PMS (Rated W for women only!)

This is a warning to my two very supportive brothers, and possibly my cousin Bernie (as far as I know, they are the only males that read this, except for my husband who lives with me and will not be offended by the mention of menstruation,) I am about to detail what my body goes through on a monthly basis.  You may want to skip this one!

Most women get their period every month.  Thanks to a diabetic medication (I do not have diabetes.  I actually produce too much insulin) I also usually get a monthly visit. My cycles usually average 30-35 days.  When they go longer, my periods are like a category 4 instead of the usual category 2. Imagine violently shaking a 2 liter of coke, that is what I feel like inside.  Bloating is a gross understatement, cramps don’t begin to explain what I’m feeling, and my ovaries literally build up enough pressure that they explode, (I’ll get back to this in a minute.) The worst part of all of this is the PMS. Imagine your typical woman suffering with PMS, then multiply that by let’s say 30! I can feel my patience disappear and frustration increase. I know that I’m going to snap at my kids and take my husband’s head off, but I cannot stop myself.  I hate how I feel after I’ve been a complete bitch and I still cannot stop.  This month has been very bad. In fact, I very much resemble this:

Getting back to the severe ovarian pain that I have been experiencing for the past two years.  (This doesn’t happen every cycle.  I’d say 3 out 4 cycles.) Here’s some background info.  (Again, probably TMI for some.)

The ovaries, where a woman’s eggs are produced, have tiny fluid-filled sacs called follicles or cysts. As the egg grows, the follicle builds up fluid. When the egg matures, the follicle breaks open, the egg is released, and the egg travels through the fallopian tube to the uterus (womb) for fertilization. This is called ovulation.

In women with PCOS, the ovary doesn’t make all of the hormones it needs for an egg to fully mature. The follicles may start to grow and build up fluid but ovulation does not occur. Instead, some follicles may remain as cysts. For these reasons, ovulation does not occur and the hormone progesterone is not made. Without progesterone, a woman’s menstrual cycle is irregular or absent. Plus, the ovaries make male hormones, which also prevent ovulation.

Normal ovary and polycystic ovary
Normal Ovary and Polycystic Ovary
During my cycle, my cysts have been growing, causing extreme pain.  The eventually rupture around 3 days into my period.  The rupturing hurts more than anything I have ever felt (mind you, I labored with both children, pushed with one, and still wound up with 2 c-sections.) Once the cyst does pop, my ovary feels bruised for a few days.  This whole procedure has taken so much from me.  I’m physically exhausted, emotionally drained, and I’m missing out on experiencing things with my kids.  Today, my family is at a cookout, while I’m home stretched out in a funny position, as to not put pressure on my ovary.  I am so tired of being miserable, and I am even more tired of having my kids see me cry.  My doctor wants to prescribe some type of acid to help with the pain.  I am truly considering it at this point.  I’ll keep you posted.
After a not-so-stellar attempt at dieting on vacation, I did a pretty good job this week and lost 2 pounds.  This is a good loss, since I’m bloated beyond belief from my missing period!
AND REMEMBER…..
Please know that I am not writing this blog in attempts to gain sympathy or pity.  I am trying to raise awareness, while helping people who know me to hopefully understand me a little better. PCOS isn’t well known, but it should be.  It’s a disease that affects so many different aspects of a woman’s health and life.  It’s a disease without a cure, and it’s a disease that requires so much understanding and support.

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