[beautifultea]

Hi, I was wondering if any of you gals had experience with polycystic ovaries. I haven't had a period for about a year and a bit but my pdoc just told me that was because of the risperidone. So I admit I never really went in for my yearly pap test for awhile because those are oh-so-fun when you are feeling depressed. Now my gp thinks I have cysts on my ovaries and is sending me to get a pelvic ultrasound today. I'm sort of freaking at the idea. I don't like being naked in public due to body issues and scars.

I'm not sure if it is something I should be uber worried about because he tossed it off as well, you aren't trying to have kids so its no biggie. But I still don't like the idea of something being wrong with my body.

I tried talking to my mom about it to see if we had a family history and she just said she didn't want to hear about it as it is silly to worry about health matters and that I should be happy that I have no period. Sigh.

[buttrfli42481]

Beautifultea, I have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). I hadn't had a period for 4months and was trying to get pregnant, which is how I found out I had it. What happens is that you don't ovulate and the "cyst" doesn't release the egg. Sometimes the cysts grow and can become painful, if they don't disolve but burst. I have been close to having surgery for them because they had gotten so big. It is good that you tried talking to your mom about it, because it can be genetic. In my case, I am the only one in my family to have it. I am glad that you are getting it checked out. The ultrasound isn't that bad and they do respect you by giving you a sheet to cover up with. I understand how it is to have body issues. I wouldn't say you should be super worried about it, but it is something wrong with your body. I was put on a hormone med to get my period started, so that is something that might happen. I hope all goes well at your appt. If you want to talk I am available through PMs and here.

[jen29]

beautifultea,

I understand the frustration that goes with all of this. I have been diagnosed with PCOS aka polycystic ovarian syndrom for over 10 years. I have had many pevic untrasounds, have never been totally naked, they coved me up pretty well and I know about the scars.

I was put on birth control to help have a cycle, however, recently i stopped them because I am not having children, and now haven't had a cycle for 5 months at least.

I like not having a period, although i break out really bad when it's supposed to happen. Am not sure of your age, but you could ask doc about starting birth control and see if that helps you out.

Let us know how things are
Hugs,
Jen

[beautifultea]

Thanks for your reply Its a relief knowing that I don't have to strip naked and that there is some sort of cover. That had me more worried about the whole thing that anything else.

I'm in the process of drinking all the water I can now for my test this afternoon. Then I get the joy of driving an hour to the clinic and trying not to go in the car The joys of being a woman.

I'm 36 and not planning to have any children so didn't really get on top of it when my period disappeared. Not having to deal with it and the expense and trouble every month is indeed pleasant. Though there is a small part of me that feels less of a woman because of it and I can't help but wonder if my lack of sex drive (hope that is not tmi) is because of it or the anti-depressants or what. I'd just like to know what is going on.

And of course I make the mistake of googling PCOS and there's a lot of raises cancer risk and automatic diabetic scary information. I'm already quite overweight so that scares me.

Ah, thanks for listening to me blather. I just have pre-test nervousness.

[salukigirl]

Whether you are having pain or a period....cervical cancer does not distinguish between women who want or don't want children. And any change in menstrual cycles is cause for concern. Period. (no pun intended lol).

I had PCOS. It was directly related to weight gain. At one point I went in to have a hysterosonogram (look it up, it's painful) and there were over a dozen cysts on each ovary and a polyp IN my uterine lining. I lost about 35 lbs over a summer (intense field work in heat) and my symptoms essentially disappeared. My body was completely out of whack. Although I was drinking heavier and smoking which I'm sure didn't help. I was also working 40+ hours a week while going to school full time and I know stress doesn't exactly help.

So that's what went on with mine. But everyone is different. Yours could be completely different. It's pretty complicated how every hormone works together (or doesn't) and birth control was a big part of mine. I had to go on the lowest dosage of progesterone and estrogen which seemed to help.

I hope you get your stuff figured out. Being a chick is a hassle sometimes :-/
But it has its perks too lol

[Flooded]

I have PCOS. Got told there was noooooooooooo way I'd ever have kids, so I stopped contraception 7yrs ago and now have a 6yr old and 4yr old

Anyhoo, get your pap done although PCOS has nothing to do with cervical cancer, but cervical cancer is a shitful way to die.

[salukigirl]

Whoops!!

Edit: I didn't mean that one caused the other. I was saying no matter what there is a major reason to go to the OB. Especially because cerivcal cancer is one of the ones that can show up very early in life.

[beautifultea]

Originally Posted by salukigirl

Whether you are having pain or a period....cervical cancer does not distinguish between women who want or don't want children. And any change in menstrual cycles is cause for concern. Period. (no pun intended lol)

Heh that made me laugh. You are right. I used to be the person who encouraged all my girl friends to get their first pap test and take care of themselves but have let it slide over the years. Body image issues have sort of put me off it.

The pelvic ultrasound yesterday went so well. The lady doing it was incredibly nice (even though I stripped from the waist down too early as I was nervous and was all tripping over everything) and walked me through it gently and explained whatever she was going to do before she did it. So that gives me a little bit of courage to get in and get a pap test and get on top of things for the yearly thing us females need to watch out for.

[salukigirl]

Glad you had a good experience. The new paps are much nicer. No scraping and painful cutting anymore. It's basically just a q-tip.

I had this woman for a pap once and O.....M.....G.....I have never had such a painful pap in my life! She is just getting all up in there all aggressive! I actually had to go and ask for a different doc. Luckily it was an office with multiple doctors.

[beautifultea]

I haven't had a pap in a long while so after I see about this PCOS thing I'll get one. Nice to hear they are a little more friendly nowadays.

I tend to like male doctors for my girl bits problems as the women doctors I've had in the past seem to think that since they don't have my symptoms then I'm probably overstating the problem and just need to buck up because surely cramps can't be that painful. Or an instrument that cold...brrr

[DespondentDaisy]

I know a friend who has it- It also causes a problem with your hormones, making it impossible to stay inshape, women seemingly gain weight for no reason, even though they're eating healthy and exercising on a regular basis. Though at least it's not a life threatening condition.

[beautifultea]

That is one of the symptoms I am having. I gain a lot of weight even in periods where I watch every calorie and exercising which is truly frustrating. Especially since I'm overweight so I get looks from doctors that seem to imply that I'm just shoving cake into my mouth 24/7 when I claim I'm watching my weight.

You are right. There are much worse things to have and I'm happy that if I do have it that it isn't fatal. Just need to make some life adjustments.

[OurLadysTears]

Actually, PCOS is something to be concerned about even if you aren't deciding to have children. With PCOS, your whole endocrine system can be thrown out of balance, leading to a variety of problems. Women with PCOS are at a higher risk for developing diabetes and a lot of women are on medications like Metformin which is a medication used to treat diabetes. Left untreated, things could get worse. You may end up easily gaining weight and have trouble losing it no matter how much you exercise and diet and that extra weight is hard on your body. Women with PCOS typically have an elevated testosterone level, which leads to symptoms such as adult acne, excessive body and facial hair, and losing hair on your head. If you end up with insulin resistance, you might end up with skin spots and/or skin tags. All of which can be harsh on a persons self esteem. Not to mention the effects a hormonal imbalance can have on a persons mental health. Look up the symptoms of imbalances in estrogen and progesterone. If those are out of balance, you could end up dealing with depression, mind fog, irritability, etc. In essence, this is a condition that should be treated and not taken lightly.