Hello, my name is Ashley. Around nine years ago, I found out I had polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). September is the month for PCOS awareness, so today, I wish to share my story.
At that time, I was 13 years old, and I didn’t understand what it all meant. I refused to take medication, and therefore, I was untreated. It wasn’t because the doctors wouldn’t treat me for it. It was because I was stubborn, and I didn’t really understand my situation. After a year of untreated PCOS, I gained a large amount of weight, regardless of how active I was. I found out I had pre-diabetes, and again, I didn’t do anything about it until I was 17. I am now close to being diabetic and have an unresponsive thyroid. I also might have liver problems in the future.
The reason I wanted to tell my story is because I want to help young women my age to understand PCOS and what could happen to you if it is left untreated. My advice is to take the medication now before you have to take shots and more medication or something far worse.
I am now 22 years old. I have tried to fix my situation that was left untreated for years. Slowly, I am fighting to lose weight, keep myself from becoming diabetic, and lower my chances of the symptoms of PCOS. I have no one to blame but myself, but if I can reach a teenager or a young adult who has untreated PCOS and make them realize, “I need to get myself treated,” then my story is worth being told.
Ashley
Alabama
Submitted 09/15/2015
The informational content of this article is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.
This article is intended to convey general educational information and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.
Dear Ashley,
Thank you!
Thank you for being so special and wanting to help others. You have a special way of writing very direct, very honest, and so sincere!
I suggest that everybody, everyone and anyone to read your story because it is strong, very important, very educational and mostly written with love !
With love from Canada,
Brigitte Estelle xxx
Dear Ashley,
I have had PCOS for many years. I will be 40 next Friday. The doctors never treated mine. I was told I would never have kids. My first pregnancy I miscarried at 3 months. I was devastated. still had cyst on my ovaries and they kept telling me it was normal. In 2004 I got pregnant again and it was perfect. He was born with some defects like club foot which was hereditary. I continued to have massive pain on my left ovary, they couldn’t even get close to it on ultrasound. In 2010 I went to a gynecologist who said he would do exploratory. If everything was fine, he’d leave it because they all thought it was from my back. At age 18 or 19 I had a cyst rupture on the left side and from that age til the age of 34 that cyst continued to bleed and clout. The clout got so big it attached itself to my other organs and was pulling then down. needless to say, I ended up with a hysterectomy. I have had thyroid cancer twice. All of this is a struggle every day. I can’t go back and make the Dr.’s listen. You are a very strong young woman. don’t let them ever tell you no. always get a second opinion. If you would like to use some or all of what I have written to help spread the word, please feel free. Elizabeth
Thank you Ms. Brigitte and also thank you Mrs. Elizabeth for sharing your story, I really appropriate it! I am so sorry Mrs. Elizabeth about what happen to you. I actually I went to my yearly check up. They were a little concern about my left ovary, however; they didn’t say much. A few days later I had some strong pain on that side. I was pretty concern and they told me to take some pain medication and if it is still hurting within 3-5 days to call them. Luckily the pain went away. Again I am really sorry to hear that has happen to you.. Keep fighting strong too Mrs. Elizabeth!
Oh my Ashley , I thank you for your strength , you’re courageous fight like a girl attitude, strong gifted writer! I hope your pain eases off a bit, keep that smile and determination to win this battle, keep in contact! ★♡
With love from Québec, Canada
Brigitte Estelle xxx
Have great moments !!