September is P.C.O.S. awareness month! If you would have asked me what the heck P.C.O.S. was last year, I would have NO idea. But to celebrate the strong women who battle P.C.O.S. symptoms and infertility all over the world, I thought I would share my story.
P.C.O.S. stands for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. P.C.O.S. affects 1 in 10 women. It is caused by an imbalance of reproductive hormones. The hormonal imbalance creates problems in the ovaries, which can lead to an egg in the ovary to not develop , not release , or create a cyst inside the ovaries. It is one of the most common causes of infertility in women. PCOS and insulin resistance often go hand-in-hand as well. There is no cure, but many different options for treatment and managing symptoms like medication and lifestyle changes.
In fall of 2018 I stopped having a cycle. After waiting a few months, and honestly just seeing if I was possibly pregnant…haha I finally went to see a doctor while in Arizona for Clark’s spring training. Through blood work and ultrasounds I was diagnosed with P.C.O.S. To be honest, I was terrified and shocked. The first thing I questioned was fertility. Most women with PCOS can produce an egg at least a few times a year but is typically unpredictable… For me, my body literally does not naturally produce an egg without lots of help. Also, I didn’t fit the typical ‘mold’ of women with PCOS…So what could I even change to help my symptoms and diagnosis?
It’s really easy to allow guilt and fear take over your mind. Thoughts of how us not being able to naturally have kids being my ‘fault’ formed. But the truth of the gospel is that is exactly what the devil wants me to think. Those are the thoughts he whispered into my ear. Thank God for Clark who continuously spoke the truth of God and his plan for us into my heart during this time.
After researching more and speaking with more women who have PCOS, I’m learning that there are many options…and I’m certainly not alone in this. The more I learn, the more PCOS explains so many issues or concerns I’ve always had.
For now, this doesn’t have a direct affect on my daily life other than never having a cycle ….(which some of you probably are jealous of while reading this lol) . But since my P.C.O.S. causes literally zero egg production, fertility is something we are definitely questioning , looking in into medical options, and leaving it to the Lord to answer for us.
Thankfully though, my symptoms aren’t severe with pain, acne, weight gain, and other common symptoms. But considering one in ten women have P.C.O.S. , I am certain you have a few warrior women in your life whether you know it or not. It has taught me not to judge someones appearance without knowing their story. It taught me to stop asking the question “why don’t they have kids yet? / WHEN are you having kids? ”, because some women can’t have kids and would give anything to have children. And, it taught me to actually GO to the doctor when something seems wrong…because it’s better to catch issues now than a year from now. :)
For more information on P.C.O.S. here are some resources that have taught me more about symptoms and treatments :
https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/polycystic-ovary-syndrome
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/symptoms-causes/syc-20353439
