Poly and Me: A Personal Account of Living with PCOS

In the last year I suffered two early miscarriages. In this case, ignorance would have been bliss. When I discussed it with my reproductive endocrinologist, she affirmed my suspicions; I have probably had several miscarriages over the years. This is not uncommon for PCOS.

I spend lots of time online talking to other PCOS and trying-to-conceive (TTC) women. I don't know what I would do without them, frankly. I have discovered another trait of PCOS: strength. The support groups I belong to are filled with extraordinary women facing extraordinary challenges. The best group for me has been a group of TTC women, all with PCOS. It's not that we face worse challenges than any other group of long-term TTC women, but we face some very specific PCOS problems.

As I write this, I am in something that all TTC women can understand—the two week wait between ovulation and the expected arrival of my period. I hope for the best, but I try to be realistic. Even my reproductive endocrinologist isn't too hopeful that I can conceive without more overt medical assistance, so we're debating the next step.

I appreciate this chance to tell as many women as possible about this illness. Today, Poly C. is resting quietly in my drawer. I've thought about just throwing her away. If only getting rid of the real thing were that easy!

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association An excellent resource for information, the latest research, and support. There is an excellent quiz on the website, which might help tell you if you need to discuss the possibility of PCOS with your healthcare provider.