by Angi Ingalls
PCOS in ConnecTion
You have been successfully diagnosed by your doctor. You feel some relief, you have something to call it, the symptoms now have a name. You hear the words “infertility”, “exercise” and “diet.” You see them look at the notes in your chart and you probably see a slip now grasped in your hand for birth control pills.
Thoughts run through your mind. I have a name, I take these pills until I want to have a baby and all is ok? What about my symptoms? When I’m ready for a baby, is it going to be difficult or can I have a baby at all? Will these pills fix everything? You ask your doctor to elaborate. Not much more is said. Now, how do you know that is all?
There are many doctors that just do not take the time to communicate in full with their patients, either due to unwillingness or time restraints. It is our job to be more proactive in our own healthcare and to do the research. What does PCOS do to our bodies? Does this only affect my reproductive system? How do I manage this disease? What are the risk factors? These are just a few questions that might come up when first diagnosed.
Now you have to ask yourself, what information has my doctor really provided? Has my doctor given me all of my options? Has he/she been upfront about the risks? Are they willing to listen to me and the search results I have found? Does my doctor participate in learning more about PCOS and Diabetes?
A willing and open doctor may be hard to find but it is something you must do for yourself. If your doctor is all about his degree and not his patient, it is definitely time to move on. Your doctor works for you, not the other way around. If you hired a maid to clean your house but they did not listen to your instructions, even after repeated attempts, you’d fire them, right? Why is this any different? Your health is your priority; your doctors feelings are not.
If you have made that decision to move on, you are probably asking, what kind of doctor do I need?
PCOS is a metabolic and endocrine disorder. Hormones, thyroid, pituitary gland, and metabolism are all affected by PCOS. The symptoms of PCOS are all side effects, not the root cause. Many PCOSers don’t know they have this disease until they try to conceive or deal with menstrual issues. It is then many patients seek help from their gynecologists.
It is, however, recommended that you seek an Endocrinologist or Reproductive Endocrinologist (whether you are trying to conceive or not). Reach out to your diabetic community and centers. Find the best diabetes-knowledgeable doctor you can and you should be in good hands. This is not to say that gynecologists are not educated about PCOS rather that a doctor in the endocrinology field has much more understanding of the disease and its core problem. They also have more treatment options available for you and are not as restricted as a gynecologist or a family doctor. Although, I still encourage having a family doctor and gynecologist that have knowledge of PCOS for full benefits.
Having a team of doctors that understand the disease can make one feel euphoric. There are swarms of doctors out there, now get your net and go catch a few.
Angi Ingalls; PCOS in ConnecTion
PCOS Consultant for Insulite Laboratories
Educator for over 18 years
Diagnosed in 1985 at 12, living with PCOS since 1981
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this article and the Insulite Labs website is for the sole purpose of being informative. Information obtained is not and should not be used or relied upon as medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician, nurse or other qualified health care provider before you undergo any treatment, take any medication, supplements or other nutritional support, or for answers to any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Next Steps
- Take the PCOS Quiz! Get your score and assess your hormone health risks.
- Join our Facebook Sisterhood Group Pose your questions to this group of like-minded women. Get the answers to your questions and the support you need.
- Checkout the Hormone Reset. Guided Practices to eliminate anxiety, lose weight and boost energy.
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