PCOSgurl's Guide to PCOS

  Time of the month - TOTM LIVING WITH PCOS: MY STORY Written by  Ashley Levinson, PCOSgurl (Guest)   Ashley Levinson has been a PCOS Awareness Advocate for over 22 years, serving her mission to bring more awareness to a syndrome that affects so many. She has served as an executive and advisor to many PCOS and Women’s Health Organizations. She has made multiple appearances including Discovery Health Mystery Diagnosis, Woman’s World, Fox News and Glamour Magazine as a finalist for 2008 Woman of the Year. Her other achievements include: WEGO #HAAwards Best of Twitter and  2016 and 2021 Ricardo Azziz PCOS Challenge Advocacy Leadership Award.   Where It all began: At age 13, I had menstrual irregularities that were quite significant. So much so that I was taken to an OBGYN (obstetrician-gynaecologist). I was afraid and unaware. He said many girls combat menstrual irregularities and some need help so, at age 13 I was put on birth control pills. Throughout the du...

Author: Ashley Levinson CMA,CST, CSFA Social Media: @PCOSgurl Since PCOS is an endocrine syndrome, hormones are majorly involved in diagnosis, symptoms and figuring out appropriate treatment. The following is a breakdown of sine of the hormones that can be involved with PCOS. LH/FSH  LH (Lutenizing Hormone) FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) The hormones that trigger ovulation While many women with PCOS still have LH (Lutenizing Hormone) and FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) within normal range, their LH level is often two or three times that of the FSH level. This situation is called an elevated LH to FSH ratio or a ratio of 3:1. This change in the LH to FSH ratio is enough to disrupt ovulation. While this used to be considered an important aspect in diagnosing PCOS, it is now considered less useful in diagnosing PCOS, but is still helpful when looking at the overall picture. Testosterone All females assigned at birth have testosterone in their bodies. There are two me...

There are THOUSANDS of reasons we need to STAND UP, SPEAK UP AND FIGHT for #PCOS There have literally been generations of patients ignored, dismissed, unheard, undiagnosed and unsupported but, this is changing!!! Over 42,000 people have signed our PCOS Petition at Change.org which means there us a true need for change!!!! PCOS Challenge  has been at the forefront of change for our community and for the past 4 years has given patients, providers, celebrities and influencers like you and me a chance to be part of this change. For real impact to occur our #legislators need to hear the voices of our community. When we join #pcosadvocacyday  this gives us the opportunity to DIRECTLY tell #Congress members and their staff why #pcos matters and why they need to invest in funding for research, education and more awareness!! We are currently at 21% or 1 in 5 worldwide and up to 70% are estimated to be undiagnosed!!! We receive less than 0.1% of government funding WORLDWIDE for all the ...

  Tips for stress free holidays with #PCOS With chronic illness like #PCOS getting through the holidays can be taxing especially when others dont understand your illness. We often go through each day as most people do and because most symptoms of pcos are not evident to people, they dont think you are sick because you dont look sick.  So, when symptoms flare up, people dont realize we're in pain or have devastating fatigue, so bad that we can't cook and shop in the same day. Because what we deal with seems invisible to most, we need to ensure we have a plan in place for self-care, open communication and minimizing stress through the holidays... There are little things you can do to help get through the holidays, while enjoying the holidays at tge same time!! Plan it out... To keep your insulin levels on track carry snacks and water while shopping and traveling, this helps stabilize your metabolism and keep your blood sugar and ultimately keeps insulin levels in check with...

Twas the week before #Christmas and to my dismay my #pcos was trying to ruin my day.  As much as I prepared and tried to be merry, Things came to mind to bother me very  With the holidays ever so near PCOS has me cringing in fear... Can I eat carbs or get in a nap Have some wine or beer on tap.  Will my hormones cooperate And allow me to eat what's on my plate  Will I be watched like a Hawk Or endure the endless baby talk  Will my symptoms all be seen Will family be nice or mean  Then I remembered a little gem This is about me, not about them  So I will have my piece of pie without who, what or why  I will have my glass of wine For a jolly holiday time  I'll give myself a day to relax Enjoying people and little snacks  I'll be alright if I cheat Enjoying the day, not in retreat  Oh no PCOS the grinch you are not And therefore you'll be put to a stop  Remember no matter what your head says, with this syndrome you deserve a few d...