PCOS????

[Ready]

Just wondered if it is possible to have very regular periods and still have PCOS? It might sound a strange question, and indeed it probably is just me being a stressball!! Basically, we have been this is our 5th cycle of ttc, and nothing has happened yet. I know it's early days, but I am getting really frustrated and beginning to wonder if there might be something wrong. Silly, I know.

I have recently been suffering with spots on my jawline and someone told me that it was hormonal. So I wondered if that could be a sign of PCOS? But then when I researched PCOS the symptom list always starts with irregular periods, is this always the case?? I have regular periods.

i have regular periods exactly and have quite bad pcos, i went for a scan when my last baby was around 4 months old beacause i was having very heavy and painful periods, they diagnosed one ovary full of small cysts and the start of it on the other ovary, they said i was lucky to complete my family when i did as the pcos has advanced itself very quickly

It's early days.

Spots on your jawline at certain times of the month are more likely indicative of your body's reaction to the hormone levels normally present in the body at certain times of the month.

If you are 35+, you can see your GP about possible infertility after 6 cycles.

Otherwise, it's really advisable to wait for a year.

A very regular period that is the same duration and intensity is indicative of someone who is ovulating - so long as it's not a very light period.

Thanks very much Expat, I know it is early days. I am 27. And wouldn't approach my Gp until a year of trying, I told her when we began trying as I was there anyway, so it is logged on my notes.

My spots do tend to vary during my cycle. And I think that I made them worse with a product that didn't suit my skin... I have found something now that is calming them down a little.

My periods are always the same amount of days, not light or too heavy. I do get aches and cramps for the first 3/4 days. But I thought everyone did??

Buktus, sounds like you completed your family in time

Ready - don't worry just yet. I went to the GP's last November after we had been trying for 8mths (I'm 34yrs). The main reason I went was because I was have extreemely painful periods and wanted some better pain relief. I mentioned that my skin has always been a problem on and off for years and previously took Dianette and queried whether I could have PCOS as my sister had it. She said that having regular periods are a good sign and that its more concerning if they weren't regular. People can still conceive even with PCOS, its just more difficult if your periods are irregular. I had my scan I a was clear, so I must just be a naturally spotty gal!! Lovely!! having followed the GP's instructions if hanging in there and it will happen... we got pregnant in December. Unfortunately for us it was ectopic...but hopefully there will be a next time. Good luck!!

PinkElephant! Thanks so much for posting this. That has put my mind at ease a bit. I guess I am just clutching at straws for why it isn't happening straight away.

Good luck to you too. You deserve a bucket load of happiness after what you have been through!!

Thanks again x

bump

Ready - thanks poppet.
Whilst I was in hopsital I asked the Doctors a lots of questions and they said that a really good sign of fertility is regular periods and also painful ones aswell, they said it shows there is a flurry of hormones at the right time of the month. Hang in there ... I know how frustrating it is

PinkElephant, that is good to know! You are a star for trying to keep me calm

Pinkelephant,

re your comment:-
"a really good sign of fertility is regular periods and also painful ones aswell"

Did they really say that about painful periods (can quite understand this point re regular periods but no period should be really painful). The cause of painful periods should be investigated further especially if this is a long standing problem.

I've always had painful periods and had period type pains in my pregnancy. No one has said anything about this in their investigations... Do you think I should advise the next consultant I see Attile?

Thanks X

Hi Rahrah,

In a word yes, particularly if the painful periods are a long standing problem. In my case the underlying cause of my painful periods (the sort that made me end up on the floor in agony or want to throw up) was endometriosis. Not suggesting you have this at all but the cause of same should be determined particularly if it impacts on day to day life during menstruation.

Thanks for reply..I will put it on my notes for my next appointment. The consultant is going to love me!

i can't tell if you are taking the piss or not rahrah!? i think maybe you are!

Ok... I am worried now. My periods have always been less of the rollerskating in the park and more of the 2 paracetomol and a hotwater bottle. So is this not "normal"??? I always take paracetomol/ibuprofen for a couple of days during AF to stop my tummy from hurting.

??????

Ps. Can I spell paracetomol???

greedyforbabies - I'm taking the piss about my consultant loving me...I don't think that is going to happen... lol

Ready... I do the same as you, take some pills hot water bottle and a moanie lie down for sympathy.... But my friend has such bad period pains that she has to sometimes get the doctor out for a shot, as she is in so much pain it makes her vomit and pass out...

So don't think we have it that bad...but maybe worth adding into the conversation when seeing doctors.

I have never considered myself to have bad periods. When I was at school, one girl I knew had to have time off every month and she spent her period in bed it was so painful (she has a child now) and a good friend's mother suffers terribly with hers, bed rest and migraines and heavy bleeding for about a week. I always thought being able to carry on as normal with a bit of pain relief is quite lucky ???

Ready - I was that child at school!! I suffered terribly with period pains and my mum used to have to collect me from the school sick bed as I was doubled up in pain and would throw up all day. The only thing that worked was ponstan. Life got better on the pill but since I've come off the pill to TTC concieve its painful again.

Attila - I think I've asked you questions about endometriosis before. I went to the GP's back in November and asked them about the pains I was having, as they start 3-4days prior to my period and I also get 4days of ovulation pain. GP said it is hormones after coming off the pill 6month prior and as long as I was regular that this was a good sign. Depsite asking for stronger analgesics (ie NSAIDS) they wouldn't give me any due the fact I'm TTC. During my ectopic 2wks ago I asked the Registrar more questions (as I've convinced myself I have endo)and she said it was good that I was regular and again that it was proabably a flurry of hormones causing the pains and this was a good sign of fertility. I did query a few things as I know endo can be linked with ectopics but they said the only way to confirm it was through a laparascopy -which to be honest I wasn't kean on at that time. I'm going to mention again at my FU in the next few months. I guess they won't try any investigations unless I have another ectopic maybe or miscarriage, which fingers crossed never happens again. Both my mum and sister suffered with painful periods etc and they both had 3 kids. What do you think?

hello ready
i have pcos and was diagnoseed last year i have ds whos nearly 3 who i conceived naturally. i started periods at 10 and was regular till aged 15 when they went haywire and gp just put me on pill i come off pill and fell pg straight away had mc then 3 months later fell pg with ds after that irregular periods and no success so went to gp last year who ran tests and found out i had pcos i had missed miscarriage in october after clomid and am ttc again. consultant told me pcos is something you always have but i think that the symptoms must worsen as time goes on cos strange as it may seem it seems as though since i was diagnosed ive developed more symptoms. also told me can have regular periods with no ovulation taking place so if you have regular cycle might be worthwhile trying ovulation kit however if you do have pcos may not work as some kits measure lh surge and in pcos sufferers lh is often elevated. spots around jaw line are symptom due to increased testosterone being more hairy and overweight although my consultant tells me im not a "typical textbook case" as im not overweight and not hairy but do suffer from irregular periods and spots as well as migraines which is also a symptom. what im trying to say is there are lots of varying symptoms to pcos on a broad spectrum and the more i look into it the more i cant believe the things that can occur but chances are you probably dont have it i have a friend whos was ttc for over a year and she is 23 weeks pg now and she had nothing wrong with her. stress can also make symptoms worse so try not to be stressed if you really think you do have it visit your gp and ask them to run tests because you should be taken seriously even if its just to put your mind at rest. also pcos often runs in families. anyway after all of that i really hope that you dont have it but if you do you can still get pg so good luck and i hope all goes well for you im sure it will.

Wayzee thanks for you story. My spots have started to improve lately, I think they started when I was run down and I didn't help matters by constantly touching them and spreading the oils IYSWIM... I am not hairy or overweight. I mean, I am not thin and always want to lose a few lbs, but that's not the same really. I don't think I have PCOS, but then I suppose I could have it. My GP won't do anything til a year of ttc, so fingers crossed it happens naturally before then.

I worry too much, that is my problem.

PinkElephant - How funny, imagine if we did go to the same school and I was describing you ... don't think I am though... have you got ginger hair

Hi Ready

You could be describing me - I have red hair and my periods were shockingly bad in terms of pain (this was due to endometriosis).

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

What may be an issue for one (e/g acne) is not for another.

I was diagnosed with PCOS based on my LH/FSH levels being compared (LH was much higher than FSH) and my irregular periods. Infact on my first visit to the hospital the nurse unofficially diagnosed me with PCOS; her suspicions were proved to be correct.

A good website for PCOSers is www.verity-pcos.org.uk.

PinkElephant

I would ask them to investigate you further with regards to possibly having endo. Although you don't fancy the idea of a lap operation (and let's face it who would?) this is often the way endo is diagnosed.

Mid cycle pain can be indicative of endo and ovulation pains should certainly not be lasting four days. Think the registrar you spoke to showed ignorance.

Atilla (apologies for saying ginger, I should have said red, how rude of me ) as always you are a wonderful font of knowledge!! What would we do without you.

Oh, while you are here, I have had 2 days of intermittent pink/brown spotting. Not heavy enough for a pad or anything, but it's never happened before. It was yesterday CD12 and today. Due to ovulate according to previous cycles on CD15 so a bit concerned. Researching it on the net I read about mid cycle spotting, and it being due to the hormones that trigger ov... I did a workout yesterday morning, any chance that could have anything to do with it???

oops cross posts.

Ready - how funny re the schools, what a small world that would be.

Attila - Thank for your help, you are Mrs Knowledgeable!! How do you know so much, are you a Dr/Nurse? I do intend to mention all my symptoms again during my Follow Up appoint. I really shouldn't self diagnose myself as I did so back in November, I had all the symptoms of PCOS: acne, some hairiness, painful periods, migraines, sister has it etc but they did a scan and my ovaries were clear. So maybe I haven't got endo ... but I shall certainly mention it.