Really scared I have PCOS

[LailaDay]

OK, I know I should not get too freaked out, but I cannot stop obsessing.

I'm 33, married for nine years, and have been off birth control for five years. We've had "careless" sex during those years - we didn't really want a baby yet, but it wouldn't be unwelcome, so we used condoms together with the classic coitus interruptus. No accidents and no pregnancy. I thought we were just lucky.

Now we've been TTC since August. It turns out it is actually hard.

My cycles are long but regular-ish: between 32-37 days or so. I have never skipped one. I've used Clearblue Digital OPKs and got a positive test almost immediately both times (day 15 - so very early in my cycle). When I keep testing it seems my LH levels are all over the place. My cervical mucus as well. I have bad PMS.

Reading more about PCOS I have a lot of the symptoms although in a mild form: scattered dark hairs around my nipples (about 20 or so), acne (mild, but every month, usually in the second half of my cycle), a bit of an apple shape (BMI is 22 though - all fine - no history of thyroid issues).

Supposedly you have to try for a year before seeing a GP. With my story, do you recommend getting checked out early? Any recognition from ladies with PCOS? Or am I just too nervous and making too much of small abnormalities that are actually perfectly normal?

I didn't have a period for 6 months that is why I got tested and found out I had PCOS. However my periods started again on their own and I conceived after the second period (when we were trying to be careful as we had been referred for PGD due to a genetic condition) I have never taken anything for my PCOS and have been pregnant twice. We had not been trying either time! I don't think you have to wait a year if you want to be tested for PCOS?

Nipple hair is normal. A 32-37 day regular cycle is normal. Cystic acne, although unfortunate, is not abnormal in your 30s.

I have PCOS and I don't have periods at all without medication. I've gone up to 18 months at a time with no periods. That's abnormal.

And I'm 35 and 17 weeks pregnant after two years of trying

IVF clinics love pcos. It means higher egg reserve usually, a good response to meds (once you’ve gotten the plan right) and a good success rates (most pcos sufferers under 40 will get pregnant within 4 cycles). If you have PCOS it’s definitely not as bad as other explained or unexplained fertility conditions

@Hopeislost - no, all of those things are outside "normal". You are just a lot further outside "normal". Congratulations on your pregnancy! You must be thrilled! :)

@Cherries101 - that is good to know!

Thanks all for responding and chatting!

I was diagnosed with PCOS before we started TTC, and I was told it was good to have the diagnosis because they could give me metformin to help (even though symotoms weren’t really bothering me) and by having the PCOS diagnosis on file I would be able to access fertility services quicker.