PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)?

I am wondering if anyone can help me/has experience in this: I went into my gyn. complaining of various problems that I thought were being caused by being on hormonal birth control. She thought it may be PCOS and did some blood work. Well, the blood work came back normal. I have since switched to non-hormonal birth control. BUT, my doctor told me that she still thinks I have PCOS! I do not have a history of infertility in my family (I have not tried for kids yet), all blood work is normal, and I don't have irregular periods. What I am wondering is, if she still thinks I have it, what do I do? Is there another test I can take? If that is why I can't lose weight, what doctor can I see to treat it? I am confused by this continued "diagnosis" and would appreciate any insight anyone has. Thanks in advance.

My symptoms were as follows: facial hair, weight gain and difficulty in losing weight, scalp hair loss (mild so far), acne, mood changes, and discoloration (darkening) of skin at upper thigh.

I thought it was realted to birth control b/c the symptoms seemed on onset at the time I started taking it- especially the facial hair. Birth control also gave me melasma on upper lip, so I thought maybe iw as just sensitive to the hormones. My gyn suggestes seeing a dermatologist for the acne/facial hair. My dermatologist was surprised at the diagnosis b/c I DO NOT have irregular periods. She thought it was adrenal, but turns out the blood test showed that was normal too.

I have had one cyst on my ovary before, and thus had 3 ultrasounds for that- no mention from my (previous) gyn that there were PCOS like cysys on my ovaries.

Not sure why she still thinks I have PCOS. just keeps saying "it's a syndrome, you won't have all the symptoms." but it seems like I'm missing the big ones.

A few things can be done. I was misdiagnosed with it for reasons I still don't understand.

It is a syndrome - which means it is a bunch of symptoms, and you don't need to have all of them.

Many women will have:
- Acne
- Excess facial/body hair
- Excessive weight gain
- Skin tags
- Dark patches of skin
- Have insulin resistance
- Have enlarged ovaries on ultrasound
- Have pearl-looking ovaries on laparoscopy caused by multiple cysts.

You may present some of these symptoms and your doctor may be explaining them with PCOS. However, if your blood is coming back normal I'd doubt you do because most of them are caused by elevated levels of androgens.

I would ask for an ultrasound to look for enlarged ovaries (sometimes this is present - not always - because not all women with PCOS have enlarged ovaries from multiple cysts because not all have cysts). The more drastic way of looking for problems is with a laparoscopy which is a minimally invasive surgery. I've had one to remove an ovarian cyst (unrelated to PCOS) and I was back doing most of my normal activities the next day. I'd also talk to another GYN if this doesn't work.

You can be tested for insulin resistance. Which is the cause of PCOS and the reason half of the women with PCOS are obese and find it very hard to lose weight. Metformin which is actually a diabetic medication can help with insulin resistance and it's side effects. It even helps some women get rid of their symptoms and start ovulating again.

If it's not insulin resistance causing your PCOS like symptoms it could be a hypothyroid condition. Which you can have a simple blood test for.

What symptoms are you having exactly? You said you thought it was the birth control and your doctor is insisting it's PCOS. Why does she think it's PCOS? The only thing you mention is that you can't lose weight.

I have it too

there's no cure, but you can treat the symptoms.
It can be why you are having trouble losing weight, and it isn't necessarily been proven to be hereditary (I'm the only one in my family with it)

it's like diabetes...you treat the symptoms, and try to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
(hug)

don't worry too much about it. there are a lot of treatments to help with having kids, and all of the other symptoms can be managed.
good luck and God bless