How I Healed My PCOS
By Madeline Simon
I was the first girl in my grade to get her period, but by the time of my 16th birthday, it had been over a year since my last cycle. Suddenly instead of going to tennis practice, I found myself lying down in an OB/GYN office to get an ultrasound of my ovaries. After it he doctor informed me I had Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), I was immediately prescribed a generic birth control pill and was sent on my way. PCOS, caused by an imbalance of reproductive hormones, can lead to extreme difficulty getting pregnant, as well as uncontrollable weight gain/insulin resistance, excess hair growth, and acne. As I was not trying to get pregnant at the time, the doctor medicated me to regulate my cycle, without mentioning major side effects of the pill.
I am now 24 years old. After eight years, three different pills, three gynecologists, and two endocrinologists, I am finally off the pill and have a relatively regular cycle with significantly reduced PCOS symptoms. I have not had a perfect, holistic journey during which I solved all my issues without medications. But hopefully, by sharing my experiences and tips, I can provide a realistic path for other women who are scared to quit the pill and embrace a more natural lifestyle.
Do Not Rely on Your OB/GYN as the Expert
Issues such as PCOS and endometriosis are complex and under-researched in Western medicine circles. The doctor you see for your regular pap smear or when you are pregnant is unlikely to have the knowledge necessary to treat PCOS. They will put you on birth control to artificially balance your hormones and tell you to just eat less (newsflash: when you have insulin resistance the whole idea of “willpower” goes out the window). I wasted two years blindly taking the pill while my PCOS symptoms were completely controlling my life.
As soon as you start suspecting that you might have PCOS I suggest first seeking out a respected endocrinologist in your area. Endocrinologists are hormone doctors, so they will run through blood work and take the time to talk to you about the issues you regularly experience. You can of course go straight to a Naturopathic Doctor and tackle your health entirely holistically, but in my personal experience, it was beneficial to slowly move myself off of relying on pharmaceuticals vs. quitting cold turkey.
Social Media Is Not a Reliable Source
There is a lot of fake medical advice on the internet. I have to actively work so that my algorithm is not filled with self-identified PCOS nutritionists and self-help ‘experts’. Not every mommy blogger can or should speak for all women dealing with hormonal and fertility issues. In their pages I found myself in a black hole of content. I suddenly thought that my very safe and well-researched acne medication somehow made me a fraudulent conservative woman.
As much as finding a community on social media can be helpful, I urge women going through their health journeys to not give Instagram and TikTok any more power than they already have at this point. In my experience, I have done better both physically and mentally when I was selective about asking for advice. Is this someone I know and trust? What credentials does this person have? What are his or her intentions? These are all questions I consider before trusting anyone with something as sacred as my health.
Be Patient with Your Body as It Adjusts and Heals
When I recently quit taking hormonal birth control pills, my period reverted back to its norm within two months. However, I still take acne medication, knowing I will quit it within the next few months once my skin fully adjusts the absence of birth control. Additionally, I am still taking medicine for my insulin issues, but hopefully, with the help of my new Naturopath doctor, I will reach a place where my body can break down foods normally on its own.
I am sharing all of this to say that healing is a journey. Having a regular cycle for the first time in my life is a major accomplishment, but I achieved it with great trial and error. Maybe if I had seen a Naturopath at 16 I could have solved all my issues years ago, but hindsight is 20/20. I urge anyone reading this to give your body grace as you embark on any sort of healing journey. It will get there-mine did- but it might take longer than you anticipate. Avoid quick fixes and trust the process. Perfection is a fallacy. I am still on the path to natural health, but every day I feel just a little bit closer.
Madeleine Simon is a columnist at the Conservateur, a member of the Nashville Junior Chamber, and a Talent Acquisition Specialist.
Media via Down The South
