Hi Carol @cbs61752. Welcome to Connect! I have PCOS as well and I see both a gynecologist and an endocrinologist. I am on birth control as well as metformin which is typically prescribed for diabetes, but because PCOS is seen as a precursor, the medication combats the same issues. I didn't have the same symptoms you are describing, but I can say both medications help to control the symptoms I did have and they keep my levels (hormones and sugar) in check. Diet (watching carbs and sugars) and exercise are also important, as they are with most health conditions. I would definitely recommend your daughter see an endocrinologist at least for a consult. PCOS can make getting pregnant a little tricky, so if she is at that point in her life, she definitely needs a doctor who can help her navigate.

Here is some info from Mayo Clinic about the specifics of PCOS- http://mayocl.in/1qhkcaE. I'm also tagging @alicein_wonderland, @copiela, @beckym and @donna1972 who have posted about PCOS in the past and may be able to provide some additional insight.

I hope this helps. I'm sure your daughter really appreciates the support and advocacy you are providing her. On a personal note, PCOS can make you feel really uncomfortable in your body, so make sure you remind her she is beautiful 🙂

@kelsey, Thank you so much for your response. I definitely do tell her she is beautiful, but she really doesn't believe me. I also have always tried to encourage her to be physically active and watch her sugar and carbs. She is afraid to date because she feels so badly about her body, i.e. her weight and facial hair. I wonder if the medicine can help her with these things. Don't want to see her continue to feel sad and lonely.

Yes, I can really relate. I felt the same way! But I do think the medicine helps. Even when you are exercising and watching your diet, if the internal mechanisms are off, it can make it really hard to lose weight which makes you feel like the efforts are worthless. The medicine makes sure everything is working right so your efforts are more impactful.

Like I said, I never experienced the facial hair issue (though every time I see my endocrinologist, she asks me if I've seen any changes just to check), so I can't speak to that, but from what I understand the metformin is supposed to help with those symptoms. How long has she been on the birth control? That should help too but it can take a little while for your body to adjust and start to show the effects.

The one bad thing I will say about the metformin is that is can upset your stomach, so that's something to be aware of. I'd definitely recommend she ask her PCP for an endocrinologist referral. I think that could help a lot. Please keep us updated on her progress.

@kelseydm Thank you so much for your helpful information! I am going to talk to my daughter about your suggestions tonight. : )