where the hell are my periods?
- Mouniirah DEME
- May 14
- 8 min read
Updated: May 16
Disclaimer: This post is based solely on my personal experience and research. For a proper diagnosis and advice, please consult an MD or ND.
There's a common saying: "What is going to make you cry usually starts by making you laugh." Being 'period-free' in a military high school was never a concern for me. While my classmates went to the infirmary for regular pregnancy tests, I could stay in the dormitory. This gave me more time to sleep, and ice on the cake, I could skip the 5 a.m. running session. Given the rhythm of the military life, not having periods felt more like a blessing than a curse. But as time went on, I started to wonder if everything was okay. I visited a specialist, and that’s when the ax fell: I was diagnosed with PCOS/PMOS!
The diagnosis.
My first consultation with a gynecologist was in 2016. I went to see her because I was 16 and, so far, I was the only one in my class who hadn't had her period. She reassured me that every girl is different and that there was nothing to worry about. In fact, I had my period twice that same year, and then... nothing for months. So I went back three years later. After an ultrasound, she confirmed that I had PCOS/PMOS. It was in 2019, and I was about to turn 20. She told me it wasn't reversible and that I needed to have children before I turned 25; otherwise, it would be difficult for me to get pregnant. I was devastated. I didn't plan on getting pregnant soon, and at the same time, I didn't want to lose what I believed were my last years of being able to conceive. But as I came to understand, having PCOS/PMOS is much more complex than that, and more importantly, that I could still have children even after turning 25!
What is PCOS/PMOS?
Polycystic Ovaries Syndrome (PCOS) is a common disorder that causes menstrual cycle disruptions, including abnormal patterns of ovulation and irregular cycles. PCOS/PMOS affects anywhere from 6 to 15% of women in developed country and over 100 million women worldwide making it a single most endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. Although there are some disagreement as to how PCOS/PMOS should be diagnosed, PCOS/PMOS is characterized by combination of at least two of these three symptoms:
— Oligomenorrhea or anovulation -- delayed ovulation with cycles longer than 35 days, and/or fewer than nine periods a year.
— Hyperandrogenism -- excess androgen (male hormones) production; and,
— Polycystic ovaries on a normal ultrasound -- presence of 12 or more follicles on each ovary and/or an increased ovarian volume.
In addition to these three main diagnostic criteria, they are a variety of symptoms associated with PCOS/PMOS including: weight gain/obesity; difficulty losing weight; insulin resistance/elevated insulin levels; abnormal/unwanted facial/body hair; hirsutism (male-pattern hair growth: coarse hair on the face (chin, upper lip), around the nipples, on the chest or stomach, upper arm, thighs and other area of the body); thinning hair on the head; androgenic alopecia (male-pattern hair loss), acne (particularly on the jaw line or on the back; moderate to severe); irregular menstruation and/no menstruation; long/irregular menstrual cycle; heavy bleeding/long periods; pelvic pain (pain painful period); chronic inflammation; type 2 diabetes; cardiovascular disease; high blood pressure; high triglyceride levels; abnormal HDL/LDL cholesterol levels; headaches; fatigue/low energy; poor sleep/sleep disturbance; mood change (depression, anxiety); poor body image; anorexia/bulimia; infertility; high luteinizing hormones (LH) levels, elevated LH-to-follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio; high prolactin levels; elevated anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels; low sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels.
[The Fifth Vital Sign - Chapter 6: Your Menstrual Cycle as a Diagnostic Tool: Page 79-80]
As you see, PCOS was never about fertility and polycystic ovaries alone that’s why the rebranding was so important.
A much needed rebranding.
Starting from May 12th, 2026, PCOS was renamed Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS). In other words, it is a comprehensive metabolic and hormonal disorder affecting insulin, ovaries, and hormonal signaling, not just the ovaries. The previous name caused confusion because many women diagnosed with PCOS/PMOS did not have polycystic ovaries, and many women with polycystic ovaries did not have PCOS/PMOS. Changing the name to PMOS highlights how the condition impacts the entire body, including metabolism, hormones, blood sugar, and inflammation. For someone living with PCOS, this change means earlier, more accurate diagnosis and better care. It also demonstrates ongoing progress and, most importantly, offers hope.
What do other practitioners say about PCOS/PMOS:
In traditional Chinese medicine, PCOS is caused by "tan yu hu jie," meaning phlegm and blood stagnation. Phlegm results from weak digestion and consuming hard-to-digest foods, leading to insulin resistance, high blood sugar, weight gain, and bloating. Blood stagnation means impaired uterine blood flow, causing heavy, painful, or clotty periods and dark spotting. The combination can cause delayed or skipped periods and disrupt ovulation. Over time, this pattern generates heat in the body (inflammation), high cortisol, acne, excess hair growth etc. If untreated, it can develop into kidney deficiency, causing fertility issues, hair loss, fatigue, and stubborn weight gain.
"PCOS is just a label, what's really important is targeting the underlying imbalances in your body that's causing PCOS in the first place otherwise you'll keep managing symptoms non-stop." | Qianlei Li, Acupuncturist.
In naturopathic medicine, PCOS and ovarian abnormal growth is attributed to a hormonal imbalance, specifically a deficiency of progesterone and its precursor. Progesterone helps maintain proper levels of other hormones: it moderates testosterone and keeps the estrogen in check. When estrogen and related hormones become too high, they can lead to growths such as fibroids or polycystic ovaries syndrome. The symptoms of PCOS/PMOS can be as varied as we are.
"Our body runs according to precision balance. And polycystic ovarian syndrome is an indication of that balance been thrown out, particularly the hormones."
[Extrait of Barbara O'Neil on Discussing What is PCOS - April 13th, 2026.]
A lifetime battle.
Since my diagnosis, I have tried different treatments: hormonal, natural, holistic, and even spiritual (yes!). I have been on and off combined contraceptive pills and progestin-only pills for about four years. During that time, I started doing my own research, testing new approaches, and reading extensively about the condition. I discussed my findings with my doctor, but she explained that she couldn't prescribe another treatment. As an MD, she follows protocols focused on hormonal therapy, which I no longer wanted to pursue due to side effects such as depression and apathy, the risk of certain cancers, and my desire for a more natural approach. I remember that each time I entered her office she would start smiling because she knew I was about to bring up a new theory. "What have you discovered… again?" she would say. It was as funny as it was overwhelming.
For me, living with PCOS/PMOS, is having to be mindful of what I eat and drink, as well as what I do and who I spend time with, because my environment and relationships can either improve or worsen my condition. It's having mood swings and worrying consistently about whether I will be able to bring my body back to balance. It's having my energy depletes faster than others because my body is constantly fighting inflammation. It's having intense cravings for sugar and feeling guilty afterward because I know sugar worsens insulin resistance and inflammation. It's suffering from poor sleep and sleep disturbances. It's waking up tired even after a 8+ hours night of sleep. It's sometimes having brain frog and difficulty concentrating. It's not being able to practice some of my hobbies, as high-intensity cardio can increase inflammation.
To be honest, my sleep habits need to be improved, my diet isn’t balanced enough, and I'm not as active as I should be. So for now, I cannot confirm or deny the effectiveness of treatments, especially natural ones, because they rely heavily on good sleep and appropriate exercise. Living with PCOS/PMOS also involves learning and unlearning, but most importantly, it's working with my body and understanding that it is not my enemy.
"...And I said to my body, softly. 'I want to be your friend.' It took a long breath and replied: I have been waiting my whole life for this." | Nayyirah Waheed.
Why is speaking important?
At first I didn’t want to talk about PCOS/PMOS because I didn’t want people to know I have it. It was a mix of fear and apprehension. I felt like something was off with me. Additionally, when looking for PCOS, it states black on white that's its the one leading cause of infertility. I didn't want to carry that label, so I choose to remain silent. I often like or repost PCOS/PMOS related content but that was it. However, deep down, I knew it was important to speak out. First, because if I have reached a stage where I’ve made peace with the condition and, most importantly, let go of the fear, it’s thanks to people who have shared their stories. Speaking out is important not only because it raises awareness and supports research about the condition but also because it helps those of us who feel lost and are searching for answers. Finally, speaking out is like giving a hug to that 16-year-old Mouniirah and telling her she need not worry so much.
Some good news.
— Easier to build muscle: A 2018 Swedish study reported potential benefits of PCOS: researchers observed that female athletes with mildly elevated testosterone showed improved muscle growth and greater oxygen uptake into muscle tissue. Because increased muscle mass supports overall health, strength training not only increases calorie burn during workouts but also raises resting metabolic rate over time.
— Is PCOS reversible? : As mentioned before, PCOS/PMOS are a combination of symptoms caused primarily by hormonal imbalance. Many treatments focus on managing symptoms and balancing hormones. While PCOS may not be permanently curable, with the right plan many people can reach a point where symptoms interfere far less with their everyday life. However, some professionals especially NDs, claim that PCOS/PMOS can be reversed.
"Know when to let go of your PCOS diagnosis. You qualify for a PCOS diagnosis based on your current symptoms. If you can reach the point of no symptoms, then you will no longer have PCOS. You may however, always have a susceptibility."
[Lara Briden, ND, Period Repair Manual: Chapter 7: Restoring Regular Period: Page 160]
— Higher chance of getting twins: Women with PCOS often have irregular periods because their bodies don’t always release eggs regularly. But when ovulation does happen, especially with medications that help induce ovulation, the ovaries might release more than one egg at once. But careful, research suggests that without medication, women with PCOS do not have a significantly increased risk of twins compared to women without PCOS. The key factor is induced ovulation, not just having the condition itself. So if you’re managing your PCOS naturally or not trying for pregnancy, your odds remain similar to anyone else’s.
— Wider fertility window :
"The good thing about PCOS genes: as a woman with PCOS, you may become more fertile as you get older." (PubMed PMID: 19168874)
New research suggests that because women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) experience perimenopause much later in life than those without it, they could have “prolonged ovarian function” or in other words, allow later pregnancies.
I've always wanted to discuss #PCOS, and I'm glad I finally took the plunge. Just as others' testimonies have helped me feel less lonely and find answers to the countless questions I had, I hope to be that voice someone needs to hear and to help raise awareness. If you have PCOS/PMOS, know that you are not alone, and you are not broken. Thank you for reading. May God bless you. Take care.
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