Polycystic Ovaries? is there something else wrong with me?

Question

I started getting a few pimples when I hit first got my period (circa 7th grade) and my skin got a little worse (nothing major just small bouts of acne breakout) since then my skin has never been completely perfect. There has always been clogged pores or the occasional breakout. In more recent years, (I'm 18 now) I would get the occasional sharp pain in my lower stomach, back or pelvic area but thought nothing of it. I also started getting a lot of stretch marks (hips, butt, thighs, one or two barely noticeable ones on my breasts) and some other body breakouts occasionally. About two months ago I began getting a lot of large boil-like pimples on my rear and my face got worse. Last month I ordered proactive and developed some cysts behind my ears (they went away though). Also, PCOS runs in my family. Are these signs of it? I feel like I'm falling apart. My boyfriend and friends tell me I'm beautiful but it's hard to feel that way when your body is whacked. Please help if you can. Thanks

Answer 1

Without knowing if you have any other symptoms of PCOS, it's hard for me to tell you whether you may have it. Bad acne (sometimes cystic acne, like you decribe) is a symptom, but lots of people do have that without having PCOS. The pain you describe could be cyst pain, or it could be something else, and it is possible to have cysts without having PCOS--in fact, many women do. Here are some other symptoms of PCOS so you can see if you have them:

- irregular periods (most women with PCOS have this)
- fertility problems (you might not know if you have this yet)
- acne
- facial and body hair growth
- thinning scalp hair
- weight problems: obesity, gaining weight very easily, unusual difficulty in losing weight (diet/exercise might not work very well)
- skin tags
- dark patches of skin, especially on the back of the neck or in folds like the groin area (this is called acanthosis nigricans)
- some patients also experience anxiety, panic attacks, and/or clinical depression (this is thought to be related to the hormone imbalance)

When I was diagnosed with PCOS, I was having 3-4 periods a year, I had adult acne, hair was falling out (but I had hair on my arms, face, stomach, etc.), dark skin on the back of my neck, and I was overweight even though I was relatively active and watching my diet. But, not everyone who has PCOS has all of those symptoms. Everyone is different; plus, there are multiple forms of PCOS (see link below). I'm type 3 with increased androgens and insulin resistance, so I guess that would put me in between types 1 and 3--as you can see, everyone has different problems with PCOS!

If you think you have PCOS, your doctor will examine you for symptoms and will order blood work to check your hormone levels. Some doctors order an ultrasound to check for cysts, which is a good thing if you are having cyst pain. Otherwise I consider it unnecessary, as you can have cysts without PCOS and PCOS without cysts.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Stretch marks aren't the sign of a whacked body, more often than not, they come from a growth spurt. And since teenagers have growth spurts, that would explain them.

I have PCOS and you don't have the symptoms typical of it. However, you do sound like you have a hormonal imbalance of some sort. I know a few girls who have gone on the Pill for acne reasons and it has helped them a lot. I would seriously consider talking to your doctor about that option--you may find that such a treatment will stop the pimple problem

Answer 4

Spots are one of the signs of PCOS, because of hormonal imbalance but that doesn't mean that you have PCOS cos spots can be caused by many other factors such as unhealthy diet, stress etc.
If you are concerned about PCOS go and see your GP

Just take care of your body like eat healthy, do exercises and you will feel much confident and happy about your body

Answer 5

dang, it sounds like I wrote that... except I am now in my early 30's.
I started Proactive last month, and I still have pimples but my face isn't red like it usually is. Everything else you mentioned I have experienced, too.

I have leaned towards PCOS and started using a progesterone cream the last two months.

Answer 6

A good endocrinologist/gynecologist would be the best person to consult.
Check webMD re symptoms and discussion of the condtion. My references are pretty skimpy of info on this condition.

Answer 7

i think you should try it with me