I Was Finally Diagnosed with PCOS After Battling These Symptoms

We feel each other's pain. We communicate “been there” with a hug. Being a woman is characterized by the shared experiences of what it means to inhabit bodies and navigate conditions that are still clouded with outdated taboos.

Our series But Really, How Are You? is dedicated to shining a light on these stories at the intersection of reproductive and mental health, from postpartum depression and fertility detours to the long fight for an endometriosis diagnosis. Our hope is to bring radical visibility to the struggles that, as women, inherently connect us—but so often go unsaid.

Today, we feature the words of Kim Tish, a content creator and self-described PCOS Princess, who lives in Orange County, California.

I have always been an active person. I was on three dance teams throughout high school and college and worked jobs that kept me on my feet. As soon as I turned 25, my body changed drastically. I gained 30 pounds in a span of 2 months. Despite dieting, doing spin, HIIT workouts, boxing—name any crazy cardio class, and I took it—the weight kept piling on. By age 25, my hair started falling out and my skin broke out to the point where my face was completely covered in acne. I had zero energy throughout the day yet dealt with insomnia throughout the night. I felt perpetually anxious about what I ate and how I looked because I no longer recognized the girl staring back at me in the mirror. That's when I realized something wasn't right; I felt like my body was broken.

I went to my first doctor to voice my concerns and they made me do a series of labs. I was hopeful but then devastated when they told me everything looked normal. Deep down, I knew what I was going through wasn’t normal. Over the years, I consulted with 5 to 6 more doctors—to be honest, I lost count—and they all did the same thing or told me to just go on birth control. I felt utterly hopeless, frequently turning to WebMD to diagnose myself and basically becoming a hypochondriac in the process.

As a content creator, maintaining motivation to appear on camera during this time when I didn’t feel my best was difficult. The effort I invested in trying to heal myself left me with little energy for my audience. I no longer felt confident showcasing my body so I transitioned from fashion content to lifestyle, focusing on hosting dinner parties instead. In retrospect, this shift was a blessing in disguise, allowing me to explore a new avenue I hadn’t considered. However, my overall lack of confidence persisted for three to four years, casting a shadow over that period of my life.

It wasn’t until 2023 that I found my naturopath. We worked together on a series of tests and bloodwork and she was able to diagnose me with PCOS. I cried when she told me—not because I was sad to have PCOS, but because it was reassuring to know that all of these symptoms weren’t my fault, that it wasn’t all in my head, and that I wasn’t just a hypochondriac making myself stressed out and sick.

The biggest challenge for me throughout this journey was learning to reject answers I disagreed with and to advocate for myself. Growing up, I was such a people pleaser. But only you truly understand your own feelings and what you’re going through! This journey has taught me to listen to my body and stand up for myself when things feel wrong. Ultimately, dealing with trying to get my PCOS diagnosis gave me confidence in my own voice.

Since working with my naturopath and understanding PCOS, I have slowly been feeling better. My skin has cleared up, my cycle is slowly coming back and my overall anxiety and depression has improved. There’s still so much more to learn, but I feel like I’m finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Living with PCOS can be isolating, but it's crucial for us Cysters to be more open and share our experiences as much as possible. By sharing our experiences, we can educate and support one another, fostering a community of understanding and empowerment.

I think we need more women opening up about PCOS as it’s vital to break the silence and stigma around it. PCOS impacts physical and emotional well-being but is often misunderstood. For example, there's a common misconception that women with PCOS, especially those with insulin resistance, are lazy. I had people in my family and close friends giving me unsolicited workout and diet suggestions. I’ll be eating dinner with my family and they’ll say comments like “You don’t even eat a lot, I’m surprised.” I know they mean well, but I’m already so hard on myself and I wish they could see not just the physical, but also the mental toll this syndrome has. I want them to understand that we aren't lazy; rather, we have symptoms that can make us physically or mentally unable to engage in activities or habits that others do effortlessly. Literally if we could, we would.

My journey with PCOS has instilled in me a deep sense of self-love and self-acceptance while also revealing the importance of slowing down. Navigating the world of social media is incredibly challenging, as it's nearly impossible not to compare yourself to everything you see online. Being diagnosed with PCOS and learning to manage it has given me the opportunity to embrace a slower, more mindful way of living. I've become attuned to my body's needs, likes, and dislikes—and I've learned to be grateful for the body I have instead of constantly picking it apart.

By sharing our experiences, women can find support and solidarity, helping others feel less alone. This openness raises awareness, leads to better diagnoses and treatments and pushes for more research which we desperately need! I included PCOS in my bio because when I was first diagnosed, I felt utterly alone–everywhere I looked online, it seemed like anyone with PCOS was an expert trying to sell me their services or courses. I couldn't find many people who were simply navigating it day by day, just like I was. My audience knows that I’m an open book, so I wanted other women with PCOS to find me and feel like they had someone to talk to about their struggles. I want to be that person who offers comfort and understanding, knowing we’re facing the same challenges. Together, we can share information and support each other.

PCOS and infertility also often go hand in hand, and my partner and I are now officially on our journey to start a family. To be honest, I'm experiencing a mix of fear and hope. Yet, amidst these emotions, my optimism is buoyed by the countless inspiring stories I've heard from women who have successfully navigated pregnancy while living with PCOS.

Up next: Understanding fertility and PCOS, plus foods to eat to help manage your symptoms, according to a dietitian.

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and we recommend that you always consult with your healthcare provider. To the extent that this article features the advice of physicians or medical practitioners, the views expressed are the views of the cited expert and do not necessarily represent the views of Perelel.