Ask Me Help Desk - Missing periods, rapid weight gain & facial hair?

I am a 25 year old married female. I was diagnosed 5 years ago with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) by my regular OB/GYN. I am not too sure I had PCOS but he said because I was having irregular menstrual cycles. Basically I was only having a period once every 2 or 3 months sometimes even further apart. I monitored my ovulation for 3 months and never once did it say I was ovulating. I was at the time tying to conceive a baby so they put me on a couple meds to regulate my menstrual cycle and make things easier for me to conceive. Well that didn't work. So I then went to a fertility specialist. Come to find out, my husband (at the time) had some issues with his sperm. Well we sort of gave up hope because we could not afford the next available option for us to have our own children. Now, I have always been chunky... all though high school I weight around 145lbs.

Since then I got divorced and met someone new and was on a normal cycles. About every 32 days I would have a cycle. 7 months into my new relationship I became pregnant. I had my son in Oct 07. I lost all of the baby weight and was feeling good. Periods returned to normal every 28-32 days. However, in the past 3 months my cycle has been off. I haven't had a period now since Jan 2 09. I know I am not pregnant. I have been gaining weight rapidly and have started to notice facial hair on my chin and cheeks (sideburns). I have also been breaking out bad on my face really bad and I have noticed a few skin tags on my neck area. I heard on TV that this is PCOS... but what is the proper treatment?

My OB/GYN will just tells me to lose the weight, but easier said than done doc! I was wondering if anyone has had this problem and what was done to treat it. Someone told me that there are shots I can give myself to regulate the hormones. I am wanting another baby, but want to get rid of this weight first. I have tried using birth control, but ALL of that makes me an emotional wreck... and like I said, I am wanting another baby.:confused:

Please let me know what I can do...

Thanks

Depending on your weight, that can be one issue... so trying to lose some weight obviously won't hurt and may help.

Maybe see if you can get a referral to another fertility specialist. Usual course of action is to try and regulate periods first, go with a few cycles of Clomid, and then maybe go onto Metformin... or a combination of Clomid and Metformin. You should be monitored throughout the whole process.

They will likely check for diabetes or glucose intolerance, which can be common with PCOS... thus why Metformin can sometimes be helpful.

Hi, thanks... I actually did that combo a few years back and got no results... I was on provera, metformin and clomid... When I was on the provera it did great regulating my cycles, and I lost some weight while on it... but like I said... it didn't work...

I have PCOS. I found that the most effective way for me to maintain regular periods was to follow a low carb diet, since PCOS tends to cause insulin resistance.

Check out SoulCysters.com: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Treatment & Resources for tons of info about PCOS and options for treatment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunshine62583

I am a 25 year old married female. I was diagnosed 5 years ago with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) by my regular OB/GYN. I am not too sure I had PCOS but he said b/c I was having irregular menstrual cycles. Basically I was only having a period once every 2 or 3 months sometimes even further apart. I monitored my ovulation for 3 months and never once did it say I was ovulating. I was at the time tying to conceive a baby so they put me on a couple meds to regulate my menstrual cycle and make things easier for me to conceive. Well that didn't work. So I then went to a fertility specialist. Come to find out, my husband (at the time) had some issues with his sperm. Well we sort of gave up hope because we could not afford the next available option for us to have our own children. Now, I have always been chunky...all though high school I weight around 145lbs.

Since then I got divorced and met someone new and was on a normal cycles. About every 32 days I would have a cycle. 7 months into my new relationship I became pregnant. I had my son in Oct 07. I lost all of the baby weight and was feeling good. Periods returned to normal every 28-32 days. However, in the past 3 months my cycle has been off. I haven't had a period now since Jan 2 09. I know I am not pregnant. I have been gaining weight rapidly and have started to notice facial hair on my chin and cheeks (sideburns). I have also been breaking out bad on my face really bad and I have noticed a few skin tags on my neck area. I heard on TV that this is PCOS....but what is the proper treatment?

My OB/GYN will just tells me to lose the weight, but easier said than done doc! I was wondering if anyone has had this problem and what was done to treat it. Someone told me that there are shots I can give myself to regulate the hormones. I am wanting another baby, but want to get rid of this weight first. I have tried using birth control, but ALL of that makes me an emotional wreck....and like I said, I am wanting another baby.:confused:

Please let me know what I can do.....

Thanks

It does sound like you have PCOS. Maybe you were eating better for awhile to any of the insulin resistance that you experience was more under control? Do you exercise? The websites already mentioned are really good ones, and I want to add another one that I've found really helpful, it's www.insulitelabs.com. It gives tons of info on insulin resistance, PCOS, and other issues too.

Dr April

Thanks. I have been monitoring my cycles and weight over a 6 month period... and I have noticed my weight will maintain when I have a cycle, but as soon as I miss a cycle, I start gaining weight rapidly... anywhere from 8-15 lbs in a 2 week to month time frame. Once this starts happening, I start noticing myself becoming depressed, tired and my energy level to do anything goes to almost zero. I constantly feel bloated. I believe I have a healthy diet. I stay away from starchy and sweet foods. My mother has diabetes so I am always cautious what I buy because she is at my house a majority of the time. Just habit. My exercise consist of a 2 miles walk about 3-4 times a week, and running around after my son. :-) I am scheduled with my doctor to see what else I can do. I appreciate all the replies and information.

I have pcos and this sound like it is a poccability. Contact and endocronologist. They are the proper ones to help you with this problem. They put me on metformin. It helped to regulate my cycle... you may also have a hormonal issue and once again the same doctor can help. Best wishes!

Yes, I was on metformin a few years back, that my OB/GYN prescribed me and it does help with my weight gain issues... and helps with weight loss... Is it me, or does people with PCOS have an even more difficult time losing weight? I am not morbidly obese, but I could stand to lose some lbs. Thanks

I have been having a problem with my weight as well.. never been heavy until after my son... he recently prescribed a medication for me... went from 152 to 133 in about 1 1/2 months. Had to change my diet. Would have been lower but I have an injury that prevents me from exercising.

It's not just you... PCOS and weight issues often go together. Being insulin resistant can result in weight gain, which is common with PCOS. The weight gain in turn can play a role in being insulin resistant. Sort of a vicious cycle.
The weight loss certainly can help, as will getting diet, exercise, and medication support going in general to help with the insulin resistance. They all go hand in hand.

I have a couple more questions regarding PCOS to those who have it and those who know about it...

1.) Can PCOS cause you lebedo to go down?
2.) If you have PCOS will your blood sugars be elevated or not?