PCOS - game over?

[MiniMe30]

Hi all,

I had an ultrasound scan today (been TTC for over a year, been referred to fertility clinic for testing) and they said it looks like I have PCOS, although it needs to be confirmed with a blood test.

What does this mean for our TTC? Is it game over?

No, it can be treated. Lots of people have PCOS and go on to have babies. Sometimes it takes a little longer.

I have pcos and am now pg with twins after one round of clomid! Had first appointment with fertility unit in feb and pg by June.

Thanks ladies.

I don't know much about it, am feeling a bit scared and worried! I've had irregular periods since coming off the pill and haven't been ovulating every month (but have some months).

They want to put me on clomid as long as the scan/blood tests/semen analysis comes back ok, so good to know I should still be able to take it.

Is there anything I can do to help myself?

I'm slightly overweight - BMI of 27 - I guess I should try to get this down? I guess eating a bit healthier and doing a bit more exercise might almost help?

Can anyone give me any tips please? Thank you.

Not game over at all!

I have a friend with PCOS and she got pg first month twice! I have PCOS and it took me 11 months to get a BFP, however I think this was not actually due to the PCOS in my case but due to something else (thyroid issues).

I think the important thing with PCOS is to work out whether you are ovulating regularly or not. This can be difficult as OPKs don't always work if you have PCOS. You need blood tests really. However it sounds like you already know it's a bit hit and miss for you? In that case clomid is quite likely to help I believe.

Yes getting your BMI down is likely to help. It's a good idea in any case as a lower BMI will mean less risk of gestational diabetes in pregnancy (unfortunately we PCOSers are at higher risk of this). Not easy I know. Try especially to steer clear of high sugar products or high GI (like white bread and mashed potato) as PCOS people tend to handle these badly.

Best of luck.

Not at all. I have PCOS, and have had two babies, both conceived very easily.

Get your BMI down, and think about reducing your carb intake. If you google PCOS/insulin resistance then you will see that there is a huge link, and that altering insulin response can get great results.

It seems I ovulate sometimes and then not others - I really can't pick up a pattern. I've been taking agnus castus to help regulate my cycles and make me ovulate and it worked for 3 cycles (confirmed ovulation with BBT) but then I stopped and straight away I didn't ovulate, started on it again and I ovulated! Confusing hey!

I actually got pregnant on the first month of not using any protection, but lost it at 4-5 weeks, had nothing happen since. :(

It might be a combo of PCOS and hormone imbalance, but yes I agree, if they put me on clomid it should help and I'm also going to start a diet and get back in the gym to get that BMI down to below 25 - think I only need to lose a stone to do it, so it's do-able with a bit of effort!

Good luck. My chum with PCOS has 2 kids - although no.2 took over a year to conceive and during that time she ovulated only once but managed to get pregnant.
There are more issues to overcome, but it is possible.

Do any of you ladies who suffer with PCOS get pains?

I know it's normal to get ovulation cramps, which I have had some months, but then I would always feel pain after - hard to explain but can be summed up as feeling 'tender', a bit like I had just been through something painful down there.

Yes, I get a tender feeling around the time of ov.

I know someone with PCOS who got pregnant first time.

I have PCOS but ovulate regularly. I agree with the insulin advice above.

Do you have it after ovulation?

Mine is usually in the days after & I'm wondering if it relates to the pcos.

i have PCOS and having gorgeous DS and just starting to try for no.2. My cycles were incredibly irregular (up to 7 months apart) but managed to conceive without assistance after about 18 months. Since finishing BF i have had more regular cycles 28dys, 28dys, 36 dys and 30 dys so fingers crossed having a baby has given my cycle a kick up the bum. It is possible! OPK sticks dont seem to work for me but will track BBT and CM to help see if I ovulate.

In regards to BMI - definately worth trying to get it down and I totally agree with the white carb/starch cut down. I am also on the Harcombe diet which runs on these principals but also cuts out sugar and processed food which is supposed to help too.

Good luck!

I have PCOS and was told I wouldn't conceive naturally so I stopped using contraception. 16 months later, DS was put in my arms!

Good luck.

Hi
Decided to look to see if there were any recents threads on PCOS and pregnancy after having a doctors appt today.
I was on the pill for years came off the pill Oct 2010 and slightly under a year of TTC nothing had happened so we got referred to infertility. DH all fine. Blood tests for me showed nothing obvious but scan suggested PCO. After Christmas 2012 I decided to try losing weight I needed to anyway but I thought if it is PCOS then maybe it will help. January 2012 I had more blood tests and an HSG as part of the infertility testing process and a few weeks later discovered I was pregnant so never had to go back to infertility. Today at 32+3 weeks pg I had an appt with the same consultant as infertility to check I was suitable for a birth centre birth, on checking my notes he has decided I probably do have PCOS and as a result now have to have the glucose tolerance test just in case gestational diabetes is a risk. GD is a possibility with PCOS as is diabetes in later life. An increased risk of miscarriage and premature labour are also possibilities with PCOS as well as bigger babies.
Whilst this is a peculiar way to get a diagnosis I hope that I am proof that PCOS won't neccesarily stop you conceiving but may make life along the way a little more interesting. With luck if I get the all clear on the GD I will also get my low risk birth centre birth too!!

Interesting cakes, I didn't realise that premature labour was increased for PCOS (eek). I wonder why that is.

I knew miscarriage was higher though (I think the theory is that PCOS ladies have longer or more irregular cycles, so are more likely to release a slightly "stale" egg - sorry can't think of a better word - and so even if this fertilises it may miscarry later on).

I am having my GD test iin a few weeks' time at 28 weeks - I have noticed more of a sweet stuff craving whilst pg so hope that isn't a bad sign. Hope yours is clear!

3 dc conceived with little effort here. I try hard to keep my weight down though and am a normal bmi.

I have always had fairly regular periods too. My consultant told me to be careful not to gain much weight as that would most likely increase my symptoms.

Hth.

The consultant said that whilst there is a link between PCOS and prem labour they haven't actually proven that PCOS is the cause, you may just have been likely to give birth prem anyway.
I had a tiny amount of treatment for abnormal smears and that increases risk of miscarriage too but again they can't say that you weren't likely to have miscarriages anyway. Luckily that bit hasn't been an issue to test statistics.

I have always loved sweet stuff and if I wanted something to eat but not sure what exactly then I'd go down sweet route. Pregnancy has perhaps given me an excuse not to be really careful.
Good luck for your GD test hope its ok.