chubby babies, sugar, and hormones
Comments (0) I’ve thought about writing this blog post for a few weeks and at first I wasn’t 100% that it was something to share…but after talking to my friends, I’ve realized that this topic is something that affects all women, which shockingly wasn’t obvious to me before.
Several weeks ago I was diagnosed with PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome. PCOS affects between 5-10% of the female population and is the most common endocrine issue in women. Just about every woman I’ve talked to either has PCOS or has a friend with it (well besides me). PCOS tends to run in families and so my diagnosis really didn’t come as a surprise, since I already knew women in my family who have PCOS…it just so happens that only within the past 6 – 7 months I began experiencing an increase in symptoms. PCOS is basically a hormone imbalance that causes cysts to form on the ovaries which can affect a woman’s fertility. As woman in her mid-twenties, that’s sorta of a scary thing to grasp – I’m not thinking babies now but I do want children eventually. Besides thinking about my future fertility, I have also started thinking about a lot of other things – birth control, diet, and overall lifestyle choices. PCOS can not be cured but by maintaining a healthy weight, making healthy food choices I can help curtail the hormone imbalances. To help with some of the other issues, acne and irregular periods, often times birth control is used help rebalance hormones while you work on lower your weight and regaining a healthy lifestyle.
I’ve felt pretty overwhelmed.
It’s all weird.
All women have different experiences but so far this is mine.
The pill wasn’t something I really ever considered seriously prior to a few weeks ago. I’ve flirted with the idea before but I’ve never been a good medicine taker…I don’t even take two tylenol when I have a headache, so taking hormones daily is really foreign to me. I know the pros and the cons, but I haven’t been on it long enough to know whether or not it’s something I’ll stick with long term. The perks of less acne, something I’ve always struggled with, and the comfort of regular periods sounds fantastic but, eh, there are other less desirable side effects that hopefully I won’t experience.
Weight plays big role in controlling PCOS and I could really afford to lose maybe 50+ pounds. Weight has been struggle for me basically since father died over 7 years ago. I’ve never been slender but I’ve definitely put on weight in the past 7 years. With increased weight in women with PCOS comes the possibility of having insulin resistance – which isn’t quite the same thing as diabetes but it does affect how your body processes insulin which can inhibit weight loss. While healthy eating and exercise help, research has shown taking diabetic drugs can help the weight come off by balancing insulin levels. I have an appointment in a few weeks with an endocrinologist to discuss my insulin levels and the possibility of taking diabetics drugs. The idea of adding two drugs to my daily routine scares me but the weight loss sounds amazing.
Babies. cute, chubby, babies. I want children. If you would have asked me 10 years ago, I would have predicted by 27 years old, I would have already have a baby or two. Thankfully that isn’t my reality. I have a great life, an interesting career, a fulfilling life, and I’m happy and right now that happiness doesn’t include kiddos – but I do look forward to day it does. I’m trying really hard not to focus on the fact PCOS can/probably will affect my ability to get pregnant and the older I get the more complicated all that will be, because really all I can do now is be as healthy as I can be and cross the baby bridge when I need too.
So. I’m not really sure how to end this post. I don’t have any profound observations, ideas, or comments….this is just the beginning to a new, healthier me.
Themocracy