Living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 14, I hadn't had a period in over a year and I began to get concerned. So, I made an appointment with my doctor, she sent me off for an ultrasound scan and blood tests. When I came back for my follow up appointment I was told that I had PCOS. She explained what it was but I didn't really understand much and went about my life as normal. Thinking it was great that I didn't have periods.

It wasn't until I was at university that I discovered the true extent of what living with PCOS meant. Okay, I didn't have periods but I did have the side effects of them, all minus the bleeding. I have bad back ache, severe cramps that would have me crying, I felt ill and had awful mood swings. PCOS also meant my chance of ever becoming pregnant was rather low, I have a 10% chance of conceiving children naturally. I have heard all the stories before of people with PCOS having children naturally, but I have other complications which means the likelihood is a lot lower. Now I was told when I was 14 these statistics and I have had 8 nearly 9 years to process this information. And although sometimes it gets be down, I know there are plenty of children out there that need adopting so when the time is right I think that is the route I will take.

Away, what is PCOS? Other than standing for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, it is not actually cysts on the ovaries. Confusing I know! I used the NHS website to help me explain what PCOS, there definition is :

'Polycystic ovaries contain a large number of harmless follicles that are up to 8mm in size. The follicles are under-developed sacs in which eggs develop. In PCOS, these sacs are often unable to release an egg, which means that ovulation doesn't take place.'

Meaning that the sacs in which the egg normally lives (as it were) is undeveloped and does not contain an egg, meaning an egg is not released and a period does not occur. Although the cause of PCOS is un known it is believed to run in families. It is related to a hormone in-balance within the body.

It is estimated that 1 in 5 women in the UK has PCOS, but it varies in severity.

Signs and symptoms

• irregular periods or none at all
• difficulty getting pregnant
• excess hair 
• thinning hair 
• weight gain or trouble losing weight

Basically its a massive shit storm and is horrible. Although there is no treatment for it there are some ways of controlling it. I myself were prescribed several different hormone tablets and treatments. But the extra hormones that was used to combat the extra testosterone but the hormone treatments made be depressed caused me to gain weight and fucked me up more. I stopped the treatments and felt a lot better. 

Its been over 9 years since I was diagnosed and I still havent had periods but I am hearing more and more stories about women diagnosed with PCOS and still concieving children naturally so I have faith that if I chose to have children I will be able to naturally. But that is a long way in the future. 

This has been a bit of long post with loads of information. I will do a follow up post soon about my experience with diagnosis. But just know ladies you are not alone. If you have any questions drop me a line. 

Bonus picture of my baby... My ferret Trevvor. 

Love Yah 

IsThataRedHerring 

A little haul.

Payday came and went... therefore I have treated myself to a few little bits and bobs. Enjoy my loves.

I work in a care home, and because the air is very dry and hot most of the time, my skin is getting the brunt of it. It's dry and I am having more break outs than usual. I popped into Superdrug and picked up the Garnier night cream, and the lady working there could not rave about this stuff enough, I picked up both the day and night cream in the Garnier Skin Active Moisture Bomb range, it is supposed to penetrate 5 layers of skin so we shall see. They were on offer, a third off at around £5.30 ish each. So affordable. Also in the same range the tissue masks, I love these things and always buy loads in when they are on offer, at 99p you cannot go wrong,

I popped into Body Shop, I do not tend to buy a lot from Body Shop but this Peach body mist is out of this world, it smells so nice and ideal for Spring time, I have also sprayed this on my pillows because it is so nice. It was on offer for £4, so cheap and a lovely scent. I went into Boots, of course, I have wanted to try the Rimmel Fix and Go 2 in 1 primer and setting spray for a will, I often find my make up wears off a lot around the nose area the most, maybe because I wear glasses and I am forever pushing them up but I thought I'd give this ago. I will let you know how I get on, that was £6.99. I had to repurchase this little angel again, the ARGAN Secret Miracle 10 spray is everything! My hair was in such a bad place before I started using this. I know use it everyday when styling my hair, not only does it do amazing things to my hair it smells amazing too. My hair has never been in a better condition. This is my third bottle in about 8 months, I got my latest bottle from Amazon for £15.91 and it is so worth it. £16 every three months really isn't that bad.

I decided to dye my hair (surprise!!) a darker grey this time round, my hair was previously blue so where the grey is now fading into a lighter grey the blue undertones are making it green and dirty blonde in some places. I love the Colour- Freedom Metallic Glory range, I chose the darkest grey they have which is stone grey. It is not far off black, but where I use head and shoulders itchy scalp every other wash the dye does fade, so I know that it will not be this dark for to long. A usual in Superdrug they were on offer at £7.99 each, buy 1 get 1 half price so of course I brought two. I dyed my hair today using it, and I love it. They do not damage my hair at all, the shea butter and aragn oil really help. The wash in wash out versions of these dyes also by colour freedom are great as well and long lasting.

Finally onto film and books, I had to buy the new Harry Potter and Fantastic Beast and where to find them DVD, I have yet to watch it but aim to watch it with the family tonight. A review will be coming. I also purchased the 4th and 5th series of Grimm as I have nearly finished the first 3 series on Netflix. At only £16 for both series I could not resist. Thanks Amazon Prime haha. A shopping trip with my best friend would not be complete without a stop in Waterstones, we each brought a book and together did the buy 1 get 1 half price deal. We both went for Young Adult books, I chose The Memory Book by Lara Avery, because it reminds me of dementia which is strange I know, but it follows a girl with an illness who begins to forget everything, but she wants to remember... hence the memory book. I hope to start this tonight.

I did buy some new NYX lispticks but I am going to do an individual blogpost about them. I hope you enjoyed this.

Love yah
IsThataRedHerring

BLOGMAS Day 15 and 16: My favourite Yankee Candles.

I adore candles, and in particular I am a sucker for Yankee. I have so many candles, boxes and boxes but I always go back to the same candles time and time again.

The first Yankee candle I brought was garden sweet pea. I found it in a clearance bin in my local garden center, I was so excited haha. A lovely floral smell, perfect for spring.

I discovered the candy corn candle by accident. I was watching Youtube candles hauls (because I have an exciting life) and saw this, didn't think much of it. Saw it in the Yankee candle shop and fell in love with the smell. I brought a ton of the sample size ones. Ideal for autumn and of course Halloween.

I'm not sure where I found this one, but sadly you can't buy it on the shop online. But the candy cane forest sent is exactly what it says on the tin. OMG! It smells good enough to eat. I've had it lit pretty much constantly since December 1st. 

And finally, my personal favourite and go to sent is soft blanket. It is so fresh and perfect. It also smells like clean washing. I have brought several of the big jars this year so far. You need this candle in your lives. It actually calms me. 

Highly recommend all of these candles. The big jars are worth the money. I always have candles burning. Feels more homely. 

Love yah 

IsThataRedHerring 

BLOGMAS Day 11: My favourite Christmas Films.

It wouldn't be Blogmas without a list of my favourite Christmas films. So here goes: 

Love Actually 

Myself and my mum every year without fail, sit down in our pjs, with a hot chocolate and some snacks and watch Love Actually. For me this film has everything, it brings together so many cute and adorable stories that everyone can relate to at some point. And let's face it, the acting is great, it has a crappy Christmas song and plenty of fun. A must see, 

A muppets Christmas Carol 

This film is rather sentimental to me, I remember watching it with my Gran, my brother and my cousins many, many Christmas’s ago. It’s a great family favourite that tells the tell of a Christmas Carol but with the muppets. What more do you want?  

Grinch 

Jim Carrey as the Grinch is everything! I can relate to the Grinch on so many levels. If you haven’t seen it where the hell have you been? The scene when he is trying to decide what to wear is spot on! ‘Right that’s it I’m not going’… or when he is looking through the phone book ‘hate, hate, double hate, totally loathe’ Actually tears! And his hatred for see people. But in the end he realised the true meaning of Christmas… Bye, bye Santa. 

Others include Elf, National Lapoons Christmas Vacation and of course Deck the Halls. I love a good Christmas film, who doesn't. Right I'm off to watch the Grinch. 

Merry Christmas

Love yah 

IsThataRedHerring 

BLOGMAS Day 9: Reapplying for university

I thought it was about time I reapplied for university. I am lucky enough to hold a BA Hons degree in Educational Studies from Plymouth university. And after taking nearly 2 years out of education and thinking long and hard about what I want to do for the rest of my life I have finally chosen what to do. I am currently trying to write my personal statement. I don't think I am the only one who struggles to write about themselves without feeling like a vain twat! I have written half a page so far and I am cringing at every second of it.

Anyway, you may be wondering what I am applying for, well I am putting in my application for a PGCE in primary school teaching ages 5-11. I was umming and arring for so long if to do it. I was debating for a while if to do midwifery or nursing but I decided that teaching was the way forward. I am hoping to get my QTS and within 2/3 years be able to teach abroad. I really want to travel and teach. Or even move to another country to teach. But that is a few years off and I really need to get this application form done first. Haha.

I am hoping to stay close to home this time round. As it will be cheaper in the long run. My top choices are; Reading, Winchester and Southampton. Oxford Brookes was also on the list, but I can only choose 3 and Winchester won its place in the top 3. Its so pretty. All of these universities have great reviews from students. I have done a lot of research into what university to go to, and it has taken me over a year to narrow down my choices. And I am pretty happy with them.

I just need to finish my personal statement, get my references and I can then send off my application. So, fingers crossed I get through to the interview stage and get offered places. I will keep you all up to date.

Love yah
IsThataRedHerring

BLOGMAS Day 6: Internet dating... revisited.

I did a post way over a year ago about internet dating and how I was finding it. I actually had a long term relationship come out of internet dating, but that relationship ended after a year. A mixture of different reasons and a whole other blog post I’m sure to come. Anyway, since I am single and very much ready to mingle I thought I would revisit the topic of internet dating. I joined back in September time using two apps the first Tinder and the second Plenty of Fish (POF). It began okay trying to find the genuine people from the fuckboys was the hardest part. I have since ditched Tinder because it is simply just full of fuckboys and not worth my time. So let’s focus on POF.

So, POF is a dating site, which allows you to make a profile, write about yourself, give a little bio, your basics and them do a very long and I mean very long chemistry test which I have to admit I still haven’t finished haha. Anyway, I have had a few good dates from the site and met some lovely genuine guys on there. I have had some absolute horrid dates, and some guys assume they are going to get sex on a first meeting/date. Now I am up for casual but come on dude, I barely know you let’s get to know each other. I have come up with some top tips for internet dating based on my experience.

Number 1

DO NOT GIVE A GUY YOUR SNAPCHAT

Like seriously, if you have been talking to a guy and all he ha asked you is hey, how are you and then boom straight in with have you got snapchat, you will receive a dick pic and loads of them. Words of warning that is what happens.

Number 2

DO NOT GIVE YOUR NUMBER OUT

Okay, so with this one be respectful of your mobile number. So, many guys use the excuse of this app is slow have you got whatsapp? Why yes I do, but know you cannot have it because I barely know you. If a guy really wants to get to know you they will wait. I normally do not give my number out until I’ve been messaging a person at least 3 days. I want to know them a little first.

Number 3

Don’t be afraid to play the field

I’ve had a few people ‘judge’ me because I am talking to several guys. Most of these people judging me are in relationships, and have been for a while. Now just because I am talking to several guys it does not mean I am sleeping with them. I am simply getting to know people. Figuring out if we have stuff in common and quite frankly it’s nice to know I have people wanting to talk to me. So please do not judge.

Just a quick revisit and a few little tips.

Love yah

IsThataRedHerring 

BLOGMAS

BLOGMAS

It is safe to say I have been slacking on the posts these past couple of months, and I could give you loads of excuses as to why that is, but I'm not going to! Instead, I hand on heart promise to give you a post a day, for the next 25 days. I already have a few planned, got a few ideas but if you have any ideas on what I could do, or what you'd like to see/read I'd be very grateful. Some will be short and others longer. A right mixture of things; recipes, top 5 films, gift guides that kind of thing. I am really looking forward to it.

Happy 1st of December. Let's get Christmassy

Love yah 

IsThataRedHerring