PCOS Problem Magnets - The Lighter Side of PCOS

For those of you who enjoyed the humorous PCOS themed ecards, I have made a series of magnets with the same theme.  This magnet series explores the "lighter" side of PCOS.  It's good to laugh sometimes; it heals both the mind and the soul. This design will be available soon in sticker form as well - to help raise PCOS awareness and give a little chuckle to those who understand the "inside jokes."  These magnets are great little stocking stuffers for "cysters" or even to use for PCOS convention goodie bags and giveaways.  To see when new magnets are added, follow me on Twitter.


See other gifts available on Zazzle.

Trinessa Discontinued in Some Areas

Earlier this month, I sent my hubby to pick up my medications.  Among them was my birth control, Trinessa.  I've never been crazy about Trinessa, because it breaks me out (even worse than just having PCOS) during the first 2 weeks of the pack.  I put up with it because I don't have health insurance and the pills are pretty cheap.  I spend $9 a month with no insurance.  If I were going to take the name brand (Ortho Tri-Cyclen), I would end up spending more than double that amount!  But I digress.  When my husband came home with my meds, I emptied the bag and saw this strange new pill pack.  They had changed my birth control.  Instead of receiving Trinessa as usual, I got some cheap-looking little blister pack (with no traditional "compact" design) called "Tri-Sprintec." 

I was certain that they gave my husband the wrong medication, and that he would not have known better even if he had seen it before they placed it in the bag.  I called the pharmacy.  They told me that they do not carry Trinessa any longer - as was the case with all of the pharmacies in my area.  So, I did the only thing I could do.  I started taking the Tri-Sprintec in its place.  For the first time, I did not break out nearly as bad as I had in previous months!  I've got to say that I really love the change!  It is a little cheap looking, yes, but it seems to work so much better for me so far!  If things change, I will update. 

I have done a bit of research on the switch, and have seen that some people report increased heartburn and/or headaches when switching from Trinessa to Tri-Sprintec.  Thankfully, I have not noticed these changes in myself.  *Knocks on wood* 

For those of you who currently take Trinessa, has it been discontinued in your area?  If so, will you be making the switch to Tri-Sprintec or Ortho Tri-Cyclen?

PCOS More Prevalent in Lesbian Women?

There is research that suggests that PCOS is more widespread among lesbian women than in heterosexual women.  The research hypothesizes "that hyper-androgenism, which is associated with PCOS, may be one of the factors contributing to the sexual orientation of women."  The article states that "the hormonal and biochemical imbalances associated with PCOS, such as elevated testosterone levels or decreased sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) may contribute to the sexual orientation of women who are attracted to other women."  The research concludes with the fact that PCOS prevalence is twice as great for lesbian women.  This poses the need for further research into why lesbian women may be more prone to PCOS.  To read the full article, click here.

 *It is important to note that I neither agree nor disagree with the findings contained in this article. I merely found it of interest and wanted to share.

Smoother Shaving with Natural Products

As someone with PCOS, I know firsthand what a hassle it can be to shave.  I have to shave my legs every single day if I don't want what my kid calls "pricklies."  If I shave my legs in the morning, come evening, they have a "5 o'clock shadow."  Icky.  It's depressing.  And tiring.  But what I hate more than the frequency of which I have to shave my legs, is the razor burn that I get from it.  I have tried Bikini Zone cream/gel for my legs.  While it does improve the razor burn, because I have to shave so often it can get quite costly.  It also has a strong chemical odor which I'm not very fond of. 

There are two natural remedies that I use that currently make my shaving process go a lot smoother (pun intended).  First of all, let me start by saying that you don't have to use the natural versions of these products, but I find that the natural versions keep my sensitive skin from reacting.  If you have sensitive skin, I suggest you also use natural products.  But I do understand that natural products are more costly, so if you can't afford them, just try to find "sensitive" or "fragrance-free" versions of the cheaper brands.  Some of the most common natural brands you will see are: Tom's of Maine, Burt's Bees, Gud, and JĀSÖN.  Heck, you could probably even make your own natural products if you feel up to it.  In the long run, you'll spend way less money if you make them yourself.  :)

First thing's first - your skin should be soft and moisturized.  There are many shaving gels and creams available for women that help to moisturize the skin when shaving.  I've never really cared for shaving creams, because I've never found one that I like enough and that doesn't hurt my wallet (remember, I have to shave my legs daily).   For the past seven years I've been using conditioner to shave my legs.  Yep, plain ol' hair conditioner.  Conditioner has oils in it to moisturize your hair and scalp, which will soften your leg hair before you shave and your skin after you shave!  Because it is oil-based, a little bit goes a long way.  A small dollop in your palm will easily cover your entire leg.  Unless you have ridiculously long legs - then you may need more.  But we don't feel bad for you, because you have long legs and we're all insanely jealous of you!  ;)

Using conditioner by itself will make you notice a huge difference, but as an extra measure you can also use a "secret weapon" to combat razor burn.  A few months ago, I read that some women use deodorant to keep razor burn at bay.  I thought about it.  It made perfect sense, because I rarely get razor burn on my armpits (where I already apply deodorant).  So I gave it a try.  I used the deodorant to make a "streak" down the length of my leg and then rubbed it in with my hands.  But the real test was my bikini area.  It worked!  Not a bump or red spot could be found!  The only stipulation when choosing a deodorant is that it must be the solid (stick) kind.  Roll-ons and clear gels don't seem to work as well.  Unfortunately, the crystal deodorants don't work for me either.

For those of you who have/do use these methods already, how are they working out for you?  And for those of you who are just trying them, let us know what you think of your results!

Reduce the Side Effects of Metformin

It's a surprise to me when I hear someone say, "I have been on Metformin for X amount of time, and I still suffer from the side effects!"  Through a little bit of research and a little bit of personal trial-and-error, I have discovered that while you may not be able to completely alleviate all side effects of Metformin, you can at least reduce them.  There are so many people who are afraid of taking Metformin because of the terrible side effects they hear tell about.  But there's no need to be afraid if you're willing to put in just a skosh of actual effort.

1.  Start Metformin by itself.  You need to make sure that when you first start taking Metformin, you are not starting any other medications at the same time.  You want to start Metformin by itself, so you're able to gauge your reaction to it.  If you're already taking a medication, that's fine, keep taking it.  But try not to start any other medications for 2 weeks before or 2 weeks after starting Metformin.

2.  Ease yourself into it.   This goes with any new medications.  "Wean" yourself onto the Metformin.  Adjust your dosage size (with your Dr.'s permission, of course).  Take less of it at the beginning, and gradually increase your dosage until you are taking the recommended amount.  For more information on this, see my post here about how adjusting my Metformin dosage made all the difference in my initial reaction to it. 

3.  Purchase a cheap blood glucose monitor.  This is really just a precaution.  Metformin will lower your blood sugar, and it's just good practice to be able to check it when you're feeling "off."  It is very rare that Metformin will lower your sugar enough to make you hypoglycemic, but better safe than sorry.

4.  Watch what you eat!  This is the BIG one.  I can't tell you how many people do not know this about Metformin!  It's actually quite scary that so many people take it and have no idea about this.  Loading up on carbs and sugar while taking Metformin will always give you an... *ahem* laxative effect.  If you are eating properly (that is, low carb and low sugar), your chances for "intestinal distress" are greatly decreased. 

5.  Take Metformin with your last meal (preferrably protein-heavy).  There are actually two reasons for this.  First, when you take it at the end of the day, you are able to think back about what you ate that day.  You'll know that if you had a good deal of carbs and sugar, that you will either have to "suffer the consequences" or opt to skip the pill that day.  Second, when taken late in the day with a good amount of protein, you are simply less likely to have any issues. 

6.  Get some activity.  It seems to me that on "lazy" days I have more abdominal cramping than on days where I get a good 30 minutes of exercise.  The good news - the exercise does not have to be strenuous!  Something as simple as 30 minutes of cardio or even yoga is good enough to keep the "loose bowel monster" at bay.  ;)

I'm not claiming that if you follow these steps that you will be 100% side-effect-free, but I know that your side effects will be less troublesome.  If you follow all of these steps and are still having issues, it might be time to consider another medication.  Metformin does not work for everyone, but if you aren't willing to put in any effort at all, it almost certainly will not work for you.

Another PCOS Ecard to Make You Chuckle

I had so much fun making the last ecard, that I decided to make another one. This time, it's some "thick middle" humor.

PCOS Ecard for Those TTC

Here's a little humor for those PCOSers who are (or were ever) trying to conceive:

Coffee + Baking Soda = Natural Hair Removal?

Ok, so I loves me some Pinterest.  I could sit on Pinterest and waste my entire day if no one bothered me.  Seriously - the entire day.  Well, if you're an avid pinner like myself, you may have stumbled across a mighty popular pin claiming:

"No Way!  Finally, a way to get rid of unwanted hair naturally ANYWHERE!  For 1 week, rub 2 tbsp coffee grounds mixed with 1 tsp baking soda.  The baking soda intensifies the compounds of the coffee breaking down the hair follicles at the root!"

Oh. Em. Gee.  Hair removal that is easy, natural, and cheap!  I've gotta try it right this minute!  Whoa, whoa, whoa.  Hold your horses there, Sailor.  Do NOT - I repeat, DO NOT - use this at home hair removal method!  Baking soda and coffee are indeed both natural, but the rest of that information is utter bunkum!

Coffee contains caffeine, and caffeine stimulates hair growth!  There are a good deal of shampoos that help with hair loss, and you'll never guess what they contain... caffeine.  Not only will your hair grow faster and thicker, it will most likely end up darker.  Why darker?  Coffee is used to naturally and temporarily dye your hair a shade or two darker.  What would happen if some poor soul saw that pin and put it on their upper lip (where the hair might be lighter or barely visible)?  They could end up with a full-blown fu manchu!  Ok, so that's a bit of an exaggeration, but my point remains.  Coffee is a stimulant and should never, ever, ever be used to remove hair.

That being said, if you wanted to use coffee on your hair (the hair on your head, that is), that would probably have some pretty nice benefits.  It adds shine, promotes hair growth, and can temporarily (for a week or two maximum) darken hair a shade or two.  If your PCOS symptoms include hair loss, I would give coffee a try - but only on your head!

Armpits4August

Armpits for August [or Armpits4August] is a month-long charity event.  Throughout the month of August, women supporting PCOS awareness are growing out their armpits in a show of solidarity.  Because one of the most common side effects of PCOS is hirsutim (excessive hair growth on the face and/or body), these women grow out their pits through the whole month of August to show unity and empathy for PCOS sufferers.  If you would like more information about this organization, please see the links listed below.

Armpits4August Organization

Armpits4August on Facebook

Purchase Armpits4August Merchandise



Adjusting Metformin Dosage

A few months ago, Dr. F told me that she would like to put me on Metformin.  Why?  I was clearly having an insulin resistance issue, as could be seen from my "thicker-than-average" middle.  So, what would the Metformin do for me exactly?  In the words of Dr. F, "Instead of fighting an uphill battle to lose weight, the Metformin will regulate your blood glucose levels and it will be more of a downward slope.  It will give you the edge you need."  Woo-hoo!

After saving up the money, getting the bloodwork done, and finally getting the prescription in my hand, I marched my "thicker-than-average" booty down to the pharmacy to pick up my pills.  I waited til the first Monday after I had them.  Why Monday, you say?  Well, silly, because I always start everything on a Monday.  ;)

I took my first pill (500mg) that evening and didn't notice anything different.  When I woke up the next morning, I felt very strange.  In a haze.  Almost drunk.  Drugged.  I tested my blood glucose (with a handy little blood monitor that I got from Kroger for $4.00 the week before).  88.  Well, that can't be right.  That's not very low, and it's certainly not low enough to exhibit any signs of hypoglycemia.  So, I called the nurse at Dr. F's office.  She seemed to think the same thing.  It simply wasn't low enough for me to feel that way.  She was dumbstruck as to what might cause this kind of reaction and advised me to perhaps cut the pill in half and try a lower dose.

For 4 days, I took 1/4 pill.  No side effects.  For the following 6 days, I took 1/2 pill.  Still no side effects.  I was incredibly nervous about taking a full pill, but I bit the bullet.  NO SIDE EFFECTS AT ALL!  I was amazed and relieved.  Now, if it actually works for the weight loss, we will have to see.  I don't want to weigh myself too regularly, because that's just a recipe for disappointment and/or depression.  But I will keep you gals posted on my results when/if I see them!

So, if you have to take Metformin for your PCOS, don't despair if at first you feel like crap.  You just have to figure out the best way (for you) to take it.  Everyone is different, and your doctor will be able to advise you on adjusting the medication if you need to.  I've heard of so many people just quitting the medication because they didn't like the side effects, without ever really trying to adjust the dosage.  That's sad, because if they had eased into it slowly, they might have really loved the end results.



Common PCOS Terms

When I first started visiting PCOS communities online, I had no idea what half of the terms and abbreviations meant. 
I made this little list for newbies to include some of the most common terms used by "cysters."

AF - aunt "flow"
B12 - the vitamin B12
BD - baby dance (intercourse)
BC - birth control
BFN - big fat negative (as in a pregnancy test)
BFP - big fat positive (as in a pregnancy test)
BG - blood glucose
BMI - body mass index (a ratio between weight and height)
BMR - basal metabolic rate (how many calories the body burns when at rest)
BS - blood sugar (same as blood glucose)
CD - cycle day (the day your period starts)
CM - cervical mucus
Cyster - an individual diagnosed with PCOS
DF - dairy free
DH - dear husband
DTD - do/did the deed (intercourse)
EF - egg free
Endo - endocrinologist (a doctor who specializes in hormones)
GF - gluten free
GW - goal weight
HPT - home pregnancy test
HS - hidradenitis suppurativa (a skin condition that looks like large boils)
HSG - hysterosalpingogram (x-ray of the uterus & fallopian tubes)
HW - highest weight
IBS - irritable bowel syndrome
IVF - in vitro fertilization
LC - low carb
Met - metformin (a medication used to regulate BG levels)
NF - nut free
OPK - ovulation predictor kit
PCOD - polycystic ovarian disorder (same as PCOS)
PCOS - polycystic ovary syndrome
SF - sugar free
SO - significant other
Spiro - spironolactone (a medication used to treat blood pressure, acne, and/or facial hair)
TTC - trying to conceive
Veg - vegan or vegetarian

Have something to add to the list?  Include it in the comments below!



An Overview of PCOS

PCOS (or PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome) is pretty much exactly what it sounds like:  "poly" meaning many, "cystic" meaning containing cysts, and "ovary" which means patella.  Just kidding "ovary" means ovary.  Always.  (In case you didn't know, "patella" actually means kneecap.  You're welcome.)  However, before I begin, it is important to note that not everyone with PCOS has cystic ovaries, but most do.  There are always exceptions to the rule, aren't there?  Of the women diagnosed with PCOS, it is estimated that less than 2% have no cysts present.  So, it's rare, but it does happen.

But what exactly is PCOS; what causes it; how do you know you have it; what are the dangers; and how do you cure it?  All good questions.  Let's take them one at a time, shall we?

What is PCOS?  It is a hormonal disorder seen in women.  It is present in your system at the start of puberty, you just may not know it until later in life.  A little scary, huh?  Not so.  It's completely manageable, if you follow the right steps.  PCOS will disturb your "normal" hormonal balance and cause you to have too many androgens (male hormones.)  Ok, that last part is a little scary.  Too much testoterone can wreak havoc on our feminine bodies, and more importantly, on our self-esteem.  Because of the effect it can have on our self-esteem, it's quite common for women with PCOS to also suffer from depression. 

What causes PCOS?  Not much is known about the cause of PCOS, unfortunately.  It is still being researched, despite that it has been a recognized disorder for over 75 years.  Yikes!  It is pretty widely accepted that PCOS is genetic.  If you have PCOS, it is likely (but not certain) that someone in your family (your mother, grandmother, a sister, etc.) has it as well.  Certain factors such as weight gain, diet, and exercise (or lack thereof) can make symptoms of PCOS more prevalent in some individuals.

How do you know you have PCOS?  Only a doctor can diagnose you.  There isn't one simple test to take.  Diagnosis is dependant upon medical history, symptoms, blood tests, and ultrasounds.  Some of the most common symptoms of PCOS are:

• Cysts on the ovaries
• Male pattern weight gain (weight gain that occurs primarly around your abdomen)
• Male pattern acne (large, painful, cystic acne usually occurring along the jawline)
• Male pattern baldness
• Irregular or frequently missed periods
• Painful menstrual cramps
• Hirsutism (increased hair growth on the body and/or face)
• Infertility (the inability to get pregnant)
• Insulin resistance (causing elevated blood glucose levels)
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Changes in sex drive (can be either increased OR decreased)

What are the dangers of PCOS?  PCOS causes disturbances in your body and can be linked to sleep apnea, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease.  Not good.

How do you cure PCOS?  Simple answer, you don't.  You cannot cure PCOS, but you can manage it.  Always talk to your doctor about your PCOS management options before you actually start a new treatment.  We are all different, and not all treatments will work for everyone.  Symptoms of PCOS can be managed with:

• Various medications (birth control pills, diabetes medications, blood pressure medications, etc.)
• Diet changes (lowering calories, carbohydrates & sugars, or fat)
• Physical activitiy (increased exercise)
• Surgery (ovarian drilling, sometimes used to increase fertility)
• Homeopathy (natural remedies and plant-based supplements)
• Holistic practices (such as acupuncture or massage therapy)

Baking Soda for Oily Skin

As someone with PCOS, I know the extreme havoc it can wreak on our skin.  For most of my life I've had oily skin, and I had always assumed that it was because I had Italian in me.  Heck, maybe the Italian thing plays a factor in my oily skin, too.  However, I do know that many women out there (who are not Italian) with PCOS complain of oily skin.  It makes sense that oily skin would be a symptom of PCOS, because acne most certainly isn't shy in people with PCOS.  And yes, I have the acne prone skin, too.  :(

When your skin gets oily (or "glowy" as some overly-kind people have to referred to it), you may notice that you are more prone to clogged pores and blackheads.  I know I am.  I have spent hundreds of dollars and received tons of free samples of products that claim to unclog pores and diminish oil on the surface of the skin.  In my search for the Holy Grail of pore uncloggers, I always come back to good ol' sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).

Baking soda is the only thing I've found that consistently dimishes the oil in my pores (at least, so far).  Not only that, but it makes my skin much smoother and softer (you may be able to tell in the photo below).  It has also had a nice effect on my cystic acne.  It doesn't make the cystic acne go away, but it definitely makes it hurt a lot less!  I use it on my scalp as well (because my scalp tends to get oily a little too quickly for my taste) and because it removes the excess oil, it gives my hair the appearance of having more volume.  BO-NUS!

Now, I'm not claiming that baking soda will solve all your skin problems, but do I feel confident that you will at least notice a difference if you use it correctly.  As with any product, the more often you use it, the longer your results will last.  So let's get down to it...

1.  Create your "mask" with a mixture of baking soda and water.  I have found that one tablespoon of baking soda to one teaspoon of water will create a paste with the best consistency.  When I make mine, I use two tablespoons of baking soda and 2 teaspoons of water, because I add half of the mixture to my hair..  Set your mixture right outside the shower so you can easily reach it when you're ready for it.

2.  Get into the shower and run the hottest water you can stand without burning yourself (use common sense here).  Let the steam and the hot water open your pores for about 3 minutes or so.

3.  Grab your baking soda paste and using your fingertips, gently exfoliate your skin, avoiding the eye area.  Concentrate on areas where clogged pores and blackheads appear most often, primarily the T-zone.  I do not recommend putting this mask on your neck or décolletage, because it can be quite drying on areas that are not oily.

4.  Rinse the mask with cold* water immediately after exfoliation, especially the first time you are using it.  You may find that you can leave it on your skin longer for better results, but it's always best to test your reaction to new treatments a little at a time.  Currently, I leave my mask on for about 3-5 minutes, depending on how much of a hurry I'm in.  I use this mask once daily, but you may find that it dries out your skin too quickly, and you may only be able to use it once a week.  You will have to experiment to find your own happy medium.

*Why use cold water when rinsing the mask?  The cold water will close (or tighten) your pores so that less dirt can get back in there and clog them up.  If you really want to safeguard yourself, you can also run an ice cube over your face when you get out of the shower.

 How many of you have tried this method of oil removal?  Love it?  Hate it?