Tapping into any info/knowledge about Polycystic ovaries ...

Thanks hopemummi Another weigh in tomorrow!

Congrats on your pregnancy Frankel I hope all has been well!

I have PCOS too and am currently almost 38 weeks pregnant after 3 years of TTC.

The first thing to say is that symptoms of PCOS vary from woman to woman. I have what my consultant refers to as "skinny PCOS" in that I have a normal BMI but do have other classic symptoms such as very bad acne.

Atilla is right that Clomid should only be taken under strict supervision as it is a very powerful drug. I can't believe the number of women I see on MN talking about buying it over the internet to self-medicate.

Clomid did not work for me (5 cycles), in the end I had Ovulation Induction treatment which is like low dose IVF. You inject low dose FSH from Day 4 of your cycle and in conjunction with scans every 5-7 days the Drs monitor your follicle growth. Once you have one or two dominant follicles of a good size they tell you to take a trigger injection of HCG to force ovulation, and instructions to go away and have lots of sex! It took 4 cycles (1 failed due to insufficient follicle growth and 1 chemical pregnancy) but we got there in the end.

I'm all for trying things like acupuncture, reflexology, etc but please be very careful of taking supplements, particularly those that are not suggested by a qualified medical practitioner. I've heard lots of stories about women taking Agnus Castus to try to regulate their cycles (without talking to a herbal specialist) and finding that it made things worse.

You are more then welcome, I am hoping it helps you like it's helped me and the other forum user I know.

Thanks mrs chocolate!

I vaguely remember my consultant mentioned ovarian drilling now you mention it. I think that was going to be between clomid and icsi? We did all this back in 2005 so its a little foggy in places after two children!

I have heard that pcos can get better after a pg but its getting to that is the hard part!!

I bought a book on the GI diet but im a fussy eater and it looked boring so I borrowed a friends slimming world book for a read and it sounded easy! 2 weeks later and im half a stone down already!

I took progesterone for three months and then angus castus. Combined with ovulation sticks I managed to conceive without anything else . Since I had DD I'm now in a regular cycle which is the first time ever. I do have other side effects with tummy weight , hair etc though

Do you need to take the indosil from a set time in cycle?

Not heard of the drilling either. So much to learn!

Been reading about low carb/GI diet being good for PCOS, anyone tried that with positive results?

Been reading the thread and surprised no one has mentioned ovarian drilling as an option.
I had a scan last Feb to confirm I had pcos, DH had his SA (normal) and then I had an HSG to check my tubes (also normal). Before I was due to be started on clomid, my consultant sent me for a laparoscopy with ovarian drilling to effectively burst the cysts. I had this done in June 13, we conceived the next month which sadly ended in an early miscarriage but conceived again the next month and I'm now 29 weeks pregnant. This was after 2 years of not a single period.

Sorry for the essay but just wanted to say in case it was an option for anyone.

Yer I'm going to request bloods on cd 21 and see doc about being checked on. Gonna look up that holland and Barrett one now tho as well

Here's what I had a look at for Inositol -
www.pcosdietsupport.com/supplements/inositol-and-pcos/
www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/myo-inositol.html

Hope that helps... If you google Inositol for PCOS you get loads of forum post's of ladies using it successfully

I was TTC for 2 years, had 2 miscarriages, irregular cycles and poly cystic ovaries. I saw a nutritionist who gave me a low GL diet to follow, included lots of brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, onions, garlic etc) because apparently they help with the implantation process or something, and cut out sugar. Also took supplements. I was pregnant within 3 months!

Goodness knows if it was the diet but I found that having something to focus on and to be able to 'do' something made a massive difference to my state of mind. I felt much more relaxed and I'm sure that helped things. I also lost weight and got so many compliments on my glowing appearance.

Now 29 weeks pregnant, but sadly I no longer glow!!!!

What is that isitosl and what does it do?

It was/is awful but I am greatful that I even had the opportunity to have him and I have a gorgeous angel baby looking after me, if it wasnt for those tablets I wouldnt of had him and been struggling for a year before going to the gos I hope it works for you, I use another forum and the girl that told me about it is 24 weeks pregnant

This was mentioned as a possibility to me at my appointment with the fertility clinic from blood results last month but have to wait until May for scans. (Unless we can get pg by then and avoid it!)

So reading with interest!

Thank you Velma

Sorry to hear about your loss MrsChocolate

Great advice already given,
I have PCOS from the age of 17 I am not 25.. I would recommend Inositol - Purchased from Holland and Barrett - It's amazing Me and hubby had unprotected sex for 3 years and nothing, I took this at the start of July and period arrives 20th July and then 28th Aug I got my BFP... That's the only thing I can put it down too. We sadly lost him at 19 weeks. But I am again taking it.
Google the results so many positive stories!

Just remembered I had acupuncture through my clomid cycle too. Wasn't for fertility but might not be coincidence (I swear by acupuncture for many things)

Clomid is very powerful and should be monitored by cd21 bloods at the very least, ideally by scans too. He reason for checking tubes first is because if there is a problem it is pointless getting the ovulation working if the tubes are blocked.

We had a plan from the offset with our consultant - scans, hsg, clomid, icsi and then ivf. Luckily we fell with clomid.

Ds2 was just a bloody surprise. He somehow conceived when I hadn't had a period in three months and ds1 was nine months old or so.

The cystic follicles associated with PCO can disappear - only to be replaced by further cystic follicles. It can be controlled to some extent but not cured.

Follow a low GI/GL eating plan can help with PCOS (not low carb) but no one therapy or treatment will ever eradicate it.

There is a fine line between polycystic ovaries and PCOS itself (PCOS is basically the polycystic ovaries with one or two other indicators like a degree of hirsuitism or irregular periods).

It is a VERY individualistic disorder that affects each woman with it very differently. Also not all PCOSers are infact insulin resistant which is another conumdrum.

BTW SkylerRose - I note you start taking clomid today. I sincerely hope they are planning on monitoring you because this is quite powerful stuff and no monitoring is unacceptable.