PCOS - please help

[itsallsoscary]

Hi all.
I don't very often post on here so probably not many of you remember me. I have been TTC for nearly a year now. I am 27, DH 27, normal weight (slightly underweight possibly), regular AF about 27 - 29 days. I have suspected I may have a short luteal phase based on EWCM finishing to AF arriving. However, I am now starting to wonder whether I have PCOS. My GP is totally unhelpful with all matters TTC and so I daren't even bother going. Standard reply = 'it takes 2 years to conceive, come back then'.
I am starting to Q whether in fact my cycles may all be anovulatory due to the fact that I usually have 7 - 8 days of EWCM, a short luteal phase etc. I also do get spots especially on my jaw line and have read this is also a symptom of PCOS. Can anyone tell me whether they have PCOS but are underweight/normal range AND have regular periods? I don't want to sound paranoid but I am concerned as to why it could be taking so long and PCOS seems a v common thing that would fit with a lot of what I am experiencing. Thanks in advance.

[katster37]

I believed that the main symptom of PCOS was irregular periods, but I'm sure someone else will be along soon with more info.

[hazeyjane]

I have pcos, fluctuate between normal and slightly overweight, and have had very irregular periods, which have now regulated. When dh and I started trying to conceive I would have been 30, and because I had been diagnosed with pcos, they immediately referred us for fertility treatment (at the time my periods were irregular). I miscarried twice and eventually conceived (7 years after starting ttc) in 2006, and again in 2007 (have 2 lovely dd's) both times conceiving naturally.

Is it possible for you to see a different gp to try to get a referral, or do what a friend of mine did and try to see someone at the hospital directly? A year ttc sound a long time.

Good luck

[itsallsoscary]

Thanks for the reply hazeyjane. Did you do anything/take anything to regulate your periods or did it just happen? Did you have tests etc during the 7 years you were TTC?
I have seen 2 GPs at our surgery, both, ahem, -useless- not particularly helpful. One told me that if I had a 28 days cycle, I could be 'positive' I was ovulating on CD14... The other told me to 'relax'... Also v helpful. I am looking into acupuncture (privately) but yes, maybe another trip to a different GP would help things along. I just hate feeling like I have to find the answers for myself, when I feel like a GP should at least do a bit more than smile patronisingly... Sorry, this has turned into a rant!! BTW, your DDs are gorgeous...

[catrin]

My cycles were always v irregular until about 6 months ago when they suddenly started to be 30-32 days (no idea why). Diagnosed with PCOS 9 years ago due to lack of getting pregnant. After Clomid, Metformin and giving up hope, got pregnant naturally in 2005, have fab dd now.
My PCOS symptoms were/are: freaky periods (on for 2 weeks at a time, periods either fortnightly or months and months apart) and excess body hair.
Ask for a referral if you are not getting help from your GP.
Plus, if you are lucky, Attila may be along soon and she is the PCOS guru!

[itsallsoscary]

Thanks catrin. I feel like I may be panicking unnecessarily, I'm really not sure. I do get spots though, and greasy skin which I've heard are both symptoms. I just wish there was a test you could pee on and it said 'yes' or 'no', and then you could do something about it. Did you take any vitamins to help things along BTW? My periods are usually quite heavy - 4 -5 days of heavy bleeding. Not sure if this is significant or not. Thanks for replying.

[itsallsoscary]

Oh, and also (TMI alert[) I got 8 days of EWCM this month... Which I have read can be a sign that your body is trying to ovulate, but failing. ANyone else had this?

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

itsallsoscary

I would find another GP practice to register at as they seem very unhelpful. I would then seek a referral to a gynae at a subfertility unit; both of you need to be tested further. Gynaes generally like to see couples if they have been ttc for 12 months without luck. If your periods are heavy as well then fibroids should be investigated as a possibility.

Would not hold too much store by the ewcm - it can be a very poor indicator of ovulation. A few PCOSers can have regular periods although irregular periods are far more commonly seen with PCOS.

What you need first and foremost is a diagnosis. You will need to be persistant in order to get answers.

[itsallsoscary]

Thanks Attila. I think my GP practice have been asked to cut down on referrals and for that reason are fobbing me off. In other respects, they have been good and thorough, but they seem to think that TTC is not really a medical thing and keep telling me I am still young, blah blah blah.
And you're right about needing a diagnosis - I think if I knew what we were dealing with, I would find it easier to handle. As it is, I am just looking up every cause of infertility and convincing myself that is my problem.

[hazeyjane]

We did have tests for infertility, and I took clomid and provera to regulate my periods. I also had a laparopscopy (partly to investigate, but also because our consultant said that they can often kickstart periods). My second miscarriage was a molar pregnancy, which unfortunately meant I had to undergo chemotherapy. Ironically this led to weight loss (although as I say I wasn't particularly overweight to begin with) which one of my doctors thought could have contributed to my periods regulating and becoming successfully pregnant.

One of the things I learnt during my various stays in hospital, is that you do have to be quite pushy/proactive(!) to get answers and not be fobbed off, although it is often when you least feel like being this way that you have to do it!

[Tigresswoods]

Hi there, I have PCO but maybe not PCOS this is still being investigated. Just to reassure you, yes you can have it and be a very "normal" if little underweight. I am 5'9 and weigh 10stone so well within healthy age range. I get spots on my chin and back. Also have excess hair but a good relationship with the local beautician looks after that one.

In the process of doing all the fertility checks, they won't perscribe anything to help me until my DH has been checked out. He made his desposit to the hospital yesterday so lets hope all is good with him so they can concentrate on me.

Bring on the babies!