Hi everyone - been a while since I posted, as it's been busy and kinda wild. Just before I start - there's talk relating to menstrual cycles, so read if you dare.
I recently came across a post on Facebook, talking about PCOS. I didn't know much about so read up and... well, I've dug myself into a rabbit hole.
I'm firstly curious if I have PCOS. There are three main symptoms - irregular periods, excessive hair growth on face, chest, back, etc., and hair loss. I don't get any excessive hair growth on my face - but my periods have always, always been irregular. In fact, they were completely random, I never knew when they would start. They have also always been very heavy, to the point I'd have to take a couple days off work / college when they started. I have the implant now so can't comment on how they are currently, as my periods have stopped due to that (hallelujah, honestly). I always assumed it was related to my weight and never really thought about it.
I also certainly have very, very thin hair. My scalp is very, very visible, I always lose quite a lot of hair generally. I assumed this was genetic - my mum and sister don't have thin hair, but my dad does, so I assumed it could be hereditary from him (I have inherited pretty much every other appearance quality here).
So. I also read there was a relationship between PCOS and insulin resistance, that one means you're more likely to have the other. And insulin resistance also sounds like it fits with me.
The first is that I have acanthosis nigricans, which is basically a dark patch of skin on the back of my neck. I've had this for a while but dismissed it as nothing.
I also struggle with my weight, my cravings feel uncontrollable and I feel like I have no self-control around food. I believed my cravings were psychological, but now I'm wondering if there is a genuine biological element to it. I have tried many diets with no success - in fact, only one has worked for me.
This leads me to the point where I considered it may be a genuine issue, that perhaps it may actually be something. I tried the ketogenic diet for 6 or 7 weeks last year, cutting out carbs and sugars (I stopped due to a personal issue that made me want to eat nothing but ice cream and cry). When I was on keto - my weight was actually going down, which I was thrilled about. But I also noticed other huge changes - that patch on my neck? It practically disappeared. My energy levels were so much better than they had been before. My mood swings were less intense. And my cravings? Non-existent.
This makes me feel that it's an insulin problem, that there's some sort of resistance and glucose can't be absorbed properly. It would explain my easy weight gain, my cravings and lack of control, my neck, my lack of energy, my hair loss, and period issues, even. I've done a lot of reading and feel like it sounds possible, but also don't want to self-diagnose. I'm sorting out a trip to the GP but this will take a while, and I wanted a second opinion - I reached out to someone but they haven't gotten back to me and all of it is kind of overwhelming me, for good and bad reasons. I'd love your thoughts, no matter how small, and if you've had experience with either, I'd appreciate hearing about it.
Sending hugs
I recently came across a post on Facebook, talking about PCOS. I didn't know much about so read up and... well, I've dug myself into a rabbit hole.
I'm firstly curious if I have PCOS. There are three main symptoms - irregular periods, excessive hair growth on face, chest, back, etc., and hair loss. I don't get any excessive hair growth on my face - but my periods have always, always been irregular. In fact, they were completely random, I never knew when they would start. They have also always been very heavy, to the point I'd have to take a couple days off work / college when they started. I have the implant now so can't comment on how they are currently, as my periods have stopped due to that (hallelujah, honestly). I always assumed it was related to my weight and never really thought about it.
I also certainly have very, very thin hair. My scalp is very, very visible, I always lose quite a lot of hair generally. I assumed this was genetic - my mum and sister don't have thin hair, but my dad does, so I assumed it could be hereditary from him (I have inherited pretty much every other appearance quality here).
So. I also read there was a relationship between PCOS and insulin resistance, that one means you're more likely to have the other. And insulin resistance also sounds like it fits with me.
The first is that I have acanthosis nigricans, which is basically a dark patch of skin on the back of my neck. I've had this for a while but dismissed it as nothing.
I also struggle with my weight, my cravings feel uncontrollable and I feel like I have no self-control around food. I believed my cravings were psychological, but now I'm wondering if there is a genuine biological element to it. I have tried many diets with no success - in fact, only one has worked for me.
This leads me to the point where I considered it may be a genuine issue, that perhaps it may actually be something. I tried the ketogenic diet for 6 or 7 weeks last year, cutting out carbs and sugars (I stopped due to a personal issue that made me want to eat nothing but ice cream and cry). When I was on keto - my weight was actually going down, which I was thrilled about. But I also noticed other huge changes - that patch on my neck? It practically disappeared. My energy levels were so much better than they had been before. My mood swings were less intense. And my cravings? Non-existent.
This makes me feel that it's an insulin problem, that there's some sort of resistance and glucose can't be absorbed properly. It would explain my easy weight gain, my cravings and lack of control, my neck, my lack of energy, my hair loss, and period issues, even. I've done a lot of reading and feel like it sounds possible, but also don't want to self-diagnose. I'm sorting out a trip to the GP but this will take a while, and I wanted a second opinion - I reached out to someone but they haven't gotten back to me and all of it is kind of overwhelming me, for good and bad reasons. I'd love your thoughts, no matter how small, and if you've had experience with either, I'd appreciate hearing about it.
Sending hugs