6 Ways To Deal With PCOS In College
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

6 Ways To Deal With PCOS In College

It can be such a struggle at times, and here are a few ways to handle it

1285
6 Ways To Deal With PCOS In College
Maddison Boys

PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome it is a disease that affects 1 in 10 women. According to Mayo Clinic PCOS “is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS may have infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods or excess male hormone (androgen) levels. The ovaries may develop numerous small collections of fluid (follicles) and fail to regularly release eggs” (Mayo Clinic). There are considered to be four different types of PCOS. The first is insulin-resistant and recognized as Type 1 PCOS.

The symptoms for this are weight gain, ovulatory interruptions, facial hair, hair loss, and acne. It also means that those with this kind of PCOS had a more significant potential for developing diabetes and increased testosterone levels, which the insulin resistance causes. Type 2 PCOS is non-insulin resistant, and the symptoms are usually that they have a Vitamin D or Iodine deficiency, hormone-disrupting toxins, thyroid disease, and adrenal stress. Then there is non-traditional PCOS 1, non-traditional PCOS 2, and Idiopathic Hirsutism which are rare forms of PCOS that present with regular ovulatory patterns, and range from standard testosterone levels to increased levels as well as insulin resistant to noninsulin resistant.

Since it affects 1 in 10 women, there are many women it causes in college, and some may just not know until later. Being affected by PCOS is hard to deal with because for most people that have it the recommended steps are to become gluten-free, to workout every day, and to take medication specified by your doctor. Now I know from experience that all of that is super hard. I barely remember to take my birth control pill on let alone medications. I have never in my entire life been allergic to food, and so having to go from being able to eat WHATEVER I wanted to gluten-free has been the biggest struggle of PCOS. So here are a few things that I have begun to do, and I hope it helps all those other college students affected by it that are having as hard of the time as I am!

1. Join Facebook Support Groups


There are many support groups to choose from, and some may tailor to your needs better than others! Here are a few of the ones I’ve noticed on Facebook with the most members.

PCOS

PCOS Support Group

PCOS & TTC Support Group

2. Dieting

Dieting has been the #1 hardest thing I’ve had to overcome, and I still haven’t. For those who can easily go gluten-free, props to you, and I praise you! Those who can’t and have a difficult time I feel your pain, and you are not alone! Being a college student and having to go gluten-free means no bagels, or late night pizza runs after a night of drinking so much BEER! (yes, beer has gluten in it). My tip to you is to start with a low-carb diet. Cut out gluten as often as you can for 3 weeks, and then cut it out more and hopefully, you will hit a point where you no longer crave or want it. I also believe that if you cheat once after going gluten-free for awhile you should be fine, but I’m not a doctor so don’t quote me!

3. Mental Health

Studies have found that specific mental health diseases are more likely in women with PCOS than those without it. Make sure that you are aware of these things and make sure that if you start to feel anything like depression, high anxiety, and a possible eating disorder than you talk to someone and try to get help. Dealing with all of these can be so hard in college because still to this very day mental health isn’t spoken about much and needs to be brought to more awareness!

4. Bring Awareness

I had no idea what PCOS was until I was diagnosed with it, and that seems to be what I hear all the time is that people had no idea what it was until they or someone close to them had it. As those who have it, we should bring some awareness to it in college because it affects 1 in 10 women and there must be more people that have it at a university than just you. I mean there are so many factors in PCOS from the pain of bursting ovaries to your hormones being on the fritz. That I think professors and students should be more aware of what it is.

5. Try and Get a Support Group Together on Campus

I know that this one is a challenge because you have no idea who has it, and who doesn’t! I hope that by bringing PCOS to light more than this will change and those who have it will start supporting one another. In my opinion having someone who shares the same thing and is going through the same thing, as you will help you more than anything. It will also give you someone to talk to who actually understands.

6. The Gym is Your Best Friend

I have noticed such a change in everything by going to the gym every day. My weight is normal, my acne isn’t bad, and my hormones are pretty evened out from it. That is going to be your best friend, the gym will suck at first but all I have to say is get into a routine and all will be better.


Those are all the tips I have for conquering it in college so far. I hope to be able to do a better job this year than I have in the past. I have noticed that it seems to be more difficult here in college than it does in your teen years or maybe even after college! I know from experience that it is difficult but just keep pushing through, and know that you aren’t alone in it even if it feels that way sometimes!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

70711
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

132335
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments