Just wondering, do any of you guys have/had pcos? My doc told me the other day, tho I guess I shoudln't have been surprised. I read about the increased androgen levels and common hirsutism and other things girls like to complain about . . .

Well to say the least I'm a little excited of the possibilities even if it means other health compromises - if it means I could get some male physical characteristics without having to go so far as getting a T prescription. Even to risk diabetes or cancer, I would honestly rather have this hormone balance.

Yes, I had PCOS. Apparently it's very common in FTMs - some research has shown that it's more orevalent in FTMs than in the female population.

i have no clue what pcos means.

thus, i am guessing that i do not have it.

I've been suspicious of it for a long time, but no, I don't know if I do.
So far, the chance to get on T is the only thing that has a chance in hell of dragging me in to get 'those parts' examined.

Quote from: Flameboy on September 26, 2009, 07:08:19 PM
Yes, I had PCOS. Apparently it's very common in FTMs - some research has shown that it's more orevalent in FTMs than in the female population.

Interesting.. I heard that somewhere too but I was wondering if that was just exaggerated/biased info. :p

GnomeKid, polycystic ovarian syndrome - my understanding is, that it's an endocrine disorder where the ovaries produce cysts instead of eggs which causes them to secrete higher androgens than normal, causing the irregular periods, acne, body hair, etc... From what I've read it seems to come from some kind of insulin resistance (a diabetic problem)

Well CodyJess my doc arrived to the final dx by just ordering a blood test (LH FSH and prolactin. extremely high LH is a sign of pcos). No hooha test needed. hehe

Not that I know of. Too bad, I kinda wish I did.

SilverFang

I've got PCOS pretty bad.  I have full facial hair growth on my chin, the bottom of my jaw, and my sideburns, and it creeps up my cheeks too.  Definitely increased muscle mass, and since I had it during puberty too, my browline is pretty masculine.  My voice is kind of in between male and female ranges.  All in all though, it definitely makes passing much easier!  Plus, my hysto will be covered under insurance, which is nice too.

Question. I know I can look online for this but I'd like to hear from people who do have it. I've been plagues with ovarian cysts since 13-14. It started not long after first starting the monthly fun. We're talking big cysts here- one was the size of an orange! To help with this problem I was put on estrogen and have been on until about 3 months ago. I would still get the cysts (in both ovaries) but they were small and manageable.

Even being put on estrogen during my early puberty I still have more masculine characteristics than most bio-females. Could it be I had PCOS? I've never heard of this condition until a few months ago, and it may have not been commonly known when I was a teenager (especially in a small town). Just a thought.

I've read the symptoms and it seems like I might have it, but I don't know, might go to the doctors to check it out.

I remember one theory of why PCOS happens is exposure to androgens in the womb.

So it probably would have an effect on the brain, as we know it.

But there are so many people with PCOS who cry so much on how masculine and unfeminine they are and how deep their voice and people mistake them for guys on phones and maybe sometimes in real life too, that they kind of make the theory with relation to GID a bit inadequate.

Then again, it is also said about lack of androgen exposure in the womb causing the digit ratio (btw, most pcos women I know have masculine digit ratio, so another relation in favor I guess)  be feminine in guys, this is also known to be able to predict * tendency* for gay sexual preference and GID, but still, most turn out gay rather than GID.

Perhaps it's related to the sensitivity in the brain, other chemical and genetic factors and the growing up environment in addition to the rest.

Some have noted a higher incidence of PCOS among transmen.  For example:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17166864

However these high rates are not always observed.  It is probably foolish to say, based on this one report, that over half of the FTM population has PCOS.  But it wouldn't be surprising if PCOS is indeed more prevalent in FTMs than in the general female population.

If you have PCOS there are usually symptoms, such as irregular or really painful periods, cysts, hirsutism, and early menopause.  If you have none of these symptoms then you probably don't have PCOS.

To answer your question, Northy, my endo says I probably do have PCOS.

Quote from: Radar on September 27, 2009, 01:18:02 PM
Question. I know I can look online for this but I'd like to hear from people who do have it. I've been plagues with ovarian cysts since 13-14. It started not long after first starting the monthly fun. We're talking big cysts here- one was the size of an orange! To help with this problem I was put on estrogen and have been on until about 3 months ago. I would still get the cysts (in both ovaries) but they were small and manageable.

Even being put on estrogen during my early puberty I still have more masculine characteristics than most bio-females. Could it be I had PCOS? I've never heard of this condition until a few months ago, and it may have not been commonly known when I was a teenager (especially in a small town). Just a thought.

PCOS stands for polycystic ovarian syndrome. If enough eggs develop into cysts then it is PCOS. Very simple really.

SilverFang