Mum of a teen who has all the symptoms of PCOS support needed

Hi my name is Cat,

I am not a doctor or health care proffessional but I have PSOC. I was diagnosed about 5-6 years ago. I started having irregular periods in my teen aswell and symptoms delevpoed from there. 

From the symptoms you are describing it sounds like you daughter is insulin resistan. A condition caused by PCOS. I myself suffer with the same. Basically her body is making too much insulin and it can't use it properly so she will gain weight extremely easy but struggle to lose it. The excess insulin also cause high testostarone levels which adds to weight gain and excess hair growth. 

For the weight problems, look into putting her on a Low glycemic index diet. Google it and you can find out all about it. It's the diet my doctor told me i need to be on. 

Unless the doctor diagnoses it however, she will not be able to go on Metformin which is a drug used to treat insulin resistance with PCOS. It helps the body use the excess insulin. The condition also increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes so being careful with her diet is a must. The metformin would also decrease that risk. 

The only thing I can suggest is mentioning insulin resistance to the doctor and see what they say. Metformin isn't a drug you can buy over the counter. It has to be perscribed. 

I hope this has been helpful.

All the best to you and your daughter. 

There are different variations of PCOS. I've hadone for a long time, wasn't diagnosed until 7 years ago.

I am currently getting my upper lip, chin, and neck done. It does work, but I had to sign a paper that due to my PCOS, I do run the risk of having more spring up on me.

I'd suggest getting your daughters levels checked. You don't have to have cystic ovaries to have PCOS. I'm one of those cases. My testosterone is higher, and that is why I don't ovulate all the time and have whacked out cycles. I don't have cystic ovaries.

I agree that a low glycemic index diet does work well. I've had great success with eating a low glycemic index diet.

Hi - I started shaving at the age of 16, and have done it every morning for 10 years. I tried 3 sessions of laser treatment on my face but it seemed to grow thicker! (I have olive skin and very dark hair). I also tried electrolysis recently but wasn't allowed to shave in between sessions which I couldn't do. I've recently taken to epilating my face & neck which is painful at first but has longer lasting results and makes me far more confident at work and in my social life.

I take metformin which is supposed to help the symptoms and I do notice a suppressed appetite. And I do use the vaniqa cream on my face but not convinced it works for me though I do forget to use it quite often.

I was put on dianette to help ease some symptoms and I did notice the hairs on my arms lighten up, but I've stopped taking it and I just don't have periods.

I hope this helps to know you are not alone. It's a horrible thing to have to go through at that age and for me it wasn't something I liked to talk about as it was so embarrassing and my parents didn't understand.

The confidence and ability to talk about it and be proud of my body has taken a very long time but I'm 26 now and managing to live with the symptoms.