Trying to conceive with PCOS

[Wilsonicus]

Hi everyone!

I'm new here, so hello! I thought it might help to talk to some like minded ladies, before my husband's head blows up with constant fertility/baby talk!

Is anyone else trying to conceive with PCOS? Hows it going for you?

I only got diagnosed about a year ago (after 3 years of trying with no success), and I've been losing weight and trying to get healthy since then. I've lost two stone (woo) and I've had 4 relatively normal (34 days apart) periods, so this month I decided to start using OPKs and being militant about baby making. I got SO EXCITED when I saw the positive OPK line, I just about cried!

I've been seeing a fertility doc for the last few months, and sadly we found out that I have a massive angry cyst on my left ovary, so I'm on the waiting list for surgery, and I'm not allowed to have any proper treatment until old Gerald the unwanted cyst has been evicted! However, my doc did say that there was a chance I could still get pregnant in the mean time, and it was okay to go ahead and try!

However, I've never really talked to anyone else who has PCOS, or who needed cyst removal surgery. Has anyone had similar experiences to me? How hard did PCOS make it for you to get pregnant? If anyone's had a cyst taken out, did that help? What was recovery like? Honestly, I would just love to talk to anyone about all this stuff - its so confusing and scary and complicated!! (also my poor husband visibly pales every time I say the words 'egg white cervical mucus' to him - poor lad).

Hi Wilsonicus, I too have PCOS. Was diagnosed at 15 (12 years ago) and at the time they suggested a hysterectomy which I refused. I am off the implant and TTC, but don’t have regular cycles (last three were 53 days, 14 days, and 177 days)! My poor Clue app has no hope.

Hi girls!

Was just about to start a PCOS thread for support but just found this .

I'm 25 - DH 28.
Technically cycle 3 still even though it's been like 7 months!

I'm currently being tested for PCOS, bloods are now back and my testosterone is 2.9 & androstenedione is 14.1 . I have all the classic symptoms. Have my ultrasound on the 21st.

Been trying since January and had 3 periods since then. Currently CD 47. Feel so crappy! Just want to ovulate and hopefully conceive. Since I came off the pill I've struggled to deal with the changes I'm going through. Loads more excess hair, acne that won't budge and the weight gain. Grr.

@Dinosauraddict I can't believe they suggested a hysterectomy for PCOS! Idiots! PCOS does not mean you're infertile! Thank god you refused.
OP, I think you're going about things 100% the right way! If you do your research (which I'm sure you have) losing just 5% of your body weight (sounds like you've already exceeded that) can dramatically improve pcos symptoms! Hence your cycles becoming more regular! Me & DP were TTC for 3 years, I weighed 12 & 1/2 stone quite over weight for my 5ft3 height. I went on a diet & got down to 10 stone & about 3 months after losing the weight I got my BFP. My DD just turned 1 I NEVER thought it would happen for me but I truly believe losing the weight gave me back my fertility & boy was it worth it. (Although I know it's not easy) keep doing what you're doing & im sure you will get your BFP. Of course there is always clomid if not, which isn't to invasive & does seem to have very good success rates. Good luck to you all

Thanks @beautiful - it’s great to hear your experiences! I’m also one that’s trying to lose weight. Lost 2 dress sizes so far (down to a UK 14), but still above ideal weight which works out as a size 12 for me. I do find it reassuring though to know that Clomid is an option in the future if necessary!

Hi there

I have PCOS and was so stressed about how hard it might be to get pregnant. Like you by the time I was ready to try I had regular(ish) 34-40 day cycles. Got pregnant both times on first attempt. Had been prepared for a long time trying and the possible need for meds by doctor. That's what I was expecting. So I just wanted to let you know that PCOS doesn't always mean you will struggle to conceive. Hope it all goes well!

@salty - Mumsnet needs a ‘like’ button

Hi I'm trying to conceive with PCOS and currently on clomid and metformin. The clomid has regulated my periods (were 90+days) now 34 day cycles and the blood tests show I'm ovulating but I've had 3 unsuccessful cycles so far.
I'm trying to lose weight with slimming world but my bmi is only 26 but I've lost 1/2stone so far.
Really glad to have found this thread. TTC with pcos can be a difficult journey especially when it seems everyone else in the world is pregnant right now!

Completely understand how you feel @onawish, I was on metformin but new GP took me off it, saying that they don’t recommend it anymore :/ Worried me at the time, still worries me now. Am expecting to have to use clomid but not there yet - last 3 cycles have varied between 14 days and 177 days: really helpful!!

@Dinosauraddict
I've heard really good things about Inofolic for pcos I think it's a natural alternative to metformin which might be worth doing some reading on. If clomid is your next step, on a positive the side effects aren't as bad as I was expecting, only had one mad b*tch rage in 3 cycles haha
How long have you been TTC? I'm only 27 so age is on my side but ridiculously impatient!

Hi, another one ttc with pcos - I'm on Clomid which hasn't worked (as in, no ovulation) so feeling a bit shit at the moment. I'm not overweight, exercise regularly & take inositol daily so not sure what else I can do!

When you say angry cyst op, what does that mean by it being angry? I have a cyst on the left ovary that's being monitored & may need to come out. Do you know how long you might have to wait? Hope you're feeling OK about it.

Good luck everyone.

@onawish - snap re age, i’m Also 27! And thanks for the inofolic tip, will do some digging on that, as I haven’t heard of it before!

Hi I’m ttc and I have PCOS and endometriosis. I was diagnosed 8 years ago when I was 14 and had surgery to remove some cysts and the endometriosis. I have a very irregular cycle sometimes going 6 months with no periods. My last 2 cycles have been 65days and I had my bloods done to see if I’m ovulating and they came back all normal. I have to wait for a few more months and then if nothing I will be able to get medication to help :)

Hi All

I'm new to MN (still trying to get to grips with the abbreviations 😊)

I'm 31 and was diagnosed with PCOS in April after having irregular periods for a year since coming off my pill last year. I had a blood test and US scan. My GP was really helpful and said to go back if we were having no joy after trying for 3 months and she would refer us to a fertility clinic. We have only just started TTC because we went on honeymoon to a high risk Zika country in Jan. I'm CD 26 but don't really know when I ovulate as my periods have been a bit all over the place! My last 2 were around 48 days but the one before that was 150. I've been using Clue app to track symptoms (cramping, bad skin etc) and think I may be ovulating soon so will keep positive! I'm also taking supplements (inositol, vit D, zinc, omega 3, chromium, cinnamon, magnesium, b vitamins) and generally trying to eat healthy and exercise which seems to be helping with cycle length.

I actually know a few people with PCOS who have become pregnant recently. One of them said she wasn't even having periods and she fell pregnant. Another was put on Clomid after trying for 2 years and became pregnant in her 3rd cycle. I'm trying to be positive and not over think it but it is difficult. Ive always wanted to be a mum and feel like I've waited such a long time already because of Zika!

It's good to hear from others in the same position as me- I'm thinking about it a lot and don't want to overwhelm my husband 😂

@Dinosauraddict
It's quite expensive but my consultant said I could try it if metformin didn't agree with me. I have a friend who took it before IVF and got pregnant on the first go so it's worth a shot I've decided to try cutting back on my carbs to see if that helps at all.

@SesameSn4p
Welcome! That's so good to hear your gp has been supportive, I didn't get diagnosed until TTC for 6 months without a period and still had to pester gp for test so that's such a positive start. 3 months isn't long - most people find it takes a little longer but sounds like you're doing everything possible to give yourself the best chances! I'm totally going to hold onto your friends success story on clomid! 3rd cycle this month, ovulated everytime but no BFP yet, hoping for this month!!

@onawish - we’ve all got our fingers crossed for you too following that clomid story! Re inofolic, have you found the cheapest place to get it? I’d want the capsules not the sachets but there seems to be a lot of options and I’m not sure where to start!

Hi @sesame, lovely of you to join us, welcome, and thanks for the positivity (it’s not my top skill tbh, so great to hear good stories)! And I know what you mean about trying not to overwhelm your husband, it’s really important to me that mine is really engaged with the process, but I also don’t want to put too much pressure on him, or turn the process into too much of a medical experience :/ Difficult balance!

Hey ladies can I join you? Hope you're all hanging in there and some BFPs are on the way.

I was told I have PCOS at an ultrasound recently. TTC for 8 cycles or so now with no luck (started summer last year). I have a GP appt to discuss ultrasound results tomorrow and am tempted to ask for metformin, not sure if I'd be allowed it.

I feel so confused. I'm not overweight (5'9 and just under 11st) but I do have to watch what I eat more these days and am more sedentary exercise wise. I don't eat badly but some seem to say diet and exercise can help PCOS a lot? My periods are not regular but aren't crazy inconsistent, had a couple that were 42 and 48 days this year otherwise 25-35 days ish. Worryingly I started OPKs up again and I used to get positives, but I don't seem to anymore. I'm worried at the complete random trend my body seems to be following. That I was ovulating and we just had no luck, and that now I just don't seem to be ovulating at all. BBT suggested I did last cycle, but no +ve OPK. Will have to see what BBT says this cycle

Hi @Ornicus!

Update from me - AF yesterday which means a 24 day cycle (very irregular, but much better length than last few months have been), and started BBT from today, so see if that helps tracking etc. Not happy about the 5am wake-ups now on weekends to match my weekdays though, but if i’m going to do it, better do it properly!

Hi, how’s everyone getting on? After speaking with you lot I spoke to my GP and am now on metformin for the PCOS and am also having 21 day bloods on next cycle to see if i’m actually ovulating - still no bfp, but this feels like progress!