Question
I have recently began taking Yasmin to treat PCOS. I was wondering how long I should be on the pill before starting LHR? Also, how effective is Yasmin. Should I also look into taking Spironolactone?

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I have recently began taking Yasmin to treat PCOS. I was wondering how long I should be on the pill before starting LHR? Also, how effective is Yasmin. Should I also look into taking Spironolactone?

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I'm seeing better results with clients on Glucophage.
In reference to another one of your posts, many women are often not diagnosed with PCOS because they aren't overweight. In my practice, probably about 40 % of my PCOS clients are average weight or less. I wish they would stop using weight as a determining factor. My first PCOS client, almost 20 years ago, was a size 4 on a bloated day. She was extremely feminine, mannerisms, voice, etc., which are also contrary to the "typical" PCOS woman.

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Jaz thanks for updating us. Sorry to hear you have PCOS but I'm glad they were able to diagnose you so you can be treated. Good luck!
I don't have my second treatment until later in January and I'll post an update then. For now I'm trying to figure out how to make the loose hairs fall out without pulling them out individually. Anyway, in the grand scheme of things, not a big problem.
Vandana

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LE, what are the general signs of PCOS in your opinion? Also, on what body areas do these women most commonly experience extra hair growth?

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Irregular period is the most common symptom I see. Off hand I can only think of one PCOS client that had regular periods without the help of birth control pills. Usually by the time the client gets to me, she pretty much has a full beard. The PCOS pattern typically starts on each side of the chin. It then starts growing down the sides of the neck and then toward the center of the chin and neck. Then the cheeks and sideburn areas start growing. The lip corners sometimes have growth, but I rarely see full lip coverage in PCOS clients. I've never heard lip hair related to PCOS discussed, so it could just be what I've experienced and not the norm.
Some PCOS women have not just a few hairs around the nipples, but full chest coverage extending down the abdomen. Typically, it's male patterned hair. I've never had a female client w/full back hair, but I've had many with scattered thick curly hair on the back. I've had one (that I know of) client with full buttocks covered in coarse dark hair that extended all the way down her thighs and began to taper around the knees. This client also had coarse arm hair from very high on the upper arm to the wrist with scattered on the hands and fingers. She eventually committed suicide. Depression is also a sympton of PCOS.
Acne is very common with PCOS. Virilization is another symptom, things such as deepened voice, muscular body build, small breasts, etc.
There are also other disorders which have the same symptoms as PCOS, such as thyroid and adrenal tumors. This is why I prefer my clients see an endocrinologist over a gynecologist. In my area, the gynos tend to hand out birth control pills and leave it at that.
In the last 5-10 years, I've learned more about the connection of PCOS to insulin resistance, diabetes, and heart disease. More and more of my clients are getting tested for insulin resistance and finding out that they are headed for diabetes. Caught early, it can be prevented by diet and/or medication.
I hope I haven't left anything out. I'm typing in a rush, sorry. Shelby Owens in Pensacola, FL has a great website regarding PCOS and insulin resistance. I don't know the address off hand, but it can be googled easily.

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thanks. this is very helpful.