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I know you're out there!
Have you used a traditional/whole foods diet and made natural lifestyle changes to improve your symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome? Have you lost weight, seen your symptoms dramatically reduce or even disappear, or finally achieved a long hoped for pregnancy?
Fellow PCOS'ers, if this describes you, I would LOVE to hear from you! I am hoping to compile some testimonies and success stories, in order to offer hope and encouragment to those who are struggling with this hormonal disorder.
As always, it needs to be stated that we are not the ones who ultimately bring healing to our bodies... it is always the Lord doing it in us. Let's just try to be aware of that as we share of the good things that He has done, by leading us to a greater knowledge of nutrition, natural health and how to wisely steward and care for our bodies.
If you're comfortable with it, or would like to leave just a little snippet, feel free to leave your story in a comment. If you would prefer to be kept anonymous, or would like to leave a more detailed story (3 paragraphs maximum, please!), then email me at keeperofthehome (at) canada (dot) com.
I absolutely can't wait to hear from you!
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{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi,
I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 22 years old, now I am 37.
I want t to thank you for this website. After stumbling upon it a quite a few months back and doing some research as to how my low sperm producing DH was able to get me pregnant with me having PCOS I finally fiured it out. 3 yrs ago I was cooking with healthy fats like Olive oil and Coconut oil and only used corn oil for deep frying once or twice per month. I was and still do drink filtered water(64oz to a gallonper day) and I was also making 1 green smoothie shake for myself and DH at least 4x per week. My DH and I lived in Michigan and I would get up every day he had to work and walk the dog around 8-10am for aut 20min, not realizing until recently that I was jumpstarting my metabolism and weightloss. I’m 5’5 and at that time I weighed 260lbs. I also cut out soy oil and only ate chinese food minus extra soy (packets) about once per month. I went fro 260 to 220 and didn’t even realize how I did it fully.
Well, I got pregnant but miscarried due to severe low vitamin D. I didn’t even know I was pregnant but I had signs especially when I got PUPs skin rash all over my belly and back. My vit.D was so low, due to not enough sun and me being lactose intolerant, the doctor had me on prescribed D3 at 4000IUs per day for 4 weeks with a follow up every 2 weeks for 2 whole months.
Well, I did more research and figured out that the MACA, extra zinc, and herbal fertility pills my DH was on boosted his sperm count from the hundreds and swimming in circles to 6 Million, no more circles but they were swimming slow. All it takes is one, LOL
Now I’m free of my depression And
I’m trying again and I want to pay it forward and let other ladies know to never give up hope and just when you think you have tried everything, step back, become a scientist studying you and go over what you have done so far and believe me you will realize you missed something or you will put your desire out into the Universe or pray to the Creator and you stumble upon the answer like I did with this website. I’m also looking into the South Beach diet for my hubby and I and I will update you when I have success again.
Good luck to everyone :)
I was diagnosed with PCOS at age 16. At the time, the Dr. wrote the words on a napkin and said nothing else except, it will likely be difficult to achieve pregnancy. I went to the library and there was only one sentence regarding PCOS saying the same thing. There is so much more information out there today, and for that I am grateful. I tried getting pregnant naturally, however, having never ovulated regularly or much at all, I stopped trying after 3 rounds of clomid and still no ovulation. We have adopted two beautiful children. This past nine months, I joined a 12 step recovery group for Compulsive Eating and have been flour and sugar free for nine months. I have lost 80 pounds and my periods have been regular for the past five months. This is a miracle. I also believe I am ovulating due to other hormonal signs prior to menstruation. I wanted to share this with you at the risk of sounding bizarre, because for the first time in my life there is a difference and the weight has come off. I have been obese since I was 17 years old and I am now at a normal weight. I wish you all the very best success with your journey and believe that we can get a grip on this syndrome. I will leave a pregnancy up to God, if it is meant to be it will be. I am so thankful to have my health in order. It is a new lease on life. Wishes and Prayers to you all.
I wasn’t diagnosed with PCOS until my daughter was 3 years old. I wish I’d known that THAT was what I’d been struggling with my whole life. I’d been diagnosed with Endometriosis just a year after I was married….right around the time my husband and I started trying to have a baby. I ended up having 3 surgeries for endometriosis and being told I’d most likely never be able to have a child. We prayed and prayed and didn’t want to do anything chemical/medical to make it happen. We just figured if it was God’s plan…then it will happen. In the mean time I was also diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Another thing to add to my list. <> The doctor put me on an antidepressant to help with that…but after only one month…I gained more than 30 POUNDS!!! Just what someone with my issues needs right? So I said forget THAT! I went OFF the antidepressants and just tried to deal with life. Lots more prayer…
Around the 7 year mark of trying to get pregnant…out of the blue…whammo! A positive pregancy!! We were ecstatic. We had our first ultra sound at 7 weeks and had a heart beat. Less than a week later..we lost our baby. Soon after we were suddenly pregnant again! We couldn’t believe it. Again…had our ultrasound and less than a week after….lost that baby too. We waited a few months after that one to try again. Low and behold we were pregnant again. We had the ultrasound and all looked good. Again, disappointment and heartache. This time my body carried it till the 3 month mark…but they said it also died around the same gestational age as the previous 2. We prayed to God to please tell us if there were anything that we could do differently that might make a difference….if we were ever blessed to be pregnant again. What kept coming to our minds was NO ULTRASOUND.
It took several months to become pregnant again….but we knew even getting pregnant at all was a miracle. This time…even though the doctors were very adament about an ultrasound…being 34 years old and considered a high risk at this point…they were naturally concerned. Still….we said NO THANK YOU. Now…we don’t know if it truly was THAT or what it was exactly for sure. But this baby had no ultrasound and delivered at a healthy 9lbs 2oz. and loved it in the womb so much she was a week overdue! <> I do find it interesting though….that I have super sensitive hearing….she has super sensitive hearing….and a side note….ultra sounds work on intense sound vibrations right? Hmmmm….. regardless….
I want to encourage you if you are struggling with PCOS….It took 9 years total with 3 miscarriages…..There IS HOPE!!!! It CAN happen!!!!
Blessings to you!
@Kimberly Kious, Thank you for sharing your story! I am currently 6 wks pregnant for the 3rd time (first two ended in m/c). I am trying to keep myself calm and stress free, but it’s so hard when you’ve lost and don’t want to lose again. All positive thoughts and success stories are really what I”m clinging to right now. Again thank you so much for sharing.
i to have pcos and have been ttc as of now im just putting my faith in god to bless me with a little miracle it gets harder everyday so i ask for your prayers and baby dust to everyone…I also love hearing the success stories it gives me hope
Has anyone every heard of D-chino inositol or DCI ? I am thinking about giving it a try. I read about it but would like to hear more of successful stories.
Great to hear these encouraging stories!
I too have PCOS (and my husband and I have now been trying to conceive for w months), but I’m not overweight and I eat very healthily. So I don’t know what to do! Any ideas?
@Dixie, I would focus on things like getting enough good fats (fish oils like cod liver oil are great), moderate physical exercise, and then herbal supplements like Vitex (chasteberry) which helps to balance hormones. Those things made a big difference for me, as someone who also wasn’t overweight and was already eating well.
Well, I love that you are asking for success stories. I love hearing about the tests and challenges because I know I am not alone but success stories help crystalize the vision of where I am going.
So, I have lost 35 lbs by eating good fats from coconut oil/milk, raw nuts, fresh fruit (especially apples), green tea, only meat/veggies/nuts for and after dinner.
I work out not consistently, if I did I would likely lose more weight. It’s been a journey but it is coming off.
I also take iodine, magnesium, vit. c, d, cod liver oil, d-chiro-inositol, alpha-lipooic/adetyl-l-carnatine, and soon to start natural progesterone to regulate the period.
Have you ever tried lunaception, Keeper of the Home? I have read a lot about it and will be trying it one day.
OK…well I’m 26 years old, and have had a miscarriage. Actually it was last summer and I was just shy of 4 months! WOW!
Anyways, I’ve been married to my hubby for just over 3 years now, and we’ve been trying for about, a year and a half to two years. No dice….so when it happened I was STOKED!
After the miscarriage, my doc at the time sent me in for an ultra sound, and no ‘string of pearls’ thing was mentioned. (Actually no idea what you mean by that). SHe later sent me for a series of blood tests, and the result, as the rest of you have, is PCOS.
I had no idea what that meant. I went to a nutritionist, and when she weighed me, I was ONLY 8 lbs over weight! That seemed silly to me! 8 POUNDS! That’s nothing!! Well, I have had a heck of a time losing it, infact, I’ve lost about 2 pounds in about 4 months! I don’t look unhealthy either. I’ve tried everything, and no dice still.
It kills me sometimes to see my step daughter (hubby and an ex got preggo really young) and to think that I might not have one of my own.
I’m looking for diets that I could follow, I’ve been to the gyms, (however where I live they are SUPER limited) so I walk lots.
ANY tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated ladies!! I’m doing my best but it gets hard to stay positive….
I’m so happy you are walking about this…I was diagnosed with PCOS after a miscarriage & a year of trying to get pregnant. That was 2004-Since we couldn’t pay for dr. visits I was going to family planning which put me on a hormone pill that screwed me all up-I bled for a month straight & they said that’s ok it might continue for 3 more months-every day-no way! I didn’t have any energy & it was like the heaviest day every day -not to mention the cost of pads etc… I felt like I was slowly bleeding to death.
They recommended I see a specialist but I can’t afford to.
Nothing I did worked to keep weight off-just gained more & more-even if I didn’t eat much at all.
The most I lost was 25 lbs. & as soon as I stopped starving myself I gained it all back + more.
Very frustrating not being able to take it off & keep it off.
Right now I am walking & that has helped. I’ve lost 20 lbs. so far, but I have to walk between 5-7 miles per day + do resistance training to even take weight off.
I have decided to plant my own garden to eat healthier at a price I can afford. It’s cheaper to buy seeds then to buy at the grocery stores.
I will can & freeze foods this winter to help also.
I look in today to our insurance company-about seeing a specialist & joining the YMCA to swim.
There are special summer programs to get fit-and for those who are obese you can get back $$ for joining a weight program. So I will be calling tomorrow to find this information out.
So far walking outside & walking with Leslie Sansone videos helps-little at a time the weight slowly comes off-I’m still scared it will come all back though if I slow down too much :(
I’ve talked myself into being ok with not having any more kids-I have one 11 year old daughter-so I’m blessed already-but it still gets to me days when I think about my miscarriage too much.
After trying for a year and a half to get pregnant, I was diagnosed with PCOS. After 4 months on Metformin and losing 10lbs in the process, we conceived our first child. My doctor told me that my PCOS was so severe that there would be no way possible for me to ever get pregnant without going on Metformin or Chlomid. Well, when my daughter was 7 months old, while I was still breastfeeding, with no period and no fertility medication, I became pregnant again. We were so surprised and excited. When my second daughter was 6 months old, while I was still breastfeeding, with no period and no fertility medication, I became pregnant a third time. I am due in Oct.
While pregnant with my first daughter, we started milling our own wheat. We also started to cut out a good portion of processed foods. I truly believe that this, combined with God’s loving grace, is the reason we will soon have 3 little ones in only 2.5 years.
I was wondering, is there any way you could post articles, share tips, ect. for us ladies with endometriosis? Please?
My name is Maria, I’m forty two, and married for almost two years. My husband and I have been trying to conceive since the wedding, with no success. It’s been heartbreaking and very discouraging.
Last year on Feb. 12th 2008 I had surgery to get rid of two ovarian cysts. I was diagnosed that day with endometriosis stage four. I just had another surgery to remove more endometriomas on both ovaries, the rest of the endo, and a fibroid on April 1st.
My husband and I really want a child. We are trying to do everything we can to get healthier, lose weight, and exercise. I am now on a no dairy, no meat, no caffeine endometriosis diet. I have lost thirty pounds so far.
I understand endometriosis is an auto immune and estrogen dominant disease. I am trying so hard to limit my exposure to foods, drinks,personal care products, and plastics to discourage the endometriosis from returning and boost my fertility.
Is there anything else I can do? I would really love to hear from you and others who also have suffered from endometriosis and infertility!
My arms and heart ache to have a child of my own! May I please ask for prayers? I really need them! I have been a teacher at a daycare for over twenty years and I never thought that I’d not be able to have my own children. It really hurts!
Thank you so much!
May God Bless you all!
Love,
Maria In Mass
prayrosary4life@aol.com
My doctor told me many years ago that I would be unable to conceive without medical help because of my PCOS. I have 2 children now and I never had to go on Clomid or anything. A friend of mine told me about women with PCOS who had success while on the South Beach Diet. It worked with both of my babies.
I have been reading your blog for a while now, and was so blessed to read your PCOS posts since I am also a Cyster. I was diagnosed in October of 2005 after many years of long cycles, infertility, and various symptoms that made me feel like an outcast.
At the time of my diagnosis, I already had two children that were conceived after losing weight from exercising and a lower carb/better carb diet. I never made the connection until I was diagnosed. After losing 15 pounds that next month after my diagnosis, I got pregnant with my son, who is turning three soon!
For me, taking care of my body by increasing my movement and eating better foods enabled me to conceive without fertility help. MY PCOS symptoms improve the less I weigh also.
I’d love to write more – but this is a general summary! Let me know if you want more information!
Blessings,
Gina
ImagesbyGina@aol.com
I was able to conceive my first child after a protocol of Glucophage XR, clomid, low dose Gonal-F injections with an hcg trigger shot then IUI. I then had two more healthy pregnancies with just diet, supplements and exercise. It can be done! Here is a more in depth version of my PCOS success story http://pcos-success-stories.blogspot.com
What an awesome idea!! I can’t wait to hear these stories!!
I was diagnosed with PCOS at age 19. I thought it was some made-up diagnosis that my doctor gave me because he didn’t know what was wrong with me. After a few years of research, I realized I was in denial and the doctors were right.
I struggle with this condition every day, and it caused problems when I tried to get pregnant. I went on a low-carb diet in 2003, and conceived my first son in 2004.
After nearly four more years of struggle, I’m pregnant a second time. This time I did low-carb diet and took metformin to help me conceive (as well as a round of clomid) because diet alone wasn’t helping me.
I truly believe that natural remedies are the way to go, but sometimes we have to work with our doctors, too. I wish I didn’t have to take those medicines, but they did help me, and I’m so grateful for having many options available to me.
My husband and I tried for a year and a half to get pregnant with my first child. When the doctor diagnosed PCOS I was so relieved. Worried still about my chances of getting pregnant. But finally I could point to a reason why my periods had always been unpredictable. There were years when I only had 2-3 periods! Other doctors just told me I was irregular — lots of women are irregular — nothing to be concerned about.
My doctor prescribed meds but when I did some research I wasn’t excited about what I learned. Honestly, I can’t remember the med or why I was turned off by it? Around that same time I was considering going low-carb (totally independent of the diagnosis) and had been reading South Beach. Lo and behold, one of the ‘case studies’ was about a woman who’d been trying to get pregnant; found out she had PCOS; went low carb; got pg; had baby! I tried it. Lost 13 lbs, got a period again and was pregnant in 3 months! After my first child, I went off low carb and stopped having a regular period.
When we decided to try again three years later, I prepared by reducing my carbs and we got pregnant on the first try. Low carb! It worked for me! :)
I am so glad you are writing on this…I was diagnosed with PCOS a few years ago. I am currently trying to lose weight by eating a low carb, whole foods diet and cutting out all processed foods. I have such a hard time getting the weight off. 2 weeks and I’ve lost 2 lbs, while my friend has been doing the same diet and lost 10+ in the first week! I’ve refreshed myself on the PCOS research and it IS discouraging. I have been on the Metformin before, but I wasn’t as concerned with my PCOS then. Now I am desperate to get the weight off. My monthly cylces are crazy and often have 2 week periods…Looking forward to reading everyone’s comments.
I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2007, a year after my son was born. I was always within a normal weight range, until after I gave birth. I started gaining weight, and I had no idea why. Almost a year later (and 40 pounds heavier on TOP of the pregnancy weight I didn’t lose), I was diagnosed with PCOS. I started taking Metformin, and I lost weight when I cut down on my carbs. Before I started on the Metformin, it did not matter how little I ate or how much I exercised, the weight would not come off! My husband and I started trying to have another baby in July 2008. Several months ago I started eating a lower carb “diet” and included many whole foods (including a whole foods vitamin). I lost a total of 38 pounds! Today I am 5 months pregnant and still weigh 32 pounds less than I did when I was diagnosed. I took the Metformin through my first trimester, and then I stopped taking it. I was nervous to do so, because I didn’t want to start gaining extra weight again (on top of the usual pregnancy weight). To my surprise, I have not gained much weight at all! I remember my endocrinologist telling me when I was diagnosed that the weight and insulin resistance is like a snowball. The more I gained, the more insulin resistant I became…on and on. It seems as though the more weight I lose, (due to eating healthy foods) the less insulin resistant I become. I thank God all of the time for healing my body one step at a time!
My husband and I were married for almost 10 years and still no baby…we were trying to accept that that was the plan God had for us and were starting the process of adoption. When i was first diagnosed with PCOS I was put on Metformin which did help with a lot of the symptoms and I lost a lot of weight. I was able to get pregnant on the medication and then miscarried. I went off the medication and exercised and stuck to an all natural lower carb diet prescribed by my nutritionist and by the grace of God was able to get pregnant again!! I took my Vitamins faithfully, still ate well and I delivered an 8 pound 13 ounce healthy little boy! Seven months later during the course of breastfeeding him I became pregnant again(much to our suprise and delight!!) the Lord is so good!!!!! I delivered my second sweet little boy-he weighed in at 9 pounds 3 ounces and he was also healthy as could be!! Please do not give up hope ladies…we were married almost 10 YEARS before this all happened…I know God’s timing is perfect and now looking back as difficult as it all was I would not change a thing. Looking forward to the future and what HIS plan is for us. Blessings!!
@Becca, hi my name is sadia i am 29 years old i am also pcos patient i am trying for a baby from the last two years but failed i did every thing i take metformin clomid aromek lot of injections but i m failed i read ur story and i am very impresses u are a great women and congratulations do u have any advice for me i m so worried
@Becca, Thank you so much for sharing your story! I was taking Metformin since I was 16 (now I’m 29). My husband and I have been trying to have a child since we were married 3 years ago. I have been pregnant twice (while on metformin) and both ended in m/c. I decided to try and lose weight and exercise and eat a really low GI diet… to my suprise I”m pregnant again (without Metformin this time) and I’ve been scared. I’m praying that the timing is right in God’s eyes and this will finally be my chance to hold my child in my arms.
I am currently struggling with infertility caused by PCOS and am looking forward to hearing the success stories.
My sister was on a ton of medication to control depression and try to regulate a period…luckily she just decided after 3 years to go off everything and exercise and less eating out her PCOS improved dramatically and she was able to get pregnant within 3 months. Amazing!
About 3 years ago, I was fed up with sporadic, painful periods, and my husband and I were ready to try for a baby. I tried the prescriptions that my OBGYN gave me, only to find that they messed me up more. I then tried cleaning up my diet–eating only low glycemic foods. I also tried to cut out chemicals going into my body–caffeine, aspartame, parabens, and even eating off of plastics, etc. since I found out that I am chemically sensitive. That, combined with using herbs such as chaste berry, and using bioidentical progesterone helped me to lose 30 pounds and get back into a regular ovulation cycles. I still have more weight to lose, and it is very hard for me to keep the weight off, which makes me think my hormones are still a little out of whack. But it’s so nice to be back into ovulating normally and not having the pain anymore! I haven’t been successful with conceiving, but we already have 4 beautiful adopted children, so I am waiting on God’s timing for having a biological child as well.
oops! my first comment got deleted!
what i said is that i switched to a high fat vegan diet, and stopped using anything on my body that i would not eat. worked for me!
…and by high fat, I mean using only high quality coconut oil, cold pressed olive oil, and flax oil. no canola, sunflower, vegetable, etc.
for me, switching to an all natural high fat vegan diet with lots of omega threes did the trick. i think fats are really important. i also stopped using ANYTHING on my body that I would not eat — I think that helped with my hormones because I was a total “product junkie” before. i had serious “string of pearls” ovaries and lots of symptoms, and now am totaly symptom/serious cyst free. for me, this worked.