Understanding PCOS: My PCOS Journey From Diagnosis to Daily Life
- Daphne O
- Sep 8
- 6 min read
September 8, 2025
As some of you may or may not know, September is PCOS awareness month. It is a topic that needs more light shed upon it as it’s not often talked about as much. I personally suffer (and yes, suffering is the appropriate word) from PCOS and I would like to share just a bit of my personal experience with it. When I was 16, I was officially diagnosed with PCOS at a time when information about it was scarce (and not much has changed). I remember feeling all over the place. My period were irregular, my skin was breaking out, and yet the only solution offered was birth control. It felt like a one-size-fits-all answer, plastering over symptoms rather than helping me understand what was really happening in my body.
For years, I just settled with the birth control because I had to learn how to advocate for myself and continue to suffer with the symptoms throughout the teenage and younger adult years. It was until I was much older, and the symptoms started to weigh on me when I decided to do more research and understand it better for myself. So, what exactly is PCOS, you might ask? Well let’s talk about the basics.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting between 5% to 18% of reproductive-aged women worldwide (Wikipedia, AAFP). At its core, PCOS involves a hormonal imbalance, elevated androgens (sometimes called “male hormones”), disrupted ovulation, and often, the appearance of ovarian cysts on ultrasound. Any two of the following three features: irregular periods, hyperandrogenism, or polycystic ovaries can lead to a diagnosis under the Rotterdam criteria (AAFP, nhs.uk, Wikipedia)
How I Was Diagnosed with PCOS VS. Current Day Diagnosis
When I was diagnosed, things were rudimentary. I remember it like it was yesterday. The doctor came in and said, “I believe you have what is called polycystic ovarian disease” (at that time it was designated a “disease” and not a “syndrome”). He then went on to say I’ll prescribe you some birth control and it will help ease the symptoms. It did not! All it did was regulate my periods, which I learned wasn’t real periods once birth control was introduced.
Nowadays, things have gotten better with diagnosing. Diagnosing PCOS typically involves:
A review of your medical history and physical exam.
Blood tests to measure hormone levels, glucose, lipids, and insulin resistance markers.
Pelvic ultrasound to look for multiple small follicles on the ovaries (Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, nhs.uk, John Hopkins Medcine).
Screening for associated conditions: metabolic issues (like type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia), blood pressure, sleep apnea, and mental health challenges (Mayo Clinic, AAFP).
In newer guidelines, elevated anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) can substitute for ultrasound in the diagnostic criteria (AAFP)..
Management & Treatment: Then Verses Now
My first, and only, prescription was birth control pills. They were meant to regulate my cycle and reduce acne. That was the limit of what I was offered back then. This was offered to help with hirsutism (excess facial hair), high blood sugar spikes, high blood pressure, headaches, food cravings, and the many more symptoms can comes along with having PCOS.
Nowadays, treatment is more nuanced and there are a few more options such as:
PCOS Lifestyle Changes
This is a big one and, in my opinion, the most important one. Diet and exercise are front and center, even small weight reduction (5%) can improve symptoms, insulin resistance, and fertility (Mayo Clinic, AAFP, Wikipedia). Lifestyle changes have helped regulate my blood sugar and insulin resistance. It has also helped me to get my blood pressure under control, and I was able to get pregnant with daughter after having issues with infertility. However, that’s a different story for a different day.
Medications
Hormonal contraception: Hormonal contraceptives are still widely used to regulate menstrual cycles, reduce androgen effects (like acne and excess hair), and protect the lining of the uterus (AAFP, John Hopkins Medicine). This is something that I would never go back to. Contraceptives were not a good fit for me. However, I do understand that they are a good fit for others. I just encourage that if you choose this route, please do your research on all the types of contraceptives available and choose wisely.
Metformin: Often prescribed for insulin resistance and metabolic symptoms; evidence around its effect on fertility and live birth is mixed (AAFP, Wikipedia). Metformin was the next prescription that I was issued for treatment. However, this was many years later and after I had a new provider. Although many are against metformin because of the initial side effects, I was grateful to finally have something that could help regular my blood sugar levels and help with my insulin resistance. It was a win for me.
Ovulation induction: For those trying to conceive, letrozole is now the first-line recommendation, with clomiphene as an alternative (AAFP, Wikipedia). I can actually go into a very detailed discussion of this type of treatment and maybe one day I will. It would have to be a whole separate blog because at that point in my life I was truly going through some experiences.
Other Options
Anti-androgens (e.g., spironolactone) for acne and hair issues (AAFP). I’ve also been prescribed this medication. It helped tremendously with the acne in my young adult years but not so much with the hair issues. This lifestyle change has helped with hirsutism than any type of medication. I will always advocate for lifestyle changes as first line of defense.
Surgical procedures like ovarian drilling can help induce ovulation if medications fail (Wikipedia). This option was offered to me as well and I am going to leave it at just that.
Fertility treatments such as IVF or in vitro maturation when other methods aren’t effective (Wikipedia).
Specialist For PCOS
Back in my day, my first diagnosis came from a general practitioner. The one who basically just threw birth control at me. In his defense, he didn’t know about it because little was known at the time. Now, better care often involves a team:
Gynecologists and endocrinologists (for hormone management). Because PCOS is a endocrine disorder, it only makes sense to have an endocrinologist as a member of your team. They are ones who will have the latest information and updated studies on PCOS.
Dietitians and lifestyle coaches to support healthy habits. I have also found that adding a nutritionist to the team is very helpful as well. Dietitians and nutritionists are not the same.
Dermatologists for skin-related symptoms.
Fertility specialists when pregnancy is part of the plan (nhs.uk. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Penn State Health, Cleveland Clinic).
What Does The Future Look Like For PCOS
Please understand that PCOS isn’t curable, but it can be managed effectively, especially with early and personalized treatment (Pocket Health, Wikipedia). I recommend discussing lifestyle changes with members of your team as your first line of defense. Individuals with PCOS need consistent monitoring for metabolic and cardiovascular risks, fertility concerns, and mental health challenges to maintain quality of life (Cleveland Clinic, AAFP, Penn State Health, PocketHealth).
Emerging research and technological innovations like AI-driven ultrasound analysis promise more accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment (ArXiv).
On a societal level, there’s growing recognition of the gaps in awareness and care, especially for younger patients, lean individuals, and diverse gender health needs (Wired, Verywell Health, Self).
My Personal Reflection
Looking back, I wish I had known then what I understand now. I wish someone had explained that PCOS isn’t just about birth control, but a complex hormonal and metabolic journey. A journey that requires compassionate attention, lifestyle support, and individualized medical care.
If you're reading this and have received, or suspect a diagnosis of PCOS, know this: you’re not just a symptom. You are learning, adapting, and taking small steps every day toward understanding your body. And one day, you won’t need that one-size-fits-all pill to feel whole. You’ll know you’re doing what your body needs: balancing, nourishing, and advocating for yourself.
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 persona, others will be about spreading awareness and some will be a combination of both.
-Daphne Oh
Kay Bea Presents
"Same World, Different Perspective
References
Cleveland Clinic – Symptoms, treatment, outlook
Mayo Clinic – Diagnosis and treatment
AAFP – Rotterdam criteria, lifestyle changes, medications
Penn State Health – Specialists and personalized treatment
Cleveland Clinic – Ultrasound and blood test diagnostics
NHS – Diagnostic criteria and specialist referrals
Hopkins Medicine – Therapeutic approaches
PocketHealth – Outlook and long-term management
Wikipedia – Overview: causes, diagnosis, management, epidemiology
Wikipedia – Ovarian drilling
Wikipedia – Metformin and PCOS
Wikipedia – Infertility in PCOS management
Verywell Health – Phenotypes and personalized treatment
Verywell Health – Lean PCOS challenges
Self – Challenges in diagnosis and awareness of PCOS
Wired – Addressing gender health gaps, PCOS awareness
ArXiv – AI for PCOS ultrasound classification
ArXiv – PCONet neural network for PCOS detection
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