I gained so much weight and have been struggling to lose weight ever since I gave birth to Andre. He is now 3 years and 5 months old, yet I still carry almost the same weight I had before giving birth. I think this is my heaviest weight ever. It’s not easy being overweight and it has various disadvantages. Aside from having difficulties in choosing and wearing clothes, being overweight leads to various health problems like Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).

I was diagnosed with PCOS last April and have been under medication. PCOS is often caused by a hormonal imbalance brought on by Insulin Resistance-related obesity. It is a disorder that affects about 5-10% of all women, and is one of the leading causes of infertility. We’ve been trying very hard for my next pregnancy since last year, but until now I am still not pregnant.

I discovered that I have PCOS when I went to the OB-GYNE to check why I had blood spotting on my pantyliner. Since my OB-GYNE was not around that time, I went to another OB-Gyne to have my check up. I told the doctor that my menstruation period is delayed for 3 weeks, but not pregnant based on the result of the pregnancy test kit. The doctor asked me to have an ultrasound and found out that I have PCOS. Based on the ultrasound result, I have multiple abnormal cysts in the ovaries. Women with PCOS do not ovulate, which makes it impossible for them to conceive. Thus, this is the reason why I am having difficulty in getting pregnant. She advised me to take Provera for 5 days in the first month to regulate my monthly period, and for 10 days on the second month. I followed her instructions and had my regular period.

Last week, I decided to visit my real OB-GYNE to ask for a second opinion. She told me to stop taking Provera and advised me to take Metformin instead. I told her that we’ve been trying to have our second baby but having the hard time. She also told me that I have to lose weight if we’re planning to have Baby #2 because being overweight during pregnancy might lead to more problems like having gestational diabetes and high-blood pressure among others. I might also suffer again from pyelonephritis, which I experienced during my last pregnancy. She advised me to have a weight loss diet and suggested me to take Reductil, an anti-obesity medicine. I have tried taking them before and I really lost weight but gained the weight back again after taking medications and back to over-eating.

Depending on the physician, the treatment may include hormonal therapy comprising birth control pills, anti-androgen medications, and other special hormone-regulating drugs. I followed my OB-GYNE’s prescription. I am now taking Metformin and Reductil at the same time for treating PCOS and for losing weight, respectively. I’m on my 10th day and lost 5 pounds. I think it’s working on me. I am also on a low-carb diet and more water intake while taking these medications. I also plan to go jogging every weekend. My doctor gave me at least two months to lose weight before having our next baby for a lesser risk. I hope I can make it.