I'm pretty sure I have PCOS, is there any point seeing the GP about it?

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I'm pretty sure I must have PCOS. I am in my late 20s and have dark hair on my chin and jaw that started with maybe 3 dark hairs in my early 20s and now is lots. I also have acne on my chin and jaw that not even tretinoin has helped with. My periods are regular but are 35-36 days apart which is on the longer side of normal. I'm pretty sure I don't ovulate most months, as on months I do ovulate I can feel it and that has been happening only every few months now when it used to be every month.

I don't have children and probably will never have them. I'm overweight but losing weight. I can't go on the pill due to my weight and an underlying health condition that means I'm at increased risks of clots.

Is there any point going to the GP? As far I'm aware there's nothing that they do for PCOS apart from the pill (which I can't have).

Absolutely go to the GP.

PCOS can affect your insulin levels which can lead to weight gain (and make it harder to lose weight) and to your energy levels.

Read up on Metformin. I've been on it for years for PCOS and it's really improved my quality of life x

In exact same boat so awaiting more responses xx

You can absolutely go to the GP and ask them to refer you to either endocrinology or gynaecology, depending on who covers PCOS in your trust. Theres lots of things you can do aside from the pill. You can take metformin to manage PCOS or some women have success with inositol (a natural version of metformin). Metformin can be pretty brutal on the digestive system so generally you taper up dosage and there is also a slow release version.

I have conceived two children with PCOS - one using fertility treatment when i was 34 (a drug called letrozole to induce ovulation) and one naturally at 37 (after losing 12kg in weight on the fast 800 diet). If you do want to ttc one day, having a confirmed PCOS diagnosis can also help expedite referrals to fertility services.

In the meantime, look up some PCOS social media accounts. As @champagneandff says, PCOS can impact insulin levels so following a diabetic friendly diet can relieve symptoms - low carb, low sugar etc. Some also say a low diary diet can help to reduce inflammation but frankly i love cheese too much so ive never done that. There are lots of accounts out there with lifestyle tips though.

PCOS can also put you at increased risk of other related conditions later in life, including type 2 diabetes / fatty liver disease, so having it recorded and monitored might help in the long term.

Wishing you luck - it can be a lot to take in at first but there are definitely ways to manage the condition to make it a bit easier.

You should go to see your doctor. You’ll probably have blood tests and a scan of your ovaries.

I have PCOS and took the pill to regulate my periods in my early 20’s but couldn’t be bothered with that and have been unmedicated since then. Never had regular periods after that, longest time without was 7 months. Finally got pregnant after 14 years of trying. Always had weight problems.

I have also heard people say Metformin was a life changer for them.

Can I ask how the Metformin has improved things for you?

I’ve had PCOS for years (diagnosed in my early 20’s, now late 40’s) and I often wonder if I should be ‘doing something’. I’m lucky that I conceived easily so my doctor didn’t really offer anything.

I have PCOS and the pill has always been the only thing offered to me (or the coil when my periods were horrendously heavy).
When I asked about metformin years ago I was told they don’t prescribe it for pcos, so glad to hear that has changed.
I’ve started taking inositol and l-carnitine for weight loss. I’ve been doing slimming world since April and have lost 2 stone.
There’s a guy on Facebook / Insta who gives great advice on all aspects of PCOS called Drew Baird, I’ve found a lot of his advice helpful.

I have PCOS. It was just annoying until I wanted to have children. Then it was miserable. Cannot stress how important losing weight and avoiding sugar/ refined carbs is. Also caffeine which was a bit rubbish as I love coffee. I used Metformin to get pregnant. Go to the doctor for bloodwork/ ovary scans but you sound like you’ve done your homework already and really the best thing you can do to manage it is keep on keeping on with weight loss. I lost 20% of my body weight (was around a size 18 unsure of weight) and it made a massive difference to excess hair growth, period irregularity and general hormonal mood swings. Good luck!

Hi,

Can I ask did the l-carnitine help? they also talk about burberine but there are so many supplements I can 't afford them all nor do I want to rattle - but I do need to shift about 15kg.

thanks

Not really. Only if:

1. You want to confirm it isn't something more sinister (that was me 20+ years ago but, once diagnosed, I have never spoken to a doctor about it again) Or
2. You think you will need medical help to conceive a baby.