TTC with PCOS - lots of questions!

[Grrl]

Hello!

I've been lurking around on here for a few weeks now so thought I'd say hello. Not sure if I'm posting in the right section or not but I have lots of questions and I was hoping some of you lovely ladies might be able to help. I'm 27, have PCOS, stopped BC at the end of July. Coming off the pill was hell on earth but since then - nothing. No periods and as far as I can tell no ovulation. I've been monitoring my basal temp but it stays at a consistent 36.2. I visited the doctor when I first stopped taking the pill for advice and she said to try for four months and if nothing happens to go back to her. She said that if I don't have any periods they can do the progesterone 21 test to see if I'm ovulating and then mentioned Clomid. My questions, in no particular order, are:

1. how long should it take for normal cycle to return after coming off the pill?
2. if I have no periods and go back to the doctor in four months, how long will it take before she prescribes the Clomid? Will I have to wait until we've been TTC for a year or anything?
3. in the meantime, what can I do to encourage ovulation?

Sorry for the essay, I know we haven't been trying for very long but it's all so confusing and the internet always tells me conflicting things! Xxx

1. The pill leaves your system very quickly after taking the last tablet so these should have returned to normal very quickly. As you have PCOS however, they have reverted to what it was before i.e. practically non existant anovulatory cycles.

I would refrain as of now from using the BBT as its not helping and your chart is flat. That method and OPKs are both uneasy bedfellows when PCOS is present.

1. GP cannot readily prescribed clomid, you should be referred now to a gynae at a subfertility unit bearing in mind you already have a PCOS diagnosis. You do not need the GP to do a day 21 test; with PCOS it is highly likely that you are not ovulating regularly if at all currently.

Clomid should be given to some PCOSers with a degree of caution as not all PCOSers are actually suitable to take it (it can affect LH levels markedly). You should be monitored ideally with both blood tests and ultrasound whilst on clomid (which is something that GPs cannot do). I was referred to the gynae after 6 months of ttc without any periods during that time (and I had no diagnosis). Its a condition also outside a GPs remit.

1. PCOS symptoms can be worse if you are carrying any excess pounds; being the right weight for your height will be beneficial with regards to this particular condition.

Verity's website www.verity-pcos.org.uk may be helpful to you to read as well.

Thank you, very helpful info :-)