My Truth About PCOS Symptoms..

After reading a few people's blogs who also have PCOS and reading their answers to the list of what research says you will have to deal with if you have PCOS, like other people's blogs I'm going to write my side of it, I know in many regards I do not have it as bad off as other's have it, in fact compaired to many I've gotten off lightly. So here is my side of the deal as I see it though my own eyes.

 Early symptoms of PCOS include: 
 Few or no menstrual periods. This can range from less than nine menstrual cycles in a year (more than 35 days between cycles) to no menstrual periods. Some women with PCOS have regular periods but are not ovulating every month. This means that their ovaries are not releasing an egg each month.

Well I know when I was a child and my cycles first started I was 7 years old and maybe for the first year they where semi regular, as in every two months or less I'd be getting them and they would be fair heavy, but I didn't think anything of it. Then the weight gain started and my cycles got less and less till I was lucky to get an hour of bleeding once a year.

Hair loss from the scalp and hair growth (hirsutism) on the face, chest, back, stomach, thumbs, or toes. About 70% of women in the United States with PCOS complain of these hair problems caused by high androgen levels. Acne and oily skin, caused by high androgen levels.

Again this was something that I experianced growing up, at age 13 I found my first white hair on my way to my Jr. High Graduation, not a great thing to find at that age what so ever. Though I am lucky in this area that I only had the hair falling out issue on the top of my head, no hair on my chest to speak of and very little on my back (though that's now changed or so my husband tells me). I do have hair on my hands, but I can't remember a time that its never not been there so its never been an issue to me same goes for my toes its always been there so I've never paid it any attention. Only hair I am now actually paying attention to is the part that has start to be more noticible on my upper lip, not that is starting to get rather annoying!

Acne and oily skin, caused by high androgen levels.

I have the Acne, but I do not have oily skin and most of the acne I have is on my body not on my face as is common for most people - but I find is more annoying big time when it likes to appear on my breast.

Depression or mood swings. Hormonal changes are a known cause of emotional symptoms.

K I did go though a short period of Depression according to my mom, but we don't link it to the PCOS but to that abusive relationship I was in for over a year. But the mood swings, well that is another matter, according to my mom I've always been moody so she's not ready to say that its because of the PCOS, though I am sure some of it might well be. I do know that some of my mood swings are do to High Glucose levels or Low Glucose levels going to high or going to low I have found can trigger a swing in my moods big time.

PCOS symptoms that may develop gradually include: Weight gain or upper body obesity (more around the abdomen than the hips). This is linked to high androgen levels.

Not sure about this in general, as most of my weight is carried in my hip area, I'm more a pear shape then an Apple which is the common look for those with PCOS or so I've been told, I'm also close to the Hourglass form as I am the Pear shape (as in I'm only 10 inches different from the width of my shoulder to the width of my hips, and only 5 inches different from my width of my shoulder to the width of my waste.

Male-pattern baldness or thinning hair (alopecia). This is linked to high androgen levels.

As I stated above this is something that I have found happening to me since I entered into my teen years. Though one funny thing once I had my hysterectomy I my head hair started thickening and down below where I was once almost bald started to grow with avengance.

Repeat miscarriages. The cause for this is not known. These miscarriages may be linked to high insulin levels, delayed ovulation, or other problems such as the quality of the egg or how the egg attaches to the uterus.

I've only ever had one known miscarriage, there might have been other's but I only know of one actually taking place.

Inability to become pregnant (infertility). This is because the ovaries are not releasing an egg (not ovulating).

Well I know I will never have a child of my body, and I am 100% alright with that. Its not something that was ever meant to be and since I don't have the drive to be a mother its something that is alright with me. Being infertile to me is a blessing, it opens up a whole lot of things that I don't have to worry about, though it does isolate me at times from other women who can't understand how I can be happy without being a mother.

Symptoms of too much insulin (hyperinsulinemia) and insulin resistance, which can include upper body weight gain and skin changes, such as skin tags or dark, velvety skin patches under the arm, on the neck, or in the groin and genital area.

Well of all the signs listed above I only really have had to deal with the skin tags, they haven't been that bad and the ones that are most annoying I tend to take care of on my own.

Breathing problems while sleeping (obstructive sleep apnea). This is linked to both obesity and insulin resistance.

As yet this is not something what I have any known issue with, my husband hasn't mentioned anything about it so as yet I don't think I have an issue with it.

Pain in the lower abdomen and pelvis (chronic pelvic pain).

I lived with this for close to 5 years, it getting worse and worse and worse with each passing year and nothing my gyn or doc would to do help with the 24/7 pain that I was having to deal with. I finally all came to a stop when I had the hysterectomy in 2008. However in the past year its started up again, and there is no rhyme or reason for it since I do not have a reproductive system in place anymore.

High blood pressure may be more common in women with PCOS, especially if they are very overweight. Your doctor will check your blood pressure.

Well so far so good on this grounds when it comes to what my Endo says with each visit. I still not close to having it if anything my levels are better then my age group and way better then my age group for those with diabetes to start with, so all in all he's happy with how that side of things are with me.

Homemade Hamburgers

As healthy as we can make them Hamburgers
40 Minutes to Prepare and Cook
Number of Servings: 6

Ingredients
Ground beef, extra lean, 16 oz
Onions, raw, 1 cup, chopped
Breadcrumbs, 25 grams
Egg, fresh, 1 large
Garlic, 8 cloves
Becel, 2 tsp

Directions
Chop up the onion (diced or chunks which ever you prefer) and Mince up the garlic

Then in on a medium bowl combine the ground beef, onion and garlic well - add the bread crumbs and egg and continue mixing till well mixed

Form into 6 equal balls and set aside

Get out your skillet and add oil or butter or some agent to prevent the burgers from sticking.

Get the skillet nice and hot and place the burger balls on the skillet (using a spatula flatten the ball out) and cook till cooked though, repeat with remaining balls.

Serve and enjoy.

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Nutrition Facts
  Servings Per Recipe: 6
  Serving Size: 1 serving
Amount Per Serving
  Calories 228.2
  Total Fat 15.3 g
     Saturated Fat 5.6 g
     Polyunsaturated Fat 1.1 g
     Monounsaturated Fat 6.5 g
  Cholesterol 87.6 mg
  Sodium 73.6 mg
  Potassium 282.8 mg
  Total Carbohydrate 5.6 g
     Dietary Fiber 0.8 g
     Sugars 0.0 g
  Protein 16.2 g
  Vitamin A 2.7 %
  Vitamin B-12 27.3 %
  Vitamin B-6 14.4 %
  Vitamin C 4.9 %
  Vitamin D 6.1 %
  Vitamin E 3.7 %
  Calcium 2.2 %
  Copper 4.2 %
  Folate 3.8 %
  Iron 9.6 %
  Magnesium 4.9 %
  Manganese 5.9 %
  Niacin 17.5 %
  Pantothenic Acid     4.5 %
  Phosphorus     13.6 %
  Riboflavin 14.2 %
  Selenium 19.7 %
  Thiamin 4.6 %
  Zinc 22.1 %

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Carbs, high, low and no

There has been much talk over the years about "Cabs" that they are bad, that they are good, that you don't need them, that you can't live without them, and the list can go on and on.  I know my opinion on the matter and I know that it is not shared by all or in some cases even many of those who are Diabetic or have PCOS, but its what I've found works for me so its what actually matters when all is said and dun.

My personal opinion is as follows...

What is low carb? Some say it is not going over 40, 50 or even 60 grams of carbs in a day total. To others it means cutting out any and all processed carbs and only going for natural occurring ones such as what you get from fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds and select organic breads.

Well that is one view of the matter my own view of that matter is for myself and myself alone low carbing it is sticking around 130 grams of carbs max in a day, yes 130 grams of carbs to me is what I call low carbing it, why? Simple I've found that if I go under that for extended periods of time in a row that I end up with other issues going on that could mean a trip to the ER, my body doesn't handle going to low for very long, even if I try to do it over a period of months its not something my body can handle doing without consequences to my health taking place.

Then there is the camp for no carbs, this camp I have no idea about really its something that I've just been seeing of late around the net so I don't know much about it, the only thing I do know is that the brain needs carbs to function and not giving it the right fuel from those carbs can lead to developmental and other issues within the brain itself (at least from the studies i've read over the years).

High carb, again that camp seems to have gone almost into hibernation in the past several years, which many people getting on the low carb camp - so much so that every where you look you see low carb this low carb that - that seeing regular food is getting harder in harder. But that high carb camp its still around, it is still alive and I'm part of it in my own fashion. I support eating carbs to fuel the body as necessary but not to the detriment of hurting the body, if that means loading up on 300 grams of carbs in a day for some reason then so be it, if its needed its needed, if it happens because you chose the wrong foods in a day again it happens its not bad its just something that happened that maybe the next day or so you should be watching what you eat in general.

This is why I think that there is no such thing as unhealthy carbs in general, to me its all called moderation - yes sugar is not healthy in general but it is a fast acting carb that can give someone who is diabetic that small kick that might be necessary to keep one from going to low till one can get the right ratio of carbs and protein in to get their levels stable. But that aside nothing dun in excess is good for anyone, at least I don't think that is the case, to me I feel that if eating 150 grams of carbs a day is what works for you then great! If eating 50 grams of carbs works for you well great, just remember it works for you.

As a diabetic I know that carbs effect how my glucose levels will rise and drop, so I have learned though a lot of trail and error what will work for me, it doesn't mean that I have perfect control over my levels because I don't, but I have learned in general what to do to keep my levels within range.

As a woman with PCOS added into the mix, it can make it a harder choice because there are various theories on the matter about those with PCOS needed to do X for their carbs vs Y if you are diabetic or Z if you are both. Add in another medical condition or two or even allergies and the whole thing becomes just that much harder to figure out and work with. Which is why I know there will always be that debate of Low Carb VS High Carb VS No Carbs and so forth and so on.

Well post more as time allows for it, take care everyone
Nyx

When Marriage and Being ChildFree Collide

There have been various articles in various local newspapers of late, since the US stats group reported that being Childfree or Childlessness is on the rise across the US itself.

Reports from other parts of the world echo this trend, with some places reporting that as much as 35% of the population is currently choosing to be childfree for various reasons and the numbers are growing. The various news articles and reports site birth control, career advancement and meeting the right person later in life as some of the leading causes for this rise in being Childfree or Childlessness.

Why am I using two different terms? Simple answer is many of us who are Childfree by choice see them as two different terms and meanings. Childfree meaning someone who has by their own choice chosen not to have a child and the term Childless meaning someone who isn’t able to have a child but wishes they could have had one some times this is do to being infertile but at others its to do age and no longer being able to have one.

We might be living in the 21st century but for many in this day and age still assume that if you are a married couple that you will have a child because that is the only reason why a couple would get married. Many of us know that this is not the only reason to get married, but it is still one of those reasons that is prevalent.

I’ve read several stories over the years of couples who have been together for several years, then the day comes and marriage is proposed and agreed upon. Yet one area is left out of that agreement, the topic of children. One partner assumes that the other is on the same wave length as them, after all they have been together for X number of years and the topic never came up or if it did there was no disagreement on the matter.

Yet once the agreement on getting married happens one partner finds that they are not on the same wave length as they first though their partner to be. I’ve read this time and time again around the internet and read it in local papers as well (in columns where people as someone advice on an issue). Most of the columnists who answer the questions to have a point that it is something that should have been talked about in length long before getting married came into the picture but as much as that might or might not have happened the person still has to deal with the fact that their love now has opposite views then they first thought.

It can be hard to comprehend what is going on in the mind of one partner who you have been seeing or even living with for months or years. You have transparency within the relationship or at least you feel you have that going on, you share your ideas for the future what you hope to do and what you see happening for the two of you, yes that one area which for many can be a deal breaker might come up but nothing really is said about it. Or if it is there is agreement along some areas but maybe not in full, such as one partner saying that they rather be with you then have a child, yet they would still like to have a child to carry on their family line.

That can be hard to hear if you’ve 100% chosen to be Childfree or if your body has chosen to make that choice for you, and adoption isn’t going to be an option for what ever reason. Knowing that your partner loves you and cares about you but isn’t 100% in your corner on that one area that is important can be hard to deal with. What do you do when your partner wants a child but says they rather be with you then have said child? It can be a tough one, a topic which you need to sit down and really talk about.

In many cases it will just lead to misunderstandings and other issues between the couple as the years go on, it can also lead to one of the partners seeking another who might be willing to have a child with them in the end because their drive to have a child is so strong, that it doesn’t matter what they have told you, they need that part of their life to feel like they have dun something with their life or what have you.

Choosing to marry someone and only finding out after you are married that they now expect you to have changed your mind about children can be heart breaking in the extreme, its like you feel you married a total stranger, not the person you fell in love with to start with. Some people will put aside their wish to be childfree to make their partner’s dream come true, male or female it doesn’t matter one partner might well feel pressured into doing something which they have no interest in doing but do it because they love their partner and wont to keep the peace or similar effect between them. You might even come to love the child that comes if it comes, but you might just as much come to resent the child and your partner who you feel forced you to do something which you wouldn’t have other wise have dun.

It is its own sticky area when it comes to being with someone and life choices you make as a couple. Being on the same page isn’t always an easy thing to be and having open communication between the two of you isn’t any easer. All relationships take work and communication on all levels between the two of you. Knowing your partners views on this at each “stage” of your relationship helps both of you in the long run.

I do not claim to be an expert when it comes to marriage, communication or anything of the like with a partner but I do know what I have seen in person and read from various people over the years, plus my own folks as examples. Thus when I first meet Norman, I asked him his views on children where. This was before we even started dating, his comments and his views on children are what got us into the dating side of things. Because for me there was no way I was going to date anyone who was interested in having them, and since he answered that he didn’t wont any and to add to the fact that he was himself infertile so it wasn’t going to happen just added to my own interest in him.

After dating for a time, I asked him again the same question and I got back the same answer he’d given me when we first meet and started dating. I asked him the same question shortly after he asked me to marry him, and again after we where married and while living down in the US. His answer’s never changed on the matter. Yet for all that knowledge I still had to ask him time and time again if he was sure about it guess because I’d heard one to many stories from other girls about their perfect guy turning tables on them regarding the kid issue that as much as I felt we where on the same wave length I needed the reassurance that we really where, and bless him he fully understood why I kept asking him the same question in various forms.

One thing I did to make sure that my own feelings and why I was asking him as I was about kids was how in the past it had been when holding a baby, it always felt wrong in my arms to do so, even the sight and smell was off putting to me. So when I got a chance to do so I actually held someone’s baby for a time, something I’d not dun since University and back then it had been a really bad experience one that left me feeling very much outside of the female norm and apart from all the other girls in my class. Well this time round it was a little different it still felt wrong in my arms and I still had no idea what to do with it in my arms other then hold on tight to make sure she didn’t squirm out of my arms and hurt herself, but she didn’t feel right in them and Norman actually refused to hold her when he was offered the chance to do so. So I knew then and there that the choice to be Childfree was the right choice for me and for us as a couple.

I know some readers out there are saying “but its different when its your own”, that might well be the case, but it also might well not be the case. I’ve talked to various people over the years and most of them has said the same thing when it came to holding a baby, that it felt right like a warm feeling or the like is what they said it to being. Some said it didn’t feel right, and that when they later held their own child that feeling didn’t change much, when asked do they regret having that child or children several did say that they wish they had been able to hold off till they where better off or at least in a better situation, only a couple of people have actually regretted having a child at all, but since they have a child now they are making the best that they can of it.

So to me that means that there are those of us who have it within us to be a parent, but that there are those of us who might well have it within us to be a parent but for what ever reason its not the right course of action for us to take in being one. Being an aunt or an uncle or even a godparent for us is the better option for what ever reason, and for some of us being that aunt and uncle or godparent is enough to give one that child fix that some wish to have, while others are just happy enough to let other’s have their kids and keep them as far from them as possible.

We live in a world where being a parent is something which is still expected of a woman of child bearing age more so if they have chosen to get married, and the world is geared towards those who choose to raise young, for the good or the ill it matters not its how society in general has developed and just because more and more people are choosing not to have children will not change that area. But we can choose to make of it what we are able, finding those who share our interests and in general doing what it is we love to do, just like anyone else on this planet.

A Few Reference Sites and Articles
* Childlessness Up Among All Women; Down Among Women with Advanced Degrees
* Reproductive Justice Includes the Choice to Be Childfree
* Top Childfree News
* Happy and child-free
* The Rise in Childlessness: Are We Seeing a Childless Revolution?
* Russia To Become Childfree Land Under Western Influence
* Childfree encouragement
* ‘Childfree’ is new word of reproductive choice

Stop PCOS Ignorance

PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and many women deal with it, on a day to day basis. PCOS can effect one's Menstrual cycle, Ability to have children, Hormones, Heart, Blood vessels and Appearance, in short it can effect every aspect of a woman's life.

It is estimated that over 5 million women in the US alone have PCOS, and many of them don't even know it. At this point in time no one knows what is the cause of PCOS and their is no cure, but there are treatments out there that can help you take charge of this condition and make it bearable.

I've been living with PCOS for as long as I can remember, but I've not let it slow me down or stop me. I might have Diabetes because of it, I might be infertile because of it and I might have a lot of other issues thanks to it, but it is just one more thing to deal with in life and as such it can be handled and dealt with and lived with.

Liberation for One in Ten Women

Houston, Texas, Sunday June 13th, 2010 — PCOS Foundation's first-ever, fun-filled, one-day symposium on understanding and controlling the effects of PCOS

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome affects 5-10% of women of childbearing age, with 30% of women having some PCOS symptoms. Over 75% of women with PCOS are undiagnosed: that’s an estimated 9 million women in the U.S alone.

Its causes are unknown. Its symptoms are misunderstood. Its diagnosis is difficult. Its numbers are staggering. And its worse case scenario is death. Yet little is being said or done about this life-threatening, life-altering condition known as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS. The PCOS Foundation of Houston wants to change all that.

Their free, one-day symposium will take a light-hearted, energetic approach at educating women about small steps they can take to control PCOS symptoms and prevent potential long term health effects. Topics will include Hormonal Aspects of PCOS, Infertility & PCOS, Heart Disease & Metabolic Disease, Alternative Treatments for PCOS and Simple Exercise Techniques.

For one in every ten women, symptoms like obesity, excessive hair on the face and body, thinning hair on the head, acne, a lackluster sex drive, and the inability to become pregnant or maintain a pregnancy is cause for embarrassment, depression and hopelessness. It dramatically increases a women’s risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes and endometrial cancer. Yet PCOS is the most common hormonal disorder occurring in women of child-bearing years and a leading cause of infertility.

Although there’s no known cure for PCOS, its symptoms can be controlled, allowing women to become pregnant, deliver healthy babies, and live a full, happy, healthy life. Through interactive education PCOS Foundation founder, Lisa Benjamini, and other experts in the field will partner with Houston area women to let them know they’re not alone in combating the devastating effects of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. PCOS Foundation is the largest Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Referral Center in Texas, treating patients from all over the world.

Learn more about the 2010 PCOS Symposium June 13 at: http://pcosfoundation.org/ Learn more about PCOS symptoms RSVP to Jilian Ryan at PCOS Foundation 713-467-4488 ext. 233 Hilton Houston Post Oak Ballroom C 2001 Post Oak Blvd. Houston, Texas

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Press Release

ChildFree - Breeder Bingo

There is something called Breeder Bingo which is what many who are ChildFree have heard time and time about their lack of reproduction wishes. The takes on it vary, but the general questions that one gets asked are about the same regardless of where you are from. Here is my own take on the matter plus some comments from other’s that I’ve talked with over the years.

Its different when it’s your own!
That might well be the case, but since I don’t have an interest in having one to start with its a mute point. – Nyxks

Ya I know its different, after you have your own you CAN’T give it back! – Samantha

Your child could grow up to cure cancer!
That’s is not a good reason for me to have a child – Nyxks

If that is something you wish to do, then why don’t you put your money, time, and effort into doing it instead of waiting for a future child to be born to do it for you? – Pamela

People like you SHOULD have kids!
People like me? and what makes me different from those who chosen to have a child?

You were a baby once, too!
Yes and I grew out of that rather fast – Nyxks

And so have been many other people who have created such discord in this world – Tammy

What about the family name?
What of it? my family name couldn’t get carried on any how I’m female not male – Nyxks

Who will take care of you when you’re old?
for this answer its best to read what I wrote on my previous blog near the bottom of the post. – Nyxks

What if your parents hadn’t had kids?
My folks had settled into a childless life before I came into the picture, they had stopped trying for a child and had started living their life as they where able to live it. Them not having me wouldn’t have changed their love for each other, it only would have meant that you’d not be talking to me about this subject in the here and now. Also my folks only ever had one child, they chose not to have more then one. – Nyxks

The only reason to get married is to have children?
No there are many reasons to get married, children isn’t one of them. There are many people who live common law who have children together being married has nothing to do with having children. Also marriage is a relatively new term and concept when it comes to relationships, many years ago – Nyxks

It’s all worth it!
It is? then why are you always complaining about your own kids? Or for that matter someone else’s if its all worth it in the end? – Nyxks

The biological clock is ticking!
My biological clock never worked, so kind of hard for it to tick to start with – Nyxks

You’ll change your mind!
Hard to change ones mind when one is blessed with infertility to start with – Nyxks

If everyone didn’t have kids, the human race would die out!
The human race dying out, well that is possible it could happen, but I don’t see that happening now with the current population and people such as yourself. – Nyxks

But the Bible said “go forth and multiply!”
it does? guess I missed that part .. oh well .. oh and for your information since the bible was written by man of course its says something like that, can’t have it saying “be selective, don’t have kids till you are ready and able to raise them right and care for them” that would be just to complicated. – Nyxks

You forgot the pain of labor and birth!
Nope, that is one major reason why I chose NOT to have children that and I just couldn’t imagine carrying around something the weight and size of a bowling ball for an average of 9 months! – Nyxks

People who don’t want kids are selfish!
No more selfish then those you have children and don’t take care of them – Nyxks

You aren’t a real adult until you have kids!
Great, I never wonted to be Adult – Nyxks

Children are a woman’s greatest achievement!
They are? oh thanks for letting me know that I can’t be a woman if I can’t have a child of my own, very good to hear. How hear this one, if that is a woman’s greatest achievement no wonder we don’t get equal rights with men when it comes to employment. – Nyxks

Don’t you want to give your parents grandchildren?
My folks do not wont any grandkids, and my husbands mom already has several grandkids and great grand kids to occupy herself with, she doesn’t needs any from us. – Nyxks

It’s the most important job in the world!
Yes and its the sort of employment that I myself would never apply for, because its the type of job that I am not interested in apply for. – Nyxks

What’s the matter, don’t you LIKE kids?
Nope, not really. I like them in general but many of them I can do well without knowing or dealing with – Nyxks

The children are our future!
They might be the future, but with how the future is looking they might not live long enough to see it themselves. – Nyxks

Don’t you want genetic immortality?
No not really, its not something which I have any need of or for. If people remember me when I am gone great if not so be it. – Nyxks

Nothing is better than “new baby” smell!
That is your opinion, its not one that I share – to me there is nothing better then the smell of a new born puppy, or a puppy smell in general if you are going for a living thinking being. – Nyxks

Aren’t you curious to see what they would look like?
No, because if I wonted to have that info all I have to do is blend a photo of myself and my husband together to have an idea of what it might have looked like, and in truth I have NO wish or need for either. – Nyxks

Don’t you want to hear the pitter patter of little feet?
I already hear the pitter patter of little feet and in truth I rather hear the click and clatter of paws and claws over little feet any day of the week. – Nyxks