[Winged_Muse]

Finally a diagnosis that makes sense with your symptoms. Hopefully everything will work out so your periods are regular and you are relatively pain free. To check on one thing (I think a typo), it was FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) was it not?

Correct

[Winged_Muse]

Great news that you got a diagnosis. PCOS can be complex so I encourage you to do some research...because there's hormones involved other body systems can be affected for instance weight management and risk of type two diabetes.
Just be aware that if you are sensitive to the pill you may be be sensitive to the IUD as it also contains hormone (though a much smaller amount but sensitive is sensitive) so monitor yourself carefully and if you don't feel well on it then seek further options
Best of luck!

Thank you. I've considered the IUD for a while but have been afraid of the hormones. My sister is sensitive to hormonal birth control but has been on the IUD for over 10 years without any troubles but then again everyone is different so we will see.

[atskitty2]

That's great to finally have an answer.

I would also encourage you to research and explore dietary and natural based therapies for managing this. In doing so for my own health issues, I've seen many articles for pcos treatment. Worth a try, to stay off hormones.

Best of luck. Keep us posted on how you're doing!

[Winged_Muse]

It'll likely be a few weeks before I update as they had to order my Mirena as they do not keep it in the office. Currently still dealing with the pain off and on but i'm managing better now that I'm on a hormone pill to stop my every day bleeding which has made things a lot easier to deal with.

[Winged_Muse]

Well a little update.
I got my IUD inserted Wednesday May 2nd. Wasn't a terrible experience, hurt a little but the doctor I saw knew what she was doing so it was over before I knew it. The time following though has been hell. Bad cramping and pain. My whole body is totally uncomfortable and I've been bleeding like crazy. I called my doc yesterday and she said as long as I wasn't soaking through a pad an hour it would go away like a normal cycle and then go to spotting. My body is tired from bleeding constantly, even more so now. This has been hell..i just hope the IUD is worth it in the end.

[jns]

Ouch, sounds painful. Best wishes on being pain free with no bleeding soon.

[Winged_Muse]

It's been over a week. Still random pain and still bleeding..

[Stillness]

My wife just had a similar off-schedule cycle a couple of months ago that really threw her for a loop. It wasn't as severe or prolonged as your issues, but it was disappointing because it reset her to be on her cycle during our recent vacation. We had planned it so that she wouldn't be. Also, it was particularly difficult, so much so that she missed work and went to her OB-GYN thinking she might have had a miscarriage.

She's also had issues with PCOS and fibroids. Sometimes she'll go in for a check-up and they see no evidence of them. Her last check-up didn't show PCOS. They haven’t seen fibroids in many years. What she believes helps is diet and weight management. When she's a little lighter she seems to have fewer problems. She also feels that minimal meat and dairy helps. She’s a mostly plant-based eater, partly because of this stuff. She even uses almond milk, almond milk coffee creamer, and buys vegan “butter.”

Just yesterday I was watching a video where this doctor was being interviewed talking about the hormonal effects of dairy on women. It's on youtube and called "Pamela A. Popper: Offstage Interview on Diet and Disease.” Maybe you can check it out.

[Winged_Muse]

I could probably use to loose a little bit of weight but I'm trying. I don't eat much during the day anymore. I snack on fruit or have a fruit and grain bar or something. My only big meal anymore is dinner. Dairy wise well, I do use milk on my cereal in the morning, I'm a sucker for ice cream and I'm also a yogurt fanatic and cheese (not as much anymore). That's as far as my dairy goes though. Butter is a very rare thing in my diet as it is. Definitely interesting though and I do believe hormones in our food in general cause a lot of issues as is. I'll look into it though.

[Stillness]

I do use milk on my cereal in the morning, I'm a sucker for ice cream and I'm also a yogurt fanatic and cheese (not as much anymore). That's as far as my dairy goes though.

Sounds like it goes pretty far. You could try to cut it out for a month and see if you notice a difference.

The plant based stuff is at least passable, if you need to replace. The best ice cream I've ever had in my life was some that my wife made that was vegan. There's some decent stuff at the store nowadays too. I don't drink milk anymore, but when I used to eat cereal I used plant-based milk to avoid the gas milk gives me. Once you acquire the taste for them, they're cool. Homemade almond milk is absolutely delicious and fairly easy to make. The cheeses are just okay. I've never seen dairy free yougurt, but I believe it can be made at home. My wife recently made vegan sour cream and cheese for taco night. Really good stuff.