Oh The Woes Of Unbalanced Hormones: How PCOS Impacts My Mind And Body

September 16, 2025

"I am enough!!"

I feel the buzz of my hormones lately. Sometimes loud, sometimes whispering. It’s been a journey trying to understand how PCOS touches every part of me: physical, emotional, mental. So, I write it down, to see how far I’ve come and how much still unfolds.

I remember when I was about 16, I got the diagnosis with PCOS. Back then, information was sparse. A doctor told me I had irregular periods, acne, extra hair, maybe trouble with weight (this was one the big ones). The default solution offered was birth control pills. Something to regulate my cycle, something to mask my symptoms. I remember swallowing those pills in hopes that things would “straighten out and be normal” but “normal” felt vague.

I didn’t get much help with what was happening inside: the mood swings, the shame when acne flared, the self-criticism when I saw body hair where I didn’t want it, the longing to feel like I had control. The body stuff was visible; the mind stuff felt invisible, even to me.

So What Is PCOS (From My Research, from My Body)?

PCOS is more than irregular periods. It’s a hormonal imbalance involving elevated androgens (like testosterone), often insulin resistance, sometimes many small ovarian follicles (often called “cysts”) that don’t mature properly. The hormonal imbalance affects so many levels of my life. It affects me physically, emotionally and mentally.

Symptoms vary a lot from person to person. Some are very visible (acne, excess hair, weight gain, irregular or absent menstruation), others more subtle, such as, fatigue, mood changes, self-image shifts. Many of the mental and emotional aspects that are not often spoken about among healthcare providers.

There’s also a metabolic piece: insulin (how my body processes sugar), risk of type 2 diabetes (which I have), sometimes higher cholesterol or issues with blood pressure. PCOS ties into many systems. 

The Affects PCOS Has On Me: Mind & Body

" I had to learn that I am not like anyone else and that I am enough as I am."

When it comes to my physical body, PCOS has an impact in many ways. There have been days when I look in the mirror and see pimples, see hair where I don’t want it, see my patterns of weight gain, especially around the abdomen, things I used to blame on “just being lazy” or hormonal teen stuff. Sometimes I feel betrayed by my body, like it’s not cooperating or listening. The weight issue can be quite depressing sometimes because it’s not always as simple as eating right or doing a tone of exercise. If your hormones are unbalanced, it’s a different type of lifestyle you must live to lose weight and maintain it. The hormonal issues must be addressed first. Hormones regulate moods, stress, and weight gain or loss.

Speaking of moods, PCOS influences my mind and emotional health. I’ve felt anxious, especially when I think about whether I’ll ever be understood by health providers, by others, or even by myself. The imbalance in hormones can also cause anxiety, which I manage as well. When irregular periods used to happen, I worried if I was fertile. I worried if I would be able to have any kids? Those were so very valid concerns as my journey to become a mom was one that required many doctors, specialists, and procedures. However, that’s another story for another day. I used to worry if I was normal? Shame has followed many flare-up…skin, weight, hair. I’ve had moments of depression, especially when I compare myself to others and think I’m failing somehow.

Speaking of comparing myself to others, my self-esteem and self-image took a major hit with PCOS. The way my body presents symptoms visible to others always seems amplified in my mind. Acne on a bad day feels like everyone is staring. Facial hair or body hair feels like a mark I can’t scrub off, even when I try. The comparison to others was a habit for me and a bad one at that. I had to learn that I am not like anyone else and that I am enough as I am. It took me years to gain this understanding and confidence.

What Helps Me

Writing in my journal is a major part. It helps me express myself and release any emotions that I am feeling. I am very big on journaling for different matters. Other things that have helped and are still helping include tracking my symptoms (moods, skin, weight) so I can see patterns. These patterns are necessary so that I can gain understanding of what triggers worsen or improve things and not always blame myself.

Lifestyle changes are extremely important when it comes to PCOS. I had to improve my eating habits. I had to learn what foods causes inflammation and flare ups so that I can avoid them. Moving sporadically (walks, some strength work) is also important. PCOS can cause cardiovascular issues, so it’s important to get movement in and keep healthy blood flow.

Getting better sleep is also important. Believe it or not, your hormones are effect by your sleep pattern. Getting efficient rest, can help improve on hormonal imbalance. Another major issue to address with PCOS is insulin resistance or metabolic instabilities. When your insulin and metabolic pieces are more under control, mood and energy seem less volatile, and hormones can be more regulated.

For me, therapy or mental health work is a must!! I didn’t start to take PCOS seriously until I started therapy for other reasons. Talking through feelings of shame, self-worth, anxiety about fertility and body appearance has helped me frame things differently, and I am so grateful for having access to such services. Seeking therapy and mental health still carries a stigma that needs to be dissolved. It is not a weakness to seek therapy. It’s actually a testament to your strength.

When needed, medical treatments for acne, hormonal regulation, metabolic health is an option. We must be honest; some things just require medication for certain people. We can advocate natural remedies, which I do, but there are times when medical treatment is necessary. One shouldn’t be shame for seeking the help that they need. However, I always advocate and ask questions. I’m not accepting “this is all we can do” if I suspect there’s more.

What I Hope For / The Future

The hope that I have for the future is more awareness. I would like to see more doctors who see PCOS not just as “irregular cycles plus birth control,” but as a full body plus mind condition. I would love to see better mental health integration such as screening routinely, offering therapy, and support groups as part of standard care. As always, continued research into non-hormonal treatments, lifestyle personalization such as what diet, exercise, stress relief work best. I would also like to see more compassion for those who suffer from PCOS. I’m learning to treat myself with kindness when symptoms flare, to accept that this is part of me but not all of me. I would like to see a future where young people diagnosed early get information, choices, and feel empowered, not dismissed.

Today, I’m calmer about PCOS than I was at 16. I’m still imperfect, because this condition doesn’t go away, but I’m stronger. Sometimes my body reminds me of its circuits, hormones spiking, mood wavering; but tonight, I remind it that I see it, I hear it, I will continue to learn how to care for it.

I hope this blog has found you in good spirits and that you have enjoyed reading my thoughts and personal experience with a very important subject. I truly appreciate everyone's support. Please leave a comment and share any of your experience and knowledge about PCOS.. You never know who you may be helping. Wishing everyone peace, abundance, and mamy blessings. Please check back weekly for my latest blogs. Some will be personal, others will be about spreading awareness and some will be a combination of both.

-Daphne Oh

Kay Bea Presents

"Same World, Different Perspective