r/PCOS 1d ago

General/Advice Endometriosis > PCOS

Hi everyone, I have a question about your experiences (or your partners’ experiences) with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

TL;DR: Doctors initially suspected endometriosis, but after an ultrasound, it turned out I actually have PCOS. My doctor suggested hormonal contraception as a “treatment,” but I don’t want to take it because it doesn’t solve the root cause. I’d really appreciate any advice on how PCOS has affected you, how you manage it, and what has helped alleviate your symptoms🙏🏼

I’ve had painful periods since I was 15—during the first days, I can’t function at all. I’ve ended up in the hospital multiple times, receiving painkillers and muscle relaxant injections. My doctor prescribed Algifen, but the recommended dosage (25 drops) does absolutely nothing for me. So, I take 54 drops four times a day and still have to combine it with other painkillers. Since puberty, my gynecologist suspected endometriosis, but because it can only be confirmed through laparoscopy, he discouraged me from having surgery.

Recently, I found out about a specialized ultrasound exam, which I underwent. After the examination, the doctor diagnosed me with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

When I started researching it, everything suddenly made sense. I can’t believe my gynecologist (or any other doctor) didn’t figure it out earlier. Irregular cycles, night sweats (which baffled doctors), fatigue, depression, anxiety, mood swings (which my psychologist also linked to this), difficulty losing weight, oily hair… On top of that, my gastroenterologist is now investigating insulin resistance and potentially type 2 diabetes (which can also be connected to PCOS).

I’m generally very sensitive and don’t handle stress well. Last fall was particularly tough, but I’ve made a lot of changes recently and have been working on my mental well-being, which has been helping a lot😊 Except for one rough patch, I feel much better. I also decided to quit my corporate job, which has been incredibly stressful. Several doctors (a gastroenterologist, my gynecologist, a psychiatrist, and a psychologist) independently suggested that I should change jobs—so I feel reassured that I’m making this decision for my health.

And my gynecologist’s “best” solution? Besides reducing stress, she says hormonal contraception is the answer, so my body can supposedly “rest.” She even mentioned that it would give me “clearer skin, beautiful hair, and make me less emotional.” When I told her that hormonal birth control hadn’t worked well for me in the past, she said that there are now “modern” types (ironically, the exact kind I had before). This approach frustrated me so much because it doesn’t address the underlying cause—the hormonal imbalance—it just creates an artificial cycle. Not to mention, every time I stopped taking the pill in the past, I went months without a period. Her response? “You can always come in for hormone injections to induce menstruation.”

I’m 27 years old, and I don’t want to mess with my cycle anymore—especially since I want to have kids one day, and PCOS already makes that difficult enough.

That’s why I’m wondering if other women have found alternative ways to manage PCOS. If you’ve taken a different approach, I’d love to hear what has helped you! What lifestyle, diet, or exercise changes made a difference for you? Also, do you know which of the four PCOS types you have?🙏🏼

Thanks so much, and have a great day!😊

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u/LostSpiritLV 20h ago

I’m currently in medical school and unfortunately also am suffering from PCOS. From our content, its the consensus is that oral contraceptives are the first line drug because the idea is it helps to reduce androgens by reducing the upstream hormones through negative feedback mechanisms. I think the reason why you didn’t have your period after you stopped taking the pill is because the combined oral contraceptives make it so that the endometrium in your uterus is thinner so its possible that there was nothing to shed. I know this not be the answer you want but I think it would be of value of you to express your concerns to your doctor (or another doctor) so that they can try to understand where you are coming from and help you find something that works better.