The most linked complications to PCOS are infertility, irregular periods, and acne in your teenage years; however, that is not my story. As a teen girl, I had consistent cycles, clear skin, and honestly, I wasn't trying to conceive at the time, so I was unsure of how fertile I was lol. In May of 2012, at the age of 18, I had given birth to my first child with no concerns or complications. In 2019, I didn't experience any complications when I had given birth to my second child.
At age 25, it wasn't until 2 years after the birth of my second child, I started noticing changes with my body and skin. Completely unaware of what PCOS was or that even existed as a common condition in women of childbearing age at that time.
THE DAY I FOUND OUT
My PCOS journey began in 2021, I had an appointment with my OBGYN for an annual checkup. I wore a mask on my face to try and cover the hairs and ingrowns that were on my chin and sideburn area. Covid was still lingering around so I didn't look crazy or suspicious of anything--thank God ha-ha. I was extremely insecure about my appearance; anywhere I went I kept a mask over my face. As I proceeded to the patient room, my provider looked at my chart and asked me about foods that I consume daily and what I could do differently because the excessive weight gain seemed unusual in a small amount of time.
For the record, I am not a big eater, but I do consume snacks more often than I should, so I didn't take it personal. She began to do my physical and noticed the hair on my face and the dark pigmentation on my neck, underarms, and thighs. As she reached for her chair to sit down, she asked if I ever heard of PCOS, not being too familiar with it-- I tell her, no. She explained what she observed, suggested different medications, and sent me to undergo an ultrasound. And sure enough, my ovaries were enlarged with 2cm sized cysts on them. I was scared, nervous, and still held a lack of knowledge about the condition.
MY EXPERIENCE WITH HAIR LOSS
A few months after my doctor's visit, I began to experience excessive hair loss. That was a greater devastation to me, because I was obsessed with my kinky curls, and they were gone. The texture, length, and thickness of my hair changed drastically--I was so devastated. Every time I washed and detangled my hair, I would have 2 hands full of it and that is no exaggeration. I didn't know how severe my hair loss had gotten until I began seeking professional help to get it treated. At the time, I believed it was linked to my recent pregnancy but as I became more knowledgeable, I realized that it was possibly linked to my PCOS.
Photo: My hair (May 2019)
Photo: My hair (Nov. 2023)
MY CONTINUED JOURNEY :)
I am currently still on my journey with restoring my hair, learning healthier eating options to maintain/lose my weight, and my skin is doing a little better with my facial regimen. However, I am still experiencing the excessive hair growth and ingrown, to keep my hair from growing out into a beard I regularly get waxes. I have been looking into a process called electrolysis, which will permanently stop the hair growth; once I delve into it, I will make sure to give you guys all the details.
RECLAIMING MY CONFIDENCE
Since my diagnosis, I have come across so many beautiful female influencers on social media. They're all embracing their appearances with so much confidence and it inspired me to do the same. I was insecure, embarrassed, and ashamed to be out in public with my natural face, but when you see other women taking their lives back and living their best one, it wakes up your confidence and the "take it or leave it" attitude surfaces lol.
If you are a woman battling with PCOS, mommy or not, know you are not alone in this unpleasant journey. You are an amazing and beautiful woman. Block out the negativity and embrace the positivity.
Leave a comment and tell us your experience. We would love to hear it! :)
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