Diagnosed with PCOS?

Often called the “Thief of Womanhood”, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) affects as many as 10% of women.  It can rob you of your fertility, cause irregular periods, lead to insulin resistance and obesity, as well as, depression. High levels of androgen hormones in women with PCOS can cause acne, excess facial and body hair growth and male-pattern hair loss. The long term risk factors for diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers are higher if PCOS is left untreated.

PCOS seems to run in families, so your chance of having it is higher if other women in your family have PCOS, irregular periods, or diabetes. PCOS can be passed down from either your mother’s or father’s side.

How to get diagnosed

There is no single test for PCOS because it is not a disease but rather a syndrome and  no woman is affected by PCOS in the same way. A doctor should really run all of these tests mention below to create a profile for PCOS. You will have to be your own advocate. If a doctor isn’t willing to do these tests  then it is up to you to find another doctor that will. A reproductive endocrinologist is usually a good place to start. Dr. should test:

- blood pressure
- BMI
- Fasting glucose
- Fasting lipid profile
- Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) Luteninizing hormone (LH), Free testosterone, Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). They should also test androgens DHEA, DHES and Androstenedione.
- Estrogen levels
- Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)  should be checked as many women with PCOS have low thyroid.
- Studies suggest that transvaginal ultrasound detects PCOS in about 75% of women with PCOS
- 25-hydroxyvitamin D – Many women with PCOS have low Vitamin D levels.

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About the Founder

My name is Amy Medling. I am a health coach, a wife, and a mother of 3 children.  I was not always a PCOS “Diva”. When I was diagnosed with PCOS ten years ago, I was a tired, bagel eating, diet soda drinking, frumpy, moody mess.  When the doctor handed me the prescriptions for the birth control pill and Metformin I thought I found the cure.   But after a month on both, I felt worse than ever.  Hating that my body couldn’t tolerate Metformin and the hormones from the pill, I felt pretty hopeless  – very unDivaish! I spent lots of energy asking “Why me?” and feeling angry and sorry for myself.

Then one day I woke up and realized that PCOS isn’t the end of the world – it is a chance for a new beginning. This is when my real journey began.

When I started taking care of myself, loving myself and making me a priority  (in spite of my PCOS) I became a new woman. My husband started calling me a Diva. What a compliment!

I was able to get my body, mind and soul to a place where after two pregnancies conceived with the help of clomid, at age 37, I had the biggest surprise of my life! I was pregnant.  Now I am the blessed mother of two boys ages 11 & 7 and a 2 year old daughter!

The experience of healing myself and regaining my fertility, femininity, health and happiness and having a healthy little girl, truly launched PCOS Diva. My daughter may inherit my PCOS genes and if she does, I want her to know that having PCOS is not the negative thing I once thought it was.  It is an opportunity to live life as a “Diva”.

There is no better nourishing experience than being able to inspire other people to take care of their life and their health.  Holistic nutrition and lifestyle has been the cornerstone of my PCOS treatment. I want to share my experience and knowledge to help other women with PCOS, so went back to school at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, and became a health coach.  My goal is to help women with PCOS reclaim their femininity, fertility, happiness and health.

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What is PCOS Diva?

As a Health Coach, my goal is to help women with PCOS reclaim their fertility, femininity, health & happiness. PCOS Diva.com is a positive place for women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome to learn how to reduce their symptoms through clean eating, meal planning, exercise, stress reduction, natural treatments and self-care.

Watch this 70 second video to hear my mission:

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What People Are Saying

@pcosdiva you are changing my life and I thank you so much for it! Nicole

@pcosdiva I just found your blog today and it has given me great inspiration to step up and deal with my PCOS! Thanks! – Megan

I also suffer from PCOS. I love your blog because is soooo helpful!! – Dolly

I was looking for some good PCOS-friendly recipes, as I just found out I have it, and came across your site. It’s the most helpful one I found; thank you for sharing the great tips! The menu plans are going to be really helpful with planning out my meals! Keep up the great work! – Bellamy

I just stumbled upon your blog. I LOVE it! Just what I have been looking for. – Becca

I just found out that I have PCOS. I was pretty upset but I definitely like your blog and I’m feeling much better! =) I’m going to follow a diet plan just like yours =) – Ally

There is SOOOOO much info on your site! – Dana

I was just diagnosed and am “eating” up every bit of information I can find so I can armour myself for the doctors visits. Thanks for the inspiration! – Aimee

Thank you so much Amy for providing so much helpful information, I am so happy to have come across your site! – Tenillee

Thank you for this site. I am a recent arrival and am thankful that you are brave enough to share your adventure with us – Michelle

Thank you so much your story and your website has really encourage me that there is hope. – Tootsie

I just want you to know what an inspiration your blog has become to me in the matter of one day. I am 24 and suffer from PCOS. While I was diagnosed about a year and a half ago, it has recently been something that I felt had consumed me more than I should allow it to in a negative way. As I stumbled across your blog today, I felt encouraged and uplifted! Thank you and God bless!! – Taylor

I’m so glad I found your blog. Thank you for doing this, I’m learning more about the right types of food. Thank you!! – Amy

Thanks for sharing your story and experiences with us. It’s always great to hear about women who have taken their lives back. – Carol

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