Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

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1

I'm 19 and was dx with diabetes in Dec. 2009.  Today I was diagnosed with PCOS.  I was just wondering does anyone else have this?  How do you treat it? 

I had never heard of it before, and my endo said it was surprising that I have it because I am not overweight and I do not have insulin resistance (I am actually very very sensitive to insulin).  She said I will just have to go on an oral contraceptive.  If you have anything information you could share, please do.

Thanks, Courtney

2

Hi Courtney,

I also have PCOS and was just recently diagnosed.  I did a lot of research on PCOS after I was diagnosed with it, and here is what I found.  A lot of research is suggesting that PCOS is also an autoimmune disease like T1.  There is also a MUCH higher incidence of PCOS in Type 1 Diabetic women.  This is because, as T1's, we frequently use higher doses of insulin than a non-T1 person would use (for example, to bring down a high blood sugar.)  Having large amounts of insulin in the body messes with our sex-hormones and can cause higher-than-normal levels of testosterone, which can cause PCOS.  I suspect that a lot more T1 have PCOS and don't even know it.  I also think I've had it for years, because I was diagnosed with ovarian cysts in the past, and I've always had unpredictable and very painful periods.

Treatment-wise, I've heard of several different options.  There aren't any PCOS-specific drugs out there, but the birth control should help to bring your hormones back where they should be.

Anyway, hope that helped.

Molly

3

What are the symptoms of PCOS?

4

I am not exactly sure.  I rarely have had my period (I had it for the first time 6 years ago, and only get it every 3-6 months), so my endocrinologist did some blood tests and I said because of my hormone levels it is very likely that I have it...  I was just put on oral contraceptive.

5

So, would it be a good idea to ask my gynecologist to test me for it???  Are there any other symptoms??? 

6

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/polycystic-ovary-syndrome/ds00423/dsection=symptoms 

To me it seems like many women with it only experience irregular periods.  If you are concerned, then I would definitely just bring it up to your endocrinologist or gynecologist.  I read somewhere that 5-10% of women 12-45 have PCOS, so it's certainly not uncommon.