Is PCOS worth treating?

[Momaoro]

Uh.. hi there, it’s my first post here

So, I’ve had PCOS for a _long_ time now. Why? Because it’s been worth it

I don’t bleed so no things getting dirty or spending money on pads, no cramps, being nearly infertile and having no mood troubles

Mind you, I’m 27 now and never had the unbearable pain symptoms, the only setback is extra hair, which is easy to fix

When I was about 16 I tried treating it but my mood got so bad mother said it was hell having me around, and I agree with her, my mood was horrible and I don’t want that back

Is the chance of having cancer because of this any higher than having a stroke over birth control side effect strokes? Both are rare but can happen. But do I want something that torments so many women?

Any of you who’s treating pcos, how was it?

Discussion

[mandyklevering]

Hi! I think it’s a very personal decision. I’m personally allergic to birth control, so the side effects are horrible for me, but recently I did start using it.

A tumor caused by the PCOS ruptured and caused massive internal bleeding. I then found out I have many of those tumors throughout my body. Before that happened I never really had any problems or pain either.

Before I would have said, just leave it be if it doesn’t bother you, but now I would like to advise you to get checked for hidden issues before making a decision

I don’t mean to scare you, and what happened to me is very rare. So just research your options and go with what makes you feel good. Good luck!

[3AMdreamhorse]

Honestly there isn’t much of a treatment out there. Birth control is just a bandaid. And in my experience, aside from that, health professionals have told me there’s ‘nothing to treat’ unless I’m trying to conceive. That is exactly what I was told by my GP when I said I’d finally come off birth control because I discovered it was a major factor in my +10 years of struggling with depression.

But hey, it only affects those of us with ovaries, so why bother doing research into an actual treatment for it!

I now take Metformin off-label for the insulin resistance, but I had to lie to my doctor and say I wanted babies to get it. It infuriates me that it’s treated like its solely a reproductive issue and not an endocrine disorder that affects many aspects of a person’s health.

The best thing you can do for yourself is take care of yourself. Eat well and move your body. It’s not going to cure anything, but it helps.

[waitingformygrave]

I am a 27 year old with pcos as well – my doctor recommended a full hysterectomy to avoid any cysts from forming in the uterus that could possible burst and lead to internal bleeding or death. He said the chances of that are extremely rare but it has happened before to others.

Also as a side note how do you deal with the extra hair? It’s god awful and annoying to me especially when I have pale skin and dark obvious hair.

[ehagger]

If there is no pain it is completely understandable to be hesitant about treatment. I agree with the above to check things out for any further issues but there is no further obligation to do anything. I started treatment but found, like some individuals, that the treatment was worse. I started having side effects that were worse than living with PCOS itself. It’s absolutely a personal choice. With PCOS we also have the option of trialing treatment but then revoking if it’s not for you.

[scarletsunami]

I think it depends on what you mean by treating it. I have lean PCOS and at this point managing the symptoms works best for me (electrolysis for facial hair, prescription acne medication, etc.) instead of trying to regulate the hormones.

I have a mirena and my doctor suggested I go on an additional birth control pill and I personally hated the sexual side effects so stopped after awhile.

I normally prefer to solve problems at the root, but I don’t think there are a lot of great solutions for PCOS currently.

I hope you’re able to find something that brings you relief!

[TudorFanKRS]

That is totally a you decision. I *will* say, however, to be very careful. I treated my PCOS for many years. And even with that, I wound up with a cancerous mass and had to undergo a radical hysterectomy. I don’t want you to go through that.

[Exact_Intention7055]

I think some have had success with Metformin. Of course, you have to consult your dr and get a prescription.
Best of luck!

[Glittering-Ebb307]

My PCOS experience is so different, periods are extra painful, and lots of problems with mood. I took birth control to help manage for about a decade until I couldn’t handle it anymore.

I was sure I was infertile but had a surprise pregnancy at 41; apparently we stockpile our eggs.

So do get checked for anything major but if you aren’t trying to conceive and your symptoms aren’t really bothering you… I really wish I didn’t have periods and horrid mood swings, lol

[The_Turtle-Moves]

If it doesn’t bother you, there’s no need to treat it.

But do be vigilant about your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol, as people with pcos have a higher risk of developing diabetes type 2, hypertension and high levels of cholesterol

[HealingTimeNow]

I was just at the gynecologist. She told me that if your period has stopped – not due to regulated hormones like an IUD – the lining of your uterus is not properly shedding and those cells are at higher risk of turning to cancer. I know birth control can suck, but you need to be on something or having a regular cycle. It’s not healthy to just be skipping. Please discuss with a trusted gynecologist so you’re fully informed of potential risks before making any decisions.