Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

PCOS - where to start?

32 replies

CRbear · 10/08/2021 14:02

Hi everyone!

My partner and I would like to start TTC in about a years time. I’ve never had regular period (am on the mirena now) and have previously been diagnosed with PCOS. A number of years ago now. I am 31.

I’m sorry if this seems like a silly question but when we decide we’re ready to start TTC…do we just get the mirena out and see what happens? Or having had a diagnosis of PCOS and knowing I don’t have regular periods do I see someone (who? GP for referral?) for help straight away? If yes are they likely to tell me to lose weight before anything else? I’ve got a BMI of 27 right now and if I’m going to need to lose weight then I could do that now. I guess I’m wondering if there’s anything I could now to improve my chances? Is it worth getting any further testing done at this stage (even privately?). It does weigh on my mind and knowing what the “plan” would be would help I think. Even if that’s just have a lot of sex and cross your fingers…Grin

Sorry if this seems like a silly question. I genuinely feel a bit overwhelmed by it all - maybe I just can’t see the wood for the trees!

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Original poster
CRbear · 31/08/2021 16:09

Got my referral. “On average patients are seen within 77 weeks” at all three clinics I was offered haha so silver lining- maybe I’ll be able to get help when I’ve been trying 6 months (starting in a years time Grin)! No appointment yet and I’m supposed to chase them if I don’t hear by the 10th September.

OP posts:
Original poster
CRbear · 23/08/2021 14:04

Just to update this in case anyone is interested I spoke to a doctor today who’s referring me to a gynaecologist for some advice on what my “plan” should be. Confirming PCOS is still present etc. All the standard stuff too including “when you’re ready for a baby you will need to have your coil removed” - I’m sad they need to be that explicit but she assured me they did…Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
CRbear · 16/08/2021 10:54

That’s some interesting information @user1481050140 - I’ve got an appointment for a referral (I hope!) for pre conception counselling and I hope they’ll discuss these options. I definitely can lose weight just with calorie control so if that’s likely to help I’ll do it. I just struggle to keep a balance.

@5zeds good to know IVF isn’t always a nightmare experience. I’m hopeful I won’t have to go this route (isn’t everyone!). Will have to see. I’m certainly open to it.

OP posts:
5zeds · 15/08/2021 18:30

I had scans when on clomid but ultimately needed IVF to get pregnant. Ivf was very successful for me and I’d double triple check any weird and wonderful natural remedies with your Dr before trying them.

user1481050140 · 15/08/2021 17:38

As someone who it’s pcos and a couple of things worth looking into :
NAC supplement - very good for pcos (on a par with metformin apparently)
Myo inositol- very good for pcos to help with ovulation induction
Letrozole is better than clomid for pcos so if you get to this point with nhs fertility drs, don’t let them give you clomid first (it’s cheaper and they will try too) it doesn’t usually work and letrozole is much gentler. Also in UK you won’t have monitored cycles on either clomid or letrozole, just day 21 (or 7 days post ovulation) progesterone test to confirm ovulation.
Weight loss and going sugar free and low carb is amazing for pcos.
Read it starts with the egg book - has v good section on pcos.

Original poster
CRbear · 15/08/2021 17:21

@Ughmaybenot glad to hear it’s not always doom and gloom- I’m thrilled for you that you got pregnant! I think a year is considered average so you weren’t far off that and that gives me hope. I’m sure it didn’t feel that way going through it!

OP posts:
Ughmaybenot · 14/08/2021 11:08

So I’m currently pregnant with my first, have pcos. It took over a year for us to conceive, and obviously I can only say what seemed to work for us and my health circumstances, which was super irregular periods, between 14 day and 100+ day cycles.
I lost weight by going low carb (often recommended for pcos) from a BMI of 28 or so to 25 or so. I stopped drinking alcohol altogether. I upped my exercise levels and did Pilates at least five or so times a week. I tried temping and using OPKs over several months but found it somewhat disheartening so just went with DTD every couple of days. We were referred by our gp for fertility treatment due to the existing history of pcos after 8 months of trying, altho the appointment didn’t come for another 6 months.
Best of luck x

ElleFrance2 · 14/08/2021 10:50

I already have a child from before I knew of my diagnosis whilst I was in contraception. I am now however struggling to get pregnant.

Original poster
CRbear · 14/08/2021 10:23

I would probably consider it but don’t know if I’d do it for the reasons given by @Imnewhere1991

As an aside- since this thread- I’ve found out that the NHS offer pre pregnancy/conception counselling about just these sort of “I have this condition, anything I should know/what should I do” situations- so I’ve requested a referral from my GP! Sounds too good to be true I wouldn’t have even looked for something like this but it’s exactly what I’m after.

OP posts:
Imnewhere1991 · 13/08/2021 21:53

@ElleFrance2

Sorry to jump on - has anyone ever looked at buying there own prescription of clomid of nhs won't help?
I considered it when things felt desperate. However I wimped out in the end. Clomid is a drug that needs to be monitored. The follicles need to be seen via ultrasound as sometimes too many can develop and it could be dangerous to TTC. Also, you won't be sure if you are buying a safe version. Sorry to be a bore, I know the desperation TTC can bring and the measures we would go to. Why would the NHS not provide it?
ElleFrance2 · 13/08/2021 21:51

Sorry to jump on - has anyone ever looked at buying there own prescription of clomid of nhs won't help?

TheDaydreamBelievers · 12/08/2021 20:52

@CRbear it seems to be very postcode lottery for healthboard and GPs. Some will intervene for just PCOS, some for PCOS +Ttc, some will ask you to wait a year even if both are true (sadly, that's the case where I live)

Imnewhere1991 · 12/08/2021 16:54

@CRbear I totally understand that. Everyone's circumstances are different..I met my now husband at 21 and he was happy to begin the TTC journey but I appreciate it's not that 'simple' for everyone. Best of luck to you. X

Original poster
CRbear · 12/08/2021 16:36

@5zeds that’s worth a shot. I could contextualise it too with TTC and see what they say.

OP posts:
5zeds · 12/08/2021 16:23

You may find it easier to lose weight on metformin. Ask your Dr if that’s appropriate for you.

Original poster
CRbear · 12/08/2021 15:59

@5zeds - you’re probably right. I might even start ovulating if I got leaner. It’s just such a daunting task. I’ve lost a lot of weight to get here and the next chunk feels really difficult. I don’t want to set off my issues with eating and end up higher than 27!

OP posts:
Original poster
CRbear · 12/08/2021 15:58

@Imnewhere1991 - I’d say you’re right we aren’t taught enough however I don’t think we should be told that if you want kids start early at all costs. I’m fully aware and have been since about 22 that I have PCOS and it might cause fertility issues. At 28 I was explicitly told to get on with it. But I also wasn’t ready for a child. So I decided that there was no point worrying about it- I wasn’t with the man I wanted kids with, I couldn’t provide the kind of life I wanted to provide etc. I had to accept that the tradeoff would be there was an increased chance I wouldn’t have the time I needed to get the help I might need. But I’m there now and I think I’ve got a few good years in me haha so I’m starting to do the research to find out what I need to do to be most efficient.

OP posts:
Imnewhere1991 · 12/08/2021 13:54

If you don't have periods, it's unlikely you are ovulating regularly, if at all. I think women should be taught more about fertility. I was clued up from my early 20s and as I knew I would have an issue conceiving I began early. No ovulation=no pregnancy.

I started TTC at 21 with PCOS..it took three miscarriages and an ectopic pregnancy and lost tube, fertility clinic referral and prescription of Metformin, before I conceived my rainbow baby boy at the age of 28. I started young due to suspecting it would take a while...and it did.
My.advice to anyone wanting to TTC especially with a condition such as PCOS, is to start ASAP.

Metformin can be given and in me, someone who never had periods, it restarted them, I ovulated and conceived.

5zeds · 12/08/2021 13:26

@CRbear I honestly don’t know, but my opinion is that the most proactive thing you can do is be leaner and healthier. I needed a lot of help to get pregnant and a fair bit to stay pregnant. I think being lighter would have helped but people don’t like to say it.

Original poster
CRbear · 12/08/2021 12:58

Oh that’s good to know @kennetrose. Ok I’ll plan to come off the mirena 6 months before were ready to TTC and temp/test to keep track of ovulation for that 6 months and if it shows a problem I’ll to see the GP. I’ll also look into eating in a lower GI Way and keep exercising/keeping my weight stable. Thanks everyone!

OP posts:
kennetrose · 12/08/2021 12:07

The NHS don't make you wait a year if there is evidence that suggests there may be a problem - e.g. a lack of ovulation or cycles over several months. I think three months is when a GP will be interested.

Original poster
CRbear · 12/08/2021 11:52

@Volcano10 I definitely have PCOS, it’s more the investigations they do into fertility and help you might need that nhs make you wait a year for (of trying for a baby unsuccessfully)

OP posts:
Volcano10 · 12/08/2021 11:48

@TheDaydreamBelievers

Even with a known ovulation problem, sadly the nhs will not assess you until you have been trying one year to conceive. Ridiculous I know!
I got assessed at 18 for PCOS without ever trying for a baby. I think it's based on your doctor. I'm now 29.

If you get a good doctor and let them know you suspect you have pcos, they should really investigate.

Tablow · 12/08/2021 10:37

I would try to go low GI if you aren't already, not necessarily to lower your BMI but pcos increases hour likelihood of gestational diabetes so if you're in a good habit of low sugars then you'll be better off. It will also help regulate your pcos symptoms

TheDaydreamBelievers · 12/08/2021 10:34

@CRbear check the healthboard but my understanding is that BMI over 30 is the cut off for fertility interventions so 27 should be fine

Swipe left for the next trending thread