Because fuck that, it’s 2026.

Went to a new gyno today to establish care and do my annual exam. There was nothing wrong with my old gyno (Planned Parenthood), other than they canceled my appointment hours before on the day of and their next available was in January. I’ve been spotting since July while on Slynd and I was trying to come to a solution sooner rather than later.

Anyway, during my exam, we go over the fact that I had a Pap smear within the last 3 years and it was normal (therefore there was no need to do it today). I keep trying to bring up my concerns, but she just keeps circling back to irregular bleeding which I don’t necessarily have outside of being on Slynd. I have other symptoms like testosterone (hair growth), my hair is thinning, cystic acne, mood swings, painful periods (that I’ve had since I was 9).

I kept trying to explain that I had other symptoms, not irregular bleeding, but I can hardly get a word in and she’s just throwing information at me at a million miles a minute, not giving me time to process the information or ask questions. She said I could see a dermatologist (I have an appointment scheduled but couldn’t get in til February), regarding mood swings, she said my antidepressant that I haven’t started yet should help with it. Which is crazy, because my last one that I took with Slynd didn’t.

Then, she hit me with “you could try exercising 30 minutes a day.” I’m 27 and 265 pounds. I exercise 5 days a week, weightlifting 3 of those 5 days. She would’ve known that if she would’ve taken the time to hear my concerns or get to know me at all instead of rushing me in and pushing me out within 15 to 20 minutes.

And at the end of it all, I ended up getting a Pap smear anyway, that I didn’t even need.

I cried when I left the office and my entire way to work. When I got to work, I sent her a message in MyChart telling her my POV and that I hope she does better going forward, but I’ll be going somewhere else.

I made an appointment at planned parenthood again, and now we’re back to the drawing board.

I feel like so much PCOS advice assumes you can afford specialist foods, supplements and a completely different food shop. Not everyone can do that on top of their usual expenses!

What advice have you found hardest to follow because of the cost? And have you found anything that works for you without spending loads?

I love this community and I know we can't change the name bc PMOS is already taken, but I wish more people would use the official name for the condition.

Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) is more inclusive of everyone and highlights the true nature of what we deal with on a daily basis.

My doctors and therapist are already in the habit of saying PMOS and I wish we as an online community would use it more.

Thankyou for coming to my ted talk 🫶

Im so tired. Genuinely. I've been in the gym for about 5 months now. 2lbs. That's all I've lost. Now, when I look at myself, I've probably gained it back because I'm developing a double chin.

I genuinely don't understand because my fitness has improved. I can lift heavier, finish a long circuit faster, and I don't have to use my asthma inhaler anymore as my lungs have gotten stronger. But here I am. Fat faced with a developing double chin.

I also feel like my girlfriend is lying to me because she loves me. She says I'm not getting fat or puffy and to her I look smaller (flat out lie).

Like.. do I really have to cut out everything tasty to lose a semblance of weight? And when i do do it, I get so tired and hungry. Then I find out exercising like a normal person can make me fatter???? Cause of stress hormones???

Im so hungry and I'm so tired. Like what even is the point of me doing all this exercising if I keep getting fatter???! The kicker is my family doesn't allow me to weigh my food because I am in recovery for an eating disorder. Everyone keeps lying to me that I look good but my clothes don't fit, my breasts have grown, I have visible back rolls now.

And when I do reduce my meals, I get so hungry that I end up consuming more sugar.

Im so tired of all this. Genuinely now that im trying to do this the right way I am having ZERO visual results and when I was fasting like 3 days a week and eating one meal I drop 44lbs in the same amount of time I've been at the gym 2 hours 4 days a week.

I feel like I've lost all my self-control, and I get hungry so fast. Then I end up going over maintenance. I just wanna look like a woman. Like the fatter I get, the less I feel and look like a real woman. Idk man.

I know I'm gonna get the comments of "lock in" and "develop some self control" and "start going to the gym 6 days instead of 4 because 4 isn't enough "

I swear I'm trying. I just need to figure out how to make food so unappealing that I don't want it as much anymore.

Im not asking for sympathy or anything. I just needed to get this out because everyone in my life keeps saying fitness is more important than appearance, but why can't I be fit and all the effort I'm putting in show up too?

irregular cycles and coarse facial hair. no cyst on US, testosterone without SHBG 19.7, free (dialysis) 2.2

my endo said if my labs were normal I don’t have it and this is just normal for me.

what is interesting is

cortisol was 10.5, after dexamethasone suppression test it was 5.2? (isn’t it supposed to be <1.8)?

estradiol is 10.7 - low

glucose 97 with insulin 8.6 — making HOMA IR 2.06?

so I have several symptoms of issues but I’m afraid she’s going to tell me this is just…normal. And send me on my way. I have so much trouble losing weight also and that’s a main driver. I exercise so often and eat so well it’s really getting to me

Please tell me there's something out there like Dave's Killer Bread or something that's both keto/low-GI & able to keep my meal from shooting through my digestive system whenever I try to do this hugely good thing to fight my insulin resistance.

& this literal shit's happened even when I've made a regular habit of taking supplemental fiber like Metamucil, too.

Bc this whole rapid diarrhea thing's happened even when I've had a bunch of cheese or meat, both generally known to encourage shit liek constipation, with my fiber-rich vegetables.

I've had IBS for years & it's to the point that if I ever had to go on metformin, I'd probably have to quit my internship bc that job requires I be able to keep my usage of the restroom to my scheduled breaks & quick enough I also have time to eat something before going back to work if needed, neither of which would be doable for me if I was seriously diarrhea-prone for at least multiple days straight as is the norm when taking metformin.

Also still easing into trying to take inositol, the myo version alone this time bc when I took the 40:1 version I couldn't sleep at all, bc I've heard that's often successful against insuli8n resisstance.

Literally the one thing about PMOS / PCOS I need or even want to get rid of is the insulin resistance bc that's probably made me diabetic (I get a really disconcerting syrupy-sweet BO at night unless I've been anal about not taking in anything not low-GI all day, even a few days, and I haven't been stressed out at all that day), & ofc that's the symptom that's going to be incredibly difficult to fight.

Of fucking course.

I used to think exercise only counted for PCOS if it was hard, and if the scales did not move, it had not worked. Writing this post changed how I look at it.

The baseline that keeps coming up is about 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, plus strengthening on 2 days. For weight loss, the amount is often higher, around 250 minutes a week. That sounds a lot, but it does not have to be gym sessions. Brisk walking counts, and short bursts through the day add up.

A loss of about 5 to 10 percent of body weight is where many of the PCOS benefits start to show, for periods, insulin sensitivity and fertility, and no single type of exercise wins overall. Walking, strength work, yoga and short bursts all help in different ways, and the benefits can show even when the scales do not move much, in energy, mood, sleep and how your body handles insulin.

What helped me make sense of it was to stop chasing one perfect workout, and start with what I could actually keep doing: walk briskly most days, yoga three to four times a week, and sit less in between.

I am a pharmacist, and I write about PCOS in plain language on MedExplained. I put the full explanation, with the numbers and the different types of exercise, here:

https://medexplaineddotcodotuk.wordpress.com/2026/10/28/exercise-weight-loss-and-pcos-what-actually-helps-and-how-much-is-enough/

I'm beginning to really struggle how I can help my girlfriend (early 30s) from her continued self esteem issues. She struggles with her body image, self confidence, and allows a lot of people in her personal and work life to completely walk all over her. (My biggest concern).

Now I have read all about being an emotional support person. Yes I'm there, I didn't actually know what PCOS was until I met her. Since I've been there for her emotionally on this. Drove her to her sono appointment and will accompany her for whatever she needs on this front.

The reason I'm posting this here is because I believe it does have a connection to her PCOS. She is struggling quite a bit mentally on that front. I'm a bit more worried at times. I understand it could be difficult to manage self esteem and your own value while dealing with this.

What I will not accept however is the world walking all over my partner. When she is with me she has nothing to worry about. But I'm not always there for her in person, she works in the public service sector. I've encouraged her to be assertive and not allow colleagues and general public patrons to continue I guess treating her in a way that I believe she doesn't deserve to be treated in. I don't want to give specific examples, we can remain general on this.

What can I do? I'm thinking of signing us up to a MMA class or maybe bring her to the gym with me. (I live 45 mins away from her). We see each other twice a week.

As someone with PCOS, how can I gently navigate this situation? I don't want to do nothing. But I want my girlfriend to be a bit more assertive then she is right now. She is also overtly apologetic even when she has no reason to be. She lives like others are on a pedestal. And I need to position her to be more of a queen to herself, to love herself and be selfish towards herself.

I'm all ears for responses. I want to be better man to her always, so if I'm wrong for thinking any of this please let me know.

Helloo, I’ve been diagnosed with PCOS when I was 15 and I got diagnosed with endometriosis on top of that last year when I was 20. Over the past year I’ve been working hard to lose weight and keep off stress cause I used to overwork myself to an unhealthy degree, and I managed to lose 27kg and I’m finally at a normal weight! My periods are getting more regular now, Just today I finally got my first 28 day period cycle for the first time ever in my life!
However, even if my period got regular, I noticed my beard is getting thicker, as everytime I tweeze it, I notice there’s more hair follicles than the last time I tweezed it. Last year it was only a small tiny patch but now there’s atleast 30 hairs all over my lower chin/neck area. How could this be if my periods are getting regular and my hormones are supposedly less out of wack?

Hello, I am a 25 yo woman. Since this summer, I've been losing a LOT of hair especially and I could (still can now) perceive a thinning of my front line. This situation was making me extremely anxious as I never suffered hair loss before. I went to a doctor that prescribed me a blood test, turned out I had an iron deficiency. However, I could not understand how I could lose so much hair from iron deficiency, it felt like something else was off so I went to a gynecologist. We checked my ovaries and she prescribed me a new blood test. The news came out like a knife in my heart, I have PCOS and Androgenic Alopecia...Why now ? I am at a loss. My mom tells me to be strong but I wish I didn't have to, I just want to enjoy my life without worrying about getting bald lol... Anyways, sorry for the venting ! For the people suffering from AA and iron deficiency, what did you doctor prescribed you ? I am very nervous about losing my hair and want to start minoxidil but I only see my gynecologist in 20 days to talk about the latest tests results and see what we can do to lower my androgens levels...Is it a bad idea, should I just wait and try to ignore the hair loss for now ? Thank you for the ones that had the courage to read all of it, I'm all over the place, I'm sorry.

Hi friends! I’m going to the doctor today and last visit she said how she wants me to think about GLP-1. I think I’ve decided to do it but those who have been on it did y’all do the shot or pill? Also how was your experience?

Hi, I want to share my progress after 4 sessions. I have PCos and hirsutisim. The before pictures are from 20 days after my first session (48hrs after shaving) and the recent ones are 20 days after my 4th session (60 hrs after shaving).

Can you please tell me what you think and also any tips for the hairs that are light now and not noticeable on the chin as they still feel stubbly. I try not to shave them and only shave what I need but it’s nice to get rid of the stubble when going out etc.

I’m a 22 year old female and currently on metaformin and spiraldacton *images in comments

I was just confirmed with having PCOS as I suspected for a while now. While on the phone with the doc they mentioned getting back on birth control would be the biggest help. Then they saw on my chart how I've just recently started experiencing migraines in the last few years and recanted their statement saying how BC can increase more migraines. (I strongly believe they started after getting confirmed I was anemic and currently on iron supplements, which they have subsided but still pop up here and there, if that info helps at all)

This is just the first little step in this personal journey for me and I deff didn't feel very reassured with the doc as it was through my Medical. (They talked very fast trying to basically get me off the phone and pretty much saying 'too bad so sad') So trying not to spiral too fast and give up hope but what else is someone supposed to do when they're practically told they're shit out of luck? What's the point of living if you're just constantly drowning and you can't enjoy anything anymore?

Any suggestions on where to start? I've been wanting to get back on BC but worried about the migraines getting triggered. I guess HRT is about the same as BC but without the baby-making blocking right? This all doesn't help with me thinking I'm constantly dying or filled with all sorts of bad things like cancer or clogged arteries, thinking a heart attack is just around the corner.

((Rant and steam-blowing below to express how frustrating this has been))

I started BC back in middle school cuz my periods were horrible, causing me to miss out on school, laying in bed (or on the bathroom floor) all day in pain unwilling to move and swimming in blood. I recently got off BC because it was time to take out the (arm) implant and I wanted to see how I'd react, see if my body has changed since the decades I started. While my period pain and flow is significantly less, it's still ever month though unpredictable at times, I am now dealing with all the horrors of going through puberty again. Going through it as a teen is nothing compared as a full grown adult in their mid 30's.

I always struggled with my identity as a woman. Always felt ugly and less than whatever a woman "should" be. Short, hairy (and I mean the real deal not that cure little wispy light BS) and just all around not quite right. I had a few years, literally less than 5 of feeling like I was FINALLY settling into my horrible adult carcass and then this shit fucking starts up. Like I mentioned, I've delt with thick and abundant body/facial hair all my life but this is a new level for me and it's really fucking me up mentally. I feel like I'll never get to feel attractive, let alone ever have sex again if I can't keep up any remotely humane image. I've had the "am I possibly trans" discussion with myself but for several reasons I don't feel that is what is right for me at this point in my life.

Just another gal just trying to live in a world where we're more interested in flying cars, occupying other planets instead of helping the people and environment on this only rock we got!

Frustrated. I’m on zepbound and paying out of pocket. I have only lost 7lbs in 7 months. I’m so frustrated.

I started tracking my calories about 2 weeks ago but didn’t change food habits. I’m between 1600-1800 per day, sometimes under 1500. I have a lightly active job where I walk 5k-12k steps per day. I am always so exhausted so I try to weight train a few days a week when I have energy. My TDEE is 2800 for my height, weight, and activity level, and 1800 for 2lbs/wk of weight loss. I’m clearly under that.

I have to be upright for 3 hours after meals bc of acid reflux so I can’t really snack at night to get any more healthy calories in and I just can’t bring myself to eat during the day. I don’t know what else to do! :/

Looks like I ovulated for the first time since we started tracking 2.6 years ago! I’m 7dpo and super super hopeful. I checked both with cm and Lh sticks. They both confirmed it. I have been on metformin since April, which could be apart of it but other than that this is the first time with ovulation inducing meds. Has anyone had success with ovulating on their own and conceiving ?

Hi everyone! I’m 36F and have had PCOS since I was 15.
I’m considering starting Yasmin, which my gynecologist prescribed to help manage my symptoms, and I’d love to hear about other people’s experiences.
My periods are generally regular, and I might skip one or two periods a year. They’re not particularly heavy, and my weight’s been pretty stable between 70 and sweet 75 kilos since I was around 16. I am overweight my BMI is around 26 and getting weight off is a struggle.
My scans have generally looked good, but there are a lot of follicles in both ovaries, and I have painful ovulation, especially on my left side. When I was 25, I started getting uti like symptoms and at 31 had bladder inflammation that required surgery, and since then my bladder tends to flare around ovulation, and ovulation is painful. The pain and inflammation are particularly noticeable on the left side, around the same area where I experience lower abdominal pain.
My gynecologist prescribed Yasmin to take continuously to suppress ovulation and hopefully help with these symptoms.
I’m thinking about starting, but I’m a bit nervous about side effects, including blood clots, mood changes, weight gain, and hair shedding. I’d love to hear positive experiences from people who have taken Yasmin, especially for ovulation pain or bladder issues. Has suppressing ovulation helped you with similar flares, and did you notice any changes in mood or weight?
Thanks so much for sharing.

3-4 years ago, at 28/29, my thick loosely wavy hair suddenly drastically thinned & fell out. The new growth was coarse and curly: it was bizarre. Slowly at first (and then progressively more and more aggressively,) I developed cystic acne when I didn’t even have bad skin as a teenager.

Blown off by my condescending b**** of an old primary care doctor in 2022 that something had suddenly shifted… was told at 28 that my hair and skin was “age related” (lol.) finally got a referral to dermatology summer of 2023, diagnosed from visuals alone with androgenic alopecia.

Over the next 8 months, every pore on my face became an inflame deep cyst—I also packed on weight as a very active person—prescribed tretinoin and spironolactone, they have helped immensely.

Periods got weirder, mental health grew worse & the weight gain became completely baffling because I live to run - finally got myself to an on-gyn, she sent me a DM about my ultrasound results the other day.

A lot to take in… my A1C is fine. Are GLP-1s covered by insurance if you aren’t considered medically obese (my BMI is, ugh, like 28-29 right now, I think 30+ is the dividing mark?) is metformin helpful if you aren’t diabetic? What the hell can be done about this?

Thank you in advance & sending my solidarity: although a relief and validating to finally have confirmed, and as bitter as I am that it took so long, this certainly isn’t a fun club to be in and I look forward to learning from & bonding with this community!

im 23 and was just diagnosed sbojt 2 months ago but didn’t really get any info on it or anuthing from my doctor but i’ve been on a weight loss journey for about a month now and i’m losing the pounds but i’m also losing a lot of hair. my hair was really thicker as a teenager but past few years it’s definitely thinned out a bit and now a lot more with losing weight. i’ve been taking myo inositol and d chiro inositol supplement and switched my diet around a bit. is there anything i can do it take for hair growth that anyone here has success with?

First of all, I don't know if I have PCOS. My doctor said it seemed like it could be but didn't want to diagnose me as I'm not an adult yet. Visited her for my irregular periods and blood results showing high testosterone, and really all she said was "maybe" and prescribed me birth control (aurovela fe). Now I'm conflicted on whether I should take it because of all the horror stories here and bad experiences of other people on this subreddit. What should I do??

Hey all! I’m genuinely confused about what’s going on currently. I am diagnosed PMOS/PCOS but something weird has been happening lately. My periods would be irregular but they would still show up and I would feel a gradual hormonal shift. I’m about to turn 37 soon and I feel like nothing is going on inside. I also feel this weird low and cognitive confusion. When I get close to what seems like “ I’m getting my period” I get kramps that feel like a period and then nothing. Im also putting on weird weight in places that I didn’t before. I am slightly overweight and my doctor did suggest going on a glp1. I’ve also lost a lot of confidence since last year. I just feel lifeless is the best way to describe it. Any advice for this particular age would be helpful. TIA !

- horrible acne on my back, face, and chest
- a thick happy trail
- Lots of black hairs on my chin
- thicker, more public looking hairs starting to grow on my inner thighs
- No period for 3 months now, when I do have one it’s light and short

I’m 20 years old
, 5’2, and 120 pounds. I struggle a lot with bloating and I can gain a lot of weight in a short amount of time. I need to be very conscious about what I eat.
My gynecologist told me that I’m too young to diagnose with anything. She put me on birth control and my periods became regular but other symptoms persisted so I got off of it because I gained 15 pounds in a year
I’ve always had irregular periods and acne but the body hair is new. I’m so tired of shaving and plucking. It’s causing more irritation and acne. SOS

I was officially diagnosed with PCOS 4 weeks ago. I have been following medical advice and taking the vitamins, following a low carb high protein diet, and taking metformin. As much as it pains me to report I do in fact feel amazing. Here comes the issue like many with PCOS I have always had irregular periods some years I only had 1 period a year. I started spotting last week last Monday and I am still spotting. Yesterday I had a terrible cramp and passed a normal sized colt. I am a bit worried because I usually don't have this amount of activity. Any advice is welcome.

What i'm Taking

- Myo-Inositol 4000mg

- D-Chiro Inositol 100mg

- Saw Palmetto 250mg

- Stinging Nettle 180mg

- Pumpkin Seed Oil 1080mg

- Omega-3 690mg

- Metformin 1000mg (500mg 2x a day)

- OLLY Probiotic + Prebiotic Gummies (2 Gummies)

I was diagnosed a while ago and started taking 750 mg myo-inositol alone, with no effects at all. Changed the brand and dosage to a 4000mg myo-inositol and folic acid combo.

I dropped a bit of weight in the first few days and felt a bit calmer, but have some digestive side effects that are affecting the first part of my day.

Has anyone had this side effect, and seen it improve with consistent supplementation?

I'm also curious if a D-chiro and myo-inositol combo would work better as opposed to what I'm taking right now.

It's already hugely encouraging to see any improvement at all despite the side effect, but I'm wondering if there's any other changes I can make.

Thanks :)

Hi everyone. I was diagnosed with PMOS (PCOS) in 2021 after having an ultrasound done on my ovaries. I had experienced extremely painful and irregular periods my entire life, as well as facial hair growth, hair loss, which is what I urged my GYNO with when it came to doing the imaging.

I had recent blood work done that showed my ferritin being low again (an 11). It has fluctuated from a 28 (when I was pregnant) down to an 11 over the last few years. I suspect I’ve always had low ferritin considering my history with anxiety, depression, heart episodes, etc.

My primary care doctor wants me to receive an iron infusion. I come here asking if anyone with PMOS has received an iron infusion, which one, and what it was like afterwards?

I am anxious that I’ll have an adverse reaction and be severely ill afterwards. I’m reading a ton of success stories as well as horrific failures and symptoms after having received an infusion.

TIA! 🩷