PCOS, Periods, Provera & Pals. Plus All The Bits In between.

[AmyC86]

Welcome to our third thread on PCOS. What we don't know isn't really worth knowing. We're a friendly bunch of women who have a few things in common. We all have either PCOS or unexplained infertility and we're all on a mission for a BFP!!!!

For new members, and old alike here are the links to our 1st and 2nd threads:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/2481523-when-to-expect-period-provera

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/2685865-pcos-periods-or-lack-of-and-a-lovely-bunch-of-ladies?pg=1&order=

Now without further ado, let's continue on our journey.......

I'm a bit concerned that my gynecologist has basically referred me back to my GP without everything being sorted out and my GP is clearly not very knowledgeable on the condition (only good thing that came from it was being referred to the gyno). I went to the appt on my own and felt like she was rushing through everything and didn't get chance to ask questions. I think I will take DH next time as that I will feel like I will feel more able to be assertive. I was also a bit pissed that I had got a phone call from her PA saying she'd be an hour late so I came an hour late and she didn't apologise but asked whether I was late and I just said no...it's when your PA told me to come - how freakin' rude!! In talking to other people provera normally just seems to be something people are put on for a short period of time not 3 months like me - I wish she had explained this. I think I will go to my GP and ask what it is actually for. It's encouraging that it didn't have side effects for you Boggle... micronor was God-awful for me so I'm hoping it won't be a repeat of that. Have warned DH that I might be (even more) hormonal!

I'm a bit concerned that my gynecologist has basically referred me back to my GP without everything being sorted out and my GP is clearly not very knowledgeable on the condition (only good thing that came from it was being referred to the gyno). I went to the appt on my own and felt like she was rushing through everything and didn't get chance to ask questions. I think I will take DH next time as that I will feel like I will feel more able to be assertive. I was also a bit pissed that I had got a phone call from her PA saying she'd be an hour late so I came an hour late and she didn't apologise but asked whether I was late and I just said no...it's when your PA told me to come - how freakin' rude!! In talking to other people provera normally just seems to be something people are put on for a short period of time not 3 months like me - I wish she had explained this. I think I will go to my GP and ask what it is actually for. It's encouraging that it didn't have side effects for you Boggle... micronor was God-awful for me so I'm hoping it won't be a repeat of that. Have warned DH that I might be (even more) hormonal!

You can temp to see retrospectively if you've ovulated and opks will show an LH surge but my understand is that LH surges don't tend to happen in pcos women as your hormones are out of balance.

I'm so spotty 😫😫😫

Ok, I'm CD35 and still BFN, so it is time to break out the provera. A couple of questions for you all:

• Does a provera bleed count as a period - i.e. should I start taking clomid then?
• How long does it tend to take from beginning provera to period starting?
• If I was to get my period the day after starting provera, would I keep taking provera and clomid simultaneously?

Sorry it's got to provera time 😔

Provera will bring on AF and you can start clomid on which ever day you've been instructed to. It isn't like a withdrawal bleed like you'd have on the pill.

For me personally, I took provera for a week and then had to wait another full week to 10 days for AF to appear despite the fact I was told it would only take a few days. Guess it varies from woman to woman.

I would think that if you took provera but started AF 2 days in, I'd stop taking it as you don't need it. Always worth checking though.

I know the feeling about the spots boggle, I'm the same! I've got these horrible raised ones all over my cheeks that even makeup can't cover up. Bloody PCOS, not only makes it hard to conceive but to add insult to injury makes us fat, spotty and hairy at the same time!!!

I've never heard of provera for more than a week or two to induce a bleed so no help there I'm afraid.

Satsooma I would say yes-it counted as a bleed for me to have my day 2 bloods taken so think it goes as a real one. I agree with boggle too I wouldn't take provera with clomid but the provera builds up the lining then it breaks down once you've stopped so I don't think it would be likely you'd bleed before finishing it.

Also, re seeing an endocrine nurse I have a friend who is diabetic and sees one regularly. She saw her for her own pregnancy and ttc issues and said that she was fantastic-they are specialised in all things hormone so should be very knowledgable.

Ps. Don't get me started on spots! The last couple of months I feel the PCOS has really taken hold and o have spots PLUS some random dark hairs on my face which seem to be multiplying!

I even get breakouts in my hairline and also on the back of my neck and top of my back. I haven't had such things since I was about 15 so feeling about as sexy as a dishcloth!

Stupid bloody hormones!!

Are there any good washes or creams for the teenage look that anyone can recommend? X

lol changing - our posts crossed we had a shared rant about PCOS and bloody spots!

My nips 😫😫😫😫😫

Omg boggle! You think this is your cycle??

I want to take them off! Only just come on this evening but come on! Enough's enough!

I hope this actually means something.... I'm only 2dpo so I'm prolly just being an over hopeful knob.

Lol boggle if you are pg you'll enjoy every minute of those pains!

Ladies can I ask about AF? Should I be expecting it after a few weeks with metformin? And so if it doesn't come does that mean it's not working?

2 weeks til I test. It's going to be the longest 2 weeks of my life.

Metformin can take a long time to build up in your system. Like 10-12 weeks. I only took it along side clomid so I don't know if it made a difference on its own. Did they give you a time frame summer?

Haven't posted for a long time but wanted to give some encouragement to all you ladies. Having been diagnosed with PCOS 11 years ago we concieved dd1 after 3 rounds of Clomid and dd2/ds1 (twins) following a laparoscopy and increased Clomid round 1( can't remember dosage). Sounds like an easy ride written like that - it was anything but at the time but hang in there ladies!

Hi all, I've just popped in to pick your brains, if that's ok. I'm not TTC (good luck to you all btw) but I do think I might have PCOS. How did you get diagnosed? My doctor's aren't that helpful and tend to fob me off so I think I will probably have to push to be tested. I'm not overweight but I do have slightly irregular periods, acne, oily skin etc and I think i have blood sugar problems. My worry is that they'll just want to put me on the pill or say it's not an issue as I'm not overweight or TTC. Any advice is appreciated.

I'm not sure user1475253854. If you only have slightly irregular periods and you are not TTC, I am not sure what help the doctor would be able to offer, even with a diagnosis.

I'm not saying that your issues are not important, but there is no pill that gets rid of your PCOS. The only treatments that I am aware of are to regulate very irregular/absent periods, or to help you ovulate if you are TTC.

Thanks for the info Boggle and Summer. I started Provera yesterday, so probably a few weeks before I have any more news.

Summer: I don't really knwo the answer to your question. I was told to take metformin for 6 weeks, and when there was still no AF, I was referred to a fertility clinic.

Thanks for reply satsoooma. I suppose I thought that it would be better to know? It doesn't really affect my life hugely, apart from having had bad skin for years but with the links to insulin resistance etc if I knew what it was I would know why my body does certain things etc. I think that's what I'm worried about - that as there is nothing I can do they might say what's the point in being tested.

Hi user, I got tested for pcos before TTC but that's because I came off the pill and didn't have a period in like 9 months. I also had a good GP who had helped with other MH issues I had so she was happy to do blood tests and refer me for an ultrasound.

Satsooma, hopefully the provera won't take long to work. 7 days for taking it and maybe another week for it to kick start AF. Then you can crack on with clomid again.

Hello everyone I am new here. I am 29 yrs old and have PCOS and have been TTC for a year. I am currently completing all the tests to be referred for Clomid (hopefully!-apparently my CCG are very fussy) I need to do my CD21 and CD2-5 blood tests although as you know it could be a long wait until AF arrives!!! Quite overwhelming starting this all and wondering what to expect next. Are any other ladies at the same stage or going through the same thing. I have read only 4/10 ladies get pregnant through clomid so I am trying not to get my hopes up. And also I am worried I won't be prescribed it due to all these requirements and conditions I need to seem to fulfill. Still hoping it will happen naturally although with cycles up to 69 days it's proving difficult!

Hi SummerHopin...not sure how to tag you in but I noticed you are on metaformin...this is something that has always confused me. Was you prescribed that first because of insulin resistance? I always thought the first port of call was clomid? I have a low BMI but I wonder if it is still possible to be insulin resistant. I am contemplating going on a low GI diet and cutting out dairy (although I have been told by doc I mustn't lose any weight). I am wondering whether i should have a glucose test to check! Sorry for all the Q's still new to this! Thank you