Even though Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is not a rare condition in this day and age…*cue the Family Matters theme song*… it is still very much a mystery in some ways. 🧐
Here, I will debunk 7 myths about the condition, the main ones that I have encountered since my diagnosis.
Click here for 5 things to do when you are diagnosed with PCOS.
Myth 1 – You Brought It On Yourself
This was something that I told myself when I was first diagnosed. “It must have been my eating habits”, “It was all those hormones in chicken”, “I should’ve exercised more”.😞
But you shouldn’t blame yourself. Even after decades of experts studying this condition, the exact cause is not well-understood. There may be several genetic and environmental factors. They have found that your genes increase the risk of you having PCOS. So if your mom or sister has PCOS, it is likely that you will too.
PCOS is largely an imbalance of the reproductive hormones.
Women with PCOS have a higher level of androgens and estrogen than normal. This affects your menstrual cycle and ovulation. Androgens are responsible for the development of male characteristics. Hence women with PCOS can have excess hair in unwanted places yet thinning hair like male-pattern baldness. Yes, the irony of this hairy situation is not lost on me. Well at least not as lost as I sometimes lose the hair that I actually want. 🙄
Myth 2 – If You Have PCOS, You Will Have Cysts on Your Ovaries
Talk about misleading. Its name gives you the impression that cysts on your ovaries is the hallmark of this condition. Yet it turns out that not all women with PCOS will have cysts on their ovaries.
I have had check-ups with my gynaecologist when the ultrasound either revealed many cysts, mild cysts and no cysts. When there were many, they would heighten my other symptoms. I referred to it as “flare-up” but I’m not sure if that is even a thing. Even when there weren’t any signs of cysts didn’t mean that I no longer had PCOS.
Click here to read about my PCOS story.
On the other hand, women who do have cysts on their ovaries don’t necessarily have PCOS. There are other reasons a woman can develop ovarian cysts. Some are more serious and others are harmless and disappear with time.
Because of this, there have been serious discussions to rename PCOS to cover its broad features. The suggested names are either “metabolic reproductive syndrome” or “reproductive metabolic syndrome”.
Myth 3 – All Women With PCOS are Overweight
And vice versa – not all women who are overweight have PCOS. The weight issue happens due to your body’s inability to use insulin properly.
Yes, being overweight can exacerbate some of your symptoms but PCOS does not discriminate. There are women with “lean PCOS”. Even I was very thin in the earlier years of my diagnosis.
This myth can unfortunately lead to misdiagnosis on both sides. Someone also shouldn’t conclude that they have PCOS based on a single symptom. Symptoms like excess hair growth, acne, irregular periods and ovarian cysts by themselves are not enough to say you have PCOS. PCOS has a combination of these symptoms.
It is very important not to misdiagnose or overdiagnose so that women can get the right guidance.
Myth 4 – You Can Get Rid of PCOS if You Lose Weight
There is no currently no cure for PCOS. But for the women who are overweight, losing weight can help your body use insulin better and regulate your hormones more effectively. It is difficult for most to lose that weight. For me, it took a drastic diet. These days, I don’t like hearing the word diet since 75% of that word is “die”, which kinda accurately describes how you feel when you do these fad diets. Lol. I now try to eat in moderation and not overindulge. It’s more of a “live-it” for me. 💁♀️
But exercise is a must! With PCOS in particular, I learned that you should get in some resistance, restorative and HIIT exercises every week. I have to up the resistance exercise but any type of exercise (ahem, except running) really makes me feel good. I am progressively feeling stronger and more confident.
Your aim whether you have PCOS or not should be to eat healthy and exercise regularly. Even if it doesn’t reduce your symptoms, it can help with your mental health. This is important for me as I can deal with the symptoms with a calm and positive mindset.
Myth 5 – Women with PCOS Use It To Make Excuses
I’ve found that people can be very insensitive to women with PCOS, whether they are aware or not. They tend to not be compassionate when a woman says she has trouble losing weight because of PCOS. Or if she is fatigued or moody or anxious or overwhelmed or depressed. People think these women are using PCOS as an excuse.
I know one cannot fully understand what women with PCOS have to deal with on a daily basis unless you are one.
Knowing that you could work out and eat as healthy as you can, and you might not lose as much weight as a person without PCOS would.
Having even intangible things like fatigue and anxiety weighing on you but you have to push past those thoughts and feelings to make it through the day.
Getting frequent sugar cravings, not because you didn’t eat or are feeling stressed but because of your body’s reaction to insulin. But still struggling not to give in.
It’s difficult.
But we are not trying to use it as an excuse. If anything, it’s an excuse to work on yourself more and an excuse to learn how to love yourself un-PCOS-condition-ally.
The only unacceptable thing is to use it as an excuse to not try at all.
Myth 6 – You Can’t Get Pregnant if you have PCOS
Well I am living proof that this one is a myth. Women with PCOS do have trouble ovulating but it can happen occasionally. I found that it also helped me to not stress about it.
There are many women with PCOS who have become pregnant once or multiple times. This would also mean that if you are not planning on getting pregnant that you shouldn’t use a contraceptive.
You have options if you desire to get pregnant. Talk with your doctor and see a fertility specialist. It can be as simple as using an ovulation calendar or more intricate such as assisted reproduction method (in-vitro etc.) There is even this free course on fertility and whole body health.
If you are meant to become pregnant, then you will be. If not, then don’t think that you still can’t have a family.
Myth 7 – PCOS Means That You Can’t Enjoy Life
Without admitting it to myself, this was something I thought also. I felt like PCOS was this ball and chain that would always keep me from having a fulfilling life.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, I may have to make my waxing appointments more often and there are days when I am amazed that I still have hair on my head. Sometimes I have almost zero energy and other days my anxiety goes through the roof.
But I look at it as I am learning to look at all challenges in my life – it’s an opportunity to learn and grow. I don’t think I would have paid much attention to my health and well-being if I didn’t have PCOS. It makes me so much more aware of my roadblocks. And now that I know what I am up against, I can do what I need to do to move these roadblocks.
Click here to read about my PCOS story.
In fact, my PCOS has led me to find some things in life that really bring me joy. Even the times when I felt down or overwhelmed and took a time-out or getaway, it always refreshed my mind, body and soul. It makes me remember to be grateful for all that I have. And hey, I don’t mind using PCOS as an excuse for a mini-vacation or spa day every now and then.
PCOS doesn’t have to hold you back. Once you find ways to cope physically and mentally, then the world is your oyster! See the P in PCOS as your pearl. Or maybe the cyst as a pearl is more appropriate but then we wouldn’t have learned anything today right? (See myth 3)
Okay, and also Myth 3 sounds a lot like Mike Tyson saying “mystery” no? Gosh, sorry Mike, it’s the lengths I would go for a joke. I will blame it on my PCOS. 🤷♀️
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