Hi, I (f21) was diagnosed with PCOS on Wednesday after not having my period since September 15, 2022. I have a couple pimples and coarse hair on my face. My doctor prescribed me Synthroid, Metformin, and Birth Control Pills. I am in a same sex relationship with a trans woman as well as have a huge fear and hatred towards pregnancy and children (and I am asexual).

I grew up in a very hippy household where we did not take medication of any kind unless it was dire. I was diagnosed with depression, social anxiety, and generalized anxiety about 13 years ago. I am terrified about being on such intense medication potentially for the rest of my life. Everyone I know who’s been on birth control has mental spiraled at least once. I am very scared about the effect the medication is going to have on me and my mental health.

I am also a full time college student (and applying to graduate programs currently for next fall). I do not want to be mentally unstable while finishing my last year of undergrad because I know that the academics will be hard enough on my mental health. I also do not have a job and only get a small stipend per month (as a research student) to spend on groceries to feed my girlfriend and I (she pays for our apartment and living expenses). Because of this, I am also scared about having a healthy diet for PCOS because I do not have a lot of money to buy high quality, healthy options most of the time.

I would just like some advice or comfort about living with PCOS as a broke, mentally ill college student? Are there less hormone heavy ways of going about treatment that I could bring up to my doctors? Is a hysterectomy a good option for helping PCOS?