1st Month On PCOS System

[Deni79]

Hi,
I am 30 years old and was diagnosed with PCOS in my late teens. I had little hope for treating my illness after many years of searching for answers. I had been put on Metformin and Yazmin at least 6 years ago and even though my weight and period were not fluctuating I knew the day would come when I wanted children. Well that day is here and I happened to stumble upon your website and I am very excited to begin my new life. I have been on the system for 30 days and have notice an increase in energy and some of my facial hair hasn't come back as dark and coarse. However I haven't had any change in my weight, but I just started exercising regularly the past week and my diet has improved but could still be better. I know I need to be patient with myself and with the weight loss it will come with time. Ideally I would like to loose 30 lbs before I conceive but would be happy if it came at any time. I do have a couple questions before I conclude my post. I started my last pill induced cycle on 3/12, started PCOS system on 3/13 ended my cycle on 3/15 and was taken off the pill by my doctor on 3/19(I had only taken 5 pills out of the pack). I then stared my cycle again on 3/22 and ended 3/26, could I already be ovulating or could it just be a reaction to stopping the pills? The reason I ask is because I had the mucus that usually accompanies ovulation 4/7-4/9 and did not have protected intercourse. Do you think I should worry and when should I expect my next cycle or when should I take a pregnancy test?:eek:

[drheather]

Hi,
I am 30 years old and was diagnosed with PCOS in my late teens. I had little hope for treating my illness after many years of searching for answers. I had been put on Metformin and Yazmin at least 6 years ago and even though my weight and period were not fluctuating I knew the day would come when I wanted children. Well that day is here and I happened to stumble upon your website and I am very excited to begin my new life. I have been on the system for 30 days and have notice an increase in energy and some of my facial hair hasn't come back as dark and coarse. However I haven't had any change in my weight, but I just started exercising regularly the past week and my diet has improved but could still be better. I know I need to be patient with myself and with the weight loss it will come with time. Ideally I would like to loose 30 lbs before I conceive but would be happy if it came at any time. I do have a couple questions before I conclude my post. I started my last pill induced cycle on 3/12, started PCOS system on 3/13 ended my cycle on 3/15 and was taken off the pill by my doctor on 3/19(I had only taken 5 pills out of the pack). I then stared my cycle again on 3/22 and ended 3/26, could I already be ovulating or could it just be a reaction to stopping the pills? The reason I ask is because I had the mucus that usually accompanies ovulation 4/7-4/9 and did not have protected intercourse. Do you think I should worry and when should I expect my next cycle or when should I take a pregnancy test?:eek:

Hello and thanks for writing in!

I am sorry that I did not see your post and it has taken me so much time to respond.

I am glad to hear that you are using the PCOS System. So, far it sounds like you are doing well.

However, regarding the bleeding, this is not that uncommon. In your case, I am wondering if you did not have another period due to the withdrawing of the pill after starting it. It is possible.

It is also possible that you ovulated during that cycle. You can take a pregnancy test but remember that you will have to wait until around the time your period would be due based on if your last period was 3/22. This will depend on the brand of pregnancy test. Look for the ones that can predict right around the first day of your missed period or the day you expect it.

Keep in mind that even if your period does not start when predicted, this is not uncommon with PCOS but if you are not sure of pregnancy, you should still take the test.

As you continue to exercise and make nutrition changes, I do feel you will continue to see more results as far as weight loss. It can take time to get it all working together. So, keep up the good work.

I hope that this answers your question. Please keep me posted and let let me know if I can help further.

[Deni79]

Hi Dr. Heather,
I am writing to let you know I took a pregnancy test today 5/2 and it was negative:(, but I am still hopeful for the future. I am a little more than half way into my second month and have not lost any weight and I have been feeling a little low both energy and mood. I have been under a lot of stress lately and just can't seem to stop eating sweets. I have stopped drinking sodas and fast food, and rarely slip. I wonder if finding a new job might help with the stress and in turn help me stop reaching for junk food. I do great most of the day but early afternoon and late evening are my weakness. I know the stress is probably what is leaving me feeling low, but does the stress from my job and my condition make it harder to loose weight and does it also make it harder to ovulate? Because if it does then I will certainly have to find a new job and a new way to cope with the stress from the condition. Do you have any words of wisdom that may help me?:)

[drheather]

Hi Dr. Heather,
I am writing to let you know I took a pregnancy test today 5/2 and it was negative:(, but I am still hopeful for the future. I am a little more than half way into my second month and have not lost any weight and I have been feeling a little low both energy and mood. I have been under a lot of stress lately and just can't seem to stop eating sweets. I have stopped drinking sodas and fast food, and rarely slip. I wonder if finding a new job might help with the stress and in turn help me stop reaching for junk food. I do great most of the day but early afternoon and late evening are my weakness. I know the stress is probably what is leaving me feeling low, but does the stress from my job and my condition make it harder to loose weight and does it also make it harder to ovulate? Because if it does then I will certainly have to find a new job and a new way to cope with the stress from the condition. Do you have any words of wisdom that may help me?:)

Hello, it is nice to hear from you. You have made great changes in your diet.

I know you are anxious to see changes in weight. It is still early on and helping to control the stress can help. Stress can impact so much including energy, mood, etc. Stress can also trigger food cravings and binges and make it more difficult to lose weight.

I suggest checking out a book titled "The Stress Connection", by Dr. Wilson. It talks all about stress and the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands put out cortisol in response to stress. This hormone elevates glucose levels to help our muscles and heart handle stress. Unfortunately, we aren't like the cave man, who needed that glucose to run away from that stressful tiger coming after us. We have different types of stress like work, family, rushing around all day.... If we don't burn that glucose, our cortisol and insulin levels can stay elevated.

Also when we are stressed we tend to eat more, and the food we eat more of is usually fatty sugar-filled comfort food, both worsening the problem. Are you able to just rest and relax, and nurture yourself, or do you tend to be on the go all the time? If you are, you need to consider learning how to really let down, and allow your body to rejuvenate.

I would recommend that in addition to the exercise you are doing, that you take 10-15 minutes at least once a day and do some deep breathing or if there is a place for you to take a yoga class, this can greatly help reduce stress and increase your awareness of your body.

These times of day are not uncommon to stick with eating plan. Often in the afternoon, we wait too long until dinner, plan a snack in here so that you have steady blood sugar and not so hungry.

When you are at work, you will have to do some planning and have the options that support you ready to go. Also, eat slowly. We tend to eat so fast that we do not even register the food and taste. This also gives your body time to start digesting food and signaling the brain that food is in the stomach and we may not eat as much.

Since it is later in the day after work, have dinner already made so that you are not snacking when you get home, after dinner, make plans with a friend to go for a walk or get out of the environment for about an hour and window shop, go to a book store, anything that takes you away from the foods you are craving. Have a snack when you get back that is healthy, some nuts, yogurt, apple with some nut butter, cut up veggies.

Another thing that can help is to eat the healthy option first and wait a little while and see how you feel. Ask yourself if you are hungry or if you just want to eat to eat. Keep the food you are trying to reduce out of the house. This will force you to make another choice.

Remember change takes time and remind yourself that you are making these choices to support your own health.

Let me know if this helps or if I can help further.