PCOS/Bipolar connection

Anyone with PCOS? I have a pretty severe case so this shocked me a bit.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Hikes Bipolar Disorder Risk

I have it too

Isn’t that crazy??!!

Yes my symptoms of pcos were ignored for years. I was dxd bp first.

Same here but since my first pregnancy was a miscarriage and then I couldn’t get pregnant on my own, I was diagnosed. That said, only now (as in this past Nov) have I had a doctor take it seriously. I never realized how much potential damage it could do before now. So, she put me on a very stringent diet, one that I won’t ever be able to stray from and we are now just waiting to see if the diet changes alone will fix my issues.

Psych meds in general contribute to the weight gain, which is advised against in PCOS. Some psych meds also cause altered glucose metabolism, also a problem for PCOS.

Depakote, specifically, is well-known to promote PCOS in young women. It is, therefore, certainly thought/argued that no young female should be placed on Depakote therapy for any reason, unless all other alternatives have been exhausted. There are suspicions that other drugs in the AED category may also be problematic in PCOS; some also list Tegretol as another problematic med for PCOS; yet, last I knew the jury was still out on Tegretol in this regard.

Yes, the diet for PCOS is quite restrictive.

My heart goes out to anyone having to deal with the many aspects of PCOS. The good news is: a well-informed gynecologist and/or endocrinologist can properly advise a lifestyle which can drastically decrease both the effects/symptoms related to PCOS!.

I also believe there are often local support groups, as well as online support forums for PCOS.

There are many excellent outcomes for women adhering to the lifestyle guidelines set forth by their physicians and/or by PCOS organizations.

Much Love

I have it.....8 fold higher is a huge impact....thanks for sharing this study.

I have it too (I am agender but biologically a woman).

I have never actually been diagnosed with PCOS. No one (my gynecologist, as an example) has ever said that to me, but I do/have had ovarian cysts. I also have cervical polyps. They're no big deal for me and my gynecologist has said that the ovarian cysts could disappear. Perhaps I don't have PCOS. Nevertheless, I do have ultrasounds to check on these during my annual appointments.

I think the only symptom of PCOS that I have had, but not severely, is a little hair growth where I'd prefer it not be, but maybe that's because I'm a middle-aged lady now. I do have high cholesterol/triglycerides, but that's likely partly Seroquel XR's doing. I am overweight, but not excessively. Everything else is fine. My skin is clear and my periods pretty normal. In my case, I don't think my cysts have affected my moods negatively.

Oh, just wanted to say, a sugar free diet reduced most of my symptoms. Little meat and a lot of fish. Whole grains.

I was also diagnosed with PCOS after miscarriage. I had trouble getting pregnant on my own. This is very interesting. Thank you Cashart.

I’m not actually what you would consider a young woman (36) but that also surprises me about Depakote. I have been on it for a while. I went about 3 years with no period (I was stupid for not going to an obgyn, I know) until my obgyn gave me a med to cause it back in Nov and she told me the longest I could safely go without one is 3 months. I wonder if that med had anything to do with it?

The diet was difficult at first but now I’m used to it and I have cheat days built in every now and then. It’s helping me get back to a healthy weight fairly quickly as well which is wonderful!

I young male doctor had keyed me in to the Depakote info one day when he'd said he'd avoid giving "young women" Depakote at all costs.

At 36, you also don't need PCOS! You do not need anything that might contribute to it. It can be a catch-22, as you know. If the med works well for BP, sometimes we are stuck with meds which help on the one hand and are problematic on another. Uggh!

It's wonderful you can stick with the diet!

I have had several doctors tell me they try to avoid prescribing Tegretol for women as it can cause, or contribute to, "hirsutism." (Often caused by excess androgens.)
I cannot say such is the case for you, BirdDancer. Just wanted to share....

I only take birth control. My cysts were gone last ultrasound but my issues I don’t ovulate. My dr said I can’t get pregnant on my own

That's interesting to learn, Wild Coyote. I had heard something similar about Depakote, as well as that Depakote is notorious for causing PCOS. I wouldn't say I'm "hirsute" in any significant way. Perhaps some issues beyond what most women my age experience. But I have even had occasional hairs on my chinny chin chin since my mid 20s, before I even knew of my diagnosis (or bipolar medications). My mother had a faint mustache, which is something I don't really have (just a stray hair I pluck occasionally). Yes, perhaps my age (or even medication) may contribute, but then again I am not a fine-haired lass. I have a mop of thick darkish hair. It's far from the rabbit fur that my husband has. Shaving my legs can sometimes seem like shaving a hedgehog (exaggerating a bit) and I confess to occasionally bleaching the hair on my arms, etc.

Despite your warning, I would have no real incentive to go off of Tegretol XR, unless my life became threatened in a significant way. Its benefit for me certainly far outweighs any gripes I have. Really, it's pretty marvelous, comparatively...for me. When you've tried over 20 serious bipolar medications over the years, you maybe see that some gripes are pretty small potatoes. That's not to say I haven't experienced some "big potatoes". I developed dystonia from Navane, kidney and thyroid damage from Lithium, severe hyperprolactemia (wearing pantyliners in my bra) and a pituitary microadenoma from Invega, a rapid weight gain of over 30 lbs in a six-month period on Depakote, the most torturous akathisia I can imagine on Geodon. They're big potatoes. My current mix is all small potato gripes. Even the Seroquel XR, as I've written about in the past (I weigh 20 lbs less now on Seroquel, after 7 years on it, than I did on Depakote for 6 months, 9 years ago). Maybe things will change in the future. I'll worry about that if/when.

Honestly, from my observations reading posts on bipolar forums over the last 12 years, I've realized that I can be much more tolerant of side effects than many people. That can sometimes be a bad thing, but other times a very positive one. I've held out to see many medication side effects ease over time. Also, waited through discomforts to find that I initially blamed the wrong thing.

You are a wonderful writer!

I didn't mean for my comment(s) to come across as a warning. Just a friendly "girls talk" chat, sharing what I have had various doctors say to me.
They could have been wrong, for all I know.

Personally, I tend to think the underlying genetic tendency might be present, with these meds "triggering" PCOS and/or some degree of altered hormonal status.

I certainly lean in the direction of some of these signs/symptoms of an unbalanced hormonal status. I am sure I have some genetic factors. I think many types of meds might contribute.

And, yes, there can be much, much worse side-effects from meds! I am amazed you have been through so much with med side-effects! Wow! You are a real trooper!

I had to chuckle as I'd read about you shaving your legs! I often joke about deforesting mine!

Thanks so much for sharing, for helping to keep perspective, as well as for the laughs! Love ya!