I was diagnosed with PCOS about three years ago, and at the time, I did not have insurance and had to go to the free health clinic. The doctor that I saw didn't do much to help, and I got so frustrated that I quit even trying to get her help. I no longer had a period and just put this diagnosis out of my mind until April 2008 when I started cramping and bleeding so heavily that I almost went to the hospital. My new doctor started me on birth control, and as of yet, it has not worked. I am so frustrated because almost all of the research I have done says that with diet and exercise and weight loss, I can drastically help my PCOS. However, I have been doing intense workouts three to five times a week, completely changed my eating habits, and I’ve lost about 37 pounds, but my PCOS is worse! I have been menstruating since the beginning of April, and this is taking a physical and emotional toll on my life. I can't work out as much because of the severe cramping, and I have had to miss a lot of work because of exhaustion. Published: June 18 ::

I have just been diagnosed with PCOS and only because I ended up in hospital with a ruptured cyst. I was in agony. My gynecologist has been very good but I wont see him again for another month, but now I’m left wondering if I have to stop trying to conceive with my husband or in what condition my body is in. Am I infertile and what are my next steps? A month feels so long away for my questions to be answered. I am only married a year and have been trying for the last 8 months. For years we prevented pregnancy and now we are trying and have been dealt this blow. Published: July 25 ::

I went five months without having a period. Then I was put on metformin. It's been three months now since I was diagnosed with PCOS, and I still get painful periods, especially when I ovulate. I have excessive facial hair and patches of dark skin on my back. However, since I started metformin I have lost 18 pounds, from 218 to 200. I have completely changed my diet, and I drink a lot of purified water. Although I feel physically better, emotional I'm torn because I've been trying to conceive for two years. Published: July 22 ::

I am 23 years old. I have always had irregular periods and acne. When my acne became so bad and I began to bleed non-stop with heavy, prolonged periods, I started birth control pills. The pills helped my periods stay regular and my acne was very minimal. Three years later, I developed cysts on my ovaries and constant PMS symptoms. I tried every diet under the sun and exercised five days a week. No matter what I did, I kept gaining weight uncontrollably. My sex drive plummeted, and I haven't had an orgasm in years. Miserable, I went back to my doctor who tried several different birth control pills and none of them helped. Published: January 16 ::

I have been diagnosed with PCOS. I was diagnosed less than a year ago. My insulin was extremely high and so was my testosterone level. I went to several doctors until I found one that could help. I was on my third month straight of having a period. When the birth control I was prescribed didn't work, I knew something else had to be done. That is when I found a doctor who started me on metformin. My period stopped, and I am now 53 pounds lighter. I no longer need the metformin because my insulin is back to normal and so are my periods. I also must add that I cut back on the sugar in my diet and started eating mostly organic food. I hope this gives someone hope and encouragement. I am no longer on meds and doing fine. The only thing I have to do now is stick to my diet. I feel I need to mention that metformin helped bring down my food cravings. I know what you are going through. It is a hard battle not many understand. My advice is to keep shopping for a doctor until you find one that can help. Published: July 14 ::

I have been recently diagnosed with PCOS. I am 38 years old and have always had irregular periods. Sometimes I would go five or six months without a period, and when I had one, it would last two to three weeks! I went to many doctors, and not a one of them could help me. I finally found a genius of a doctor. He ran some lab work and found out that I am insulin-resistant. I'm supposed to be at 4 and I'm at 37. My doctor prescribed glucophage, and the past two months my period started and ended on the same day each month! This has never happened before, and I am thrilled because I am on my way to getting pregnant! Published: July 14 ::

I am 26 years old. I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 24. I have never had irregular periods. I do however have PMS symptoms all month. I have been put on metformin, Lexapro (for PMS mood swings) and Xanax for breakthrough anxiety (again for PMS symptoms). I have been heavy all of my life, however about 2 years ago I lost 60 lbs. In the past year I have gained back 46 of those lbs. it was quite rapid and now no matter what I do I cannot lose any weight. I see a personal trainer 2-3x weekly and also work out on my own. I cheat in my diet once in a while, and I do mean once in a while but the way I look, it seems like I eat cheeseburgers all day. It is so frustrating. I have tried every OTC diet pill on the market and even tried phentermine prescription which only rose by blood pressure. I have the staining of the skin, excessive facial hair, mild acne and the "stereotypical" PCOS body type - my weight is all around my hips. If anyone knows of any herbal or OTC medications that aid in weight loss please put it on the site. I am so frustrated, and so down on myself because of my weight. I was even considering surgery at one point. Published: July 10 ::