Here we go… let’s talk about it.

Spoiler: I was too busy helping everyone else to realize my own body was waving red flags.

Let’s rewind to 18-year-old me.

My mom had just been diagnosed with breast cancer. I was juggling university, helping with the family business, and  because I’ve always been the “do everything” type I decided to launch Captur-Eyes Studio at the same time. Glam life on the outside, chaos on the inside.

So no, I didn’t exactly notice that I hadn’t had a period for a year.
A whole. year.
No cramps. No bloating. No Aunt Flo showing up uninvited. And at first, I didn’t even mind until I realized that wasn’t exactly… normal.

Eventually, I went to the doctor. Then another. And another. Honestly, I lost track, there was too many to count.

One finally sent me for an ultrasound, and that’s when I first heard it:
“You have PCOS”. (Which you may be unfamiliar with but is short for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). The scan showed multiple immature follicles on both ovaries. If you’ve ever seen it on screen, they look like a string of pearls. Sounds cute until you realize it’s messing with your hormones.

And the advice I got along the way?
Wild.
One doctor gave me progesterone to “just trigger a bleed”. Another handed me birth control and said it would “regulate my hormones”.

And then came the ones that stuck with me for years:

“You should probably grab someone now, get married, and try to have a baby. It might not happen later.”
(This was said to me in my early 20s.)

And even worse…

“You will never get pregnant.”That one? My mom was with me in the room. She went into literal shock. And in that moment, I didn’t know who to console first – her or myself.

I didn’t know much about PCOS back then and to be honest it seemed like the doctors didn’t know too much either. I was given progestrone here and there to induce a period until I was just put on birth control and I never questioned being on it until much later. (We will discuss this further just you wait!).

Looking back, the signs for PCOS were all there:

• No period (obviously)
  
• Hairy chin — my unofficial second job was plucking
  
• Constant mood swings (hi, anxiety and random crying spells)
  
• Depression, fatigue, and that “ugh” feeling that never quite left
  
• And honestly? Just not feeling like myself
  

But I didn’t piece it together. I was focused on everyone else – helping my mom, getting my Marketing Degree, doing makeup for clients while completely ignoring the fact that my own body was whispering (okay, yelling) for help.

And even when I did start to realize what PCOS was, I didn’t talk about it.
Not really.
In university, I remember someone casually mentioning cyst pain and I said, “Oh, I have PCOS too,” like it was no big deal… but inside, I was wondering if this was something I should feel embarrassed about.

Later, I started noticing it in my makeup clients. Some would describe their symptoms, and I’d gently ask, “Have you ever checked for PCOS?”
They’d look shocked and say, “Wait, how did you know?”

It was something I saw in myself and in other women way before I fully understood it.

Real talk: PCOS is more common than you think

Let me throw some facts at you in simple terms (because PCOS can be confusing).

• PCOS affects 8% to 13% of women of reproductive age worldwide
  
• It’s one of the most common hormone disorders — yet still misdiagnosed or completely missed
  
• Even in 2025, many women struggle to get a clear diagnosis
  
• There are different types of PCOS (we’ll talk more about this soon!)
  
• And to be officially diagnosed, you usually need 2 out of 3 things: irregular ovulation, excess androgens (male hormones), and polycystic ovaries (this is called the Rotterdam criteria)
  

What no one explained back then, and what I didn’t learn until much later, is that insulin resistance is a huge part of PCOS for many women. It’s not just a “reproductive” issue. It’s a metabolic one too. Back in 2018 when I was figuring all this out, there was barely any info on PCOS. No TikToks. No clear breakdowns. Definitely no one openly talking about it. And while it’s better now, it’s still far from perfect.

If you’re wondering, “Wait… do I have PCOS?”

Here are some common signs (based on real life, not just textbook stuff):

• Missing or irregular periods
  
• Facial hair (especially chin, upper lip, or jawline)
  
• Cystic acne or stubborn breakouts
  
• Weight gain that doesn’t make sense
  
• Mood swings or anxiety
  
• Trouble sleeping or constant fatigue
  
• Difficulty getting pregnant
  
• Ovarian cysts (seen on ultrasound)
  

It doesn’t mean you definitely have it, but if these sound familiar? It’s worth checking in with a doctor and asking the right questions.

Back then, I didn’t know how to ask those questions. I was 18, scared, and focused on surviving. But that moment started a journey I’m still on, one that would teach me how to listen to my body, speak up for myself, and find healing in ways I didn’t expect.

🤍 Want a soft place to start your own PCOS journey?

I created the PCOS Basics: Gentle Guidance for a Confusing Diagnosis guide for women just like us — the ones who are overwhelmed, under-informed, and ready to finally understand what’s going on in their bodies.

It’s $9 CAD, and packed with everything I wish I had at 18: symptoms, types, what to ask your doctor, labs to request, and more.

👉 Click here to download it now and take your first step with confidence and clarity.

Up next…

I’ll share the first time I truly advocated for myself and the long, awkward journey off birth control. Plus, the emotional moment my period came back (yes, I cried). You won’t want to miss it.

-Gurp