16/12/2024
Ever wondered what it is like to navigate infertility with PCOS?
Lydia's journey through PCOS isn't just her story, it's a shared experience for many
OVERCOMING INFERTILITY: LYDIA’S JOURNEY THROUGH
INFERTILITY AND PCOS - PART 1
Lydia wiped her tears as her mother-in-law’s voice echoed in
the hallway.
You think I don’t know? You made up that pregnancy just to
save face! Miscarriages don’t just happen, they’re your fault!” The accusations cut deeper than the pain of her recent loss.
Lydia had hoped for support, but instead, she felt alone in her
struggles. The weight of infertility is already straining her marriage.
The Unseen Battle
For years, Lydia and her husband had been trying to conceive. Each passing month brought hope, followed by
crushing disappointment and this one time she took in, she miscarried.
Her periods were unpredictable sometimes skipping months entirely and she noticed alarming changes in her body:
• Unexplained weight gain despite her active lifestyle.
• Persistent acne and dark patches on her skin.
• A deep fatigue she couldn’t shake.
• Depression, anxiety and eating disorders
• Significant rise in her blood pressure
• Loss of scalp hair but hairs in unwanted places
When Lydia finally sought medical help, her doctor ran physical tests, pelvic test, blood test, and ultrasounds and
diagnosed her with Polycystic O***y Syndrome (PCOS).
What is PCOS?
PCOS is a type of hormonal imbalance that affects how a woman’s ovaries work. It causes the ovaries to produce
unusually high levels of hormones called androgen which causes the reproductive hormones to become imbalanced
and as a result, there is
• irregular menstruation,
• unpredictable or absence of ovulation,
• small follicle cysts maybe present on the ovaries,
• hirsutism,
• acne,
• obesity,
• darkening of the skin,
• skin tags,
• thinning of the scalp hair,
• infertility.
Despite the name ‘polycystic’ there mustn’t be cysts in the ovaries to have PCOS.
But PCOS isn’t just a reproductive issue, it can also increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and emotional
distress.
Facing Family and Finding Strength
When Lydia shared her diagnosis with her family, it was met with skepticism. Her mother-in-law dismissed it as an 'excuse,' and relatives whispered that Lydia wasn’t “woman enough” to bear children.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT LYDIA'S STORY SO FAR?
HAVE YOU FACED SIMILAR STRUGGLES WITH PCOS OR INFERTILITY? LET'S TALK ABOUT IT IN THE COMMENT SECTION
Stay tuned for part 2