September is PCOS Awareness Month!!

© https://www.verity-pcos.org.uk/

PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) is something that cannot be cured, despite some claims, although symptoms can be improved and managed (for some) with medication, exercise and other lifestyle changes. It is a hormonal condition that manifests itself differently in each person. PCOS is very common and impacts how ovaries function.

Symptoms of PCOS can vary from person to person and no two people are often suffering the exact same symptoms. Some symptoms include;

  • Weight gain,
  • Difficulty losing weight,
  • Irregular periods or no periods,
  • Thinning hair,
  • Acne,
  • Excessive hair growth,
  • Fertility issues,
  • Miscarriages,
  • Cysts that burst and cause pain or internal bleeding,
  • Mood changes,
  • Depression,
  • Bloating,

These are just some of the symptoms. Many Healthcare Professionals will suggest weight loss will solve all problems, however for those that suffer with PCOS, we know that this is often very difficult and untrue.

PCOS puts a person at a higher risk of;

  • Type 2 Diabetes,
  • High blood pressure,
  • High cholesterol,
  • (High blood pressure and cholesterol can also lead to strokes or heart disease,)
  • Sleep apnoea,
  • Depression,
  • Endometrial Cancer.

September is PCOS awareness month and social media will see an increase in posts about this life changing syndrome. I will be uploading more posts about how PCOS impacts my life, however this post is a very basic, introduction to PCOS.

Please message me if you have questions and I will do my best to help you.

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Mental Health Awareness Letters – 11th May 2018

As May is Mental Health Awareness Month, I had an idea to write a letter each day to a person, or group of people that have had an impact on my own personal health. The first portion of the month has been delayed, however I hope that I will catch up and there will be a daily post. Thank You for taking the time to read these and I appreciate any comments or support you can provide on each post.

Please remember that if you are struggling with your health, both physical or mental, there may be some triggers in these letters-please seek support if you find these letters trigger any distress. Look after yourself!!

Letter 11 – To my ovaries,

You have had a huge impact on my mental health. I always said I wanted kids young, at 14 when my youngest sister was born my broodiness ‘peaked’ but I knew I had to finish school first and be ‘sensible’ (I would like to point out that I do not judge those that have children young, I just wanted to be realistic in my situation). Looking back now I should have not been so sensible and just tried to conceive then.

I said I wanted to be having (at least) my second child by the time I was 25. I am now 27 and have no children. I did suffer a miscarriage several years ago very early into the pregnancy, but I am not a mother. My best friend has a child and most of my school friends have children.

I had my first surgery when I was 18 to remove two large cysts within my ovary. I have polycystic ovarian syndrome and unfortunately this has an impact on my whole body. My hair, my weight, metabolism, glucose tolerance and I need to get my BMI down to qualify for NHS support for IVF as I cannot afford to pay for it privately. Losing weight is difficult and I find myself constantly putting it on rather than losing it. (I would also like to point out I am not publicising weight loss but in my case it is medically compulsory to qualify for fertility treatment.)

My ovaries do not ovulate and the one thing I long for is children, obviously being in a same sex marriage completely stops the chance of getting pregnant when least expecting it and sperm donors are hard to come by. (Unless you can pay for access to sperm banks)

So, to my ovaries, I wish you would get your act together as you and me are not best friends!!