PCOS-MEDICATION Messages for January, 2002: To - anonymous@obgyn.net

To - anonymous@obgyn.net - LONG :-)

From: Sally (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon, 28 Jan 2002 04:04:43 -0600 (CST)

Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]
Next message: Louise: "Dianette"
Previous message: anonymous@obgyn.net: "No Subject"
In reply to: anonymous@obgyn.net: "No Subject"

Hi,

why do you think you have pcos? What symptoms do you have? People at this site are very helpful, so please feel free to ask whatever questions you want. It is really scarey when you first find out about having PCOS but as you learn more you will find it is not actually so bad because in most cases it can be managed and will not necessarily have big impact on your live. You have come to the right place?

Actually, if you do have it it is much better to find out early so that all of the possible health consequences can be managed early - and the earlier the better. If you suspect you have PCOS you need to see an endocrinologist who will do some testing (blood tests) to check your hormone levels and also something called a glucose tolerance test to check if you are insulin resistant. Probably they would also do an ultrasound to see if your ovaries have cysts on them and also just for general checking. The doctor would also carry out testing to make sure there are no other reason for your symptoms such as thyroid....

Mostly treatment now-a-days is a drug called metformin. This drug can have side effects initally (stomach problems) but these usually reduce after a couple of weeks - but not everyone has side effects - so don't be scared off by this. Metformin is beleived to be the best way to treat PCOS (as far as experts know at this time). SOme doctors will prescribe birth control pills. While these can be useful, they only mask the symptoms and don't treat the cause (the way metformin does). Therefore I would recommend that if your doctor only prescribes birth control pills and does not agree to prescribe metformin (though you should do some research so you understand what you need and why - this will help you in asking the dr for what you need) you should look for another doctor. If you have excess hair or acne or other symptoms they can also be helped by metformin (though it may take a few months to get the effect) or by other drugs.

Non-drug approaches include using a lower carbohydrate diet (you could look up diabetic diets and glycaemic index for a starting point) - probably would not recommend a very strict low carbohydrate diet for someone your age. Although it sounds contradictory - make sure you don't eat too little. That will make your body think you are starving and make it even harder for you too lose weight. Make sure you eat enough protein - traditional diets are low fat, low protein and fairly high carbohydrate - this does not work for women with PCOS.

Try to ensure you exercise regularly if you don't already. This is good for your health regardless of whether you lose weight or not.

Finding a good and sympathetic dr is really essential. If you put on this post where you live some other ladies may be able to advise you on a good dr. in your area. They would e-mail you personally as we are not meant to mention drs by name on this forum.

The bottom line is DON'T GET SCARED - GET EDUCATED and then BE PROACTIVE. Your health is really up to you. YOu may also need to educate your parents/family so that they can give you the support you need. The more knowledge you have the more power you have!

Best wishes and please ask any questions you want.

-- Sally

At Mon, 28 Jan 2002, anonymous@obgyn.net wrote: > >um, hi. i was looking on a website earlier and, i think i might have POCS. i >am 15 years old, and, the thought of having this is really scaring me! i dont >care to have children, but, im mainly worried because, i hear that sometimes >POCS can cause serious health problems.....i would really like, and need to >know if i have this, and, exactly what i should do about it and.....whether >or not i will become seriously sick or have bad health problems from >it.......thanks for listening..byebye

Next message: Louise: "Dianette"
Previous message: anonymous@obgyn.net: "No Subject"
In reply to: anonymous@obgyn.net: "No Subject"

use when must restrict search to only the pcos medication forum...
Enter search keywords:
	Returns per screen: Require all keywords: