I had never heard that it's common to get PCOS symptoms after stopping birth control. I stopped birth control in 2021 and I got a ton of PCOS symptoms, my most distressing is that I haven't gotten a period since and my insulin levels are quite high. According to the rotterdam criteria I wouldn't meet the diagnosis for PCOS. It's been a struggle to find a dr to tell me what I should do. I am on metformin now to help with my high insulin numbers, but it has been 4 years since I've had a period! Is this common as well? For reference I'm 33, and I'm assuming not perimenopausal
How tough for you Katie!! Have they ruled hypothalamic amenorrhea?? That’s another cause for periods not returning. I’m assuming they checked your androgens, LH and FSH? That would help figure out if androgens are also behind it. How are you with insulin lowering tools? I have so many questions 😆
Honestly, they never asked questions surrounding HA but I had done a lot of work to repair my relationship with food starting around 2019 and I had taken a break from exercising as well. They have checked those hormones a few times and they were all normal ranges. In terms of insulin lowering tools, I take metformin twice a day, I take ovasitol every morning, it was also recommended I take omega 3s, vitamin B12, vitamin D and a prenatal vitamin. So I'm on those as well. I try to pair carbs with protein or fat at meals and snacks and usually eat 3 meals and 2-3 snacks per day. I often eat higher fiber carbs. Any other insulin lowering tips?
I’m bummed they didn’t rule out HA!! It can take soooooooo long to get through nutritional rehabilitation to repair HA so could still be it. Did they take a HOMA-IR to test how much insulin your body needs to lower glucose? That can help you know if need to increase metformin (many need 1500-2000 mg) and/or increase inositol. Of course if have HA those wouldn’t help. Keep me posted!!!
What is the criteria for diagnosing HA? For HOMA-IR, I had used an online calculator to calculate it. Is that the same as the Dr doing a HOMA-IR test? The result I got was 4.8. I have tried twice to increase my metformin but couldn't tolerate it, I've considered trying to increase it again. How can the dose of metformin and inositol be calculated based on HOMA-IR?
Such great information. Thank you!
So glad you found helpful!
I had never heard that it's common to get PCOS symptoms after stopping birth control. I stopped birth control in 2021 and I got a ton of PCOS symptoms, my most distressing is that I haven't gotten a period since and my insulin levels are quite high. According to the rotterdam criteria I wouldn't meet the diagnosis for PCOS. It's been a struggle to find a dr to tell me what I should do. I am on metformin now to help with my high insulin numbers, but it has been 4 years since I've had a period! Is this common as well? For reference I'm 33, and I'm assuming not perimenopausal
How tough for you Katie!! Have they ruled hypothalamic amenorrhea?? That’s another cause for periods not returning. I’m assuming they checked your androgens, LH and FSH? That would help figure out if androgens are also behind it. How are you with insulin lowering tools? I have so many questions 😆
Honestly, they never asked questions surrounding HA but I had done a lot of work to repair my relationship with food starting around 2019 and I had taken a break from exercising as well. They have checked those hormones a few times and they were all normal ranges. In terms of insulin lowering tools, I take metformin twice a day, I take ovasitol every morning, it was also recommended I take omega 3s, vitamin B12, vitamin D and a prenatal vitamin. So I'm on those as well. I try to pair carbs with protein or fat at meals and snacks and usually eat 3 meals and 2-3 snacks per day. I often eat higher fiber carbs. Any other insulin lowering tips?
I’m bummed they didn’t rule out HA!! It can take soooooooo long to get through nutritional rehabilitation to repair HA so could still be it. Did they take a HOMA-IR to test how much insulin your body needs to lower glucose? That can help you know if need to increase metformin (many need 1500-2000 mg) and/or increase inositol. Of course if have HA those wouldn’t help. Keep me posted!!!
What is the criteria for diagnosing HA? For HOMA-IR, I had used an online calculator to calculate it. Is that the same as the Dr doing a HOMA-IR test? The result I got was 4.8. I have tried twice to increase my metformin but couldn't tolerate it, I've considered trying to increase it again. How can the dose of metformin and inositol be calculated based on HOMA-IR?