Have you been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and you are not quite sure what your next steps should be?

Well here are 5 things I wish I did more when I was first diagnosed around age 18. Hope they are helpful to you. 

1. Get Informed

When I was diagnosed, there wasn’t a lot of readily available information on PCOS. I had to rely mainly on my doctors, which was fine but it was not like I could call on them at any point during the day when I had a question.  And it can be a very confusing time. 

It would have helped me a lot in the early years of my diagnosis to learn more about the symptoms and treatments, especially the natural ways. My doctors did emphasise a healthy exercise regimen and diet. But I was still prescribed birth control to help regulate my periods and metformin to deal with my insulin resistance. I hated taking these and I still believe that the birth control I was first given had negative effects on my body. 

I would have learned that PCOS can affect women in different ways. Some may not show any obvious symptoms, some might have extra facial hair, some might be overweight, some might be underweight. I have been in each of those categories listed at different times since my diagnosis. 

Thankfully now, you can get lots more information on the condition. So instead of feeling overwhelmed and stressed, I am more empowered to deal with it.  It also helps me to be more compassionate with myself. 

You can find information on websites like this and Facebook pages like Healthy PCOS. There is also this free course that I plan to do soon to learn about fertility and whole body health.

2. Make Your Health a Priority

This should be everyone’s aim honestly but even more so for women with PCOS. Make all aspects of your health a priority and I mean ALL – mental, physical, emotional and spiritual.

PCOS can take a toll on you in every way. Fatigue, weight gain, weight loss, anxiety, depression, fertility problems, poor self-image, feeling unfeminine – you name it. Thus, it is so important to check in with yourself and make the best decisions for your mind, body and soul. 

• Eat as healthy as possible but don’t beat yourself up if you fall off the wagon, get right back on it. 
• Exercise often. You don’t have to become a triathlete (but you could if you wanted to) but do things to boost those endorphins. Walk, do yoga, Zumba, go dancing, play with your children. Be active. Trust me, it does wonders. (Also you can follow my “Zumba with Yash” page on Facebook if you want to join in on some virtual zumba classes)
• Take time-outs when you need it.  I can get easily anxious and overwhelmed, so I need to take time to recharge every so often. It could mean a spa day, beach day, staycation or some quiet time to read or binge watch Netflix.
• Pray and meditate. I don’t think I would have gotten through some of the darkest times of my PCOS journey if it weren’t for my relationship with God. It doesn’t even have to get all religious-y. It could mean just taking a few minutes to centre yourself and remind yourself that everything is going to be okay. I am still working on meditation. My mind moves a mile a minute, so it takes some effort to get it settled. But imma get there.

3. Be Open About It 

The reason I say this is because when you get that diagnosis, you might feel like it’s something you need to hide. But once I started talking about it, I realised that more women than I thought were dealing with the same issue. 

Being open about your symptoms and challenges also helps to educate others. There are many people who are ignorant about this condition. They tend to make some very insensitive comments. I have had many in my lifetime but I realise that sometimes they don’t really know any better. The ones who do, try to do better. If they don’t, then you will know there is no merit to their comments. 

4. Find a Community

This is something I wish I had in the beginning. You really feel alone when you are first diagnosed. 

Now there are many forums on social media where you can discuss your challenges. You can get feedback and support from people who are going through the same thing or who are experts on PCOS. 

Your community can also be a group of women you know in real life who deal with PCOS. Start a WhatsApp group so that you can find the support you need. 

5. Recognise that You are Not Defined By Your Diagnosis

For a long time, I let PCOS take the reins in my life. Even without realising it. It made me feel defeated at times, even unfeminine at some points. It felt some days like my body was betraying me and my mind couldn’t put up a decent fight. 

But I have decided that I am not defined by my diagnosis. I am so much more than my PCOS status.

It has been a pain point for all my adult life but it is one that will continue to propel me to become a better version of myself. My PCOS condition has actually made me fight harder for myself. It has made my path clearer. In an unexpected way, it has been a blessing. 

It gave me a new motto: PCOS is Putting Care, Confidence and Compassion On Self.

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So don’t feel like you can’t have a bright and thriving future if you have been diagnosed with PCOS. It can be quite the contrary. You can find your strength, your support system, your perseverance and your best self. 

It can even be the catalyst to your metamorpho-cyst, if you will. 

Thanks for reading! Don’t forget to subscribe if you would like more posts from the Mind of Yash that would motivate you or make you laugh!