PCOS and getting pregnant

[user1466950453]

Hi everyone,

I have just found out I have PCOS (polycystic ovaries). I am 24 and have very irregular periods (every 4 months or so) but have a healthy BMI.

I am considering my options. One option would be to come off contraception entirely (came off the pill about a year ago for unrelated reasons but still use condoms) now or some time soon and 'see what happens'.

Prior to this I never thought this would be something I would be thinking about until a few years down the line at least. However, I am just worried that it will be difficult for me to get pregnant and maybe if I were to start now whilst I have time on my side, I can see how it goes with no pressure...?

Has anyone else been in this position who could give me their opinion/ advice?

Thank you :)

[Kinton1]

Hey, i'm 32 and was diagnosed with PCOS at 21 - told at the time I would deffo need help to conceive. I met my hubby at 27 and, even tho knew we would prob have difficulties trying to conceive we knew we weren't ready at that point and didn't want to rush into it. Fast forward to beginning of this year - me and hubby decide to start trying but want to get advice first. Got referred to gynaecology, had first appointment then was due to have blood tests when I found out I was pregnant! Now 8 weeks and we still can't believe how quick it happened as we expected a long slog (although I'm still aware it's early days.) So, I know it is different for everyone and I really know the fear of thinking 'what if it is too late?', but really think about if you are ready at this time, try not to feel pressured by time as, at 24 years old, it is still on your side x

[Cakedoesntjudge]

I got pregnant while on the pill at 18 after being told I would never conceive without IVF due to PCOS

Try not to panic too much, it is a condition known to affect fertility but I wouldn't start trying until you're at a point where you'd be happy if you got pregnant then - don't come off contraception thinking it will definitely take years because that's not necessarily true.

A lot of the fertility issues surrounding PCOS are linked to weight as well (as far as I was told) so with a healthy BMI that's another reason to be ready before you ditch the contraception!

Good luck

[BettyOBarley]

I have PCOS and fell pregnant the first month of being off the pill (miscarried), it then took 18 months to conceive DD and then I fell pregnant the first month this time (having never gone back on the pill after having DD). So it doesn't necessarily take a long time and I have been told that it's not uncommon for women with PCOS to fall pregnant pretty soon after coming off the pill as it improves symptoms. So I wouldn't come off too early until you are ready!
Good luck.

[BettyOBarley]

Sorry I misread and thought you were still on the pill...

[MrsGlam]

I was diagnosed with PCOS at 17 I am now 27..I had no signs of pregnancy until I started taking Inositol (It's a vitimin b6) and I have had 3 pregnancies (2 miscarriages unrelated) and now have a 11 week old boy. I had no medical assistance other than buying Inositol online from a health food shop.

[YouBoggleMyMind]

I'm 28 and got diagnosed with pcos when I was 5.5 years ago. My DH and I have been trying for a baby for almost 2 years. I'm currently on a last ditch attempt using clomid and then it's a lap and dye and ovarian drilling. Absolutely make sure you're ready and that it could happen straight away but also be prepared for it to take time and assistance xxx

[YouBoggleMyMind]

Diagnosed 5.5 years ago*

[Hamsolo]

I'm 38, just about to have my second child. First child I was 35. No treatment/medication required, but I did have to use ovulation sticks to pinpoint when I might be ovulating as my periods were so irregular. I remember how depressing it was to get the diagnosis, but PCOSers actually have a very good chance of pregnancy without help, and excellent chance with help so try not to panic! The soulcysters website was very useful when I was panicking.

[Blackpoollassy]

YouBoggleMyMind look into letrozole. Worked for me when clomid didn't. unfortunately some Trusts don't fund it, even though it's in the NICE guidance. I ressearcd getting aprovate presciroptn and it was roughly £200 to avoid surgery option for lap & dye/Ov drilling, and i know it works for me.

OP forum.verity-pcos.org.uk/ is also a great resource. Good luck with your decisions

[firawla]

I was diagnosed with pcos this year when I started having problems with irregular / absent periods. I'd had 3 kids previously with no issues (3 of them in 3 years so no fertility probs there!) but when they diagnosed me I wasn't ovulating at all. Dr put me on metformin to regulate the cycle, and the next month I got pregnant straight away. I think experiences with pcos can vary a lot! But it doesn't always have to take ages - especially if you have the right meds and medical support.

[photographerlady]

I was diagnosed with PCOS around the same age as you. I only started trying for a baby when 28 when I was married. I found the only thing that worked for me was going Keto (low carb, high in healthy fats), it made my PCOS pretty nonexistent for the first time in my 20s. This was in regards to pain, weight gain and bringing my periods back to a 28-32 day cycle. For TTC I still needed clomid.

[seasonticket]

I have PCOS with reasonable cycles but my BMI is on the high side. I couldn't get pregnant without help (tried for approx 3-4 years) but my first IVF cycle resulted in a pregnancy and I'm 11 weeks.

From what you're saying, you're in no rush? I reckon take it easy, come off the Pill and see if you get pregnant after a year of not-not-trying. If it doesn't happen, then make an appt with your gp to get the ball rolling. Fertility treatment is 90% waiting around.

You just need to be prepared for getting pregnant in that first year. If you're not ready, then hold off. Loads of women with PCO get pregnant without help, you might be one of them.

[Elephantslovetofly]

I have PCOS with a normal BMI. Got pregnant month 3 of trying (cycles were about 35 days). I was 31 when I got pregnant

I would say that you are still young and if you are not ready for a child then wait a bit. You definitely have time on your side! Don't assume it will take ages to fall pregnant

What does your partner think?

[chiggins]

I'm 35, got diagnosed with PCOS at 21 and was petrified I'd never have children. Got married at 26, my hubby had 3 kids from a previous marriage and is 18yrs older than me... I wasn't desperate to have kids but he always said if I did we could.. When I got to 30 I really started to want kids but I was so scared of not being able to conceive I didn't want to talk to my hubby about it for fear of the heartbreak if we couldn't get pregnant. It was eating me up . My best mate who had also has PCOS then fell pregnant on her first try after coming off the pill for a year. It gave me a spark of possibility and after a while I broached the subject with hubby. We spent a year and a half 'casually' trying my periods were terrible and crazy infrequent and I was 3st overweight. Last June I made a big effort to loose the weight, in Nov I had a massive period and was scared it might be a miscarriage which it wasn't. I went to the docs and she put me straight on metformin I'd also lost 2st by then. Metformin also helped with all my PCOS symptoms that had been getting worse since coming off the pill, hair growth particularly thank goodness. The Dr also referred me to the fertility clinic where I had lots of tests including an unpleasant internal ultrasound.. I saw the consultant to review all my tests in April with a view to starting Clomophene, found out at the appointment I was pregnant!!! The shock of my life . I was very cautious before we got to 12 weeks as I was concerned about miscarrying but I'm pleased to report I'm now at 14 +4 and everything is as it should be.
My advice, if you're happy and comfortable in your relationship start trying now, you never know what will happen. Don't sit around like me wondering about it! You're young go for it xxx

[LittleLionMansMummy]

Diagnosed at 28, ttc for more than 2 years without success (weight loss and exercise prescribed), went on agnus castus and conceived almost immediately. Gave birth to ds1 at (almost) 32. Now 20 weeks with no. 2 age 37 - conceived in 3 months (went on agnus castus immediately this time around).