Terri Marie Nelson

KNOWING

Living With PCOS

Polcystic Ovary Syndrome a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS may have infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods or excess male hormone (androgen) levels. The ovaries may develop numerous small collections of fluid (follicles) and fail to regularly release eggs. Terri Marie Nelson

Ever since the age of menarche, or my first period, I would skip months without menstruating or would have it twice in a month. The inability to track my period and predict when to expect the next cycle was frustrating. When I raised these concerns to my doctor they informed me this irregularity was my normal and looked to stress or weight changes as the reason why my cycle was all over the place. Because I trusted my physician to know more than me I never pushed the issue further. At least not until I started medical school and learned about polycystic ovarian syndrome, PCOS, myself.

I remember sitting in lecture and briefly hearing about this syndrome and immediately diagnosed myself. Not only did I have irregular periods but also hirsutism, or male pattern facial hair, that I was treating with electrolysis hoping this would permanently remove the unwanted facial hair. This was a very embarrassing condition for me that I struggled with since my teenage years and tried everything from shaving and Nair to laser and finally electrolysis to get rid of this hair. I’ve spent thousands trying to get rid of this unwanted hair and now was beginning to understand there may be a hormonal reason behind this.

At my next annual check-up, I shared my thoughts with my doctor and she agreed to take some bloodwork to confirm my diagnosis. I’m unsure if she took me more seriously because I was in medical school and becoming a doctor or because she honestly thought I had PCOS. Either way, because I advocated for myself she agreed to order the test. The bloodwork showed that testosterone, a hormone, was elevated beyond the normal range. The bloodwork in addition to my history of irregular menstrual cycles and undesirable facial hair confirmed that I indeed had PCOS. This diagnosis did not come as a surprise to me as I already had a strong suspicion but I was thankful to finally have an answer to a problem that I was trying to solve for years. Because I had an educational understanding behind PCOS, I was able to understand what was happening within my body and now knew how I could begin to address certain symptoms and conditions that come with PCOS.

At this time, PCOS is mostly managed with different medication: birth control pills to help regulate cycles, another pill to address the facial hair, another pill to treat acne, another pill to increase fertility, and another pill to help prevent or treat diabetes. As someone who is young and does not want to take medication every day I have been making changes to my diet that will help me maintain a healthy weight. I’ve continued my electrolysis treatment in conjunction with a medication in hopes of permanently removing unwanted facial hair.

I’m aware that there is not much available or a magic pill to treat this condition. PCOS is something that will continue to have an effect on my life and will require lifestyle changes to prevent diabetes or address obesity. And one day when I’m ready to start a family, I know PCOS will present another hurdle.