soc_puppet | More health stuff

Finally checked the info sheet that came with my new hormonal birth control pills. "Irregular or unusual vaginal bleeding and spotting between your menstrual periods, especially during the first 3 months" is listed as one of the "other serious side effects". Which makes it sound like this may continue after the first three months. Considering spotting between periods is something I wanted to start taking this to avoid, I am... not encouraged by this information.

Also on the "Other serious side effects" list is "New or worsening headaches including migraine headaches".

Anyway, I've got a follow-up appointment in March, but I'm debating the merits of calling in earlier in light of this literal mess. I'm also strongly considering asking to seek an actual Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis. My symptoms so far include:
* Period cramps
* Irregular periods and spotting between periods, including this one time a few years back where I went three months without a period, with me not being sexually active ever in my life (yes, I should have gone to a doctor, but ADHD brain didn't know how and I still have trouble)
* Beard hair growth on my chin and neck (sparse but present; I don't mind it terribly, as it's something relatively "safe" I can direct my trichotillomania at)
* Darker skin at my armpits and probably my groin
* This one time in high school when I had to leave because I had horrendous abdominal pain to the point where I spent a good amount of time curled in the fetal position and wondering if "this is what contractions feel like"
* Acne in general, and especially my occasional cystic acne
* I'm fat (yes, I know, but it's on the list, so I'm including it)

It is my hope that a diagnosis and/or more thorough discussion of the possibility of me having PCOS may result in a better treatment plan. Alternately, my treatment plan may continue to be more-or-less the same (try various hormonal birth control methods until one works), but with me slightly more confident that I've communicated properly. (My stated goal with this is already better regulating my periods, but I'm not always sure if I'm being clear enough.)

As a side note, my current doctor has yet to bring up my weight as a problem; I've only had two appointments with her, but I'm cautiously optimistic!