AIBU to be so worried about conceiving?

[Lollero]

First post, hope this is the right forum.

I am 28 (29 in Feb), married last year, been with DH for 7 years in all. We are due to complete on our first house in approx. Nov so quite settled and more than ready for a baby and plan to start ttc immediately.

I am really worried about it - the short answer is that I am very worried about it not happening easily.

I was on the pill for years until I was 25 when I came off it because I wasn't sure it agreed with me particularly. Since then my periods have been extremely infrequent (I'd say I've probably had about six in that time). Can't remember the last time I had a period in fact. I felt quite unwell about 2 years ago and was referred to hospital for a scan (aunt and cousin died of ovarian cancer and dr was concerned as symptoms consistent with OC) - scan revealed that I have "very" polycystic ovaries and GP put me on metformin. Had one period in the 3 months I was on it but side effects were awful (had to be v close to a bathroom at all times!) I'm an architect and being out and about all the time means this is not practical. GP wasn't helpful at subsequent appointment and nothing else was suggested (I appreciate there is little that can be done). I wasn't in a position to be wanting a baby at that time so kind of put it to the back of my mind and forgot about it..

For the past year I have been getting agonising cramps every week or so. I have a quite good pain threshold I'd say. I really think it's time I investigated this a little more and I have an appointment with GP in just under a fortnight.

I guess I am just after any personal experiences if you have been through something similar. AIBU to worry? Is this more common than I think? Anything I should ask for/about when I see GP?

Many thanks in advance.

I have PCOS. I identify very much with what you are saying. I have always had 6 weekly periods and first suspected I had PCOS when I was 16. I knew from probably about 19 that I was going to struggle to conceive as I had regular sex with no contraception with different partners and nothing happened. I was fobbed of for most of my 20s by doctors and was even told 4 years of regular sex with the same partner with no contraception and no pregnancy wasn't evidence of infertility as we hadn't actually officially classified ourselves as trying. I was officially diagnosed at 30.

What you need to do know is insist to your GP that you are sent for active infertility investigations with a gynaecologist at hospital. You've not been taking the pill for 4 years so be very clear that you have been 'trying' for that time so they don't get hung up on semantics and insist that having sex without contraception once every two weeks doesn't count as 'trying' unless you do it with the active intention of getting pregnant rather than just for fun.

The good news is that you have your age on your side, and also that fertility treatment with PCOS often means you respond well to the drugs. I had my little boy at 33 on my first round of IUI. I am about to undergo IVF and have a v good number of frozen eggs despite being in my late 30s. As infertility diagnoses go PCOS is not the worst you can get by a long shot.

Metformin's side effects do abate if you persevere. And taking it does mean that fertility treatments are more likely to work. There are other treatments like Ovarian drilling (which is nowhere near as bad as it sounds!)

I have found low GI and anti-Candida (which is v low sugar) diets very helpful in controlling the symptoms.

There is a charity which supports PCOS sufferers called Verity and they have an excellent, very supportive forum which I highly recommend including one on TTC.

I started posting on that forum in 2010. Of the women who posted on there at the same time as me all but one have had a baby (and the lady who didn't had a lot of secondary problems). Several have had two, and some even more.

I do hope that gives you some more optimism, I know what a worrying and emotionally trying time this must be for you. But there really is a lot that can be done and parts of the NHS are amazing.

If you want to PM me please feel free, I might be able to tell you more about what's available via the NHS in your area. One thing you should do is try and find out what is available free in your area as far as TTC via the NHS goes. Some areas don't offer much and you may wish to plan accordingly.

Every two days! Not every two weeks.

Hi OP, I have very mild PCOS and bought a book titled something like 'PCOS and your Fertility' which had useful, practical actions I felt I could take to get myself in best health etc, maybe you could try reading it or something similar?

The best thing is that you're still young- it helps a lot to have time on your side. I really hope that things will go smoothly for you, but stay positive and chances are good for you having children. It definitely wise to not delay TTC.

Good luck.

Yes another one who has conceived on PCOS.

first time simply lost weight very very low carb diets work best for people with this condition, your body cannot process carbs.

second time, had metformin and with lots of excersie concieved again,

always try and keep weight under control with it, because once weight creeps on it is far far harder to loose with this condition.

op also try metformin again i tried it years before and like you had a few issues, i am now on v high dose with no issue

Carpet, I don't think there is a consensus that carbs in general are a problem. I think complex carbs and whole grains can be okay and the main problem is sugar and refined carbs which cause problems with insulin levels.

My SIL had PCOS and has 4 children

good luck! try and relax and not worry to much as that won't help,

Not RTFT fully (just skimmed) - if you're not having regular periods (3 months on metformin isn't good enough) PLEASE don't wait a year before seeking referral. It's a waste of time.

Bupa will not cover investigations etc for fertility, but may cover "gynaecological" investigations. Ie they may cover care if the purpose is not conception.

If you are referred, make sure it's to a PCO specialist (not a bog standard endocrinologist). Will pm you further details - if there is anything I can do to help let me know x

Hi op one of my oldest friends has pcos and her doc said it would be "difficult" for her to conceive. They decided to not use contraception after they got married and their first son was born a year later so it took them just 3 cycles to conceive. She went on to have her second son 2 years after. All the best at the doc and for ttc gl!

Another pcos sufferer here too, was diagnosed at 16 and told at 20 I'd never have kids without assistance. Had my ds1 first month trying having lost a stone. Need a bit of assistance second time round but got pregnant on cycle 2 of clomid and have 4 month old twins now. I definitely wouldn't be waiting the year given you know you have pcos but do try loose an excess weight and there's plenty of options before ivf and time is on your side! Best of luck!

I was diagnosed with PCOS at 17. By the time I was ready to conceive years later, it had cleared up on its own and I conceived naturally. I didn't know that could happen, but it most assuredly can because it happened to me.

I have several friends with PCOS. Some did conceive naturally. Some needed a few months of hormone treatment. Not fun, but all but one have since conceived (and the one remaining has not been on the treatment for very long, though of course for her it feels like forever).

With treatment, the vast majority of women with PCOS are able to conceive, and you have time on your side.

Hi OP.

I was on the pill for 8 years straight until I split up with my then BF and decided to stop. When my periods did eventually come back were very irregular to say the least. (From 35-55+ days) I was referred to an Endocrinologist and had many blood tests, 2 ultrasound scans and even an MRI scan. These revealed I had PCOS.

I was started on Metformin and I have never felt so awful so I had to stop taking it. I also took Thyroxine which I still take as well as Vitamin D and B12. My Doctor mentioned Inofolic but I thought it looked dodgy. (See Amazon). I was encouraged by medical professionals to start TTC sooner rather than later however I wanted to wait until I was married, but it did get me really worried.

To make me feel like I was taking some sort of action I started recording my temperature back in January, using cheapie ovulation sticks and observing CM to try to get some kind of picture of my cycles (this did help and there was a pattern) and taking folic acid.

I got married at the end of May and got pregnant on honeymoon on my first cycle trying.

If I could recommend one thing it would be to read Taking charge of your fertility by Toni Weschler. It really helped me to understand my irregular cycles.

Good luck OP. x

I had both PCOS (badly in my 20s, got a bit better in my 30s) and my mum died from ovarian cancer. I was worried just like you but I conceived first month of trying - twice! - so don't be too worried, you might be fine.

Metformin and low GI diet - pcos can cause you to be insulin resistant which causes too much insulin and messes around with testosterone production which can in turn impede on one's cycle - so metformin and low GI diet (which can help moderate insulin production by avoiding sugar spikes) , get on the folic acid and try b vit 100 complex Ime

I have pcos and it took 5 years for me to conceive
Push your doctor. Don't take no for an answer. Arm yourself with all the info you can.
Clomid didn't work for me but Letrozole did. Also, someone has mentioned the verity forum. You'll learn a lot from other posters there. Fertility friend as well for temping.
Hopefully you'll be one of the lucky ones. Good luck

Hi

Hubby and I did the deed on sat and I believe ovulation was on wed. Has anyone concieved 4 days before ovulation and then felt severe pain on the day of ovulation. It's almost like I felt the egg being fetlized. Has anyone had a similar experience??. I'm in my two week wait.

Hi,

I’ve been with my husband for nearly 2 years and we have been TTC for 1 year. I have regular ovulation and periods and we have had basic tests from the doctor and everything has come back normal.

Any advice on anything else we can do to try and increase our chances? Everyone around us is faking pregnant and we seem to be getting no where