This post has been written by Chloe, an inspiring member of our community who has faced the challenges of PCOS with incredible determination. After years of struggling to get a diagnosis and manage her symptoms, Chloe embarked on a journey of change. She transformed her lifestyle, signed up for multiple charity runs, and has raised over £400 for Verity. Her story is a testament to the strength and resilience of those living with PCOS. Please note our disclaimer at the end of the post.
Here’s Chloe’s story in her own words:
“My journey will sound familiar to many people who also live with PCOS. It started when I went through puberty. Heavy, irregular and painful periods. I’ve always been overweight and any time I went to see a GP this was always the reason given.
When I was 16 years old, I was referred to Gynaecology for the first time after my GP admitted not knowing ‘what else to do’ for me.
It started when I went through puberty. Heavy, irregular and painful periods. I’ve always been overweight and any time I went to see a GP this was always the reason given. When I was 16 years old, I was referred to Gynaecology for the first time after my GP admitted not knowing ‘what else to do’ for me.
I will never forget this experience. An abdominal ultrasound, an internal ultrasound and being sat down and told the scans were normal. The reason for my troubles was my weight and the ‘additional adipose’ (fat tissue) contributing to my body producing too much estrogen. I was 16 and knew no better than to believe him.
I continued struggling with my weight my entire teenage years. My hair started thinning or falling out. Facial hair started growing. My periods became more painful and irregular. I was having trouble sleeping, with chronic pain, fatigue. Multiple trips to the GP resulted in being told multiple times my bloods were normal, to lose weight.
Fast forward to my mid twenties and it was time to try for a family. Two years of infertility lead to much heartbreak and 5 stone of weight loss. Just as we were referred for fertility tests, we found we had conceived.
It wasn’t until AFTER the chaotic birth of my son and a further trip to my GP about all of my symptoms, an additional set of blood tests and more scans that I was finally listened to and given my PCOS diagnosis when I was 27. Thirteen years after going to my GP for the first time.
In 2023 my symptoms became much worse. Dark body hair, facial hair, fatigue, chronic pelvic pain. I was at my heaviest I had ever been. I was miserable. So, I started my weight loss journey. I was referred back to gynaecology and had my first appointment with them in February 2024. They found a very large cyst on my left ovary and suspect I have endometriosis. Gynae acknowledged my pain and symptoms but said I was too heavy for surgery despite my two stone weight loss. I was devastated.
I ramped up my efforts. I started taking vitamins suitable for PCOS. I found Verity and read everything I could. I completely altered my diet to PCOS friendly, non-inflammatory foods. I amped up my exercise. I started making sure I walked at least 6,000 steps a day and signed up for a charity 5k in May 2024. When I started training, I could only walk 5k in 1 hour and 13 minutes. When the charity 5k came round, I had lost a total of 5 stone and finished it in just under 1 hour.
I decided I wasn’t done. So I signed up for the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run 10k and because of all the help and support I found in Verity and realising they are the ONLY registered charity in the UK for PCOS I decided that I was going to raise as much as I could for them.
I trained and ran three times a week. I started doing Parkrun, an amazing community running event held weekly. I walked, I held to my new eating regime. I put EVERYTHING I had into this. Even on days where I couldn’t move because of the pain from the cyst and the PCOS symptoms.
On the 6th of October at 9am I set off on the 10k. I am 8 stone lighter than January 2023. I have raised over £400 for Verity.
ANYTHING is possible, even with PCOS. Keep fighting for yourself. Keep advocating for yourself. Don’t give up on yourself. You deserve so much more. Learn all you can about your symptoms and the facilities available to you for help and support – like Verity! Be kind to yourself, forgive yourself. This is something I’ve struggled to learn. There are some days that are much, much harder than others – but anything that is hard is worth doing.
Closing comment
Thank you for reading this inspiring story of strength and perseverance and the hugest thanks to Chloe – for not only raising much needed funds for Verity but for also being vulnerable and sharing her story.
To learn more about PCOS, visit the Verity website. If you’d like to support our mission, consider making a donation through our JustGiving, PayPal Giving Fund, or Facebook Giving pages. You can also shop for PCOS awareness merchandise, which helps fundraise and spread awareness—perfect for your next fundraising event! Visit our PCOS merch store today!
Disclaimer
This blog post shares a personal experience and reflects the author’s unique journey with PCOS. While the symptoms and conditions discussed may resonate with others, it is important to note that people may experience additional conditions alongside PCOS, and these may not be related. The information shared here is not intended to serve as medical advice. For medical guidance, please consult a healthcare professional. The opinions expressed are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the official stance of Verity.
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