Born With This Condition Since I Was A Baby

by Vanessa
(Fl.)

Ever since I was a baby, my mother always noticed something different about me. As I was growing up my life turned for the worst because when I was 6, I started breaking out terrible with acne. But it didn't stop there. As the years went by, the acne got worse and I had really bad mood swings.

Fast forward to 15 years old. I was diagnosed with PCOS. So it was basically like a puzzle for mom for all those years.

I myself went through depression because I couldn't believe I was turning uglier by the year, at the time not knowing about the condition.

My mom's side of the family doesn't have this condition at all. So it only makes sense I got it from my father's side.

But I've been under treatment for 3 years. It's been going great but a struggle as I try to be healthy.

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Editor's comments: Hi Vanessa, thanks for sharing your story.

I'm guessing your PCOS-related problems probably originated with your mother, not your father.

This disorder is thought by some researchers to originate during a pregnancy, possibly because the mother had excessive levels of male hormones, had an excessive body burden of environmental chemicals such as bisphenol-A, or some other abnormal circumstance during pregnancy, which altered the "programming" of the developing baby.

There are a lot of possible factors contributing to acne. Perhaps the most prominent one is an abnormally high level of androgens, which are male hormones.

The reason for the high level of androgens is also due to a number of factors.

Besides medications, this whole situation can be improved by changing your diet and getting more exercise. For example, you could reduce consumption of saturated fats (such as in meat), reducing the amount of refined carbohydrates (such as bread, etc.), and by greatly increasing your intake of fresh vegetables. Nuts and seeds are also helpful.

A better diet plus more exercise helps to reduce your insulin levels. High insulin tends to encourage your body to produce more androgens. A better diet will also help to clear your liver of accumulated fat, and help your adrenal to not produce as many androgens.

Yes, it's a struggle. No doubt about it! You have to just keep at it. Continue to make small improvements in your diet, exercise and lifestyle (adequate sleep, no recreational drugs, reducing chronic stress, etc.). Not only will your body improve, but your depression will lift and your self-esteem will skyrocket.