Am also a long time lurker and registered for an account so I could share my experience with you. I am 27 and was diagnosed with PCOS around 20. I was put on Yasmin ("the pill") and metformin. I took both up until I turned 22 when I went from 195 lbs to 170. (not doing paleo). Just from the weight loss and being more active my cycle regulated itself. I stopped taking metformin a year to a year and a half ago. Actually with my Dr's blessing. She told me to try coming off it and see how I felt. And I had no issues (I have not had labs drawn so I can't tell you how my numbers are though.) I did gain a chunk of weight back after coming off metformin but I have been eating paleo for about 6 months and am back to 170 and still going down. My cycle is normal and I feel great. That's my story but I would say give it a try.

Hi JM,

It sounds like your endo is not doing a very good job explaining all of this to you. I'm always leery of a doctor telling me that some test is "perfect" rather than sharing the actual numbers with me. Too often, a so-called "perfect" result on a test really isn't, when taken in the context of other numbers and or symptoms. Perfect example: The lab norms for TSH (thyroid test) say that any TSH level under 5.5 is "normal". But in reality, if the TSH is over 2.0, it indicates hypothyroidism may be present. It scares me how many doctors don't even know this and tried to tell me that my TSH level of 5.49 was "perfect".

Doctors are trained that "when they hear hoofbeats, they should think horses, not zebras". In other words, they tend to take the most obvious and easy explanation first. But in my experience, those of us with PCOS are zebras, not horses. And any doctor who thinks Paleo is dangerous and low fat is proper is definitely a horse doctor, not a zebra doctor.

PCOS is a complex syndrome that has many facets. It's my personal theory that it's not one disease, but a spectrum disorder (not Autistic spectrum--I just mean that there is a broad range of symptoms and manifestations). For example: weight is often tossed off as the cause of PCOS, but I had severe symptoms when I wasn't in the least overweight--most doctors overlook the possibility that the metabolic issues of PCOS may be the cause of obesity, not the result.

I have another chronic medical problem and the people in my online support community say this over and over again: Nobody cares more about your health than you do. So YOU need to be in charge of your care, with collaboration, not dictation, from a good doctor. That means you should have copies of EVERY lab, and spend some time educating yourself about what each test is for and what the results mean for YOU. It requires a good deal of self-education.

This is crucial if you want some day to have children. Paleo eating alone may control symptoms of PCOS enough to keep you comfortable and at a good weight, but perhaps the Metformin will be important to preserve your fertility or prevent long term cardiovascular disease. Or you may just be fine without Metformin. But it should be an informed decision, carefully considered with a knowledgeable physician, and carefully monitored, too, not just a stab in the dark.

I don't have an answer, but I also have/had PCOS. Since going with clean eating (including no microwave) almost all of the symptoms have gone away (no more chin hair, either). I was diagnosed at 19 (so about 15yrs ago). Never put on metformin (just bc). At the time, metformin was reserved until one was trying to conceive. Now I'm glad it was a time when medicine was more reserved, and I didn't have to take it. Good luck finding a new endo. Keep on keeping on & don't let poor nutrition advice get you down. I still have a good amount of weight to loose, but am giving my body time to undo the damage I did in the first 30yrs.

I think you need to make the decision with data and under the care if an endo who has a much better understanding of PCOS metabolism than this one. Consider a functional medicine doctor, as really good endos are few and far between.

There are a few things to consider: 1. How is your insulin metabolism functioning? A good endo will monitor this with c-peptide. 2. What IS happening to your testosterone levels. They should be coming toward normal. 3. Are you ovulating? 4. How important is it to you to preserve fertility? 5. A good endo will be monitoring your cardiovascular risk factors so you will have objective data to help you determine if you are maintaining your health if you go off Met.

Hi JM, I would look into Dr. Walter Futterweit in NYC. I've never gone to him before but he wrote the book A Patient's Guide to PCOS: Understanding--and Reversing--Polycystic Ovary Syndrome http://www.amazon.com/Patients-Guide-PCOS-Understanding-Reversing-Polycystic/dp/0805078282

I have heard it's a bit difficult to get an appointment with him (popularity?).

Anyhoo best of luck!

Not really anything to do with diet, but reusable items (cloth pads & cups - I like the soft minky pads & lunette cup) really helped me with cramps &, umm, volume. It was night & day after 2 cycles.