As I've talked before about PCOS, and discussing fertility, I'd thought I'd give an update on what we've been trying (Eddie and I) what is working and what it's like. Just like mental health, I think it's important to have an open dialogue about fertility and reproductive health. There are currently thousands of women in our country alone who have PCOS and don't even know it. and I think we all know someone who is going through fertility treatments of some kind.
I started visiting the Women's Clinic of Traverse City within a couple months of our move to Michigan. I heard great things about it and I have to say I was not disappointed. My first visit was for pain I was having in my lower abdomen (I thought I had a cyst burst but it ended up being IBS) and immediately Dr. Wright offered to help with my PCOS and fertility as well. I had so many disappointing experiences in California with my providers there and couldn't believe my luck that I found a Doctor who saw me as someone who is worthy of trying for mommy-hood. I had been told by providers before that fertility simply wasn't an option, sometimes without any reason given, or they never offered the provera, clomid or femara that have helped me achieve a cycle and ovulate. I also had several Kaiser doctors flat out tell me that they won't even consider fertility options with me until I lose 50 lbs. First of all, fucker, how about the fact that I need a menstrual period regardless if I want to get pregnant or not. and 2nd of all, fuck off. So Dr. Wright was a breath of fresh air.
With all of the hard work we are putting into our reproductive issues, I'd like to think that the one helping the most is "positive vibes". This may sound cheesy but I have been meditating on my lower tummy and trying to calm the aura around it. When I'm stressin', I breath deeply and picture love and light going into my uterus and ovaries. Yeah...I sound like a crazy woman. and we know that I am both crazy and a woman!
When I'm not watching Imagineering on Disney+ and planning the Disneyland in my vagina, I am taking fertility drugs. I have been taking clomid and letrozole (or femara) These help a woman to ovulate. I want to ovulate whether I'm going to fertilize that egg or not because ovulation means that everything is working and the hormones are doing what they are supposed to. I'm not a woman nearing menopause yet so a functioning reproductive system is something I desire. I think a functioning system helps over-all health and happiness. I haven't been ovulating for a couple years now due to PCOS. My ovaries may be fancy and covered in pearls but a healthy egg does not a pearled ovary make. (for those completely confused by this pearled ovary talk, on a ultrasound a polycystic ovary is described as full of pearls or sometimes looks like a string of pearls.)
Another helpful thing I've done is LOSE 4O FREAKIN POUNDS! Woo-hoo! Yes, I've lost 40 pounds since moving to Michigan. I really thought moving here and the lifestyle changes that came along with it would help me to lose weight. and I was totally right. I'm not going to go on and on about my weight loss because it's not something I think is super important. but it is important when it comes to my health so it's worth mentioning.
Recently we celebrated my first positive follicle ultrasound after many rounds of clomid and then trying femara. I never thought I'd get to be able to ovulate again. I guess I can't know 100% for sure if an egg did release or how many but I had one follicle working very hard for me. Some women will develop dozens of follicles and some will never get any. I felt so blessed to have one. When the doctor told me that it worked I immediately cried tears of joy because all of the awful side effects were worth it. The side effects I've experienced is nausea, headaches, panic attacks, hot flashes and an over all feeling of "blah" or "nothingness". It's a total pain but so far I think it's worth the try.
So please tell me, message me or comment if you have gone through any of this or if someone you know has. These issues are common these days and there's no need to feel ashamed or shy. :) and for all of you who have reached out to me and talk to me about this, thank you so much. It means the world to me.
I started visiting the Women's Clinic of Traverse City within a couple months of our move to Michigan. I heard great things about it and I have to say I was not disappointed. My first visit was for pain I was having in my lower abdomen (I thought I had a cyst burst but it ended up being IBS) and immediately Dr. Wright offered to help with my PCOS and fertility as well. I had so many disappointing experiences in California with my providers there and couldn't believe my luck that I found a Doctor who saw me as someone who is worthy of trying for mommy-hood. I had been told by providers before that fertility simply wasn't an option, sometimes without any reason given, or they never offered the provera, clomid or femara that have helped me achieve a cycle and ovulate. I also had several Kaiser doctors flat out tell me that they won't even consider fertility options with me until I lose 50 lbs. First of all, fucker, how about the fact that I need a menstrual period regardless if I want to get pregnant or not. and 2nd of all, fuck off. So Dr. Wright was a breath of fresh air.
With all of the hard work we are putting into our reproductive issues, I'd like to think that the one helping the most is "positive vibes". This may sound cheesy but I have been meditating on my lower tummy and trying to calm the aura around it. When I'm stressin', I breath deeply and picture love and light going into my uterus and ovaries. Yeah...I sound like a crazy woman. and we know that I am both crazy and a woman!
When I'm not watching Imagineering on Disney+ and planning the Disneyland in my vagina, I am taking fertility drugs. I have been taking clomid and letrozole (or femara) These help a woman to ovulate. I want to ovulate whether I'm going to fertilize that egg or not because ovulation means that everything is working and the hormones are doing what they are supposed to. I'm not a woman nearing menopause yet so a functioning reproductive system is something I desire. I think a functioning system helps over-all health and happiness. I haven't been ovulating for a couple years now due to PCOS. My ovaries may be fancy and covered in pearls but a healthy egg does not a pearled ovary make. (for those completely confused by this pearled ovary talk, on a ultrasound a polycystic ovary is described as full of pearls or sometimes looks like a string of pearls.)
 |
| This is a polycystic ovary- arrows pointing to "pearls" |
Another helpful thing I've done is LOSE 4O FREAKIN POUNDS! Woo-hoo! Yes, I've lost 40 pounds since moving to Michigan. I really thought moving here and the lifestyle changes that came along with it would help me to lose weight. and I was totally right. I'm not going to go on and on about my weight loss because it's not something I think is super important. but it is important when it comes to my health so it's worth mentioning.
Recently we celebrated my first positive follicle ultrasound after many rounds of clomid and then trying femara. I never thought I'd get to be able to ovulate again. I guess I can't know 100% for sure if an egg did release or how many but I had one follicle working very hard for me. Some women will develop dozens of follicles and some will never get any. I felt so blessed to have one. When the doctor told me that it worked I immediately cried tears of joy because all of the awful side effects were worth it. The side effects I've experienced is nausea, headaches, panic attacks, hot flashes and an over all feeling of "blah" or "nothingness". It's a total pain but so far I think it's worth the try.
So please tell me, message me or comment if you have gone through any of this or if someone you know has. These issues are common these days and there's no need to feel ashamed or shy. :) and for all of you who have reached out to me and talk to me about this, thank you so much. It means the world to me.
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