About Samantha Mattingly Expertise I can answer any and all questions about your body. I can only answer questions written in plain english. Any question is not too easy or too hard for me!
Experience I have read many different books about Teens Health, and I am in college to be a gynecology doctor.
Education/Credentials I am in college to become a gynecologist. I have been in training with 30 girls, and I have also done special summer training courses with boys.
Past/Present Clients I have currently worked with 30 girls.
Expert: Samantha Mattingly Date: 2/27/2008 Subject: I feel sick about how I look
Question QUESTION: I am 22 years old and a couple years ago I gained a lot of weight and then lost most of it. I'm so insecure about how I still look. I know I am overweight still, but eating healthy, and exercising hasn't helped me. I have been working out with my roommate every day, and we began a healthy eating plan. This has been going on for about 8 or 9 months, and I am not losing any weight, or getting in any type of shape. I carry so much excess weight around my middle that I have to buy pant sizes too big so that I can actually button them. What do I do? I'm getting very depressed about how I look and it seems that there is nothing I can do. Any suggestions?
ANSWER: Dear Emily,
Many girls do feel this way about how they look. If you have PCOS, you generally have trouble losing weight. Hun, I would talk to your doctor about this and see if there are options, such as a different diet plan or exercise program you can try. There are also other options outside of those. Ony your doctor will know what is best for you.
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QUESTION: What is PCOS?
Answer Dear Emily,
What is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
Polycystic (pah-lee-SIS-tik) ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a health problem that can affect a woman's menstrual cycle, ability to have children, hormones, heart, blood vessels, and appearance. With PCOS, women typically have:
high levels of androgens (AN-druh-junz). These are sometimes called male hormones, although females also make them.
missed or irregular periods
many small cysts (sists) in their ovaries. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs.
What causes polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
The cause of PCOS is unknown. Most researchers think that more than one factor could play a role in developing PCOS. Genes are thought to be one factor. Women with PCOS tend to have a mother or sister with PCOS. Researchers also think insulin could be linked to PCOS. Insulin is a hormone that controls the change of sugar, starches, and other food into energy for the body to use or store. For many women with PCOS, their bodies have problems using insulin so that too much insulin is in the body. Excess insulin appears to increase production of androgen. This hormone is made in fat cells, the ovaries, and the adrenal gland. Levels of androgen that are higher than normal can lead to acne, excessive hair growth, weight gain, and problems with ovulation.
What are the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
Not all women with PCOS share the same symptoms. These are some of the symptoms of PCOS:
infrequent menstrual periods, no menstrual periods, and/or irregular bleeding
infertility (not able to get pregnant) because of not ovulating
increased hair growth on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes—a condition called hirsutism (HER-suh-tiz-um)
ovarian cysts
acne, oily skin, or dandruff
weight gain or obesity, usually carrying extra weight around the waist
insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes
high cholesterol
high blood pressure
male-pattern baldness or thinning hair
patches of thickened and dark brown or black skin on the neck, arms, breasts, or thighs
skin tags, or tiny excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area
pelvic pain
anxiety or depression due to appearance and/or infertility
sleep apnea—excessive snoring and times when breathing stops while asleep
