Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

When I was 21 I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. At first I thought nothing of it. My mother and many women out there get cysts on their ovaries, so no biggie, right? Wrong! I looked it up and was devastated. I found out there is SO much more to it. Here's a brief definition with some of the symptoms taken from Wikepedia:

"Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common female endocrine disorders affecting approximately 5%-10% of women of reproductive age (12-45years old) and was once thought erroneously to be one of the leading causes of infertility.

The principal features are obesity, anovulation (resulting in irregular menstruation), acne, and excessive amounts or effects of androgenic (masculinizing) hormones. The symptoms and severity of the syndrome vary greatly among women. While the causes are unknown, insulin resistance, diabetes, and obesity are all strongly correlated with PCOS."

So, once I read all this I suddenly became so very afraid. My biggest fear was that I would never be able to have children. I think most women when they are given this diagnosis feel the same way. It would have helped if I would have had a doctor who then continued to help me. Sadly, all I received was a letter in the mail after some tests had been done telling I had PCOS. The letter continued on by telling me to come back in a year for another check up. That was it. I'm just now getting to the point where I'm able to try and take control of it. Over the last ten years though, I was blessed with an amazing little boy who is now nearly 4 years old. He truly is my miracle baby, and I love him with every ounce of my soul.

(getting ready to go in for his adenoid and tonsil surgery)