifiers that are used in the diagnosis process: 1, irregular periods; 2, elevated testosterone level in the blood; 3, an ultrasound showing the actual cysts on your ovaries. I have not an ultrasound, but I have had severely irregular periods and blood tests to show elevated hormone levels.

Since you're only 16, it's possible that your irregular periods are just your body trying to sort itself out. My irregular periods were so that I would have an extremely light period one month, and then I wouldn't get it for up to 18 months later. Missing your period for 2 months while you're this young is not actually all that uncommon.

Your doctor is probably just keeping an eye out since it does run in the family, and the earlier you catch this, the less likely it is to interfere with your ability to conceive down the road, as well as minimize your risks of heart disease and early onset osteoporosis.

As for the cancer, I don't know exact numbers, but I do know that my doctor requested that I under go annual Pap Smears to test for HPV and such. In the US, there is the new vaccine called Gardasil that helps block the main sources for HPV related cancer and illnesses. I've linked the site below.

My treatment options are this: they've put me on birth control to manage my irregular periods and to even out my hormones. They've waited this long to do this since there is no immediate danger in not have regular periods. Risks of heart disease and osteoporosis do exist, but bodies are awesome, and might be able to fix things on their own.

Should I ever choose to have children, my doctor wants me to schedule an appointment with her 18 months in advance to start a metformin regimen (a diabetes medication). This will help regulate my hormones without preventing pregnancy. Should this not work in increasing my conception chances, further fertility treatments and a surgery called ovarian drilling is recommended.

While ovarian drilling sounds terrifying, and the Google Images search definitely didn't help anything, know that this procedure is a one day thing which simply consists of the doctor cauterizing the cysts so that your eggs have space to mature. Super scary sounding, not so much scary in practice.

This information derives purely from my own personal experience, and may not help in your case. However, if you're looking for more information and questions to ask your doctor, I found Mayo Clinic to have some really helpful stuff.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/polycystic-ovary-syndrome/DS00423

I'm also a bit of a hypochondriac, and this syndrome is way scarier sounding that I think it'll turn out to be. Stay informed, eat right, exercise (even if you aren't overweight, regular exercise reduces your risks for heart disease and osteoporosis) and keep track of your periods (the length, the dates they occur and the flow level). The more information you can present your doctor with, the more likely you are to have a better treatment plan.

Good luck, and take care.

[EDIT] In response to Jack's Wasted Life, I've been on the NuvaRing before, and I have seen great results in it regulating my period, both in timing and in the severity of flow. While it is different for each person, don't completely rule it out. I've found it to be my saving grace in this regard.

http://www.gardasil.com
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/polycystic-ovary-syndrome/DS00423
Personal experience with PCOS




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