Would this PCOS report concern you?

[ThePug]

Hi all,
Just signed up as we're about to start TTC for the first time very soon - have 3 more pills left to take then we'll be getting on the case.

I am 29 and always used to have pretty irregular periods. I think I'd usually have them at least every 6 or 7 weeks, but once when I was 20 I went 12 weeks without one so took myself to the Dr's. They did some blood tests and sent me for an ultrasound, and I was told I 'probably' had PCOS. I've just tracked down the report, which says:

"Both ovaries appear slightly bulky and multiple immature follicles are seen around the periphery in both ovaries. This appearance is in keeping with polycystic ovaries. There is a trace of free fluid seen in the POD. No adnexal masses or large cysts are seen. The uterus appears normal in size and echo texture and demonstrates a normal endometrial interface".

Would this concern you? We haven't even started TTC yet and I'm already panicking about how difficult it might be because of this.

My Dr says I "don't look like a lady with PCOS" as I am slim and fortunately do not suffer from excess hair or acne. I am Type 1 diabetic though (which in itself needs v. careful controlling during TTC/pregnancy and scares the hell out of me!).

Can anyone shed any light on the report and let me know how bad/"mild" it sounds?

Thank you

Hey! I would say that report is just in keeping with PCOS symptoms. Mine was fairly similar. I have PCOS and an underactive thyroid.

I'll be honest it has never been easy becoming pregnant, but we are currently ttc #3 with the help of clomid :) there is lots of help out there.....which you might not even need!!

I have needed clomid to induce ovulation for each of my pregnancies. I don't ovulate on my own ever!

Good luck and all the best.

PCOS is a very individualistic disorder that affects each woman with it very differently.

The report is pretty much typical when it comes to describing the appearance of polycystic ovaries. These can appear larger than normal (i.e. walnut) size and can show a ring of pearls appearance.

Your GP is frankly ignorant when it comes to PCOS: PCOS patients are not all of one type at all!. You may well need some medical help in order to conceive and ideally you should be under the care of a consultant gynae at a subfertility unit. At the very least now, you need up to date test results, anything done over 6 months ago should be discounted.

Sounds similar to mine too, although I never had periods at all until I was 40 and they started regularly. I am also small (about 8 stone) with no excessive hair - so not typical. My blood tests were were only marginally out but a scan showed cysts covering my ovaries. In my case, because I was having no periods, my dr prescribed chlomid and i conceived my now 20 DD in the first month. I had trouble conceiving my 2nd with chlomid and a few other methods and finally fell pregnant with my 12 year old DD and then my 4 year old DS when my periods started when I was 40! You are at least having periods, but are you ovulating? My understanding is that you can have a period without ovulating and vice versa? Would your Dr be prepared to prescribe chlomid or do they want you do try without it for a while?

I have exactly the same. Underactive thyroid and PCOS (mid range) However Dr. won't put me on Clomid until my DH has a sperm test. Was this the same with you?? I don't want to put DH through that just yet. He already 'feels the pressure' - considering going private. Acupuncture has really helped. Have you tried it?

Also CB advanced digital ovualtion tests say I am ovulating? BBT chart doesn't though. Very confused......

That sounds very similar to mine too. I also have PCOS and underactive thyroid. I am slim and not hairy but do have acne. On the other hand my periods aren't very irregular, usually 30-34 days.

However the PCOS has not caused me any issues getting pregnant. First time, I couldn't get pregnant for 10 months but it was because my underactive thyroid was undiagnosed. As soon as that was medicated I got pg, month 11. Second time, I got pg within 3 months. Used ovulation sticks both times to get the timing right.

I have a friend with PCOS and she has got pg very quickly.

So it doesn't always cause issues TTC. Best to be aware of it though and also do get your thyroid checked out - as this thread shows the two seem to go hand in hand.

Thank you all so much for your replies - glad I posted!

We haven't started trying yet and GP said to only go back to her if we tried for 12 months with no success. She did mention chlomid as an option at that stage. Do you think I should ask for blood tests (inc thyroid) once I come off the pill, ie next month? I think my mum has been put on thyroid medication in the last few years, actually.

I've also been taking high dose ferrous fumarate for the last couple of years as my iron levels are so low.

I started on the pill soon after the ultrasound in 2007 and haven't had any breaks, so I don't know a) how soon things will return to 'normal', b) how regular my cycle will be or c) whether I will actually ovulate.

I've bought a saliva ovulation test, some opk sticks (read that these are not always accurate if you have PCOS though) and a 2 decimal point thermometer so I will do all I can to check whether I am ovulating over the next few months.

I'd wait till you've had one or two "natural" periods (ie not the post pill bleed but a real period) to get the pill hormones fully out of your system, then ask for thyroid tests, suggest you use your mum as the reason rather than TTC.

Start on folic acid if you haven't already. Ov sticks worked for me but as I say, my periods were not too irregular. You're right they're often not reliable for PCOS ladies.

Thanks minipie.
Started the folic acid 2 weeks ago (as I'm diabetic I have to have a higher dose on prescription), which is when I went to see my GP and asked them about the PCOS report. I'd never received a copy, think it went to an old address, and sort of put it out of my mind to worry about at a later date when it mattered!

Fingers crossed periods shall return and be regular-ish.

My GP wouldn't give me Clomid unless DH has sperm analysis. Which i thinking way too soon. Did your GP say the same to you? Can't get an appointment until the end of Feb.

Just to say, you can have polycystic ovaries without having polycystic ovary syndrome.

The syndrome involves some hormonal abnormalities shown on a blood test along with some or all of the other features your GP mentioned (central obesity, excess body hair, acne etc).

I wouldn't diagnose it without doing bloods also. Not sure if you've had any taken?

Best of luck with TTC!

Sorry, I see you did have bloods taken. Maybe ask GP about these also?

Emma - my GP was pretty vague, just said that if we had trouble conceiving then there are things they could do such as prescribe chlomid. She definitely didn't mention anything about OH & sperm samples. I'm no expert but I would have assumed they would do a blood test to see if I was ovulating or not before prescribing chlomid, and if I wasn't it would be prescribed. Not sure where OH and his sperm count would come into it - if you're not ovulating, you're not ovulating regardless of what OH's sperm are or aren't doing!

Hedgehogging - yes, that is exactly what I queried to GP (PCO rather than PCOS). Unfortunately she couldn't access the ultrasound report as it'd been done via previous surgery and as it was 8 years ago wasn't on my electronic record, only in the paper file. She said she'd dig it out and call me to discuss but never did, so I phoned the surgery and they said there was a copy of the report waiting at reception for me. I forgot about the blood tests until after the appointment, so I might try ringing and asking for details of those too as I know roughly when they would have been taken (although again, that is 8 years ago).

Thank you so much for your comments. I really appreciate them. I had bloods done but not on the first day of my period. (it was a random first bleed on months!) full first period followed a week later. doc said pcos but my acupuncturist said actually I have PCO not PCOS. (no hair growth etc...) I completely agree that my lovely DH has nothing to do with it I'm not ovulating but doc flat out refused to give it to me without SA. I'm asking for another opinion from a different doc but can't get an appointment for a month. CB advanced digital ovulation tests said I was ovulating but bbt chart said not It's been so stressful I left work today in hives! I do also have hypothyroidism but had bloods on that and everything is normal. Internal ultrasound last year showed mild-moderate PCO.

So lovely to have this thread to discuss with lovely ladies in a similar position. Wishing you all lots of health and happiness. Fx to you all xx

My husband had to give a sperm sample at the time, just to check that everything was fine. It is simply a case of ruling out if there are other issues. Just because one person has fertility issues, it doesn't mean that the other person can't too. They explained that it is such a cheap and easy test, that they would be silly not to. You can see their point.

Merle, that makes sense but it still wouldn't alter the fact that if the female wasn't ovulating and the GP knew this, they would need to prescribe something for her.

I am so excited that tonight is my last pill then we will be officially TTC!

True. I guess they just want the full picture before they decide.

Pug - you are wrong about that. It completely changes what is done about the woman not ovulating.

As if low count-> ivf. Very low count icsi. Not amazing might be iui.
No point prescribing clomid if there are no sperm. Half of infertility is male infertility.
And of that some is both partners.
We focused on my tests - suspected hypothyroid as dsis has it. Then pcos tests and it was 9m before we did the SA and found we needed icsi.
DH friend with diabetes t1 has regular thyroid tests as you are more prone to other autoimmune once you have 1.
I think with t1 you are also more likely to be insulin resistant which contributes to pcos.

Thank you so much ladies for the advice. DH will collect 'pot' from the GP! Amy idea how long it takes to get the results? GP said it could be 3-4 months just to get the SA appointment. Can't afford it but temping to go private if that's the case as just need to get on Clomid!

www.netmums.com/coffeehouse/advice-support-40/ttc-support-fertility-conception-difficulties-39/1103285-pcos-where-can-i-get-private-prescription-clomid-uk-all.html

Hi, you may want to read this.