Thursday, July 15, 2010

Article

My mother-in-law emailed me about an article she had read in Glamour magazine. It was about how pcos and endometriosis can go undetected for such a long period of time. Here is the article about PCOS and Endometriosis, it is so true!

In my case... I started having HORRIBLE period cramps when I was about 14 or so. I am talking doubled over, crying on the floor pain. My mom said my face would turn white as a ghost. I also wasn't having regular periods. When I was in the 8th grade I was on the track team. I went about 6 months without a period. Everyone (doctor, mom and I) figured it was because of all the activity I was putting my body through. When I finally did get a period, it was hell. Finally my mom took me to a GYN, I was 16. The doctor figured it was endometriosis. She said the only way to get rid of it was surgery, and since I was so young she didn't want me to go through that. So... she prescribed me birth control pills and that was that.

I stayed on the pills alll the way up until the Mr. and I decided to try for a baby. I was 26. For 10 years I was on those pills - and they worked. I was having "normal" monthly periods. They were still painful, but I could deal with it.

It was such a big deal for me to stop taking those pills! I mean for 10 years that is what I used! Once I stopped the pills... no period. 3 months later... still no period. Once I finally got to a RE doctor and they did an ultrasound, it was VERY obvious that I had PCOS. I am not a "normal" case for it: I am not overweight, do not have excess hair, my hair isn't falling out... none of the classic signs.

But still - it is a shame that it takes so long to figure out what is going on with someone! Now that I know more about symptoms I make sure to encourage other women to look into it if they are having them. Both of these can become really bad if they go untreated.

I'll stop my background now =) Just wanted to get the article out there.

2 comments:

  1. I have PCOS and I have read the same article in Glamour. I have the hair grown in uncommen areas for women, loss of hair on my head, no period( but lately i have been having them), and Im overweight. My husband and I want to have a baby soo bad but i have been told it would never happen! :(

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  2. I read this in Glamour too.

    It made me think how if I'd seen this article two years ago it may have helped me get diagnosed quicker... So it's good that mainstream publications are picking up on this.

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