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I have always had these symptons since I started menstruating and it was only two years ago at age 29 that I was diagnosed, and I have been on the pill again since then. Previous doctors always prescribed the pill to regulate my periods since my twenties but none had ever actually named the condition that I had. So like most people who get tired to taking the pill, I would stop taking it and my problems normally came back a year later. Now that I understand my condition and that this is the only available treatment option for me, I have decided to look after my health better and know that I will not just stop taking the pill. I do however, worry that I may have difficulties getting pregnant.
I was formerly diagnosed with PCOS in 2002 when my husband and I were trying to conceive. After 2 years of trying, going to a gyno for Clomid, which didn't work, I went to an endocrinologist. I was given tests. I ovulated on my own but it was erratic. I was overweight (Clomid was a contributor). I gain weight in my belly. I do have a facial hairs under my chin. My cycles were extremely irregular. My hair never really grew long when I was younger.
It all started when I was a teenager. I started having cycles at 11 years old. They were regular at first but then it became a little crazy. By the time I started college, my gyno put me on birth control pills. That worked well for me for years. My weight was always fluctuated throughout my 20's but progressely got heavier.
Things came to a head when I tried to have children. Well I have PCOS and have 2 beautiful daughters. After Clomid didn't work, I was given injections to trigger my ovulation. It took 2 cycles and we conceived our 1st daughter. After delievery, my cycles were regular! I also lost ~30 pounds from breast feeding. Well, we used absolutely nothing and got pregnant again without using anything. I can't stand to read articles saying PCOS causes infertility! It makes conception more difficult. Many women have this condition and don't know it because they conceived naturally but did took longer than most.
Now I'm done having children and it's about the quality of my life - becoming healthy. I'm 40 years old knocking on 41 and excited about being healthy in my 40's. Type 2 diabetes runs in my family. I don't have it and I'm going to fight getting it. I've recently lost 20 pounds reducing my carbs, taking a cocktail of supplements (very helpful!) and exercising. I have about 25 more pounds to go and I'm excited about getting there.
PCOS is manageable. I've have 2 beautiful daughters. I dated a lot and got married to a handsome guy. Facial hairs can be removed. A healthy weight can be maintained. It's not about weight loss. It's about being balanced. I'm helping my pancreas and my whole body to work more efficiently. PCOS is about being in a state of inbalance. Our hormones are not balanced. The insulin - a powerful hormone too, is not being effiently utilized. Our glucose levels may not be balanced (too high, too low). Too much androgens cause facial hairs. Weight loss occurs when we are in a balanced state. As I work on being more balanced, the PCOS symptoms ease and my body feels great! 
I am 27 and I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 25. I knew since I was about 18 that I had it but I had a very difficult time getting it diagnosed and having someone who cared enough to listen. I started menstarting at the age of 13 and had normal cycles until I was 17. I went one time a whole 6months without having a period. I went to the doctor and was perscribed Provera to bring it on. Each time I would have to go back to the doctor to be put back on it, I just could not have a period on my own. I was later put on birth control when I was 19. I got married at a young age of 20 and a few years later tried to get pregnant and had no luck what so ever. I had to change doctors 2 times to finally get the help I so needed. At 24 I was diagnosed with Endometriosis with the Laparoscopy surgery. I tried for another year and a half still with no luck and my new doctor retired so I had to find another new one which didn't work out so well. She wouldn't run any tests at all. I kept suggesting PCOS and she thought I read too much on the internet, so I switched again. I was diagnosed with it just last year at age 26 through blood work. I had another surgery just 2weeks ago but this time I had the ovarian drilling too which is suppose to induce ovulation. So hopefully I might be able to ovulate on my own without any drugs. If this doesn't work within 3months then I will be put on clomid. I was supposed to go on clomid right when I was diagnosed with PCOS but my doctor suggested another surgery since my case was so severe. I have been through a long struggle with this and I hope no one has to go through what I have gone through. It's bad enough being diagnosed with Endometriosis but now PCOS it's like a double whammy. Good luck to anyone who is going down the long hard road of conceiving with this disease or any other one. With patience and a good doctor it can be managable.
Hope this can help anyone out there.
MARCEY
You HAVE gone through alot. Just reading your story ids heart breaking. I know the feeling,I've been trying for a baby for 3years with no luck and just diagnosed with PCOS this year and put on metformin first and its so hard to sit in front of professionals who are there suppose to help you and you feel like you're talking to the wall.
I really hope with all you've gone through it finally works for you because everyone deserves to be listened to and your hopes and dreams should be realised. Keep your spirits up best wishes,Eve.
Thank you so mcuh for your reply it means a lot to me. My surgery went fine and we're trying again naturally to see if it will work. Keeping our fingers crossed. The doctor said try for 3 months if it doesn't happen then clomid is the next step. So, patience is the key and iI don't know if I have any but I want to stay positive but at the same time not get my hopes up either. Best of luck to you too and thank you for listening.
Marcey
Marcey, your story does help others. When questions are asked in the question section, or when someone does a search on a term like PCOS, they are referred to this post and the comments, or it shows up on the search. The more experiences related, the better. It will help someone.
I hope your dreams come true.
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This will be another excellent reference for people suffering some, or all of these symptoms. Until I started reading the questions, I was ignorant of the many, varied conditions, still am mostly, which can alter a woman's sexual health and have her searching for answers like this, which can help clarify the direction they should take for treatment.
Just the variations in the menstrual cycle and possible causes confuses even the doctors, I think. Missing a period raises so many possibilities! Your writing makes me curious of what your friends are doing to treat this and if it is helping. But then I realize, there is so much individuality to treatment and each patient's response to it, we can only try to improve or stabilize our health the best ways we can.
I'm really glad you are researching and writing these! They give information, hope and guidance.