im a 21 yr old female who was diagnosed with pcos 2 years ago, im not over weight (5'11 64kgs) but ive got the extra hair, lethargic and 45 cysts on my ovaries.  i get really bad abdominal pain from this and lower back pain. Can anyone reccomend something to help with this. Also ive gone from basically not ovulating for about a yr, to just recently bleeding for 6 weeks straight, with the blood almost black. Ive got a specialist app coming up, but i would really appreciate answers from people who are going through the same thing. thanks heaps
135711
Ouchie hon..sorry you feel so lousy! I have had almost all of the symptoms of PCOS but my doctor never diagnosed it. I do what you are going through though. I don't go a day without plucking, shaving etc....I have had some tremendous abdominal pains. I have even had surgery twice to remove tumors. The first time I had tumors the size of large grapefruits and, the second time(yes, they grew back. And only 2 years apart) they were the size of softballs. Here it is 4 years later and I need it again.\n\nThe dark blood could mean you may have endometriosis in addition to the cysts. Endo is also known as having 'chocolate cysts'. These may have been bursting, or your ovarian cysts have been bursting. Hence all the pain and bleeding you have endured.\n\nWrite down any questions you may have and bring them with you to the doctor. Have a friend with you for moral support as well. It never helps to go through this alone. Hope you feel better soon hon..this is a toughie but, you'll get through it. Keep us posted!
150968
i have pcos also. i was on the pill for 6 years as a contraceptive, and then stopped to see how bad my pcos were and if i would have problems conceiving. i had three periods and then found out i was pregnant!\n\ngood luck!
416618
Yes I had to have a total hysterectomy because of cyst on my ovaries and I'm only 27 years old. I had it about 3 months ago and the only thing that I really had to deal with was depression because I thought  that I was too young and I really wanted to have kids. Good luck to you I hope all goes well.
118935
it is possible that your ovaries are not giving you the normal amount of hormones.  Ask your Dr. to run a hormone panel on you.  If the levels are alright it is probably the depression that most of us feel after the operation.\n\nI was 39 when I had it done and after 6 months on an anti-depressant I feel pretty good although I tire much easier.
326528
You definately need to get checked out by a doctor.  Like the girl above, I had problems with a cyst on my ovary.  I'd thought I was preg. but the doctors said the tests were negative.  I ended up having to have surgery and I lost an ovary over the whole ordeal.  I'm not trying to scare you, just seriously encourage you to get a second opinion.\n\nThere are free clinics in many areas, but if not, you still need to see a doctor.  Many clinics offer payment plans if the bills get too high for you to pay and some even offer debt forgiveness if you have a very low income.  Do some quick shopping around over the phone. (Ask them what sort of help they have available to individuals with low incomes)  If all else fails, go to the doctor anyway.\n\nEven if you think you can't afford it, your health is far more important than your credit or a doctors bill.  If you end up with a bill you don't think you can pay, try to work with the provider before it goes to collection.  Send them whatever payment you can afford and they might not send the bill to collections.\n\nDefinately think of your health first.  There could be serious problems and it's not worth risking your health.\n\nBest wishes and good luck.
173252
Firstly - well done for taking the long journey out of your eating disorders\n\nSecondly - they could be some residual effects of your condition where your ovaries are 'taking stock' of the new situation in your body.\n\nThirdly you may have an almost symptomless condition 'poly cystic ovary syndrome' which can play havoc with your periods without you being pregnant.\n\nMaybe tho take a pregnancy test for your own peace of mind before consulting your doctor about this if it doesn't resolve itself soon
126681
I have extemely bad pain on both my ovaries, if its right after your period then you are just probably ovulating, if its before during and after tou might have ovarion systs. I have them and my doctor put me on birth control to reduce the systs. It helps alot. You should go to the gyno, the only thing that you prepare yourself for is when he is examing you and they do a papsmear, you might get a bad cramp like a period cramp it lasts only 2 seconds i wouldnt lie i am the biggest wimp when it comes to pain. You will be fine. If your on long island you should see Dr. John Vullo in West Islip he is great one of the top gyno's. Thats who i see.
74379
It sounds like middleschmirtz. You can look it up on the web (yea, that is really the name). It is painful ovulation. Starts about two weeks or so after your last period began. It can cause mild to severe cramping feeling and lower back pain. (You would think we suffer enoung with the rest of the whole female cycle! Geesh!)\n\nLook in to it. That may be what is going on. \nAnother that I can think of is ovarian cysts. That can cause quite a bit of pain and discomfort too.\n\nEither way, if it continues, probably would be a good idea to see your OBGYN
632505
i was diagnosed with PCOS last summer, and i did not get a pap. i got an abdominal ultrasound and blood work for the following:\nestrogen and progesterone levels\nLH/FSH ratio and levels\nfree testosterone\nfasting insulin levels\nlipid panel, including HDL and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides\n\nyour daughter will also have to have an ultrasound done to see if her ovaries are okay and there are no cysts. generally if the LH/FSH ratio is relatively low, she won't have cysts (example: mine was about 3.3 and i didn't have any cysts, but if it were much higher, like 9, chances are there are cysts that will look like a small pearl necklace when viewed on the ultrasound).\na transvaginal test can also be done. the doctor inserts a small instrument in the vagina (not too deep) and it's supposed to give accurate results on whether or not there are cysts. i declined to have this test done because as a virgin, i was nervous about it at the time. now that i'm married, i would get one done. so your daughter should rest assured about that and the pap.\nand even if she were to get a pap, the doctor would use a pediatric speculum which will do no harm to your daughter's virginity. believe me, i've been there.\nso good luck for your daughter. my heart goes out to her especially if she indeed has this syndrome, because i know exactly what she could be going through. i had excess hair on my face, neck and abdomen, and facial acne, and it can be frustrating. please, if she is diagnosed with PCOS, please please get her to start a good diet and exercise regimen because it's extremely important that she stays in shape and eats right. and she will be fine and live happily and prosperously. PCOS is not a death sentence, and if managed well, she can have lots of kids and live a normal life.
360571
I've had irregular periods since I've started.  There was a time when I would have my period, be off a week or two and have it again. Then I would have a period that would last weeks. (the longest was 8 weeks!!) Anyway I was diagnosed with PCOS (polycyctic ovarian syndrome). It complex, but it deals with a hormone imbalance. Keep track of your cycles and if it continues being irregular like that go to your doctor. (S)he may put you on birth control to regulate your cycle
297115
Yea, something called acanthosis nigricans is the reason for the darkened skin under the arms, around the neck area, between the thighs, and occasionally in other areas. And yea, I'm experiencing the same things as well....weight fluctuating, and I have really serious menstrual pains. Are you getting treated for it? If not, you definately should. I went to an endocrinologist and got started on birth control pills to regulate your hormones. Hope it gets better!
392270
I am sorry that you are in so much pain.  I understand what you are dealing with.  I had an ovarian cyst rupture about 2 years ago, it was terrible.  I thought I was going to die, it was worse than childbirth.  I found getting a massage in that area by my husband to made me feel better, as well as a hot bath, but that was more in my head than anything. The only thing you can do is take pain killers and try to rest.  The body will absorb the fluids.  \n\nAfter 5 days I might consider having the situation reevaluated, sometimes doctors miss something.  I was dealing with the situation for 3 days, and 2 of those days I was in the hospital. \n\nI hope you feel better.
373524
Ovarian cysts suck tremendously. I sympathize with your pain. A friend of a friend had an ovarian cyst that interfered with her pregnancy (the fetus couldn't develop correctly and would have been mentally retarded) and she had an abortion. But she was also often in much pain. Best wishes in finding some remedies to ease it.\n\nI recommend (unless you've already tried unsuccessfully) going on the pill. And, for coping spiritually, I recommend yoga (but I recommend this for just about anything). Nina Wise, a freelance artist and dancer, writes a section in her excellent self-help creativity book, _A Big New Free Happy Unusual Life_, on how art and movement helped her deal with the physical pain from a bout of cancer.
275123
I have PCOS (it used to be called stein leventhal syndrome) it is hereditary and every woman who has it has different symptoms and experiences so medications are on a case by case basis. There is a strong link to insulin resistance (pre-diabetes) so a diet that minimizes bad carbs is helpful. I have had difficultly in the past but I am about to have baby number 4 and I got my insulin resistance under control with diet and exercise - I still have weight problems but my blood work has improved. Talk with a reproductive endocrinologist for more detailed information. I hope this all helps.
358290
I am 34 and I have pcos I have 3 children and I did not seek a dr for help.I just kept a really good calender of my periods,when I started,how long it lasted and I kept record of my temperature,I took my temp every morning before getting out of bed,before you ovulate you will notice a change in temp,It took me almost a year to get pregnant with my 2nd child and it took me 3 months with my last.don't give up,you are still young just keep a good record and if you should have to go see a fertility dr take your records with you but I would at least keep a record for 3 months to develope a pattern and allow at least 8 months of trying to become pregnant before seeking help.\nHope this helps you and I wish you Luck.
430752
Back in August I had my period for 9 days straight....constant cramping, sometimes feeling like contractions, and constant bleeding. (There was even a red ring around the toilet, gross!) Anyways, I KNEW this wasn't normal for me and went to the doc's. Finds out I have ovarian cysts which was causing this, I don't know exactly why, and not saying this is your problem, but if it's not normal for you, which it's obviously not since you are frightened, I would suggest a visit to the old doctor and see what's going on.  The worse he can say is he doesn't know and to keep an eye on it, which unfortunately wouldn't be suprising, but just knowing you went to get it checked on can help calm you down.  Good luck to you!
459606
I am very sorry to hear you have endometriois. I was diagnosed with it when I was 16. I am now 24 and let me tell you, its not the most fun thing to deal with. Periods for me are very painful every month, I have pelvic pain also associtated with this now. The other people who answered were right, there is no cure, and you do have a timeline of if and when you can get pregnant. At 24 my timeline has passed, and I will never be able to bear my own children. Every case of endometriosis is different. You really shouldn't stress out over it. When you see your Dr. make sure to ask him/her ALL the questions you have. When I was first diagnosed they put me on birth control, pain pills, hormomones and testerone. But like I said it effects everyone differently. I wish you the best of luck and hope you get to feeling better soon. I sincerely feel for you.