PCOS Success Stories

How are you doing with your PCOS? Are you finding it to be a bit of a struggle? Can't lose weight or become pregnant? Hair where you don't want it? Easy to get discouraged? Well, you're not alone!

Millions of women are going through the same thing you are. We've collected a few success stories from women who have visited our site.

Please read as many of these stories as you can. Other women have shared their experiences so that you can have more success in your own situation.

Free PCOS Newsletter

These stories contain wisdom and creative approaches to polycystic ovary syndrome and its myriad symptoms.

Most of these women have improved their condition primarily by using natural health-building methods, although we've included other stories as well. We hope that you will be inspired by these stories and that you will have a renewed sense of hope and commitment to improving your health.

There's a lot you can do to minimize ovarian cysts and other symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome such as infertility, overweight, acne, hirsutism, and hair loss.

Although PCOS has a genetic component, diet, exercise, stress management, lifestyle, natural therapies and selected nutritional supplements influence how those genes behave. What you eat, do and think will powerfully influence your symptoms.

And remember, as many of these women say, never give up hope!

Featured PCOS Success Stories

If you have a success story to share, please let us know! We'd love to hear from you!

We're especially interested in stories of women who have successfully used diet, exercise, natural therapies, or dietary supplements to reduce PCOS-related problems.

(If you also have any photos that you think might inspire other women, let us know if you would like to share them. Examples might be your new baby, or "before" and "after" pictures of you after losing some weight).

Click here to submit your story!

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See Even More Stories Below!

Christine

My daughter was just diagnosed 9 months ago w/celiac sprue. I have PCOS.

I have had to follow her diet. I drink soy milk, no processed foods, all natural and fresh. Fresh meats, fruits, I make her bread and nothing w/gluten in it or the hidden gluten (hydrolyzed vegetable protein). When I started this diet with her, I felt a distinct difference in my whole body. I had more energy. I could move easier, I wanted to stay active. I also lost several pounds.

Now due to a small amount of lack of funds this month I have started to eat some of the processed foods again because they are cheaper and now I am gaining weight back and feel bloated all the time. We don't drink pop or coffee and she can only have certain candies and I am not a candy person at all. But I do believe that since we switched to everything natural and organic or just even fresh and nothing processed both of us are healthier.

My PCOS is totally under control and I don't have cramps when I have my periods anymore and I also have endometriosis and my cramps in the past have been debilitating and I wouldn't be able to move. Now I don't have that problem. I am now a firm believer in not using products with pesticides on them or processed w/other chemicals. It has made a difference in my life style and my overall physical health. I still have more weight to lose but that will come in time. Thank you for your newsletter. I really enjoy reading it.

- Christine

T.J.

Thank you for your newsletter! What great information. I wanted to share with you that I got my saliva tested for my hormone levels and found out I had really low progesterone and high testosterone. I looked "estrogen dominant" from my results.

My nurse practitioner put me on a natural progesterone cream made with a soy base and two weeks later (two weeks after my honeymoon) I was pregnant. Now, I was previously married and we tried everything!! I had surgery, Clomid, HSG, you name it. He had a great sperm count and healthy sperm and for 3 years no kids.

I have been on Glucophage 1000mg at night before bed for the past year and then used my topical progesterone cream for two weeks and bam! Just something to think about. From the information in your articles, you must have an open mind. I am willing to share any of my own personal information if you have questions. I see a lot of women complain about GI side effects of Glucophage; I switched to the extended release and all mine went away. The other stuff gave me constant diarrhea.

I am an RN and I actively search for health solutions. One thing I haven't found info on is how to stop the cravings for carbs. It's like I crave so bad I can't control myself. Does that make sense? I know I can't be the only one. Thanks a bunch.

- T.J.

Joanne B.

After 2 years of irregular periods and with doctors fobbing me off, I decided to go to a family planning clinic to see if they could shed any light on the subject. After an ultrascan, I was diagnosed with PCOS. I was put on a contraceptive pill called Dianette and while on honeymoon became pregnant with our daughter who is now 3. Looking forward to making number two now. Hope it won't be as complicated. I truly believe there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Never give up

- Joanne B.

Deena W.

At this moment I am listening to my 3 month old son scream his little lungs out. I didn't ever think I would enjoy that sound so much.

I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2001 and after a miscarriage from being on serephin, I switched doctors. I ended up going to a fantastic centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada. The doctor actually listened to me and set me up on a diabetic diet and a prescription for metformin. Within 2 months I had lost 16 lbs and was pregnant in another 4 months. For all of you out there, don't give up and be persistent. If your doctor isn't listening to you find one that will. Do your research about the different treatments and know your info. I am going back to the vitex now that I am postpartum and the diabetic eating ritual again.

Good Luck to you all.

- Deena W.

Crystal

My name is Crystal, I am 26 years old. I too have PCOS. My husband and I have been married for 3 years and still cannot get pregnant.

As of today I have no success story, but I have new found hope!!!! This web site has helped me so much. I am so excited about my options. And I am sure I will be writing back sooner than later with an amazing success story!!!

Thanks to all of you who took your time to write these letters to give women like me hope. And for all this amazing information. It is like a heavenly door has been opened!!!

- Crystal

Kimberly

My name is Kimberly and I was diagnosed with PCOS at the age of 19years of age. I have been suffering with PCOS for quite some time now and have not been able to cope with it. Due to PCOS I have had absent menstrals, weight gain, diabetes and very little cyst on my ovaries. I have had several tests done and have taken several medications from metformin to progesterone and even birth control pills and still none of this worked. Suddenly, I lost the weight that was due to the diabetes, and changed my diet. Within two months I found out I was pregnant with my very first baby.

- Kimberly

Julie

My name is Julie. I am 22 years old. I was told on Thursday the 27th January 2005 that I too have PCOS. I intend to lose weight after reading all of your stories which has given me hope in trying to get pregnant. I would love to chat to every one who has wrote a story on this page and hope that you can give me hope and push me in the right direction.

Thanks to all of you who wrote these stores and shared information I know that I'm not alone and miracles can happen.

- Julie

A.A.Z.

I have had problems with my cycle for years. It started in college. I'd skip 2 months, have a normal cycle one month, bleed heavily for weeks at a time. When I saw doctors, they all told me the same thing. Take birth control pills to regulate the cycle. I'd take the pills for a while, but was hesitant to stay on them for periods longer than 6 months at a time.

After going off the pill, I'd have normal cycles for about 4 months before things went wacky again. Over the years I'd gain and lose weight, then gain it back again. I changed doctors a few times, but they all had the same agenda. BC. I resisted the idea.

I was sick of doctors casually handing me pills to stop my symptomatic bleeding instead of trying to find out exactly what the problem was. At one point I stopped taking the pills and ended up bleeding for over 3 months straight. Heavily. I ended up in the hospital with 1/4th the amount of blood that I should've had. I had to get a blood transfusion. 2 Units.!

Finally I was told I had PCOS, and that I'd have to be on birth control for the rest of my child bearing years to keep my cycle regulated.

Once I was married, being on birth control became an unacceptable method because we wanted children. My husband and I were blessed with the conception of two children. However, both pregnancies miscarried. Then, I was diagnosed with a incompetent cervix.

I sought out an herbalist/nutritionist. He put me on a restricted diet, and gave me a vitamin and herbal detox regimen.

For 2 months I ate no meat, no bread, no pasta of any kind, no sweets, no processed foods, no rice. I ate lots of vegetables, drank daily protein drinks. Took loads of vitamin and mineral supplements daily. For 28 days, I drank 18 ounces of herbal infusion twice daily.

When my regimen was done I had lost 30 pounds. My cycle has behaved as it should. I am so thankful. I know I need to stay focused and maintain a healthy life style. I intend to do so. Later this year we hope to conceive again, and this time carry the child full term.

- A.A.Z.

Samantha

My name is Samantha. I was just tested and they believe I have PCOS. At first looking at some of the web sites out there I was hysterical, thinking "why me"!!! But immediately I tried to eat less after hearing about the weight loss idea. I am now going to look up more healthy diets to try out. I am 23 and getting married in June, I am hoping to conceive, my only dream in life was to be a mother.

All of your stories have given me hope that I will be able to experience the miracle of child birth.

Thank you.

- Samantha

Vanessa

This site is like a light at the end of a very long tunnel. I am 43 and my PCOS was triggered (I firmly believe) by a sustained period of stress at work when I was 30. I gained weight like whoosh and developed a carbohydrate habit (yes TJ I get cravings too!) and got what I now recognise as depression. I struggled through it and eventually only went to the doctor when I was bleeding all the time.

I was diagnosed with PCOS and put on the pill. I was told by a male consultant (whose lack of sympathy I now feel outraged about!), that it was the pill for the rest of my reproductive life or a hysterectomy. Quite desperate - because I didn't want to be on the pill - I started eating even more and put on more weight. Went from a (UK) size 12 to 18. Eventually gave in and went on the pill. On it for 2 years and decided spontaneously to come off, having started to go to the gym and lost a bit of weight. Found out by accident that losing weight could help control PCOS symptoms.

Recently got bloated again and decided to do some research on the web and voila! This wonderful site - so honest and female friendly. I am truly grateful and I look forward to your diet book eagerly.

- Vanessa

Amy

Hi, I was diagnosed with PCOS and high insulin about a month ago. I was told that if I did not change some habits- I could develop diabetes. I started on a diet and the generic form of glucophage. Since then I have lost about 10 lbs. I am starting to eat foods I should not and struggling, but I will succeed.

All these stories really have made me feel that I can get healthier and hopefully have a healthy pregnancy by the end of the year! One thing I hated about the medicine is that it really gave me severe diarrhea and nausea. I have since adjusted and am feeling better. I would love to talk to others who have shared this diagnosis.

- Amy

S

After several years ttc, I was diagnosed PCOS. Several years on metformin & clomid, then I lost 40 lbs going low carb & had a miscarriage. My version of the low carb diet was UNhealthy. :( I switched to a healthy whole foods diet and eliminated bread/pasta etc. Within 2 months I was pregnant! I had to take progesterone as many of us need, and I have had 2 healthy babies!!!

- S

Angelique

I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 17 in 2002 and I am currently taking metformin and have stopped my lo ovral birth control in hopes to conceive. I started metformin in 2004 but stopped due to the side affects only to continue on a lower dosage 1 and a half months ago. Reading your success stories give me motivation and new found hope. I hope that I can get through this and conceive soon... Wish me luck!!

- Angelique

Gabrielle

I am 39 years old and was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 20. I too was passed around from doctor to doctor, and was made to feel like I had no hope.

When I was 33 years old I moved to England to be with my boyfriend. I was very healthy, never ate fast food or potato chips and exercised regularly. Anyways, I forgot my birth control pills in Canada and was too lazy to get them renewed. Within 2 months I was pregnant and gave birth to a healthy boy (Joshua now 5), I felt wonderful and began to have regular periods after the birth. When Josh was a year old, I went on Clomid and after a month became pregnant again (Benjamin, now 3). I feel extremely blessed and grateful to God for my boys.

Now back in Canada, I have become very lazy and eat a lot of crap (i.e. potato chips). I have gained 40 lbs, started loosing my hair and sadly had a miscarriage this past Christmas!

So, I am going to return to my healthy diet of 5 years ago, I have bought a treadmill and will exercise daily. I strongly believe that it is through my lack of exercise and very bad diet (too much caffeine), that I lost my baby. I look forward to the Healthy Diet Book!

Good luck to all of you and never give up! May God bless you and keep you strong.

- Gabrielle

Anjali

Hi all! Thank you for posting all your stories on the net. I have just come to know yesterday that I have PCOS. How do I feel about it? Terribe, depressed, very, very bad. Why? Because it has made me infertile, I am at high risk for diabetes, cholesterol, cancer and heart disease.

But that was until I read all your stories. Now I know what I should be doing.

Weight is not a major problem as I am only 10lbs off my target and with regular exercise can get it off. I have always had good eating habits, no junk or fast food, but I had lot of carbs intake with rice and pasta and fruits. I will make some lifestyle and dietry changes.

Also, I will be starting shortly on metformin. I am not gonna let PCO beat me, but I am gonna beat it. I have gained this confidence and this positive feeling all because of your stories. Thanks again. May God bless all of us.

- Anjali

Caroline

Amy, try taking the extended release glucophage--i had horrible gastrointestial problems until I switched from the 3x daily meds to the time-release ones. It was like magic. And, I, too, lost 40 lbs in the first 5 months following treatment with glucophage. I was 16 then, and am now 21. I have not tried to get pregnant, and won't for some time, and still struggle with my weight. I've kept those 40 lbs off, but have been at a standstill around 200lbs for several years. I wish you lots of luck! Stick with the diet!

- Caroline