An Open Letter to My Daughter About PCOS
Dear Lila,
You are my joy. I cannot begin to express how lucky I feel that God gave me a daughter as sweet, creative, and talented as you. You are beautiful inside and out. I love watching you grow and change every day, discovering new ideas and abilities. It is my privilege to be your mother and guide you through this exciting time of your life. Thank you for that blessing.
We both know every day isn’t sunshine and roses. Every life has its struggles. It’s what we do with those challenges that defines who we are and who we will be. You’ve inherited so much from me: your long legs, that dimple on your chin, your love of sappy romantic movies, and your athletic ability. Unfortunately, you may have also inherited my Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). About 20-40% of women with PCOS have a sister or mother with the syndrome, and I have both! It is my hope that if you have PCOS, you too will embrace your inner PCOS Diva and thrive!
If we find that you have PCOS, you may be worried about a lot of things at once. Don’t worry; we are in this together. Possible symptoms of PCOS like acne, weight gain, irregular periods, hirsutism (hair where you don’t want it), and thinning scalp hair, fatigue, among others can feel overwhelming, even to an adult. You know, however, from growing up with a PCOS Diva that many of these things can be overcome with a healthy PCOS Diva lifestyle, extreme self-care, and by giving yourself a little grace.
There is so much in your control. It is up to you to make lifestyle choices to support your health. I can’t do it for you and I’m not going to nag you. Sometimes, it may seem like denying yourself all of the things that the rest of the teens are eating – Doritos, ice cream shakes, and French fries, is unfair. But in the long run, that type of eating is going to catch up with everyone. You will be ahead of the game. You will know how to fuel your body and mindfully indulge.
Feeding your body nutrient rich food is an important way of caring for yourself. And you are worth it, my love. If you want to feel great, it all starts with diet, supplements, movement, and knowing deep down that you are worth it and that you are enough, just the way you are. Confidence is beautiful, and the more confident you are, the better you will treat yourself and those around you, and the more beautiful you will become. It’s a fantastic cycle!
Someday, when you are ready to have kids, there is so much you can do to help fertility. I know that seems like faaaar in the future, but what you do now and the choices you make now are important. You are laying the groundwork for an easier time getting pregnant and healthy children.
You have a brilliant life ahead, Lila. I look forward to sharing it with you and learning all you have to teach me.
With All My Love,
Mom
Amy Medling, best-selling author of Healing PCOS and certified health coach, specializes in working with women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), who are frustrated and have lost all hope when the only solution their doctors offer is to lose weight, take a pill, and live with their symptoms. In response, Amy founded PCOS Diva and developed a proven protocol of supplements, diet, and lifestyle programs that offer women tools to help gain control of their PCOS and regain their fertility, femininity, health, and happiness.
