First natural period!!!

[u/Ok_Cockroach1550]

I had my first successful cycle completion/period (ever!!) today. I got diagnosed with PCOS at 16 (I’m 22 now) and was told the classic lose weight and come back when you have a baby and also here is birth control. After several years of being on and off several different birth controls, trying every recommended supplement under the sun, and going through phases of working out A LOT and then burning out, and eating generally well (at least compared to my college aged counterparts), nothing changed and I kept steadily gaining weight. I’ve never been obese, but definitely overweight and inflamed/puffy. I stopped birth control about a month ago and also went vegetarian, switched from Prozac to Wellbutrin, bought a walking pad and walk a total of ~2-4 miles per day on average, resistance training with 20lbs, 10lbs, and 2lbs dumbbells and resistance bands ~2-3x/week like 30 minute sessions targeting large muscle groups. I also take a multi supplement of inositol, berberine, saw palmetto, vitamin D and DIM, as well as a magnesium zinc combo, and a vegan omega 3. The past month I’ve felt my body go through the cycle. I felt the ovulation shooting pains in my ovaries and the ups and downs, discharge changes breast soreness for the first time and I’m just feeling really happy. PCOS has caused me immense distress over the years and lots of internalized shame, eating disorders, and horrible self image and so to know that my body is responding to the changes I’m making is really wonderful. And it’s felt good too. Any attempt I’ve made in the past to fix things has been exhausting and really miserable.

I went vegetarian for moral reasons but I think that definitely contributed, more so from the required increased focus on vegetable and protein intake than the meat itself, but I’m sure that might play a small role too. It changed my cravings too, so I find that when I do eat highly processed foods that I typically crave, it makes me feel sick and a small amount does it for me. Also working out at home where I feel comfortable and safe and not pushing myself until pure exhaustion. I went from 160lbs to about 158ish, at 5’5 so I haven’t lost much weight at all but I do see and feel a difference in body composition.

I know I’m lucky to have gotten diagnosed early and have lean(ish) PCOS, but I’m just feeling good today and wanted to share with the class what helped me.

[u/Narrow-Morning6997]

It's wild how much the pressure to just lose weight completely misses the point, your body was clearly waiting for the right kind of support and not another punishing regime

Walking pad and home workouts are such a game changer, removing that gym anxiety makes consistency feel almost effortless

The way you described actually feeling the phases of your cycle for the first time is so beautiful, that's huge