QuestionWhen I was 17 I was bleeding heavily and I was diagnosticated with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome,hormonal imbalance.I gained weight,and the hair was growing unusual on my whole body.I was not sexually active.
That was for about 3 years.I went back and forth to the hospital.I was living in Africa by that time.I was told I wont be able to get kids.
Now I live in The Netherlands.Luckily I got pregnant and I have a 3 and half months old baby.
The reason why I am writting this message to you,is that I would like to know how to deal with my hormonal imbalance.Sometimes,up until I was 23, I had low libido,with depressions,feeling sad,and I gained weight also because they gave me some medications,I suppose something with hormons,pills,back home in Africa.
After that,when I was 23-24,my weight became normal one,my libido also,however I still have sometimes moments of depression and a bit more hair on my body than normal.
I am thinking to visit my doctor,especially because that,after I gave birth,I got my periods once after 1 month,but since then nothing.Moreover,recently I got some pain in my lower abdomen where my ovaries are(the same kind of pain I had when I was 17 and I got diagnosticated),and 2-3 spots of blood.
The point is,is there any risk to take hormons medication,even if my doctor is giving it to me after making full tests of my hormonal imbalance?Are there any side-effects?
I try to sport regulary,I try to eat healthy,almost vegan(no soy),no sugar and so on.
I would be more than happy to get some advices from you.
Thank you!
AnswerHello Joyce,
If you had PCOS in the past, your ovaries have probably returned to that state again. This disorder is an ovarian dysfunction that leads to a hormone imbalance. As a result, the male hormone testosterone increases and the female hormones estrogen and progesterone decrease. THis leads to the side effects that you mentioned. If you are not trying for pregnancy, the hormone environment is corrected by using the birth control pill. If you want to become pregnant, fertility medications are usually required. In some cases, the reduction of weight to a normal level and exercise, or treatment with an anti-insulin medication called Glucophage can sometimes correct the PCOS and the cycles will return to normal (a sign that the ovaries are working normally and the hormone imbalance is corrected. If you look at my blog, I have written extensively regarding PCO.
Good Luck,
Dr. Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
for additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com check me out on twitter with me at @montereybayivf and facebook @montereybayivf
