Overweight, PCOS and TTC

[Flo269]

Hi All!
This is my first time posting so here it goes. I am 23 and weigh just under 20st. I was told I had PCOS when I was 16 but only had it confirmed at the beginning of this year.

I have been TTC with my fella for almost 2 years but nothing has happened :(

Has anyone else been in the same situation? Have you had any success?

Thanks for listening.... FLO xx

You should seek support from your gp. It's not your weight, but your nim that is important. You may get some tests, but I suggest your gp will tell you to get your BMi under 30 before any treatment.

My doctor has already told me I need to lose weight. I am in the process of losing weight at the moment.
I know that I will not be able to get any help until I have my BMI under 30 but because of my build I doubt I will ever be under 30.
I have very irregular periods and I do not think I even ovulate. I am starting to track my temp.
I feel like anything I ask my Dr falls on deaf ears as everything is always to do with my weight....

Ask your doctor if you could try metformin. I'm overweight, and have pcos and found that this is helping me to lose weight and is also helped to regulate my irregular periods (that were c.55day cycles) to regular 28 day cycles. Might be worth an ask?

Metformin is what I am going to ask about when I see him in a couple of weeks. It is just so frustrating that everything seems to be down to weight...

I have always struggled with my weight and the Dr has always said that my weight is affected by my hormones but my hormones are affected by my weight. Just feels like I cant win lol

I would advise that you eat a diabetic friendly diet, i.e. low carb. This has been found effective for women with PCOS in losing weight and regulating hormones.

Realistically, OP, your chances for pregnancy will improve with weight loss. You know this. Similarly, for you to have a happy, healthy pregnancy and baby, it is very important that you do so. It will take time and there are no short cuts. Your 'build' as you describe it does not come into it. At almost 20 stone you will absolutely lose weight if you follow the correct diet and exercise regime.

Probably not what you want to hear, but this is fact. On the plus side you are still very young and have years to reach your goals.

Good luck.

I already eat a low sugar and low fat diet due to my mum being a type 2 diabetic. I am a sucker for carbs though ... more specifically pasta! I have already been cutting back on all the crap I used to eat such as takeaway and sweets late at night.

I want to lose the weight before falling pregnant so that I can have a happy and healthy pregnancy and baby. I know the risks of being overweight.

I am 5'7 and I am very broad, broad shoulders, hips everything. I have never been small.

I understand that your bone structure may never be that of a waif thin model, Flo. God knows, I'm with you there! However, there is a huge difference between having wide hips and hitting almost 20 stone. Again though, it's a moot point, you know this which is why you are here looking for advice.

I feel carbs are the key. Low sugar is a good start, as sugars are carbs. However, fat is not necessarily a bad thing if you are following this diet correctly. There is even a low carb section here on MN that you could seek inspiration from.

I strongly suggest you give it a go. The fact your mother is Type 2 is a strong indicator that you too could go the same way so even more reason to tackle this now while you're so young.

Being thinner makes a huge difference to PCOS, I mean this kindly as I am a fat PCOS-er myself. There is a some evidence that suggests that women with PCOS stay fertile for longer in famine situations and remain fertile at a much lower weight than other women.

Low-fat is bollocks though, I know that it's still recommended by the NHS but Diabetes UK now recommend low-carb instead (for diabetes obviously but PCOS is also an endocrine disorder and responds well to the same sort of treatment at diabetes).

How do you want to approach it? Would you be willing to follow a very strict diet? In which case consider the 8-Week Blood Sugar Diet by Michael Mosely which is aimed at people with type 2 diabetes and pre diabetes and is based on medical research. I know a few people who have done it and it is fairly tough going but gets excellent results, both in terms of weight loss and in improving blood glucose levels and insulin resistance.

I have changed my eating habits alot in the last few months, I have cut down on the amount of pasta I eat and I rarely eat bread. I have stopped all takeaways and rarely drink coffee, always diet coke. I dont eat chocolate or sweets often, I dont drink and I dont smoke.

With my depression if I am on a down day I will head straight for the cupboards for anything sweet. I have now stopped this. I dont exercise which I think is the issue now.

I guess I just needed to know whether it is possible for someone with PCOS to get pregnant as I have been told I will not fall pregnant naturally.

It is absolutely possible, OP. But your chances will greatly improve with weight loss and hormonal regulation.

Keep up the good work, you've made a great start!

It is entirely possible. Victoria Beckham has PCOS and a whole bundle of kids.

Thanks Reborn I will continue to try and lose weight and see what happens.

BlackAmericanoNoSugar The diet you have mentioned probably would not go so well for me as my job involves alot of unsociable hours and an on-call basis so regular meal times do not happen for me. I eat when I get a chance to and involves whatever I can buy from service stations.

I will look into the diets for diabetics so that I have more of an idea. :)