PCOS

[Mummy2bebe]

Hi all,

I'm actually pregnant (33 weeks now) but wanted to dicuss PCOS as it's something I regularly think about.

I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 17 or 18.. since then, I haven't really used contraception. I fell pregnant last summer for the first time ever, and of course decided to keep the baby as I never thought I could have kids.

I'm just wondering what peoples thoughts are on the following -

• Have you got PCOS and was it hard to get pregnant?
• Is it rare to have fallen pregnant only once in ten years?
• Would anyone have decided not to keep their child based on these facts if they weren't in a relationship?
• How did your pregnancy with PCOS go?

So many questions, I'd love to talk to other people who have PCOS.

:)

Hi OP

We don't think infertility is the right place for this - we're going to move it to conception now.

I've PCOS, but also endometrial cysts (and possibly elsewhere, but not had a lap); not sure which one is more problematic in terms of fertility for me. About to make an appt with docs so guess may find out over next few months.

We've been trying since jan 2018, and I just had my first positive test - followed by a late period, so a chem. in hindsight going through my records, i suspect I may have only ovulated successfully three or four times over this year - there are very clear months where I get cramps. I think I may have had another chem in July, but didn't test, so not sure. But I recorded cramps at the right time for implantation.

This chem has been nice in a way, to know we 'can', though I'm worried that perhaps something is stopping them being viable now.

I find it eminently depressing that we seem to know so little about something which is actually so common. Can't help feeling if it was men, we'd have a cure by now...

@flyingplum - I have two friends who also have both endometrial cysts and PCOS. It is so frustrating for them too.

There is definitely hope if other people have become pregnant though!

I totally agree that it is really sad, there isn't enough information out there for women with these conditions. Especially to answer all of the questions that we have. It's like you're clueless until you actually start trying for a child. (Or often when people are just about to give up trying and then fall pregnant!)

Please keep me posted on here of your progress, if you ever feel like you need an outlet! It sounds very much like you know what you're actually doing and that you have good support behind you in order to get the results you want!

Have faith to keep on persevering, you'll get there. I never ever thought I would.. being told not to worry is easier said than done, but definitely don't lose hope in trying!!

Hiya

I have pcos and was diagnosed at 16 (im 30 now). We've been ttc but nothing yet.

I have very irregular periods sometimes like 3 a year. I decided around 2 years ago that I needed to give myself atleast a fighting chance so embarked on a weight loss journey. My bmi used to be around 40 and have now got it to 30 by losing approx just under 5 stone. I'm still working out the effects of this as for the first time since I can remember I've had a period in January and this month so hoping something has kick started inside!

My GP was very impressed and said it's one of the hardest things to do losing weight with pcos ad your body is working against you.

I agree its difficult and under researched particularly as so many people have it but whats worse is the long waiting lists for treatment particularly as its so common.

Sending baby dust your way!

I have PCOS and it took us two years to conceive. In that time I believe ovulated about twelve times. I also only have one tube due to a previous ectopic pregnancy, we weren’t trying at the time but were obviously very upset about this.
My pregnancy was pretty standard, I was unusually calm throughout (I thought I’d be constantly worried), although I was sick a lot. I gave birth to my lovely son a few days before his due date.

@sandyk88 bless you - that must be hard!

Well done for loosing so much weight! It's definitely such a struggle with PCOS to budge the weight. And acne.. and horribly stressful hormones aha. But I'm sure you'll get there with ttc.

I did SO much research last year as I had horrible skin (I mean AWFUL) and apparently I was lacking the hormone progesterone so I bought a 100% oil which I wore twice a day. I also took loads of tablets (b3) for my skin. Rather than helping my skin it seemed to balance out my hormones and encourage my body to fall pregnant which was a huge shock to the system.

All I'd say is encourage your body to do what ever feels right, so if that's changing your diet, loosing weight, 100% understanding your cycle etc.. it's like a huge lesson in fully knowing and understanding your body!

Good luck

@Emeraldbridge sounds like a good pregnancy! How amazing! Hope mine goes just as well with having an amazing child (the pregnancy certainly hasn't been nice for me).. fast approaching now!

Love hearing about people able to conceive against the odds!

I love hearing success stories as well! I believe losing some weight and relaxing on holiday helped me - I hate that cliche though! My little one was completely worth the long wait, I’m sure you’ll have an amazing one as well @Mummy2bebe!

Thanks @Mummy2bebe. I've noticed that since I've been taking TTC vitamin pills, my cycle has really regulated. It can't be coincidence. Its still long, but reliably between 34-38 days. I had one 45 day cycle, which is a real improvement on the 60-80 day cycles I was on.

I've got an appt with the doctor to talk about fertility issues - though someone just told me that with my existing diagnoses I might not have had to wait 12 months, which is so annoying sob