Diagnosed yesterday

So, I received an official diagnosis yesterday. I was almost positive I had it for the last year but dragged my feet about going to the doctor. From initial visit to diagnosis it was only about 2 weeks! I have 3/3 criteria and I have numerous cysts that are also large. At least I’m pulling off 100% in one area of life 😂

Anyway, I met with my new women’s health NP yesterday and I liked her! She told me my options for birth control, I am not eligible for the combined pill due to a history of aura migraines, so that leaves me with the mini pill or an IUD. I expressed worries about side effects like weight gain and mood and she recommend the IUD as she states that she sees less of those things in her patients that opt for the IUD. She told me to take some time to think about it before scheduling for insertion.

I’m interested in hearing people’s experiences with these two BC options. I do not have a heavy period and have short cycles (about 22-23 days)

I am really hoping to treat my PCOS with a multifaceted approach because I am more concerned with my symptoms that are really affecting my quality of life like weight management and severe fatigue, as well as hirsutism. Mainly weight and fatigue are my big worries. I feel as though my mental health has been impacted by this whole ordeal a decent amount. My confidence is kind of in the dumps and I am so tired all the time.

When I got my labs done- the only hormones my PCP ran were testosterone and hydroxyprogesterone. My testosterone was high (not super high, but high enough). Should I expect more extensive labs now that I have a diagnosis? I would like to potentially see an endocrinologist. I asked my NP about endocrinology and she encouraged me to ask my PCP so I will be doing that.

I almost feel like I don’t want to do any BC until I get to see what all my hormones are looking like, and I expect I may have some insulin resistance issues as well. My A1c was normal but she did not do fasting insulin. I live a very healthy and active lifestyles and meticulously track my intake and activity levels- and my cholesterol is unfortunately high, my NP stated that that was likely due to PCOS.

This is very long and rambling- shout out to you if you’ve read all this 😂 I am just trying to put some puzzle pieces together to see how I can best advocate for myself and how I can gain the most insight to live/ feel the best I possibly can! I’ve felt like a stranger in my own body the past year so now that I know why I want to take back as much power as I can😊

Thank you in advance for any replies, this community has been really saving my sanity as I’ve been going through this!