*****PCOS - Anybody in the same boat?******

I have PCOS and I'm 32 weeks pregnant with my first child. With a sensible diet and lots of exercise I managed to lose nearly 3 stone which kick-started a regular menstrual cycle and helped me to conceive naturally.

It took a long time to get the weight off, but I got there in the end.

Hi, me too - I have a ds, and am 12 wks pg with number 2 - both with assistance from Metformin. So it is possible! Good luck, and be persistent with your doctors for an active treatment, along with healthy diet and exercise.

I have PCOS and I am a parent.

You have been given good information by other posters to date. Its causes are unknown but there seem to be hereditary factors passed down the male side (male pattern baldness).

Verity have a website which you may want to look at (infact I would advise any PCOSer to look at this). Its www.verity-pcos.org.uk.

Clomid was not actually given to me as I was not deemed suitable to take it. It is not always suitable for all PCOSers to take and it should be given to such patients with a degree of caution because of clomid resistance. It also thus goes without saying that women on clomid should be monitored and not left. Clomid encourages the ovaries to work harder and encourages LH production. As many women with PCOS have an imbalance of LH to FSH clomid is sometimes not suitable.

Other possible treatment options include injectible drugs and diathermy surgery.

My advice to you would be to educate yourself as much as possible re PCOS as it will help you when it comes to asking questions and making treatment decisions in conjunction with your consultant.

HTH, any other questions just ask

Attila

Hi Fruitloop,

I have had PCOS for 8 years. It runs in my family and I did a dissertation on this subject for my degree. So I think I know a bit about it :-)

First of of all this condition is a syndrome, hence it affects women in varying ways. There are a spectrum of symptoms attached to PCOS.

Some of the Symptoms
*Irregular periods
*No periods at all
*Adult Acne
*Overweight (possibly obese)
*Hirsutism (i.e being very hairy)

Medically it still a mystery. However, there is a lot of help out there, that can be suited to your particular needs to help alleviate your symptoms.

First of all lets deal with Posh, Jools and Kym Marsh etc.
They are a typical example of how the conditions has affected them differently. From Acne, to excess hair, irregular periods and being overweight. I am not going to say who fits into which category as we all know already :-)

Now to treat Acne and/or excess hair GP's often prescribe Dianette. Which is amazing!!!! Basically, the drug blocks your androgens (hormones) and slows down hair growth and acne from appearing. It also acts as a contraceptive, which is a real bonus. If you don't want to get pregnant of course.

To treat overweight ladies and/or regulate periods GP's prescribe Metformin (which is usually given to diabetics). Which often helps long suffering ladies trying to concieve.

If Metformin doesn't work, to help regulate your period and hopefully concieve. Then the next line of treatment is Clomid.

Clomid fools your body into believing your estrogen levels have fallen and helps to release one or more mature follicles (there is a 5% chance of a multiple birth whilst on Clomid)

My story (if you are still awake)

If you have diabetes in he family, this tends to be a factor in you inheriting this condition. Unfortunately, in my family Diabetes is rampant!

I had my first dd in 2006. My husband and I decided we wanted her to have a sibling as soon as possible. So we started trying. It has been almost a year and TTC number 2 has not been so easy. I was 9.5 stone when I first got pregnant and am now 12 stone (thanks to Metformin), but still have had no luck.

My CD35 and every time they reach 40-47 days, I get very excited and convince myself I am pregnant. But the BFN on the PT always tells a different story. My doctor says I am stressed and that's why some of cycles extend to 40-47 days, so I need to relax.

So I am of to my doctor's tomorrow to plead for Clomid. I have done my research and have been very patient. So I am hoping I get this miracle drug, because it really does work.

However, I am trying to eat healthy and loose lots of weight to.

Ok I think I am done. I hope I haven't bored you. Don't feel sorry for yourself. Help yourself and you will get pregant. Tell me a little about you and your lifestyle and I will try to help.

x

Hi Fruitloop - Sorry to hear your diagnosis. It can make TTC more difficult but there are lots of us with PCOS who have conceived and several treatments/lifestyle changes that can help.

What sypmtoms do you have? Making sure you are as close to your ideal weight as possible will make a big difference and can sometimes stop the symptoms. The low GI diet is great for PCOS sufferers (both as a diet but also just to maintain a healthy weight)It keeps your blood sugar levels constant so helps stop the sugar cravings.

I have excess hair so I have got to know the beauty therapist in my local salon well as I go there to be waxed fairly regularly also have a good pair of tweezers! I am considering laser treatment at the moment.

Collette Harris has written a couple of books on PCOS which I have found helpful.There is also VERITY which is a support group.

What has your gynae said about treatment or is he going to wait a bit first? There are some treatments they can do. Metformin which is a diabetic treatment and clomid to help you ovulate. There may be others - someone else who knows more will be able to advise!

The good (and ironic) news is that PCOS can often improve after you have a child. I wish you lots of luck.