Tara Sharma* 23 is a Delhi-based young woman who shares her experiences of trying to tackle Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) with all its symptoms of acne, facial hair, painful periods, and weight gain.
Please tell us a bit about your condition, as in what you are suffering from?
I am suffering from a hormonal imbalance called PCOS- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome which is caused due to excess male hormones (androgen levels) in females.
I was diagnosed in early 2017, about one and a half years back.
What were the early symptoms?
Symptoms of PCOS included sudden weight gain, cramps during periods, depression, excess facial hair, acne (called as cystic acne), and excess body hair on chest and nipples.
Is there a history of PCOS in your family?
Yes, mother had it.
What is your present condition?
My condition has worsened over the past one year since I did not take the remedial measures as were suggested by my doctor like losing weight and adopting a healthy lifestyle.
My face is full of painful acne which is recurring in nature and leaves scars, periods are very painful, facial hair is excessive as usual causing a lot of embarrassment, and mood swings very frequent.
What medications are you on? Were there any side effects?
Doctor suggested me to take Diane 35 which are birth control pills and have anti-androgen hormones. It’s a pill which is to be taken from the first day of period cycle for the next 21 days. However I have quit taking the medication after 15 days as it was making me put on weight, wasn’t helping in getting rid of the acne and also making me suffer from depression.
What were some of the challenges you faced while handling your condition?
It causes a lot of mental trauma because the person suffering starts to feel ugly because of the excess body weight, excess facial hair, face full of acne and also excess body hair. Moodswings are also very frequent while going through PCOS.
Have you learnt anything in managing this condition that you wish you knew before?
The way to fix PCOS without medication is to adopt a healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly, losing weight, sleeping at least 8 hours every day and avoiding junk food.
Read: 8 Dietary Guidelines for PCOS
What kind of specialists do you consult and how often?
Gynecologist and dermatologist. I’m supposed to consult every month, but I don’t do it regularly.
What resources are available to you in your city to help you in managing the condition?
Good doctors like gynecologists and dermatologists. Parks and gyms where one could often go and walk and exercise to get rid of the excess body weight caused due to PCOS.
Read: I lost 34 Kgs and along with it PCOD, Pre-Diabetes, High BP
Have you had to make some changes to your lifestyle because of your condition?
I have started exercising at least 4 times in a week. I try to avoid having carbs at night so that I can lose weight. I also try to get adequate sleep.
Have you tried complementary medicine or therapies, like homeopathy or yoga?
I have just started taking homeopathy, about two weeks back but haven’t seen an improvement in condition as yet. Yoga, I feel, always helps reduce the negative thoughts caused by PCOS, and I try to do yoga as a part of my gym schedule.
Has it been difficult emotionally to cope with your condition?
It wasn’t very bad in the beginning as the doctor hadn’t prescribed any medicine, but had simply asked me to lose around 10 kgs and adopt a healthy lifestyle. However, because I didn’t do as the doctor had suggested and neglected my health, the condition worsened causing around 15-20 acne/pimples on my face which refuse to go away. It has also been very difficult to lose weight and manage the moodswings.
How has your family supported you in this?
Family is not taking the condition very seriously and is just suggesting me to adopt a healthy lifestyle and avoid junk food to get rid of the symptoms.
Did you see a counselor for support? Were you offered counselling by doctor?
No, I did not see a counsellor and neither was I offered counselling by the doctor.
What was the hardest part of suffering from PCOS?
The painful period cramps and face full of facial hair and acne.
What kept you going?
I have heard that most of the times, PCOS leads to Diabetes and also that it becomes difficult to conceive in case PCOS is neglected and not treated properly. That is what motivates me to get rid of this condition by trying to lose weight and adopt a healthy lifestyle. Also I really don’t want to feel and look ugly anymore.
How has this changed your perspectives in life?
It has just made me realize how important it is to get some physical activity every day, however old or young you may be.
* Name changed by request
Listen to this very useful discussion on PCOS, Obesity and Fertility management
