My experience of PCOS is very similar to Ashley's however I was diagnosed in my twenties. My periods started at the age of 12 and were never particularly regular. However when I reached the age of 16 they became very irregular. Sometimes I wouldn't have a period for up to 6 months and of course every month my mum would question whether or not I was pregnant. She took me to the doctors for a pregnancy test which was negative. Being a nurse my mum knew what was happening to me wasn't normal but the doctor just kept telling her that 99% of women have normal periods and I fell in the 1% that don't. One doctor actually told me to get pregnant, have a baby and my periods would go back to normal!

In my late teens, early twenties as well as my irregular, heavy periods I began to experience intense pelvic pain and noticed the excessive hair growth on my arms, legs, chest and face was getting worse. Having just been married the sypmtoms I was experiencing were not just affecting me but also my husband. My mood swings were extreme to say the least, one minute I was crying, the next very angry. I started to gain weight and constantly craved sugar, symptoms which I still battle with every day.

I am lucky that Jason, my wonderful husband has been nothing but supportive over the years. Sometimes we forget that this condition not only affects us but our partners and family members. We forget that they don't fully understand the impact that this condition has upon our mood, self esteem and confidence. We have come to terms with the fact that we will never have children of our own but thankfully my sister doesn't have PCOS and she recently gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Ava.