Wednesday, April 17, 2013

WOman in the Mirror

You ever look in the mirror and feel the person staring back at you is a stranger. Somehow mentally and physically I don't recognize myself.

Monday, April 1, 2013

Frustrated Pt II: PCOS the Thief of Womanhood


Definition: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition in which a woman has an imbalance of a female sex hormones. This may lead to menstrual cycle changes, cysts in the ovaries, trouble getting pregnant, and other health changes.


Causes, incidence, and risk factors: It is not completely understood why or how the changes in the hormone levels occur. The changes make it harder for a woman's ovaries to release fully grown (mature) eggs.  Normally, one or more eggs are released during a woman's period. This is called ovulation. In PCOS, mature eggs are not released from the ovaries. Instead, they can form very small cysts in the ovary.

These changes can contribute to infertility. The other symptoms of this disorder are due to the hormone imbalances.

Most of the time, PCOS is diagnosed in women in their 20s or 30s. However, it may also affect teenage girls. The symptoms often begin when a girl's periods start. Women with this disorder often have a mother or sister who has symptoms similar to those of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Symptoms: Changes in your period (menstrual cycle), no period after you have had one or more normal ones during puberty (secondary amenorrhea), irregular periods, that may come and go and may be very light to very heavy. PCOS can cause you to develop male-like characteristics. This is called virilization. Symptoms include: body hair growing on the chest, belly, face, and around the nipples, decreased breast size, thinning of the hair on the head, called male-pattern baldness, deepening voice, acne that gets worse, dark or thick skin markings and creases around the armpits, groin, neck and breasts. 

So based on the above information I don't think I have to explain why so many have dubbed this disorder the "Thief of Womanhood." Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2009. What seemed like a life-sentence in infertility jail, the Lord blessed my husband and I with a beautiful baby boy in 2011. I love him to life. He is truly a miracle.

However, I still battle daily with the effects of PCOS....extreme weight gain, facial hair, and lack of energy. Well....I may have PCOS but it doesn't have ME! I will no longer be a victim instead I'm gonna be a VICTOR!

As I begin my journey to controlling my disorder and not letting it control me I just ask for your prayers. The journey is going to be hard but at the end of it I know I'll be a better person mentally and physically. So wish me luck and I'll keep you updated on my progress!

Ready...set...GO!