Starting things off!

[Sherri]

Hi! Just wanted to say hello. There are a few of us here -- the Lavender forum is new and we're all used to integrating within the other forums, and sharing "out" and openly at that. If you are a newcomer to the PCOSA forums and wondering if it's an LGBT-friendly place to be, in my experience, it has been. Welcome, and introduce yourself here if you'd like!

[debbymc4]

Just echoing Sherri's welcome!!!!

[CHELLE40]

Hi I'm Chelle and I've had PCOS since I was about 22, but I only found out because they were having studies on why people didnt get their periods, in my 20's my period stopped at 22 and at 28, when they had the study they gave me meds to get my pd..and they told me I couldnt get pregnant, which i was devastated and broke up with my bf about a year later. I turned 30 and prego, but not to my bf. I was upset and happy at the same time..I had my daughter at 24wks and she was 1lb..she went through 12 surgeries and 6 months in the hospital..she weighed 5lbs when i brought her home, now it is 11 yrs later and you would never know anything I went through with her, ..I was on the met for a lil about 8yrs ago I couldnt take it, i was always in the bathroom,so i went off of it. and havent been back to the doctors because i havent had insurance, but I lost 75lbs a year ago in 2months, but gain most of it back..Now Im ready to lose it again..I hate this I dont eat very often and I still gain the weight and as for the facial hair..i guess after 20yrs now I've learned to deal with the shaving every morning..and it sucks because I have dark hair..

[Sherri]

Hi Chelle, and welcome to the PCOSA forums! I was reading your post and so many of us have can relate to various aspects of your story. I'm not sure you realized it, but you've posted in the "Lavender" section, which is for lesbian and bisexual women who have PCOS. Your post doesn't look like you identify in any of these categories -- if I am right about this, I'd suggest copying and pasting your story either in the "General Discussion" section or the "Moms" section. I know you will get a warm welcome and lots of feedback from those of us who have traveled a road similar to yours!

If I have missed something in your story and you did mean to post here in the Lavender section, please give us some more details! Again, welcome to the PCOSA forums, regardless!

[tiacat]

Just wanted to say hi. I am a bi 36 y.o. woman in Canada. Nice to see a "friendly" place:)

Cat

[Sherri]

Welcome, Cat! Tell us about yourself if you'd like. Have you known you've had PCOS for a long time? What's your journey been like?

[momwithlove]

I am a mom with a daughter who is 18, who has just come out! The journey for us has been pure hell as we went from doctor to doctor, phyciatrist to physciatrist and all along knowing we were dealing with pcos. But not one professional wanted to journey with us into pcos. Since coming out it has helped us all, trying to figure out the bigger puzzle. If you are a teen and are wondering about coming out, As a mom , I'd say go for it!! The PCOS is a contributing factor to this all, even though treating the pcos cannot alleviate the feelings. Your parents if they have been on the journey already with you for PCOS, will understand. Alot of people with high androgens experience lesbian or gay feelings and this is a god given gift, that we cannot change or take away. I hope every parent can have the love that I have for my daughter(lesbian or not, she is a child of god). She was given to us to love and cherish with all our hearts!

[Chris]

Hi Chelle- Just wanted to let you know I have had very good results with Saw Palmetto by Gaia Herbs for facial hair. My holistic medical doctor recommended this brand- I have tried others and they didn't work for me at all. You can buy it at some health food stores or online. Swanson vitamins is a mail order company that has a very good price. Good luck!

[Sherri]

The PCOS is a contributing factor to this all, even though treating the pcos cannot alleviate the feelings.... Alot of people with high androgens experience lesbian or gay feelings and this is a god given gift, that we cannot change or take away.

Hi Momwithlove, best wishes to you and your daughter. I'm not sure what yo umean about PCOS being a factor. Is there research connecting high androgens with sexual orientation? I've never seen any. As far as the women with PCOS that I know are concerned, we lesbians and bisexuals are a minority. Most women with PCOS that I know are straight. I'm sure my reproductive endocrinologist would say that most of the women with PCOS that he sees for fertility treatments are straight. And most lesbians that I know don't have PCOS, as far as I know.

Chibow, Debbymc4, or anyone else, have you seen any research on this, one way or another? It's an interesting topic.

At any rate, again, momwithlove, best wishes to your family. It's wonderful that you are supporting your daughter. It's so important for LGBT teens to have the support of their parents, because so many do not. Have you found your local PFLAG group yet? A wonderful resource for parents.

[debbymc4]

I have read that there is a higher incidence of androgen disorders among lesbians, not PCOS specifically. Of course, I have no clue where I read that....it was years ago. But, I did read it.

[diva_dreamer]

I've been in the group for some time but haven't been active for almost a year now. I decided to "check in" because things are going WELL for me. I was happy to see this new "Lavender" forum!! I'm lesbian. Never heard about PCOS being more prevalent in lesbian/bi women. Hum.

I'm 36 and probably have had PCOS since I was very young. I started growing breasts when I was in the 3rd/4th grade. I was always thin and active before then. Crazy how long this took to figure out. I remember thinking "gee, it would be great if I actually had a thyroid problem to blame this weight thing on". Yeah. Then the period started getting very funky and then the facial hair...I had no idea that they were connected until I happened to see a blurb about PCOS on a local news show. It was like..."wow...that's me!" I went to the Dr and she ran tests and sent me to a specialist, and now just about 2 years later I've lost 68 lbs. on the metformin (uh...I know I'm unusually lucky--no side effects on the Met. AND I've basically not changed my diet at all, though I have more energy and feel more like exercising). Spironolactone has helped decrease the facial hair and YAZ has normalized my periods (and my moods, I think).

Anyways...that's me, I'm glad to be back. Oh, and the really good news: 4 days ago I bought the smallest size jeans that they carry in the "fat girls' store"!!!

[SpicedSugar]

PERFECT! :D

Heellooooo, name's SpicedSugar. Got my little intro in the "Teens" section.
Doesn't hurt to chit chat more though ;)

I am bisexual. Known for... quite a while. lol :p
My doc and I aren't sure if I have PCOS, even though I tested "positive" for it. (mostly confusion regarding symptoms, etc...)

wwwweeellll, i'm glad that there are some parents willing to accept their son/daughter is homo or bi.. makes me feel good. My parents personally don't, but then again... it's interesting. my mom simply doesn't believe me and adds "even if you were, that's GROSS!" and my father is a homophobe so i didn't tell him at all :o

ah well. Life goes on. :D look forward to talkin' to more of you :)

[Emily848]

It's great to see this forum. I've been wanting to ask if there were other gay women around here, but wasn't sure how!

I was diagnosed with PCOS about a year ago when my wife pushed me to ask the doctor if there might be any explanation/cure for my excessive body and facial hair. He tested my hormone levels and diagnosed me based on high testerone and DHEA levels and also the LH/FSH ratio. It was weird because I have always associated my masculine traits with being gay even though there are many very feminine women who are gay. But once I was diagnosed, it completely changed that. I realized that my masculinity doesn't make me "butch" it just means I have a hormone disorder. That sounds weird, doesn't it? What I mean is, I like jewelry and feminine clothes, but I have an inherently masculine appearance - and that's OK!

I resisted a lesbian identity as a teenager because I felt like it was what everyone expected of me because of my appearance, and I hate to do what is expected of me! But when I fell in love at 18 that was it, I had to be gay. We've been together for over thirteen years now.

That's great that they created this forum for us, I look forward to checking back in.

[sweetsunshine72]

Hi Emily, and welcome!

Many women with excess androgens struggle with their identity - straight or not. I know I've always been a bit of a tom-boy, but I still like to dress up and look pretty every now and then! lol As I tell others - just because you have a medical issue which gives you more masculine symptoms, you are still a woman. Perhaps a physically stronger, maybe a bit more aggressive woman, but still a woman. That means that you have a heart and soul just like the rest of us. I'm glad that you were able to push aside other people's expectations and decide what is right for you.

There is supposed to be something about lesbian/bi women being more likely to have androgen disorders (like PCOS) - something about hormone levels while in the womb, I believe. I think it is a real study, not just something cooked up to "explain butch women", but I can't find the study now. If I find it, I'll post it for everyone.

Anyways, welcome! Take care!

[Poetic]

Hi I'm Jacqueline from Ontario Canada. I'll be 25 this coming sept.
I just found out that i have PCOS (minus the ovarian cyst) i actually knew I had this for about 6years i had been asking my doc to check it out for me which he always told me " just lose weight, and when you find a husband and want to have babies worry about it" mind you I told him that would never happen i'm a lesbian and happy with that fact. anyways my gf finally got fed up and took me to the womens clinic and my new doc who is an awesome woman who is very accepting she ran all the test and came out that i was right. but now not only do i have pcos that went untreated for so long i've developed a Fatty liver, and onset type 2 diabetes. i found this all out friday and i'm still trying to deal with it all. it was alot for me to take in.

either way i'm here, and i'm queer and i have pcos and looking for women who can identify with my problem, i just need that support you know?

[sweetsunshine72]

Hi Jacqueline,

I am originally from Toronto (now in New Brunswick), so, welcome neighbour!

There's a TON of information about PCOS and how to manage it on the General Discussion board. The good news is that treating your T2Diabetes will also help treat your PCOS, especially the lifestyle changes (I'm talking diet and exercise, here, NOT husband-hunting!!! I can't believe he said that - well, actually I can! :p)

Take care, and feel free to post on the other boards, too - discrimination in general is not tolerated here! There are other queer and bi women who have posted - you can even find them in the Fertility board as they TTC with donated sperm!

Anyways, welcome, and I hope you find all the answers and support that you need! :)

[dustyfro]

Hi ladies,
I'm Hannah. I'm 25 and I was diagnosed with "a form" of PCOS about a year and a half ago (I don't have weight symptoms but I've got everything else). My doc put me on birth control, and I was on it up until this month when I went rogue and decided to try the natural route. I have insurance that would only cover me if I got in a horrible accident, so paying $40 for monthly meds isn't my bag. It's also the reason I haven't talked with my doctor or a naturopath, even though I would like to.
I'm bisexual, and I also figured that this is a good place for someone who's not trying to get pregnant at the moment. I want to treat all my symptoms, not just have my "cured" litmus test be having a baby. I haven't been in a relationship with anyone since way before my diagnosis was confirmed, and I've got a lot of anxiety about it because I'm afraid no one will want to get close to me with scarred skin and facial hair, but I'm looking forward to my body functioning as it should.

[sweetsunshine72]

Hi Dusty,

Welcome to the boards! :)

There are many women here who aren't looking to conceive for many reasons, so don't be afraid to post in the General Discussion, Lifestyle, or other areas, too!

You're absolutely right in that PCOS is a lot more than "just" a fertility issue - it's really a metabolic issue that happens to have gyno symptoms. Left untreated, PCOS is connected to high triglycerides, high blood pressure, and a higher risk of developing diabetes.

If you haven't already, make sure you read the FAQ's at the top of this board, or at the top of the General Discussion board. It has a TON of information!

Take care, and welcome once again! :)

[Bekki87]

Hi everyone!
I'm 21 y.o. and bisexual (and have known since I was 17), and am also glad this section of the forum exists. Even though I know its not just a fertility issue, I didn't feel I had much to add on most of the site since I never planned to have kids.
But ya, I've only been diagnosed for about a week, so I've just started on the pill and I'm trying to work out some diet stuff, and that's where I am right now.

[Dreamweaver]

Well, my name is Camilla, I am 18, and I happen to be bi and have PCOS for about a year and a half. I had gained a lot of extra weight, about 30 pounds over 6 months, and my acne got worse. I'm not sure if I actually have cysts on my ovaries, but I certainly wouldn't doubt it with my medical luck.
Either way, I am happy that this group was created because I actually just came out to my parents about a week ago (about being bi). Thankfully, they are very supportive and want to meet my girlfriend.
I think that my girlfriend also has PCOS but I'm not exactly sure how to bring it up without hurting her feelings. She has a lot of the same symptoms as me, minus the acne.
Thank you for being a very valuable and helpful resource, I'm sure I will be posting more, just wanted to say hello.

-Camilla

P.S. I am not sure I believe that being bi/lesbian is part of PCOS. I think that the elevated hormone levels may aid in certain feelings, but I believe that it is always inherently there. Also, gay men are shown to have higher levels of testosterone then straight men...

[sweetsunshine72]

Hi Camilla,

The main treatments for PCOS (and the accompanying Insulin Resistance) are changes in nutrition and activity. Making changes like this can be challenging, but are easier if your partner is supportive, so hopefully she decides to join you in your quest for health. I'm thinking the best way to open up the topic is to talk to her about how PCOS is affecting you, and what symptoms you have, and then maybe tell her that you are concerned for her, too. She may be feeling shy about talking about her issues, or maybe has just "put it aside" like so many women do, thinking "oh, it's just me" and maybe not realized that it is a medical issue.

One of the biggest things you can do is to get away from sugars and highly-processed foods that contain food additives and hidden sugars! Wholesome and home-made is the key! (that, and high fibre! :) )

I hope this helps, and that you find whatever level of support you need!

P.S. I agree that being bi/lesbian is not a part of having PCOS, but there is some kind of a connection between the mother's hormone levels while pregnant and how the child later develops her sexuality. I don't know how STRONG of an effect it is, but it has been noted. I'm also NOT suggesting that there's any kind of "cause" or "cure" for a non-straight sexuality - it could be one factor, and that's all I'm suggesting. And, I'm talking about the mother's hormone levels while pregnant, NOT necessarily yours (although there is also a genetic link with PCOS, too). (I really wish I could find that study....)

So, if anything, it strengthens the "you're born like that" theory. Personally, I think of it as a scientific curiosity - you are who you are. There are so many things that affect who we are - both genetic and environmental - does it really matter? :)

[nativesocalgirl]

Hi I am 39 and a lesbian. My partner and I have been together 5 years. I don't want to get pregnant anymore. I finally found a doctor who is listening to me. She is also a lesbian. Thank you Palm Springs. I decided I wanted to try cinnamon so talked to the doc and wouldn't you know it. I have had 3 periods this year all by myself. I have never in my life had this many naturally in my whole life except when I was on the pill. My moods are better and I am loosing weight slowly but loosing. I am happier then I have been in a really long time.

[pcosshaw]

Hi, I'm 23, gay, and have known ive had PCOS for about 4 years. I also have Irritable Bowel Syndrome and find it hard to avoid trigger foods while trying to eat healthily. My partner and I both avoid spicey foods, dairy products and anything that triggers 'bad' reactions. Metformin and the contraceptive pill just arent working for me - some make me really sick, and others make me feel like a whiney, depressed, ****ty gf. So at the moment I am taking nothing.

PCOS makes for a great base for exercise (possibly not in the cardio sense, as running and riding is hard carrying the extra weight) but dude, do I build muscle quickly.

I am keen to try out adding cinnamon to my diet, and come summer I hope to lose a couple of kgs so that I am at the 69kilos the fertility doctor said to aim for (I have been trying to get there for 4 years!). My weight fluctuates so much, on a daily basis, that its exhausting mentally. Does anyone else find that?

I am getting civilly united in March next year and hope to have it all undercontrol (naturally) by then... weight, regularity, everything.

Cheers :)

[sweetsunshine72]

Hi Pcosshaw, and welcome!

Building muscle is a good idea, as Insulin Resistance (the main cause of PCOS) is based mostly in the muscles, and muscle is the best fat-burner of all! If you can include some "spurts" of high cardio in your regular routine, this can trigger many of the cardiovascular benefits of a cardio workout into your regular routine. Also, you may want to work on using slightly less weight with higher reps as this works a different kind of muscle fibre which is more for endurance and also happens to be less bulky. A great role model for you might be Gemma Magnusson (nee Taylor). She is a woman with PCOS who became "Britain's Strongest Woman". Here's some information on her:

Keep in mind that muscle weighs more than fat, so if you have a lot of muscle, 69 kilos may be "skinnier" than you think!

One caution about using cinnamon: Many cinnamon preparations out there contain small amounts of a potent blood thinner. Because of this, I would suggest starting off with only 500 mg/day, and give it a good 3 months to see how you respond to it. If you don't think it's strong enough, then go up to 1,000 mg/day, but no more, and if you ever have surgery, etc., then let the doctor know you take it (and how much). It's also best taken with a meal because it can bring your blood sugar down quickly in some people. A good way to use it is simply to add the spice to your food. You'll stop eating it before it gets to too high a level! lol

Rapid weight fluctuation like that is not fat accumulation, but usually water weight. It could be connected to the IBS. It might be a good idea to visit a Naturopathic Doctor. They have an enormous amount of training, but are trained in helping the body to balance itself, rather than "taking over" like most "Western Medicine" doctors. It may also be less expensive than you think. It's worth checking out, anyways.

Congratulations on your union, btw! That is a great event to look forward to! When it comes to baby-making (from your other post), look into both AI and IVF. With some basic monitoring (much of which you can do yourself at home with a fertility thermometer!), you can determine a lot about your fertility. So long as you are ovulating regularly, and have a good luteal phase, you should have a good chance of becoming pregnant with a simple AI. Once you get your body better-balanced, wait at least 3 months (it actually takes 3 months to "grow" an egg), then you should be in a good place to look at getting pregnant. AI is much simpler, cheaper, and easier on the body than the fertility drugs and proceedures involved in IVF! At the very least, it's worth looking into. With PCOS, once you get the underlying IR under control and get ovulating, you have almost the same chances of getting pregnant as the "average" woman! Here's some good information on that, too: http://www.jarrettfertility.com/PCOS%20patient%20handout.pdf

Take care, and good luck! :)