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Patronus Analysis 029 The Magpie Those with the Magpie patronus have an impressive mind. Although they may not see it, conjurers of the magpie are often very intelligent.

Perceptive, those with this patronus are often able to understand and process information exceedingly fast. Those with this patronus are the most intellectual of all. Another feature of those with this patronus is the ability to observe, this watchful nature allows people with the Magpie patronus to absorb information just by watching things happen around them.

The downfall of those who conjure this patronus is that they can sometimes be willful and will not change their mind easily, sometimes this leads to disputes.

However, this willful nature comes from the need to constantly be improving. Those with the magpie patronus strive for better.

This patronus is most commonly found in Ravenclaw and a close second is Slytherin. Although the magpie patronus can be found in other houses.

The autistic experience is wanting to be an artist, a writer, a baker, an animator, a mother, somebodies wife, be totally independent, have a large friend group, only have one friend, move away and never speak to anyone ever again, never leave home, collect stuffed animals, heal your inner child, be a grown up, stay young at heart, get a job but not something you aren’t passionate about, eat safe foods, hate your safe foods because you’ve eaten them too much, scream and cry about how you feel like no one understands and you don’t fit in, love being different and not fitting in and not being able to do any of it because the seam of your sock isn’t sitting correctly.

I 💖 reindeer 🔔🦌🎀

Credit: Other Worldly Oracle

Credit: The Hour of Witchery

I just really love the idea that pre-war Bucky just Loves using his mouth on Steve. Or WS Bucky. Or just any Bucky tbh.

Understanding Hirsutism: How PCOS Affects Hair Growth

Hello again, and welcome back to Shining Through PCOS! I’m Luciana, and today we’re continuing a topic that resonates deeply with many of us living with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)—hirsutism—and how our hormone imbalances contribute to this challenging symptom.

The Hormonal Connection to Hirsutism

Hirsutism, the growth of coarse, dark hair in areas where men typically grow hair, is one of the most distressing symptoms of PCOS. While it’s not uncommon for women to experience unwanted hair growth at some point, for those of us with PCOS, it often feels like a relentless battle against our own bodies. Understanding the underlying hormonal imbalances can help us navigate this challenge with more compassion for ourselves.

Previously, we discussed how some of the conditions we deal with as a result of PCOS overlap. At the heart of hirsutism in women with PCOS are elevated levels of androgens, often referred to as “male hormones.” While everyone has these hormones to some degree, women with PCOS typically have higher-than-normal levels (Rizvi et al., 2023). This hormonal imbalance is primarily due to something called insulin resistance, a condition where the body’s cells become less responsive to insulin, leading to higher levels within the bloodstream (Barber et al., 2019). Elevated insulin can stimulate the ovaries to produce more androgens, which in turn contributes to symptoms like hirsutism, acne, and irregularities in ovulation (Rosenfield & Ehrmann, 2016).

Understanding the Role of Androgens

Androgens play a crucial role in hair growth, but not in the way we might hope. In women with PCOS, the overproduction of hormones like testosterone can lead to the development of male-pattern hair growth (Mihailidis et al., 2015). Common areas for hirsutism include the face, chest, and back, making it a source of significant emotional distress for many of us (Mihailidis et al., 2015).

I remember grappling with so much embarrassment over the abundance of body hair I dealt with as a child. I felt perpetually frustrated and humiliated in my own skin. It’s a tough battle to handle feelings of inadequacy, especially at a young age when you’re not only worried about your self-perception but also how others perceive you. Many people may tell you it’s “just body hair,” but they underestimate the toll it can take. It affects how you perceive yourself, deprives you of your femininity, and impacts your ability to relate to others and feel a sense of normalcy and autonomy. It’s so much more than just hair.

For many women, including myself, it goes beyond mere appearance; it’s about how we feel in our skin. The pressure to meet certain beauty ideals can lead to feelings of shame and isolation, particularly in visible areas where hair growth can’t be ignored. It's vital to remember that these feelings are valid, and seeking support—whether through friends, family, or professional help—can be an important step in managing the emotional toll of PCOS.

Finding Hope in Treatment Options

While hirsutism can be a challenging aspect of living with PCOS, the good news is that effective treatment options are available. Laser-Based Hair Reduction (LBHR) has emerged as a popular choice for many women looking to manage excess hair growth. However, it’s essential to remember that LBHR targets the symptoms, not the underlying hormonal imbalance. Combining this treatment with lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medications like anti-androgens can create a more comprehensive approach to managing hirsutism (Narang et al., 2018).

As a student dermal clinician, I believe it is crucial for service providers to be as transparent as possible. While LBHR is an excellent treatment for addressing the rate of hair growth, length, and density, it is not a simple fix. It becomes even more complex with how LBHR is marketed as “permanent removal” when it is, in fact, “permanent reduction.” This requires a multidisciplinary approach, which can be a lengthy process. Providers must understand when a client needs this comprehensive approach and when to refer patients for aspects of a condition that may be outside our scope of practice.

Unfortunately, patients are often taken in without understanding the complexity of their condition and are not encouraged to seek medical advice regarding their hormonal levels. It’s essential for providers to discuss all aspects of PCOS instead of offering LBHR as a mere band-aid solution.

In future posts, we’ll delve deeper into these treatment options, discussing their benefits and limitations while emphasising the importance of a tailored approach for each individual.

Luciana ᥫ᭡

References

Mihailidis, J., Dermesropian, R., Taxel, P., Luthra, P., & Grant-Kels, J. M. (2015). Endocrine evaluation of hirsutism. International Journal of Women's Dermatology, 1(2), 90-94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijwd.2015.04.003

Narang, G. S., Jasleen, J., Kaur, J., & Kaur, T. (2018). Cutis vertices gyrate: A case report. International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics, 5(4), 1693. https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20182592

Rizvi, M., Islam, M. A., Aftab, M. T., Naqvi, A. A., Jahangir, A., Ishaqui, A. A., Iqbal, M. Z., & Iqbal, M. S. (2023). Knowledge, attitude, and perceptions about polycystic ovarian syndrome, and its determinants among Pakistani undergraduate students. PLOS ONE, 18(5), e0285284. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0285284

Rosenfield, R. L., & Ehrmann, D. A. (2016). The pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): The hypothesis of PCOS as functional ovarian hyperandrogenism revisited. Endocrine Reviews, 37(5), 467-520. https://doi.org/10.1210/er.2015-1104

Gynecologist Doctor In Punawale

1. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age, causing irregular periods, weight gain, and fertility issues. Dr. Balaji Nalwad Reddy offers a range of treatments, from lifestyle changes to medications, to help manage PCOS symptoms and improve overall health.

2. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Heavy menstrual bleeding, also known as menorrhagia, can disrupt daily life and lead to anemia. Dr. Reddy uses advanced techniques like hysteroscopy to identify the cause of heavy bleeding and provide treatments that may include medications or minimally invasive surgeries to control the bleeding.

3. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

PID is an infection of the reproductive organs that can cause pain and lead to fertility problems if untreated. Dr. Reddy provides effective antibiotic treatments to control the infection and prevent complications, ensuring women's reproductive health is preserved.

4. Infertility

For couples facing difficulty in conceiving, Dr. Balaji Nalwad Reddy offers infertility evaluations and treatments. He conducts thorough assessments to identify the root cause of infertility, such as ovarian cysts, endometriosis, or hormonal imbalances, and suggests appropriate treatments like fertility medications or assisted reproductive technologies.

5. Contraceptive Counseling and Family Planning

Dr. Reddy provides expert advice on contraceptive methods, helping women and couples choose the best options for their family planning needs. He offers long-term and short-term contraceptive solutions, including IUDs, oral contraceptives, and sterilization procedures, to ensure safe and effective family planning.

Dr. Balaji Nalwad Reddy is dedicated to providing comprehensive gynecological care in Punawale, ensuring that his patients receive the best possible treatment for their reproductive health. If you need expert care for any gynecological concerns, make an appointment with him today.

For More Info-https://gynaeclaproscopicsurgeon.com/blog/2024/10/02/gynecologist-doctor-in-punawale/

The Autistic Spectrum is NOT Linear

The Autistic Teacher

It's nearly the end of PCOS awareness month so I thought I'd share a little something

So true

Reading about how to manage pcos and it’s like:

don’t use deodorant, don’t use perfume, stop eating carbs, stop eating dairy, stop eating sugar, stop eating gluten, stop consuming any form of caffeine, stop consuming salt, don’t use nonstick pans, don’t drink water from plastic water bottles, take 20 different supplements every day, eat avocados every day, live in the forest, build a house from logs you personally got from cutting a pine tree in the forest, only feast on berries and meat you hunted yourself and only drink water from the stream behind your wooden house in the forest.

“Pop'n Sweet Collection” by Pokémon Centre and Re-Ment

As a Neurodivergent, When I'm happy I feel the happiest I could ever feel.

When I'm sad, I feel the saddest I could ever feel.

neurodivergent_lou

aparently in the latest fantastic 4 comics johnny storm has been in a relationship with an alien, and that would be pretty standard affair for marvel heroes, right.

except someone at marvel with fucking balls of steel and the biggest brain in the known universe made the alien look... actually alien

this is the greatest thing ive seen in my life, is almost enough to make me want to read the comic

Behold, my new favourite item

shoutout to autistic people who have memory issues and can't remember many things about your special interests. you don't need to be able to remember things for the interests to be valid or important to you! if you enjoy them that's what matters

The ‘you’re mature for your age’ to sleeping with a bed full of plushies in your mid twenties pipeline is real

Life in an Autism World

Clueless (1995) dir. Amy Heckerling

"You can't just pick and choose the parts of a romantic relationship that you want"

No, actually I can.

I can do exactly that. If I want to see them multiple times a week with no commitment and no exclusivity I can.

If I want to cuddle and kiss and not be any more intimate than that I can.

If I want to go on fun dates and spend time together and have little adventures but never call them my partner I can.

If I want to do these things with multiple people at the same time I can.

If I want to call it hanging out instead of dating I can.

If I want to keep things private but also post us being silly on my close firends stories I can.

I can do anything I want to as long as all the parties in the relationship are happy and it's not hurting anyone.

Other people cannot define my relationships for me.

I'm autistic and I currently feel like shit checklist

Hi there. Are you autistic? Do you currently feel like shit and don't know why? Try this checklist to see if you can Fix The Problem!

When was the last time you used the bathroom? If you answered "I don't know" or "at least 3 hours ago", go now!

Do you need a drink? Go get one if you don't have one in front of you.

When was the last time you ate? If you haven't eaten yet today, consider eating A Meal, or perhaps A Snack. Something is better than nothing, eat whatever you feel able to!

Is there something in your immediate surroundings that is bothering you? If the light is too bright, turn it off. If there is an annoying sound, make the sound stop or reduce your ability to hear it (earplugs, headphones, etc.). If your clothes are bothering you, change them.

Is your space messy? Pick one area of your room and clean it up as best you can. Clean your whole room if you have the energy!

When was the last time you did An Activity? Scrolling on social media doesn't count. Try actively doing something fun! Play a game you like, read a book, make something, or go for a walk.

When was the last time you Spoke to a Person? Consider talking to a person you like if it has been a while.

How long has it been since you did something Special Interest related? Make some time to do that today. Infodump to a friend, have a nice long research session, look at related images or gifs, make art about it, whatever works best for you!

Try stimming actively! Put on some music and dance, spin in circles, go to the park and use the swings!

If you still feel like shit after trying all of these things, you might be tired or sick. Go to bed early and get some rest. Hopefully you will feel better tomorrow!

Hope that helps :)

Neurodiversity and Challenges Around Food

The Autistic Teacher

Skin Picking

AJ’s Brain

The Misconception of Selfishness in Autistic Individuals

The Autistic Teacher

Whenever the topic of autism self diagnosis comes up, inevitably a comment about "what about people faking it" comes up.

1. Who are you to determine whether they're faking it or not?

2. Is it really worth gatekeeping many people because of the actions of a few?

I find that some people who are in a majority demographic don't like having labels on themselves. They see themselves as the default and can't grasp at the idea that others that aren't in that majority demographic view them as part of the "other".

New zine that's free for anyone to print and distribute! Read the whole thing at newlevant.com/COVIDzine or in the rest of this post.

UPDATE 4/11/2023:

I swapped out the colloidal silver nasal spray info for xylitol nasal spray info. I originally included colloidal silver spray because of the linked study and recommendation from RTHM, but I don't want to be pointing people toward something with notable health risks. Xylitol spray (Xlear) is also cheaper and more widely available!