Living with PCOS

Hello and welcome to the 4th blog!

Today, I want to talk about something personal: my journey with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). I was diagnosed two years ago, but truthfully, I’ve faced menstrual irregularities since my early teenage years. I even went through a four-year period where I lost my menstruation after my first cycle, which, as you can imagine, freaked me out. Doctors often prescribe contraceptive pills to help, but I eventually stopped relying on them. The hormonal medication caused terrible mood swings and weight gain, which I just couldn’t tolerate.

Seeking alternatives, my grandmother introduced me to ABC juice – a blend of apples, beetroot, and carrots. I diligently drank it every morning, and to my surprise, my period returned! That resolved the issue for some time, until the pandemic hit.

The Return of Symptoms and New Challenges

During the pandemic, my menstrual irregularities resurfaced, bringing with them other bothersome symptoms like unwanted hair growth. The most frustrating area is my chin. I have an olive skin tone and very dark hair, so even a few strands are incredibly visible. These aren’t just baby hairs; they’re thick, like eyelashes, and super prominent, causing me immense embarrassment. It’s a constant battle of plucking them every two to three days.

Beyond the hair, I’ve also experienced easy fatigue and intense cravings. I’d get hunger pangs just a few hours after eating, and while I wouldn’t finish my meals, I’d soon be hungry again, craving something specific. I also noticed substantial weight gain around my abdomen. In my early twenties, I was lean and blessed with a good physique. But in my mid-twenties, as PCOS symptoms started appearing, my body began to change. The weight gain was most visible on my stomach, which was incredibly annoying as I love wearing fitted clothing to accentuate my figure. Instead, I found myself opting for puffy dresses to hide my belly fat.

On top of everything, I suffered from terrible mood swings, creating a daily emotional rollercoaster. Thankfully, my PCOS is on the milder side; I haven’t required medication like others who need anti-diabetic drugs to prevent developing diabetes due to uncontrolled weight and cortisol levels. High cortisol is never good and can lead to cardiovascular issues.

My Simple Solution and Progress

My gynecologist’s advice was straightforward: exercise more and eat less, essentially being in a calorie deficit, and my PCOS would reverse. Fast forward to now, and I’m incredibly proud to say I’ve successfully lost 4 to 5 kilograms! I used to be 62 kg, and now I’m 58 kg.

This weight loss has made a huge difference. My clothes fit better, and the jeans that were once tight are now comfortably loose. I feel much more confident wearing them. Before, I hated going out in jeans because they felt suffocating, and I’d get comments from in-laws and family about gaining weight. They’d often attribute it to “happy weight” after getting married, but I knew it was my PCOS weight acting up.

The Pillars of a Good Life: Exercise, Diet, and Sleep

I truly believe exercise is essential. I wish I hadn’t stopped exercising when I was younger; I used to be a health fanatic, very conscious of what I ate and dedicated to working on my body. Looking back at photos from my early twenties, I was in the best shape, feeling confident and able to wear anything. That definitely changed with the weight gain, impacting my confidence.

Besides exercise, eight hours of sleep is crucial, something I’m still working on. I aim to sleep on time but often get occupied with other things. For example, it’s almost 10 PM now, and I should be sleeping since I wake up around 6 AM to take my dog out. I tend to ruminate when I should be sleeping, but I’m actively trying to improve this.

I’m also focusing on improving my diet. I try to avoid fatty foods, opting for sandwiches and soups during lunch. Skipping dinner has also been working well for me; I don’t feel as hungry these days, and those old hunger pangs are gone.

In conclusion, I’ve realized that being in a happy mood and at your best really comes down to three main things: exercising well, eating well, and sleeping well.

My previous blog post discussed feeling discontent with life, but I now believe it was largely connected to my overall health. When I invest time and effort into taking care of myself, I see life differently—life is beautiful, actually! I wish I had known this sooner so I could have spent more of my life loving it instead of dreading it.

So, I want to end this on a positive note: exercise, a good diet (remembering the 80/20 rule—it’s okay to have a cookie here and there!), and eight hours of sleep sum up a good life.

Goodbye for now!

What are your thoughts on managing chronic health conditions through lifestyle changes? Share your experiences in the comments below!