scan says I have pcos - feel lost

[deliasmithy]

Background - ttc since Sept. Using cbfm and had a few odd periods and couple of times didn't appear to ov.
Went to gp, blood tests fine she said I did ov that month. Dh had test, he has average set of swimmers. I had scan yesterday and told that my ovaries are covered in cysts.

I feel a bit lost - I thought something was up but not this. I don't have some of the symptoms I knew about but in recent years losing weight had been a monumental struggle and I carry it all on my tummy and I get acne.

Out of frustration I persuaded dh to book a private fertility clinic appt in 3 weeks time but I've not even discussed the result with my gp. Problem is that she is lovely and therefore cant get appt for 6 weeks. And I imagined she'd want to repeat tests and months will pass.

I've just had various thoughts circling like feeling a failure, angry at time wasted, still a bit shocked etc. What should I do?

First of all, try not to panic. The main fertility problem that stems from PCOS is that some people with it do not ovulate. You seem to, at least some of the time. So if there is an egg there some months, the PCOS is not an absolute bar to getting pregnant. It just might mean it takes you a bit longer.

I was diagnosed with PCOS years ago. I used to have slightly longer than average cycles (although they have recently normalised) and on every monitored cycle I have oved. Whatever my fertility problem is, it's not PCOS. What's more, scans in the last 6 months have showed normal ovaries - the cysts have gone. Whether that is due to age, acupuncture, good diet I'm not sure but my ovaries now look normal, so in some cases the condition can improve.

The clinic will probably recommend more tests and then clomid, to try to get you ovulating each month.

Don't lose hope!

I had a scan that said I had pcos. I also had 70 day long cycles and it was impossible to track when/ if I was OV!
The doctor prescribed merformin to regulate my cycles and make them more efficient.

However while I was waiting for the scan/ results/ dr app dh and I decided that the best way to conceive was just to have a LOT of sex! We did it every other day for a whole cycle - so 60+ days.

The day the dr prescribed the merformin I POAS just in case. That was ds! :)

It can be done even without medical intervention!

Get to the dr and find out how bad the cysts are and what your options are. And keep having sex!

don't panic. You can have polysistic ovaries without the syndrome bit so you may not have all the symptoms.

you can also have it to a greater or lesser degree so some poor folk only ovulate once a year or not at all. you seem to ovulate more than that so have a hope of getting pregnant within a reasonable length of time

i havent had a scan since my 20s when i had a LOT of cysts. it wasnt a surprise as i hadnt had a period in a long time. it all normalised in my mid to late 20s and i had 2 children in my early 30s. dont know what the situation is now but my point is, PCOS can be overcome and if that is your 'only' problem it is more about conception taking a bit longer than usual, than about serious fertility problems.

there is alot you can do to assist with PCOS. diet and herbal stuff mostly.

i love the 'have a lot of sex' advice!

the reason im on this board now is that my pcos seems to have returned, more or less the same month i am ttc number 3. handy huh.

i shall try your advice, geek girl!

Suzietwo I know it's like rocket science!

Seriously though if you've no idea when you OV it's the best way to maximise your chances while you're waiting for drs etc. it was DH's favourite TTC tactic!

I have PCOS and didn't have any cycle at all! No periods, therefore no ovulating, nothing. I was prescribed Metformin, and Clomid, and conceived on my first round of Clomid. I'm on the pill now, as I don't want anymore children, and eat a Low GI diet, which helps keep the weight off. So don't feel lost, there are lots of options! X

I have PCOS, controlled by diet. I took metformin when going through IVF and through the first months of pregnancy, as PCOS may increase the risk of early miscarriage.

From talking to friends with PCOS, it does seem that keeping the weight off is the best way to manage the symptoms, though it is hard work.

I have PCOS and I ovulated like twice a year. Got prescribed metformin and within a few months I started to ovulate much more regularly and lost a bit of weight.

Thanks for replies. With the cbfm it does seem to indicate if or when I have a hormone surge so that's something. I just feel a bit fed up with it all. I like to have a plan or feel able to do something to help - I'm not very patient.

I was bmi 35 18months ago but now 27-28. I haven't lost any weight this year as effort levels waned and it has got harder. This whole insulin thing explains that a bit. All I want to do is emotional eating right now! I don't drink due to migraines but poured myself a large one last night and now feel crap today. It sounds like I need to snap out of feeling sorry for myself and eat properly. Easier said than done!

I know that my health problems aren't that bad but I have been feeling more sensitive recently with the one year anniversary of trying approaching, which happens to tie in with turning 30 which now feels like a congratulations on being barren party. For gawds sake I am being pathetic aren't I.

An update:

I saw a GP this morning. Not my own lovely GP as she's off for a month. This GP said the pcos results were not conclusive but likely. I asked her what the plan is now. She said I could have a further blood test to check hormone levels again but otherwise no plan. I said I was aware of some health implications and wondered what I could do about that. She said it wasn't a big deal, just eat healthily and keep ttc. She said it wasn't necessary to confirm pcos as I needn't worry about it.

I then said I was respectful of nhs waiting lists but was impatient and therefore booked a private consultation appt. She asked how long I'd been ttc, I said since sept. She said they would refuse to see me until a least a year?!

I reminded her this was private appt and she then firmly shot me down saying every clinics expectation is ttc for 2 years unless medical issue and pcos does not count. she then insisted on writing to the clinic stating they would refuse to see me without a letter.

She made out through the whole conversation that I was making a fuss and overreacting.

I felt really annoyed and upset when I left. I've spent an hour googling the fertility clinic website, forums etc and nowhere does it mention 2 yrs ttc minimum when you're effing paying yourself!

Have I got it wrong or has she?

This GP gave you duff information all round.

With PCOS it is better that you inform yourself fully about this condition as many GPs seemingly do not understand it at all. I would look at Verity's website which is www.verity-pcos.org.uk and further inform yourself properly re PCOS, knowledge after all is power!.

That GP sounds terrible!

The NHS normally wants you to have been trying for at least a year if you are under 35. A private clinic should test you any time and most accept self-referrals.

I'd go back and see your normal GP for some proper advice. Be aware that fertility investigations can quickly become very expensive privately.

Thanks.

I felt she was very dismissive but struggled to speak up to her duty to her air of authority.

I can definitely see how expensive it is. My thought had been to go for initial consultation and tests and medication if needed and give that a whirl first.