Living with PCOS – My Story

I was around 11 when my mum first asked if I had started my period. To be honest, I didn't even know what a period was. Once she explained it, I expected to start my period like the other girls in the near future. But my period never came.

My younger sister started her period when she was around 13. I was mortified, jealous, and felt like something was missing. I was the older one; it was meant to happen to me first.

The Diagnosis

As years went by, there was still no period, and I ballooned in weight. When I reached 16, my mum took me to the doctor for a check-up as I still hadn’t had a period. I was referred for an abdominal scan and blood tests. From what they saw and the symptoms I was experiencing, the doctors were able to diagnose me with PCOS.

The Aftermath

Following my diagnosis, I was put on the pill to encourage a regular bleed. I was also told that I might struggle to get pregnant in the future. That was it. I received no guidance on how to manage my symptoms and didn’t actually know what PCOS really was. By this point, my symptoms included:

- Lack of periods

- Rapid weight gain

- Increased facial hair

- Polycystic ovaries (PCO)

- Abnormal hormone levels

Throughout my late teens and twenties, I struggled massively with my appearance and mental health. If there is a diet out there, believe me – I’ve tried it! My weight would fluctuate dramatically. I struggled to understand why I wouldn't lose it as fast as other people, and why I would gain it so quickly. To put things into perspective, I’ve fluctuated from 12.5st (79kg) to 18st (114kg).

It really started to take its toll on me. I began to struggle with my self-esteem and disliked how I looked. Eventually, I went to the GP and was put on a drug called metformin – usually used to treat type 2 diabetes, but it also helps with insulin resistance in PCOS – to try and facilitate the process of losing weight.

Metformin helped me for a while, but I ended up misusing it as my mental health was so poor by that point. I became so obsessed with how I looked that I actually developed quite severe anxiety and an eating disorder called bulimia. This affected my relationships, my career, and my general health.

How I Dealt With It All

After a particularly bad incident, I went back to the GP. My doctor put me on antidepressants, and I was referred for counseling and directed to the charity Beat Eating Disorders. This helped me massively. It contributed to helping me eat properly again, and to embrace the way I am. I also took part in classes and events that kick-started my journey to loving myself and rebuilding my confidence.

During this time, an opportunity came up for me to work at a fertility clinic. I grabbed this with both hands and I've never looked back.

My Surprise Family

I love helping individuals and couples in their dreams of starting a family – maybe because I felt that I was able to share something in common with them. When I met my husband almost 12 years ago, I knew that he was keen to have children. So very early on in our relationship, we had to discuss the possibility that we’d struggle to get pregnant and might need some help. While this was a conversation I never thought I would be having, my husband was super supportive. We decided to cross that bridge when we came to it.

I was actually very lucky. I lost a lot of weight, my health improved, and I did get pregnant. We now have a son, which came as such a surprise to us. I will be forever grateful.

Where I Am Now

For those of you who may want to know how I deal with my excess facial hair, I tend to stick to a waxing and plucking regime that works for my skin type – but if you’re facing the same issue, please do whatever you feel comfortable with.

I still struggle with my body image, especially after lockdown, but I am confident that I know what to do to lose the weight. I’ve done it before. More importantly, I know why I'm gaining it. I just need a motivational kick up the backside sometimes. I am back embarking on a strength and fitness journey at the moment, so please feel free to ask me how I’m getting on.

If you have PCOS, you may be more prone to low mood and poor self-esteem, which in my case led to an eating disorder, this will not be the case for everyone!

Even though I have recovered and I feel in control most of the time, I am still very much aware of the impact it has had on my life. I know how easy it can be to slip back into that mindset, so it’s important if you are struggling with similar issues to know where to go to get help.

Living with PCOS is a journey with its ups and downs, but with the right support and knowledge, it is manageable. If you’re going through something similar, remember you’re not alone. Reach out, seek help, and take one step at a time. 

If you want to talk more about PCOS and your own diagnosis or journey, please book an appointment with me so we can have a chat.