Appointment with the Gynaecologist.

The day arrived for my appointment with the Gynaecologist. I was so nervous. Not because of what they might say - but of the fact that I was fifteen, had never had any sort of sexual experience, and was going to see a male doctor who I knew in all possibilty would want to do a private examination. Actually, I don't think nervous even comes close.

Some of my fears were eased when I met the doctor - he reminded me of David Attenborough (the wildlife expert), not sure now why that should have put my mind at rest - but it did. Maybe it gave me something else to focus on.

The Dr did his examination - and then sat me down, and proceeded to hand me some leaflets on Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome. He told me that obviously I ws already aware that that was what I had and he wanted to explain the treatement options. Aware!? I most certainly wasn't. I think my jaw and my mum's must have hit the floor at the same time. What was he talking about? I think the Dr saw the confused look on our face and asked me in quite a calm manner "didn't you know". Apparently, the ultrasound scan that I had had a few weeks before had clearly shown that my ovaries were covered in small cysts - and the blood tests that they had done confirmed that not only did I have polycystic ovaries but also the syndrome (they can tell this form the hormone balance).

I think at the time, I didn't truly realise the enormity of what he was saying, but my Mum certainly did, and that night I heard her crying on the phone to my Aunt and Grandma.

The Dr told me that it was unlikely I would ever have a period, and that I would continue to get the pain, which was being caused by the small cysts forming each month. I was going to have to go on the pill so that I had a 'bleed' each month, otherwise I could develop further problems with the lining of my womb.

My mum explained to the Dr that she had had a thrombosis caused through a reaction to taking the pill, and therefore she was a bit worried about me taking it. The Dr said he would send me for more tests to check for blood clotting problems.

He also explained that as a result of having the poslycystic ovaries and complete amenorrhea (no periods) that I would be in contact with the gynaecology service for a long time to come, as if I ever wanted to start a family, I would need some help.

So all in the space of half an hour I had gone from believing my period would start any moment - to finding out that not only would I never have a period, but that I had to go on the pill and would never me able to conceive a baby naturally.

Well cheers Doc you know how to make a girl feel good about herself! Cue the tears......