Potential diagnosis of PCOS

[beckysbobbles]

Hi all,

I'm very new here but I've often read threads on here with great interest and seen some valuable advice.

I recently had an internal examination and the doctor suspects I have PCOS. I have a scan on Friday to confirm the full extent.

I'm 32 and don't have children. I've always been waiting to have them with the right man and I'm finally in a solid relationship with a lovely man. We've only been together 8 months but he knows my desire to have children.

He has three beautiful children and I've been so lucky to be able to interact with them. His relationship with his ex is pretty good (obviously has it's ups and down) but he is an amazing father and I could see myself having children with him.

I always thought I wanted to be married before having children but now I'm not sure. I've been open with him about what the doctor said and I did float the idea to him about me removing the coil some time next year to see if we can fall pregnant. Obviously this was a bit of a shock to him and he explained it's best for us to wait until we're both ready.

I guess what I'm trying to understand is how have other people been living with PCOS?

I went to the doctor as I had pain during sex and a bit of bleeding afterwards. Obviously I've been reading loads and now I see a few other things. My periods are light but regular (every 28 days). But I have noticed more hair on my belly, skin tags on my arm pit and I'm struggling to lose weight.

I'm very active. I exercise 4-5 times per week, I eat fairly healthy (maybe average of 1200-1500 calories a day, higher in protein) but I massively struggle to shift any weight. I used to be able to fairly easily but I've been dieting before holidays and barely made a dent.

I'm 5'2" and I weight 68kg so I'm classed as overweight. This is very frustrating considering how active I am but what can I do.

I just thought I'd reach out and here any tips on how to deal with this. I haven't had the scan yet so it might not even be this bad but I guess I'm just freaking out :-(

PCOS cannot be ruled out here. You may want to look at Verity's PCOS website which is www.verity-pcos.org.uk/

Some PCOS patients find that a low GI/GL (glycaemic index/glycaemic load) eating plan can help with PCOS. However, there is no one therapy or cure for this as the cystic follicles on the ovaries do return.

Did the doctor make any comment about pain during sex; I ask only as pain during sex can be linked to endometriosis. If it continues this possibility should be investigated further.

If you do receive a PCOS diagnosis I would seek medical help if you did want to conceive sooner rather than later.

I have PCOS.
I piled on 2 stone in a year even though I hadn't changed my eating or exercise habits and couldn't shift a pound no matter what I tried. My hair was falling out and my skin was bad. I then went from jan- aug last year without a period. I was diagnosed with a polycystic right ovary and extremely polycystic left ovary.
I had an awful, heavy, painful period in the August and they have been regular ever since. My skin has cleared up and my doctor put me on Metformin and I've managed to shift nearly 2 stone without trying.

Hi beckysbobbles,
We have popped your thread into Conception as it's a better fit for the question. Good luck!

Thanks for the replies. I don't really know much about endometriosis but I can't imagine it's a good thing.

I have the scan tomorrow and I might mention it to see what they think.

It's such a difficult one with the TTC as I've only been with my boyfriend for 8 months so I don't feel like I can put this pressure on him to start trying now but equally how difficult it will be if we decide in say 1/2 years then it could take years to fall pregnant. I could easily be in my late 30's by the time I fall pregnant. Certainly not what I was planning :-(

I have PCOS and I've never had any trouble conceiving. In fact I've twice got pregnant by accident and once in the first month of trying. Ido however have the other symptoms such as hair falling out on my head but appearing in other areas! Inability to lose weight and very irregular periods. I do occasionally have some spotting around ovulation which is what led to me being diagnosed. For me the worst part is the weight gain which I think is related to insulin resistance. In your situation I wouldn't rush into trying for a baby when you've only been together for 8 months and it sounds like he's not ready yet. Hope the scan goes ok - I'm sure the GP will give you further information and help once you have the results.

We definitely won't be rushing. I think my mind was just working over time the other day but thankfully I'm back to my senses.

The scan was uncomfortable but went ok. Both ovaries look healthy and they had around 12 eggs in each. The sonographer did say it looks like PCOS and possibly endometriosis so I have a Consultants appointment booked for 1st November to discuss treatment.

Thanks for the information and support.

To be honest I would calm down about the whole thing as you risk scaring off a lovely man by moving too fast. 8 months into a relationship is far too soon to suggest coming off birth control.

I have pcos and the main thing I have done to improve my fertility is to keep my weight down. If I were you I would go onto a low carb diet and shift some weight so that when the time is right your body will be in a better position fertility wise.

Thanks. He wouldn't be running for the hills. He has three lovely children and we both openly spoke on our first date about wanting(more) children so that' ok but I don't like any pressure so I prefer to just chill a bit.

We are in no hurry but I think I just initially panicked.

The weight is such a hard one as I exercise a lot and don't eat a huge amount of carbs anyways. I'm a size 10 so I'm not big but I'm short so the BMI shows me as overweight.

I feel a bit better knowing other people have fallen pregnant without many issues whilst having PCOS so I do feel more calm thank you.

Please keep us posted. I found this thread as have endometriosis and struggling to conceive. I get terrible pain in my left and I know I have an endometrioma cyst there but awaiting a laparoscopy to find out more. Anywho, I got side tracked. I've put on half a stone lately and I've always been hairy in the arm region but I feel like it's got loads worse which led me to some mumsnetting and landed here. I go to the gym/swim for 30-40 mins 3/4 times a week but the weight won't move 🙄