The Feelings No One Talks About After a PCOS Diagnosis
Getting diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) is overwhelming. You walk into the doctor’s office hoping for answers, and you walk out with a medical condition that feels like it changes everything. No one prepares you for the flood of emotions that come with it—fear, confusion, and uncertainty about the future.
If you’ve just been diagnosed, suspect you have PCOS, or are somewhere along this journey, I want you to know: you are not alone. In this post, I’m opening up about my experience, the thoughts that ran through my mind, and what I wish I had known when I first heard the words: “You have PCOS.”
How I Found Out I Have PCOS
Before I was officially diagnosed, I had a feeling something wasn’t right. I had irregular cycles, symptoms that didn’t make sense, and a gut feeling that something was off. I went to three different doctors before finally getting a diagnosis.
When my doctor told me, my first question was:
"Am I going to be able to get pregnant?"
Motherhood has always been a dream of mine—not right now, but someday. I needed to know what this meant for my future. My doctor told me that while pregnancy is possible, it might be harder for me than for someone without PCOS.
I walked out of the office feeling confused and unsettled. My doctor didn’t have all the answers, and I didn’t know where to start. I sat in my car and cried for five minutes.
The Fears That Took Over My Mind
That moment in my car was when the what-ifs started.
What if I can’t have kids?
What if this is harder than I ever imagined?
What if my partner sees this as a dealbreaker?
I spiraled into worst-case scenarios before I even had time to process what PCOS actually meant for me. My partner, of course, reassured me that he wasn’t going anywhere, but in that moment, fear took over.
How My Health Anxiety Made It Worse
Growing up, I always had a heightened awareness of my health. My dad passed away from an unknown autoimmune disease when I was eight years old. To this day, doctors don’t know exactly what took his life.
Because of that, I’ve always been hyperaware of anything unusual in my body. If I get a new mole, I check it constantly. I take pictures, track changes, and worry. So when I was diagnosed with something that my doctor couldn’t “fix,” it sent me into a tailspin.
I kept thinking: Is this the beginning of something worse? Will I develop other health issues? Is this tied to my dad’s illness in some way?
Taking Control of My Health
After my initial breakdown, my next instinct was to do everything perfectly.
I told myself I had to work out every single day.
I started researching every possible supplement.
I felt like I needed to completely overhaul my diet overnight.
I thought if I just did everything right, I could control this. But through research, I learned that I didn’t have to be that intense. Managing PCOS is a journey, not a race. I had to learn to make sustainable changes, not just react out of fear.
What I Wish I Knew Sooner
Doctors don’t have all the answers. PCOS is still widely misunderstood, and many doctors hand out birth control or Metformin as a quick fix without fully addressing the root cause.
Advocating for yourself is key. I had to take control of my own health, learn about PCOS, and find what worked for my body.
You don’t have to have it all figured out today. It’s okay to not know everything. It’s okay to take it one step at a time.
Your peace of mind matters. Stress makes PCOS worse. If pushing the thought of fertility struggles to the back of your mind helps you function, that’s okay. You don’t have to think about it all the time.
If You’re Struggling, You’re Not Alone
PCOS is a journey, and it comes with so many emotions that people don’t talk about.
If you’re feeling scared, anxious, or overwhelmed, I want you to know: it’s okay.
It’s okay to feel confused.
It’s okay to grieve the expectations you had for your health.
It’s okay to cope in whatever way helps you right now.
No matter where you are on this journey, you are not alone. 💜
If you’ve been diagnosed with PCOS, I’d love to hear your experience. What were the emotions you felt after your diagnosis?
Looking for More PCOS Resources?
If this post resonated with you, I’m sharing more about my PCOS journey, research, and lifestyle changes on my Youtube Channel: Hennelly Health and IG: @hennellyhealth. Let’s learn together. 💜
