Living with Fibroids or PCOS

As I’ve grown older and more mature in my womanhood, I often hear stories from my older sister, relatives, or friends, who speak about their hardships dealing with Fibroids and PCOS. If you’re reading this and have no idea what either of those things are, let me explain it to you.

• Having fibroids consists of heavy menstrual bleeding that lasts more than a week, pelvic pressure + pain, frequent urination, constipation, back aches, and that is only to name a few of the symptoms.

• PCOS is abbreviated for Polycystic ovary syndrome. If you have PCOS, you most likely have irregular periods, experience weight gain, suffer from infertility, acne, depression, loss of hair, excess hair growth, and cysts on the ovaries. Infertility can be an extreme result in PCOS over the years.

I’ve had my fellow female friends tell me that having fibroids is like having an extremely heavy period that never goes away. The excessive bleeding could result in wearing heavy flow pads and tampons throughout the whole month– instead of the usual 4-5 days one normally gets their period. The cramps could be so excessive that you feel like you are about to pass out if you don’t take pain killers, and this could result in feeling lethargic on a daily basis. Sometimes this difficult health issue is hereditary, and passed down through grandmothers and mothers. Other times, it is a health disparity that doesn’t get diagnosed until some women are in their late 30s. Having either fibroids or PCOS can be extremely expensive as well. With having to go to specific healthcare doctors, receiving treatment, and surgery, these procedures can cost up to hundreds of thousands of dollars outside the normal American health care insurance plan.

PCOS is somewhat similar, with common symptoms that overlap with fibroids:

Unwanted hair growth (also known as hirsutism). Areas affected by excess hair growth may include the face, arms, back, chest, thumbs, toes, and abdomen. Hirsutism related to PCOS is due to hormonal changes in androgens.

Thinning hair on the head. Hair loss related to PCOS may increase in middle age.

Infertility. PCOS is a leading cause of female infertility. However, not every woman with PCOS is the same. Although some people may need the assistance of fertility treatments, others are able to conceive naturally.

Acne. Hormonal changes related to androgens can lead to acne problems. Male hormones can make the skin oilier than usual and cause breakouts on areas like the face, chest, and upper back.

Darkening of skin. You may see thick, dark, velvety patches of skin under your arms or breasts, or on the back of your neck.

Mood changes. Having PCOS can increase the likelihood of mood swings, depression, and anxiety.

If you're thinking that these side effects and symptoms are jarring, it's because they are. Women who live with Fibroids or PCOS often suffer in silence. I've heard countless feelings of desperation, frustration, and isolation, from the women in my life who go through these medical issues on a daily basis.

Unfortunately, doctors can only currently treat the individual symptoms of women with PCOS and Fibroids – rather than the entire syndrome. Once diagnosed, it can be managed effectively in most patients to help them lead healthier and more satisfying lifestyles. In the meantime, research continues to determine the cause and look for new and better treatments for PCOS.

There are diets, supplements, exercises and medications that can help so it’s important to take the first step and work with a professional who knows PCOS.

Bottom line treatments are just as varied as the symptoms. Don't be discouraged to find what works best for you, and take your time getting to where you want to be. Nothing happens overnight, and realizing this is the biggest and most valuable step you can take! If you'd like to share your experience with living with Fibroids or PCOS, please submit to *insert link here*