#pcossupport

[minnixiii]

Just found out that i have PCOS and a large ovarian cyst currently (pray i don’t need surgery) so let’s cope with

arcane girls with a s/o who has PCOS 🎀

warnings: overwhelming self indulgent duh, talk of medical conditions, periods, cramping, surgery, sex, blood— overall just a very dark topic turned into a fluffy little fic to cope ❤︎

characters include: caitlyn, jinx, vi, sevika

🎀 JINX

• very confused at first on what it is

“polycystic what now?”

• very supportive and helpful though!

• always carries period medication and birth control pills with her in case you ever need

• always feels super helpless when you have a breakdown about how bad your cramps hurt and will gently massage your abdomen when they do come

• encourages you to come outside and walk around a bit because movement helps her cramps!

• made you a cute pill dispenser for everyday you need to take your medicine

• runs out with sevika to buy a bunch of your favorite snacks and drinks!

• will definitely do a bunch of skincare with you when your acne flares up

“i don’t know much about it but— i heard this helps!”

🎀 VI

• clueless pt. 2

• didnt get much help when she first got her period so she’s just as clueless

• definitely drags you out of bed to exercise when you gain weight from said birth control..

• changes the sheets when you stain the bed from the spontaneous periods

“hey, relax. go clean up and i’ll throw them in the wash, don’t worry about it.”

• her hands are always warm so—

• personal heating pad ‼️

• feeling her hands on your abdomen and the pain is gone.

• you swear she’s magic somehow?!

🎀 CAITLYN

• not as clueless

• has definitely heard of it before if she doesn’t have much knowledge

• also reminds you to take your birth control pills

• she remembers to take them more than you do 💀

• runs you warm baths when you’re cramping harshly and makes you tea

“shh, let me help you, okay?”

• made you coffee once and lectured you when you didn’t tell her you can’t have caffeine

• waxes you. i’m not taking any criticism.

• her toxic trait is noticing hair growing back before you do

“babe, you have a mustache hair— lemme pluck it!”

• finds it very therapeutic

🎀 SEVIKA

• clueless pt. 3 (help)

• you’ll have to explain in depth to this one guys

“…so you have hairs on your ovaries?” ���sevika, no—“

• BIG WARM BUFF MOMMY

• sorry my ovaries are talking (ba dum chhh 🥁)

• buys your favorite snacks with jinx

• monitors when you get your period

• when you first found out you were scared to have sex with her, worried you’d hurt yourself

• she respected your decision and waited until you felt ready again to have intimacy with her

“i’ll wait for you, i have no problem with it.”

• gives the best warm cuddles when you need them

written by minnixii 🎀 2024 <3

[roisinivy]

September is PCOS Awareness month, and I'd like to point out some of the many symptoms people with PCOS deal with everyday...

moon face

excessive body hair, arm, chests, back, face, legs and buttocks

irregular periods

painful periods

extremely heavy periods

constant bloating

mood swings

struggle to lose weight

struggle to gain weight

food cravings

high cholesterol

insulin resistance

oily skin

acne

insomnia

fatigue

sleep apnea

depression

anxiety

tubular breasts

dark and sensitive underarms

skin tags

belly fat

high testosterone

excessive hair loss

thinning hair

pelvic pain

infertility

ovarian cysts

And so much more, as well as having to struggle to even find a doctor who will take any of our symptoms and pain seriously. The medical industry needs to take better care of women, intersex and trans folks with PCOS and Endometriosis.

Our pains are real and we deserve better.

[spaghettimakesflags]

PCOS pride flag

[tooedgyforbrunch]

Girlies with PCOS send me your tips and things that have worked for you. I’ve gained so much weight and losing it has been difficult. I feel so uncomfortable in my skin and it’s been very deflating to be honest.

[thewillowoaklady]

I've got an ovarian cyst about the size of a golf ball. It's become extremely painful over the last 2 weeks. It's getting worse by the day. I barely made it out of bed this morning. Couldn't even find the energy to change my clothes. I'm nauseous all the time, have no apetite, am severely bloated, and I've lost over 10 pounds in the last month. Walking and standing and sitting is excruciating. I can't take ibroprophen or acetaminophen because of the other meds I'm on. The heat pad and propping my feet up while laying down makes it a little more tolerable. I don't know what the fuck is happening, but it's scary. I told my parents that if it doesn't improve or gets worse by Monday morning, I'm calling an ambulance and getting to an ER. Can't see my gyn until the 18th and he told me to go to the ER, that it could be a rupture or torsion.

Mom thinks I'm "overreacting" and "have a weak pain tolerance". She said she wouldn't let the medics in the house, and she wouldn't let dad or anyone else go with me.

That's fine, I'll get my brothers to help me outside and they can pick me up there. I don't need anyone else to go with me. I can take care of myself just fine.

My dad waited too long and it almost killed him. I'm not doing that.

[ratatoast]

Whew, I’ve really been debating whether I should make this post or not, but I’ve decided that it is my civic duty as a fellow cyster to bring awareness and maybe help others understand or even recognise the symptoms and what it means to have PCOS

I could hit you guys with all the official terms and statistics, but I will let the pictures do the talking on that

I personally just thought that I should share my story and how I got diagnosed with PCOS, and how I’ve been managing since then

So, I got my first period when I was 10. Which is quite early, but it never really bothered me. I always had a very regular menstrual cycle, from the number of days I menstruated, to the length of each phase.

Well, that all stopped when I was almost 19. My periods stopped being regular, I even went 3 whole consecutive months without even ovulating once. I was always irritated, I gained a lot of weight, my skin was horrible and I just wasn’t really on top of my game in general.

But I just kept telling myself that everything would be fine. I floated through 2 years of my life without knowing if I would be getting my period each month. I didn’t understand why I was always so hormonal and I kind of started hating myself.

So this year, in the very beginning of july, now at the big old age of 21, I decided to go to the OBGYN. I was honestly scared shitless, but I was trying to gaslight myself into thinking that it would be all fine. Except it ended up not being all fine. Because I got diagnosed with PCOS.

Now, I don’t know about other OBGYNs, but mine didn’t particularly care to explain stuff to me, just gave me my papers and told me to get a bunch of tests done to find out my root cause. My regular doctor just gave me a pamphlet for dieting with diabetes/IR and basically told me to just figure things out on my own.

I think it’s honestly disgusting how little healthcare professionals seem to care about a condition that affects so many afab people. There isn’t a cure, because nobody cares to find a cure.

Well, they should.

Everyone should.

Living with PCOS isn’t easy. I have mental breakdowns about it on the weekly. I hate having to restrict what I can eat so much.

And I hate that it is worth it. I hate that I actually feel better when I don’t eat dairy, I hate that I actually feel awful physically when I eat carbs. It’s not fair.

And I hate that my sickness affects the most important (to me) aspect of my life: my fertility.

I have never not wanted children. Becoming a mother is the biggest dream I had since I was a kid. It’s my life purpose. And I might not ever get it.

But I can’t let my PCOS rule my life. I am me, first and foremost. Chronic illness or not.

And I really hope that every woman struggling with PCOS can look into the mirror at the end of the day and find beauty in what she sees.

You are beautiful.

You are strong.

You are loved.

[r4efromvenus]

Let me tell you something. Being a woman and having PCOS is like living my own hell on Earth. I can’t lose weight no matter how much diet and exercise I do. I have acne on my hole body, hair as well. I can’t sleep. I’m tired all the time. I’m sad, depressed and anxious all the time. And it doesn’t matter what I do this shit won’t go away. FUCK! I wish I was a normal girl like my friends. Skinny, beautiful skin, beautiful body. A smile like pearls. A healthy and shiny hair. I would dress cute clothes and wouldn’t be disgusted of myself.

[notjustateaboy]

people don't understand just how fucking validating it is to have someone at your job finally understand your chronic illness, know what you are going through, give you advice on it, and actually help you. I am so used to advice that does nothing and puts a bandaid on a broken arm and I don't understand how I feel right now.

[kiwi-jelly-mochi]

I DEMAND!! DEMAAAAND!!! More reader with pcos fics. Thank you for coming to my TED talk.

[shego1142]

Okay but like are there any resources out there about PCOS for nonbinary people?! Or for disabled people? Or people who want to adopt???

The vast overwhelming majority of pcos info is like:

“Oh you beautiful woman female girl who has horrible man making disease that makes you manly, you are afflicted with the man male drug testostepenis and it is so sad, but do not worry! With help and surgery and hormones you might still have a chance to look beautiful (and by beautiful we mean skinny and feminine) and you may even still get to make babies which is definitely something you can and should do! ☺️☺️☺️ we care about female women femininity issues!”

And what very very little info I’ve found on PCOS and trans peeps is like, written from a cis person’s viewpoint and it’s like “Lol why are you complaining, you’ll grow a beard! Isn’t that what you want?”

Like… what about the increased risk of ovarian or cervical cancer?! The increased risk of diabetes and diabetic like symptoms?

Why is the focus 90% on “don’t worry if you take these hormones we can make sure you’ll still have a baby”

That’s so not my concern right now.

[soxendanso]

Hello, I am back from yet another endless hiatus. I have been very busy since it is my first year at university, but I have made this project I wanted to share.

I have written and illustrated a small book on PCOS, which is an important subject for me personally.

My book is available here so please support me if you can!

[witchunderthewillow]

Hey, lovelies! My doctor recently recommended I start taking inositol and metformin to help combat potential PCOS and pre-diabetes. I’ve been doing my own research, but I thought I’d reach out and ask for some community wisdom. Have any of you worked with inositol before? If so, do you have a brand you trust and love?

I’m also exploring holistic ways to support my body alongside the supplements—especially for those of you on similar journeys with PCOS or managing pre-diabetic symptoms. Any tried-and-true remedies or rituals you’ve used to regulate your body’s rhythms or boost fertility would be so appreciated. Herbal blends, dietary adjustments—I’m open to it all!

[digvishhospital]

Natural Remedies for PCOS Management: Expert-Recommended Diet and Lifestyle Changes

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects millions of women worldwide, often causing hormonal imbalances, irregular periods, and weight gain. While medical treatments are available, incorporating natural remedies, particularly diet and lifestyle changes, can significantly help in managing PCOS symptoms. In this blog, we explore expert-recommended strategies for effectively managing PCOS naturally.

What role does diet play in managing PCOS?

Diet plays a crucial role in PCOS management as it directly impacts insulin levels, inflammation, and hormonal balance. Eating a balanced diet can help regulate menstrual cycles, reduce symptoms, and promote weight loss.

Experts recommend focusing on foods with a low glycemic index (GI) that release sugar slowly into the bloodstream. Include whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats while minimizing processed foods and sugary snacks.

Here are some expert-recommended food groups:

Which foods are considered best for women with PCOS?

High-fiber foods: Oats, quinoa, lentils, and broccoli to stabilize blood sugar levels.

Lean proteins: Chicken, turkey, tofu, and fish to support muscle health without spiking insulin.

Healthy fats: Avocados, nuts, olive oil, and seeds to reduce inflammation.

Low GI fruits: Berries, apples, and pears for natural sweetness.

Herbs and spices: Cinnamon and turmeric for anti-inflammatory benefits.

What lifestyle changes can help alleviate PCOS symptoms?

Regular Exercise: Engage in 30-45 minutes of moderate physical activity at least five days a week. Activities like brisk walking, yoga, and strength training are effective.

Stress Management: Practices like meditation, mindfulness, and deep breathing can help reduce cortisol levels.

Quality Sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep to help regulate hormone levels.

Weight Management: Even a 5% reduction in body weight can improve symptoms significantly.

Are there natural supplements that can help?

Yes, certain supplements have shown promise for PCOS management. However, consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen. Popular options include:

Inositol: Helps improve insulin sensitivity.

Vitamin D: Supports hormonal balance.

Omega-3 fatty acids: Reduces inflammation.

Magnesium: Helps with insulin regulation and stress management.

How can stress affect PCOS, and what can be done about it?

Chronic stress increases cortisol production, which can worsen hormonal imbalances and trigger insulin resistance—common issues in PCOS patients. Stress management techniques such as yoga, meditation, and spending time in nature can be beneficial.

FAQs About Natural Remedies for PCOS

1. Can PCOS be completely cured with natural remedies? PCOS cannot be completely cured, but natural remedies can help manage symptoms and improve overall quality of life.

2. How long does it take to see improvements with diet and lifestyle changes? Most women notice improvements within 3-6 months of consistent dietary and lifestyle adjustments.

3. Is weight loss necessary to manage PCOS symptoms? Weight loss is not mandatory but can significantly help in reducing symptoms. Even a small reduction in weight can be beneficial.

4. Can supplements replace dietary changes for PCOS? Supplements are supportive but cannot replace a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.

5. Are there any foods to completely avoid with PCOS? Avoid sugary drinks, processed snacks, and refined carbohydrates as they can worsen insulin resistance.

[icareheal]

PCOS: Understanding Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Introduction

PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome, is a common hormonal disorder that affects millions of women worldwide. It is characterized by the presence of multiple cysts on the ovaries, as well as a range of symptoms that can have a significant impact on a woman's quality of life. In this article, we will explore the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for PCOS, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of this condition.

What is PCOS?

PCOS is a condition that affects the female reproductive system. It occurs when the ovaries produce excess androgens, which are male hormones typically found in smaller amounts in women. This hormonal imbalance can disrupt the normal menstrual cycle and lead to the growth of small cysts on the ovaries.

Causes of PCOS

The exact cause of PCOS is unknown, but several factors may contribute to its development. These include:

Genetics: PCOS tends to run in families, suggesting a genetic link.

Insulin Resistance: Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. Insulin resistance occurs when the body's cells become less responsive to the effects of insulin, leading to an overproduction of the hormone and an increase in androgen levels.

Hormonal Imbalance: Women with PCOS produce higher levels of androgens and lower levels of estrogen, which can disrupt the normal menstrual cycle.

Symptoms of PCOS

PCOS can manifest differently in each individual, but some common symptoms include:

Irregular or Absent Menstrual Periods: Hormonal imbalances can cause irregular or infrequent menstruation.

Excess Hair Growth: Increased androgen levels can stimulate the growth of excess facial and body hair.

Acne: PCOS-related hormonal imbalances can lead to the development of acne on the face, chest, and upper back.

Weight Gain: Many women with PCOS struggle with weight gain and find it difficult to lose weight.

Fertility Issues: PCOS is one of the leading causes of infertility in women due to the disruption of the ovarian function.

Diagnosis and Treatment

If you suspect you may have PCOS, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional. A doctor will typically perform a physical examination, review your medical history, and may order further tests, such as blood tests or ultrasound, to confirm a diagnosis.Treatment options for PCOS focus on managing symptoms and reducing the risk of long-term complications. These may include:

Lifestyle Changes: Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise can help regulate hormone levels and improve symptoms.

Medications: Birth control pills, anti-androgen medications, and insulin-sensitizing drugs are commonly prescribed to manage PCOS symptoms.

Fertility Treatments: For women struggling with infertility, fertility treatments such as ovulation induction or in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be recommended.

Conclusion

PCOS is a complex condition that can have wide-ranging effects on a woman's health and well-being. By understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for PCOS, individuals can take control of their health and work with healthcare professionals to manage their condition effectively. If you suspect you may have PCOS, it is essential to seek medical guidance for a proper diagnosis and personalized treatment plan to improve your quality of life. Remember, early intervention and ongoing management are key to living well with PCOS.

[hlthi]

the main thing i wish i knew sooner about pcos is that there was a reason why i was so prone to overeating highly palatable foods, and that reason went beyond having a lack of willpower or self control. people with pcos tend to have a lot of intolerances to common foods (i.e. gluten and dairy) and we are very sensitive to sugar. eating sugar (in one of the many forms it exists in our food) or a food we’re intolerant to can throw off our hunger signals for days. (people are prone to crave the foods they’re intolerant to, and it gets more complex when you consider theories around absorption.)

having food that your body doesn’t agree with can leave you hungry and trying to pacify it, but many of us do not get proper education on what is actually a balanced meal for someone with pcos. the healthy food industry is deceptive and dishonest. foods i thought were healthy included granola bars (ridiculously high in sugar), most cereal (lots of wheat and sugar and nutritionally void), fruit juice (strips fruit of the fiber and just leaves behind the sugar), and so many other common suggestions that are not actually good for everyone. not to mention eating these foods usually leaves you extremely fatigued and can trigger other disruptive symptoms.

this is the awful cycle of trying to eat better, but accidentally eating a food that doesn’t agree with your body, and then feeling dissatisfied/ill with lots of cravings. this is why i always recommend that you start with monitoring sugar, identifying your intolerances, and learning how to create balanced meals if you have pcos.

[roisinivy]

PCOS & Mental Health

Those with PCOS are far more likely to experience depression, anxiety, eating disorders and experience struggles with body image. Reported rates of depression is up to 80% and anxiety 76.7%.

In the UK it is recommended that adults are routinely screened for mental health disorders, particularly for those with long term health issues, mental health guidelines do not currently recognise those with PCOS as being high risk for anxiety and depression.

PCOS affects us in so many ways physically, but the mental affects can have an even worse effect on us, which then impacts the severity of our physical symptoms.