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| Menstrual Cycle (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
A few months ago I was told that it was highly likely that I had PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) at that time I had not had a period in five months. I was devastated.
I started on birth control pills to regulate my periods and I bled and bled. Being also a chronic anemic I ended up so sick after this period that I simply could not go on like this. I quit taking the birth control and when I missed a period I shrugged it off as a side effect of PCOS. When the third month came with no period I was starting to hope. That hope that all women feel who have wanted nothing more than a child.
I had been working out to no avail. I was eating less than 1700 calories per day spending an hour and a half in the gym and instead of losing weight I was gaining. My stomach seemed bigger not smaller and that voice I dared not be heard the one saying, “What if?”
When the bleeding began in that fourth month I was resigned. I called the endocrinologist and made an appointment. Today was that appointment.
The endocrinologist came in asked me about my menstrual and family history and she diagnosed me with the evidence at hand. I had done enough research and asked about Metformin, a drug that is used primarily for diabetics but has shown to help insulin resistant PCOS patients have a higher chance of both losing weight and getting pregnant, she prescribed the drug. Told me to eat less than 1500 calories per day with no more than 100 grams of carbs and get lots of exercise.
Even though my greatest wish is to get pregnant and have a child, I will stay on my birth control pills. I will lose weight. I will get healthy. I will struggle. I will cry. I will have incredible days where exercise fills me great joy and I will have days where I succumb and eat large baskets of bread.
Will you join me on this odyssey? I hope so.
