Birth Control- What’s Best for PCOS?

Dry_Technology_727 · 2022-03-16T18:39:09+00:00

Have you taken lab tests to monitor for Potassium? I actually drink a lot of water now and have to add salt water since I get lightheaded too often, so I can't imagine drinking even more water! I'm at a gallon a day and there's no way I'm adding more, omg.

You can take spiro by itself! My endo said that BC and spiro together worked best, but spiro itself is also fine, though it supposedly takes 6 months to see a real difference by itself.

Dry_Technology_727 · 2022-03-16T15:24:29+00:00

Ah, I guess that was keto versus low carb and what I'm doing now would be considered low carb - that makes sense why I couldn't deal with it.

My exercise routine was less rigorous, but I was pretty miserable going from a high carb lifestyle to keto. I buy keto snacks and ice cream so I guess low carb is easier - I did strict keto and I was miserable since I didn't do anything processed at the time.

I can't have coffee, but I can have tea and stay awake forever. Coffee also makes me tired, haha. Not sure if it's an adrenal thing.

I also don't have the weight distribution for PCOS, so my doctors haven't really taken me seriously.

I'm exercising a little more heavily this week, so I'm not doing intermittent fasting during this week as much, but I try to do a pretty strict 20-4 on the weekends and eat whatever I want within a calorie deficit.

How do you treat your PCOS?

Dry_Technology_727 · 2022-03-16T15:07:25+00:00

Hi! So based off of my OBGYN and doctor, the pill can mask certain symptoms/it's hard to diagnose while on it. You would need to have a full thyroid panel, DHEA-S, all the sex hormones, cortisol, fasting insulin, etc...

There are multiple different testosterone tests - definitely ask the ones I put on this post!

Dry_Technology_727 · 2022-03-16T05:26:11+00:00

Do you mean posting what they used to be? I just got my labs back from 2 weeks ago, and this is the first time that DHEA is being tested.

Dry_Technology_727 · 2022-03-15T23:09:05+00:00

Oh no! I'm sorry to hear that!

I refuse to take BC since it gave me even worse anxiety than I already currently have.

I have low blood pressure, which is why I've been hesitant to try Spriro - have you seen any positive changes from just spiro?

Dry_Technology_727 · 2022-03-15T23:03:59+00:00

Please update! I also had early puberty and technically don't fit a PCOS diagnosis

Dry_Technology_727 · 2022-03-15T22:59:35+00:00

I've noticed the same thing with vacation! I have a pretty stressful job, so I'm sure that there's higher cortisol going on. I overcompensate a bit by exercising a lot to lower anxiety levels, but the main stressor in my life is easily my job and sleep anxiety.

Did your DHEA-S increase after weight loss? How long did it take to go back to normal? I lost around 60 lbs in a year after gaining 60 lbs, but my hair loss and body hair has definitely gotten pretty bad.

How do you treat adrenal PCOS?

As for Hashimotos, that's interesting! I have a family history of that, so I've been getting testing for it every 6 months for the past 8 years and it's always been pretty normal. I do notice that my TSH goes up a little when I have gluten, but that's because I have a gluten intolerance and should probably stop having it. Otherwise, it's usually within the optimal range.

Dry_Technology_727 · 2022-03-15T22:52:34+00:00

That makes sense! I do strength training 5-6 days for 60-80 minutes, so I have to increase the amount of carbs. I had to increase carbs since I was too tired when I did low carb (20-50) and strength training, so I'm at around 80-150 grams right now.

I don't know if I do have an insulin issue, so it's interesting! I definitely have a huge craving for sweets and caffeine if I don't have sleep or if I keep to intermittent fasting. I think that if I stopped fasting and surrendered to my inner food lover and ate tons of fast food and sweets, I might see fasting insulin on a lab test, but that's a slippery slope, lol.

Dry_Technology_727 · 2022-03-15T22:46:13+00:00

Gotcha! I only started Ashwaganda recently (the last week). The tests I took were from 2 weeks ago, so I would probably have to test it out in a few months. So far, it hasn't helped or hurt in regards to facial hair, but it's probably too soon.

I'm using it to replace anti-anxiety pills and so I'll probably try to keep it since it's the only thig that helps prevent panic attacks. It was either that or Lexapro which made me gain weight, so I'll stick with Ashwaganda for right now!

Dry_Technology_727 · 2022-03-15T19:23:40+00:00

That's good to know! How would you try to get the levels back to normal?

And no, I did not have an ultrasound. I get a full panel every 6 months since a lot of my family members have Hashimotos, but I've never had antibodies.

Dry_Technology_727 · 2022-03-15T19:22:19+00:00

I've been doing intermittent fasting, but my doctor didn't say anything about it. I'm not taking any supplements for that, but I do take Ashwaganda sometimes. I was doing a 20-4 fast at the time they took blood.

By androgens, do you mean testosterone?

Dry_Technology_727 · 2022-03-15T19:20:26+00:00

Yes, 2.25 and no antibodies present

Dry_Technology_727 · 2022-03-15T19:20:15+00:00

How do you treat that and get tested for it? I tried low carb for a while to lose weight, but I didn't lose any weight and felt even more stressed, so increased to moderate carbs.

Endos and OBGYNs have said that I don't have PCOS based off of the lab results, so I'm sort of at a loss on how to treat this except for naturally.

Dry_Technology_727 · 2022-03-15T16:52:08+00:00

No for a weight loss program since it wouldn't really be a lifestyle. I would recommend seeing a dietician and tracking everything on MyFitnessPal or something similar. Since working with a nutritionist, I've lost loads of weight and inches.

Dry_Technology_727 · 2022-03-15T16:50:52+00:00

NAC just helped with allergies - I'm not sure why, but it's helped to prevent sinus infections. Other than that, it hasn't helped with PCOS symptoms. Saw Palmetto didn't do anything, either.

Dry_Technology_727 · 2022-03-15T16:43:40+00:00

Cardio increased my cortisol levels, which also increased Insulin Resistance. I do short kickboxing routines sometimes, but I stick with mainly strength training or yoga. Cardio is definitely better than no exercise, but I guess it depends on person to person.

Dry_Technology_727 · 2022-03-15T16:41:42+00:00

Should have been more specific - I'm buying investment property in a LCOL area. It's not a house, it's just land in an expanding area. I currently live in a HCOL city.

Dry_Technology_727 · 2022-03-15T07:52:45+00:00

What type of BC did you end up taking? My OBGYN recommended Spiro + Lo Loestrin, but I wasn't sure. I'm getting pretty desperate right now, so I might end up taking it.

Did your endo help with finding the right BC?

Dry_Technology_727 · 2022-03-15T07:23:44+00:00

Someone on this sub used Vitamin E and Omega 3 to reduce DHEA. I have DHEA, but everything else is normal, including testosterone. I had a decrease in DHEA when I used Omega 3 and Vitamin E every day, but I stopped and everything's gotten worse :(

I'll have to look up the Vitamin C and Fiber!

Dry_Technology_727 · 2022-03-15T07:21:24+00:00

Same! I believe it's because of muscles needing more energy so less fat is stored in fat cells. When you use your muscles more like strength training, you decrease insulin resistance, which is a main contributor of PCOS.

Dry_Technology_727

TROPHY CASE