PCOS and ttc!

[KylieP]

Someone just suggested setting up a PCOS and ttc thread - I'm on the June ttc thread but would love to hear from other PCOS'ers too!

[Orangesarenot]

Naomi I think this thread is inactive, but there's an active TTC and PCOS thread over here, please come and join us www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/2460405-TTC-with-PCOS-Thread-3?pg=31

[Naomi2007]

Hi all,
I'm new to this site but just wanted to know other people's experience with pcos and pregnancy. I found out 2 years ago I had pcos but was on the pill. I came off the pill in July last year and have had regular periods every month. But am I ovulating every month with regular periods? How long did it take others to conceive? Sorry to go on just driving myself crazy every month with pregnancy tests and tracking my "fertile days". Would love to hear what you all think or your own stories.

[Chudders2012]

A good supplement for people TTC with PCOS is n-acetyl cysteine or NAC. It improves insulin sensitivity, reduces hyperinsulinemia (which is the culprit for stopping ovulation in PCOS), and even helps with fertile cervical mucous. There's an article about the research here but one thing that happened in the studies was that it massively increased the success of Clomid.

www.myinformedlife.co.uk/got-the-nac-for-pcos/

[Bondgirl26]

Hi

This is my first post so go easy on me!
After having relied heavily on the stories and advice of all the mumsnetters I'd like to share with you my positive story to help other people like me have some hope!

My DH and I have been trying to conceive since I came of the pill in Jan 14, my AF was irregular if non existent and after a trip to the GP and an ultrasound I was diagnosed with PCOS. Not that surprising as my mum was too.
Not being content with waiting for the NHS to kick in off I went to delve into the depths internet! From my research all I could gather was that my body was stuck in a vicious circle of insulin and hormones! Fun times!
I downloaded many books but I seemed to really get on with Marilyn Glenvilles: Natural solutions to PCOS.

Following her advice I started on Seven seas trying for a baby and super strength Omega 3 to get the balance of vitamins right. I then reduced my sugar intake right down, swapped bread and pasta for wholemeal, white rice for brown and starchy potatoes for sweet potatoes.
From the information gathered on mumsnet I also started on agnus castus tablets from day one of AF to OV.

Not only did all of this make a MASSIVE difference to how I felt, less tired, less craggy and even helped shift some stubborn weight but even better today I got my BFP! This is the very beginning and some milestones to get over yet but atleast I know how I can manage and overcome my PCOS now and I hope this helps anyone else faced with the uncertainty it brings!

[NonnyBunny]

There is a recent more specific threads for people who are currently trying Clomid (many of whom have PCOS)

Also, I had started one on PCOS and trying to conceive www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/2302836-Trying-to-conceive-with-PCOS

But I had started that with quite a specific question - might be worth starting a more general one!

[NonnyBunny]

True! I did have a look early on but couldn't find a recent one... would be nice to share experiences with others currently TTC with PCOS!

[PopcornPip]

We could just start a new one I spose?

[NonnyBunny]

Most of the PCOS one's look old... will keep looking though! Let me know if you have any luck finding a more recent one :)

[PopcornPip]

Just found this thread... is there a new one?

[imaginationzero]

KR33, I have had Ovid since I was 16 (now 30). I mc at 12 weeks Dec 2011 and have been ttc since. Found out on Wed I am pg 5wks +1 now.

After ttc went to gp and was referred to community gyne. Pug on Clomid for 4 months and conceived in the 4th month.

Haven't got ms or many symptoms but I hope (?) they will come as I didn't have any last time and that might have been why I mc?

Good luck!

[KR33]

Hi all,

I'd like to join this thread too please.

A quick summary - ttc 1st baby. 33y.o,
GP recently told me he is almost certain i have PCOS due to a long history of irregular cycles (stopped completely for 9 months when I was 20 though no cause was found and they did re-start), acne and mild hirsutism, ibs symptoms a MMC at 12weeks in November and very long cycles since the mc (last cycle was 63days long), though I am not overweight and actually conceived very quickly with the pregnancy I lost.
He has basically said i need to go away and keep ttc for a further 6 months now as he needs more evidence of my long cycles to refer me to a fertility clinic as I did'nt have AF s for a while before i came off contraception to ttc (was using the implant latterly).
I did have blood tests on the last cycle, which indicate I did ovulate that time - though based on my cycle length, GP said he doesn't think I am ovulating every cycle(?)

Given my previous mmc and very long cycles, i am a little concerned that, even if i do manage to conceive again, nothing has changed to prevent it happening again and that my egg quality may be poor... (I am trying to eat more healthily and exercise more but am not overweight and already don't consume caffeine, alcohol, excess sugar., carbs fat etc etc and exercise for an average of 1 hr a day).

I have also suffered from migraines with aura since I was 11 (my AF didn't start until i was 15), though clotting issues were ruled out in a blood test after my mmc (I had bruising and pain behind my knee, that was dismissed by the midwife, around the time i later found out things went wrong with my pregnancy). I know though that clotting issues are quite hard to diagnose?

I also have a specific question - i have a lot of lower back pain, some pink cm, ea faint +ve on opk strips and worsening acne around day 15 of my cycle usually, but haven't ovulated until at least day 29 since my mc (egg white-like cm and very dark lh, plus AF arriving 14 days later seem to prove i am ovulating at the later date).
Has anyone else experienced this and Is is possible the first LH rise / pink cm is indicative of a failed ovulation - ie my body is trying and failing to ovulate around day 15, then achieving ovulation a few weeks later - explaining the very long cycle?
Ican only find examples of failed ovulation being followed by actual ovulation within a couple of days of each other - due to as cold for example.

Thanks in advance, sorry for the long ramble and good luck everybody :-)

K

[Knitella]

Hi Schnikki

If I was you I'd go to my GP and explain that you have been trying and need some guidance on the next steps. Hopefully trying for 6 months will be enough for an immediate fertility referral in your circumstances.

Fingers crossed that things go well for you!

[Schnikki]

Hi

I'm 26 and was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 15. I don't have periods at all naturally and have to take Utovlan every 3 - 6 months to have a bleed.

I recently got married and now want to start ttc but don't really know where to start (have been having unprotected sex for 6 months). Do I need to book an appointment with my GP to get things started or can I book an apt with a hospital directly? If a referral is needed, is it possible to say how long this takes on average (appreciate there may be no such thing!) How important is it to have a GP who knows about PCOS? Any tips/guidance for someone starting out and what to expect would be greatly appreciated.

Apologies for the novice questions but I'm not really sure where to start and feel a bit overwhelmed.

Thanks x

[creativecatalyst]

I found a new charity/support site for PCOS if anyone is interested they sound nice - good name too! No web site but they have a facebook page www.facebook.com/PcosInspirationFoundation

[TheFalconsmistress]

I have been on mumsnet before after i m/c ttc baby number 2. My docs keep fobbing me off about my weight being the cause etc now i have been diagnosed with PCOS. I know i am lucky as i have ds who is now 3 but i feel lost with this scared thats it for me baby wise. doc said he is starting me on meds as soon as my bloods come back next week. He said i had different options??

[imaginationzero]

Thanks for the messages of support Steph, Attila and Jazzy.

My aunt announced she was pg last weekend, she is in her 40's, and has many health issues and had pretty much given up trying. I am so pleased for her, not jealous at all, but I still cried. If I hadn't mg, then baby would have been due last week :(

I kind of feel I don't really know what to do next, similar to you Jazzy but my cycles are really long.

I did go back to the doctor and ask to be re-referred to gyne, but haven't heard anything yet. Then that will all take time I guess. I have started taking Agnus Castus, as well as the Pregnacare conception, but nothing yet.

Are there any 'mood' signs of ovulation like tiredness or moodiness or anything, or is it just the tricky stuff like temperature and discharge? Sorry, I've been pretty lazy about this whole process so far.

[JazzyTTC]

Really sorry about your mc imaginationzero.

I am on CD 2. TTC cycle 4 starts. I have been diagnosed with PCOS in March (at my home country) just before I could fly down to UK to stay with DH for the first time and had been advised to avoid protection and try for a baby right away.

My periods are regular 28-30 days, I am not over-weight and I follow a pretty healthy diet, almost completely vegetarian except once or twice in a week with few chicken pieces, thats abt it all.

I am very sure that DH and I BDed on d right days and I kind of think I ovulated on CD 14/15 with the egg white CM discharge and a lil ovulation pain types. I dont use OPKs, chart temps. DH against it to avoid getting me stressed.

Not really sure how I shud go abt it. Please advise. :(

[StephN31]

Apologies for rant earlier, realise how insensitive it was not to acknowledge those who have been able to conceive against all the odds of pcos and then mc. I simply can't begin to imagine what you've been through Imagination. Good on you for seeking support, I hope you won't give up and that things work out the way you want them to x

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Imagination

Was very sorry to read about your miscarriage.

You may want to give the Miscarriage Association a call; they may well be able to help you here.

A word re temp charting. Temp charting can be very problematic for PCOS patients as well to use; you could end up with a chart akin to the Rocky Mountains. Gynaes tend not to take any real notice of temp charts anyway because they can be so unreliable.

[StephN31]

Finding this whole business really tough at the moment, especially reading what other people are going through. I was so sure I ov two weeks ago, due to test on Sat. This would be an exciting time if I could rely on my ovaries! Bloomin PCOS! I don't dare, not sure if I want to see yet another neg result. I'm anticipating that I'll be offered Clomid during our next app at the clinic laster this month. I've read that there's a 50-60% chance of conception after 6 months. We've been trying for 14 months now. Also read that a healthy couple with no physical issues have around 25% chance of conception. This all just doesn't make sense. I work in a hospital and see people everywhere with babies and children! How on earth have we evolved with those stats!!! I keep trying to switch off and just let it happen. Problem is this is something I've wanted for as long as I can remember, why can't these clinics put us out of our misery with all this monitoring, timing and testing?! There must be an easier way, surely! If only IVF was cheap.
Ok, rant over..

[CaveMum]

Yes, they call it Basal Body Temperature (BBT) as you should take it first thing in the morning before you get out of bed.

Charting your temperature throughout your cycle will help you to see when you ovulate. It can only tell you after ov has occurred - your temperature rises by up to 0.5 of a degree after ovulation, but you need 3 days of consistently higher than usual temps to confirm ov has taken place. It can't tell you if you are about to ovulate, but by charting over a period of a few months you may start to see patterns emerging that can help you to predict ov in the future.

You need a specific type of thermometer, sensitive to 0.1 of a degree (most are only 0.2 so not good enough for charting), like this.

[imaginationzero]

Flooded thank you for your suggestion. I say didn't tell anyone - I meant outside of close family and friends. I was waiting for the 12 weeks to be 'safe' before telling anyone, which I did, then mg.

I did take metformin about 5 years ago for 6 months or so for a weight control thing. It made me really ill, and totally put me off food so I stopped taking it. I'm not overweight (and never really have been), I do a lot of exercise and eay reasonably well.

CaveMum you say temperature is a better measure - does tha tmean body temperature, or something specific?

Thanks for your words of advice :)

[CaveMum]

imagination so sorry to hear of your mc. This TTC lark is extremely painful at times.

I would just pre-warn those of you using OPKs that they are not recommended for women with PCOS. One of the (many) possible symptoms of PCOS is a raised LH level, which will give you false positives on an OPK. I'll hold my hands up and admit that I did use them for a while, but fact is over the 4 cycles I used them they were only right once.

Observing your cervical mucus, cervix position and charting your temperatures is far more reliable.

[imaginationzero]

Hello

I'm really new here, looking for some help and advice after a mc on 25 December 2011.

I've known I've had pcos since I was 16 (now 29) and when my husband and I decided we wanted to start a family, I was aware that there might be difficulties. I was referred to gyne at the local hospital and had a few appointments, including MRI to check health of 'equipment', and a weird x-ray thing to check for blockages both of which came back clear. Found I was pregnant in Nov '11 completely to our surprise and we were both overjoyed. I had been and continued to live a healthy lifestyle, doing loads of exercise and eating healthily. Not cutting out anything in particular though, except alcohol after I found I was pg.

Sadly had a mc on Christmas Day at 12 weeks. On the bright side, at least the hospital was quiet and I got seen and operated on quickly.

Sine then, regular cycles have started again (3 times) lasting 6 weeks. I have bought a ovulation kit, so hoping that this month will be the month. I have read your posts and will try agnus castus, and am taking Pregnacare Conception www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=1555&prodid=1657&bid=127 which seemed to work last time.

My baby would have been due last week, so crying a lot when I think about it. My husband tells me just not to think about, which I appreciate, but it doesn't really help.

So difficult, as I didnt tell anyone really that I was pg, so can't really talk about it. Nice to get it all out in the open on here, and any advice really appreciated.

Thank you for listening (reading).