My journey with PCOS: How I learned to understand my cycle

I’m Annika from Herzens-Mama, and yes: I was diagnosed with PCOS a few years ago. It wasn’t a dramatic shock, but at some point I realized that my body doesn’t work like other people’s – cycles were irregular, ovulation unreliable, and there was this constant feeling of uncertainty. Today I want to share how I cope mentally with this situation – and why tracking with OvulaRing helped me bring calm to my cycle chaos.

What PCOS feels like – and what occupies me the most

Maybe you feel the same: it’s not sudden dramatic events, but rather many small inconsistencies. For me there were months when my period simply didn’t come, or months when I thought I had ovulated – and then nothing happened. I often felt lost because I didn’t understand my body. At the same time, PCOS led to some weight gain for me, and I had phases of blemished skin – all of that affected my self-esteem.

Mentally it was a rollercoaster: hope when there are signs of ovulation. Frustration when missed periods or unclear signals shape my day-to-day life. I had to learn to manage my expectations and live with uncertainty – and that isn’t always easy. Talking with friends and other women affected by PCOS helped me enormously. Keeping a diary – noting how I feel and how my body reacts – also creates a sense of control.

Cycle tracking – how I did it before (and why it often isn’t enough)

Before I tried OvulaRing, I tried a lot: taking my basal temperature in the morning, observing cervical mucus, LH ovulation tests. All of that has its advantages, but also major weaknesses – especially with PCOS, where hormones often fluctuate and signals can be unclear. A positive LH test can, for example, falsely suggest ovulation even when no ovulation takes place. Morning temperature tracking suffers from interrupted sleep or different wake-up times. I often felt like I was guessing rather than knowing.

How OvulaRing changed my daily life and my understanding

When I started using OvulaRing, I quickly noticed the difference. A ring you wear for many hours, measuring core body temperature continuously and analyzing the data in an app – that took away a lot of uncertainty. I can now see curves and recognize patterns. I know when my body has ovulated instead of just hoping.

OvulaRing helps me especially with my irregular cycles. Because the ring doesn’t rely on fixed assumptions (“ovulation on day 14” or similar), but measures individually, I understand my body better and better. I feel less pressure and less frustration – because I no longer have to look for the “mistake” in every test, but can see how my cycle develops over months.

My tips: How I learned to live well with PCOS

What helped me a lot:

1. Patience and observation – Not every cycle looks the same, and that’s okay. I got into the habit of not seeing every irregular cycle as a setback, but as part of the process.
   
2. Lifestyle – Nutrition, exercise and enough sleep have a big impact. Stress management (walks, meditation) also makes a difference, especially when the body is already more sensitive due to PCOS.
   
3. Medical support – Questions like insulin resistance, hormone status and ultrasound are important. I learned that with good data, I’m better understood in conversations with doctors.
   
4. Self-compassion – Instead of shaming myself for things I can’t control, I try to remind myself: many women experience PCOS. I don’t have to be perfect.

Conclusion

PCOS is not only a physical diagnosis – it also affects thoughts, feelings and everyday life. But in my experience, you can learn to see things more clearly and doubt less – and with a tool like OvulaRing you get a piece of that clarity. It doesn’t remove all uncertainties, but it helps you face them with more confidence.

If you want to learn more about the causes, symptoms and what really helps – on Herzens-Mama I wrote about polycystic ovary syndrome, as well as about my experiences with OvulaRing. I wish you that you find your path – with understanding, patience and the knowledge that you are not alone.