TTC over 12 months, what is going on? Possible PCOS? Pls help

[liveinhope100]

Hi all,

So I have been ttc for over a year now and it’s been such an emotional and stressful journey. I decided to pay privately for an internal scan and was told everything looks perfect except I may have PCOS. He said I have 18 follicles in my right ovary and about 14 in my left BUT my blood tests have come back normal so does this mean I don’t have PCOS? I’m so confused. I do opks every month and get a peak but does this mean even if I get a peak ahd LH surge that I still may not ovulate? I got pregnant once about 10 years ago but that did not last. So I wonder if it's possible to develop PCOS? Would love to hear if anyone else has been in the same situation and can offer some advice.

This month I have self-medicated on soy isoflavones (day 3-7) until the doctors finally do something about it but now my blood tests have come back normal I doubt they will even prescribe me clomid. (FYI – I also paid for an HSG and was told my tubes are clear). Any help and/or advice would be really appreciated.

@cheezels - you can get pregnant just on clomid, but clomid has shown to be slightly more effective in trials if metformin has been taken for 3-6 months before starting clomid in women with PCOS.

Hey @SunStruck

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis but great news that your OBGYN said you shouldn't have any problems conceiving. Good luck for this cycle hopefully you will have some good news soon!

Update on my side...so my blood tests came back normal and I went for another scan today. The lady said that even though I have lots of follicles (18 in right and 14 in the left) she said it doesn't look like PCOS. She said the follicles aren't all small and i most likely have multi-follicular ovaries which i think is another way of saying i have PCO (from the research I have just done). So it seems like nothing is really wrong??

Just so frustrating that I have been trying for over a year and AF turns up everytime without fail...I have literally tried everything....all the tests (scans, blood tests, HSG), opks, conceive plus, pressed, EPO, soy isoflavones and even cough syrup.

@chezels usually metformin is prescribed to manage weight and to induce ovulation. Typically those who have PCOS remain on metformin for the rest of their lives regardless of conception. It’s an important step in the prevention of diabetes as of weight loss, healthy diet, and exercise. PCOS is a metabolic disease that impacts fertility but first and foremost, a metabolic disease.

@liveinhope100 has your partner been checked as well? Both sleep count and DNA damage?
Most couples fall pregnant by the 24 months. Not what you want to hear I know. I am in the identical boat as you. I have PCO but apparently it’s quite common (25% of fecund age women) and most women don’t even know it and it’s a year and a half for us now. 😔 our BFP is coming.

Sorry that should say sperm count.

I have really irregular cycles, anything from 27-42 days is “normal” for me, so we found it really difficult to plan when to dtd and I found that the lack of control I had over the situation was making me quite stressed and I felt like a failure because I had no idea what was going on. I researched a couple of different options and eventually decided that it wasn’t admitting defeat to get help so I ordered the OvuSense sensor and it has made things SO much better, it’s so easy to use and tells you clearly when you are ovulating, so now I don’t have to worry about trying to analyse every little thing or remember to do OPKs at specific times because it’s all taken care of. It’s quite expensive but there always seem to be offer codes available, and it has made me so much more relaxed about the whole thing.

I also was wrongly diagnosed with PCOS a few years ago - diagnosis now revoked, and had a polyp removed last October, which completely messed with being able to see any kind of pattern with my cycle

@liveinhope - cough syrup?? Is this some weird trick I don’t know about?!

@MapleAndCats OH has that attitude 'it will happen when it's meant to' and he doesn't want to 'force' it so it''s been a struggle getting him to get checked out but he has finally agreed so that's next on the list.

I'm so impatient though - this whole journey has been so stressful. I know your 6 months ahead of me as well so I shouldn't moan but I get so disappointed each month seeing those BFN's. I think now I've got to the stage where I pretty much expect AF to arrive so I might just try and relax for next 6 months and see what happens...

@Dinosauraddict haha yeah! So basically the cough syrups' main active ingredient has to be 'guaifenesin' and it basically thins the mucus in your body.

I thought maybe my CM isn't 'friendly' to the sperm so last month I took Robitussin for a few days around ovulation. Obviously it didn't get me my BFP but i'm going to try that again this month (along with conceive plus). I'm literally trying everything and anything these days!

Wow @liveinhope, I truly thought nothing would surprise me anymore! Good luck with that approach, I must admit that I was forcing myself to drink grapefruit juice for the benefit of my cervical mucus (and I detest grapefruit juice). The things we do when TTC eh!

@dinosauraddict

Not sure you can help me again but looks like just from googling that I have the thin pcos. I have regular periods but have high testerone and androgens in blood test. My GP seemed to think the testerone and androgens will kill the egg??? so will the metaformin help reduce the testerone and androgens and help the egg survive as my periods are regular. What does the mataformin do? Sorry for so many questions this has been such a shock for me as i don’t have the typical irregular periods and hairy face

@explorers10 they honestly probably won’t do anything for you. Or they will try to put you on medication to reduce androgens. Metformin can sometimes do that but it’s not the main focus. If your doctor is lazy, their simple solution will be metformin. You should look into a diet that may help reduce androgens for a start.

@liveinhope100 I totally understand. My hubby has the same more positive attitude but I can tell even he is beginning to feel disheartened. I’m glad yours is finally getting checked. We are waiting to hear back if mine has any DNA damage because if that’s not it, then the only likelihood left is endometriosis but I really don’t want the laparoscopy 😔 we have to wait until April 30 to find out about DH though so one more cycle being left on our own with few answers if this one didn’t work. I don’t have a single symptom so I’m guessing I’m still barren.
And don’t feel bad to feel bad. Someone always has it worse than us but it doesn’t make the situation hurt any less. I constantly think of all these women who abuse their children, or take heroin whilst pregnant, or abort them, or abandon them, and wonder - why do they have children and not me? I would love them to the best of my ability.
But here we are. Hang in there. We can do this.

Also I did the grapefruit thing for two months but couldn’t stomach it anymore. Drinking lots and lots of water helps too! And raspberry tea apparently as well for the living. It’s definitely more palatable!
Maple

@Explorers - your GP has rightly referred you for a scan to check whether or not you have PCOS. Google will not tell you this, I would strongly suggest you wait for scan results and don’t try and self-diagnose. You sound like you’re in a panic, but (as annoying as it is to say and hear it) stress does not help anyone TTC. You need to wait for your scan.

@MapleAndCats It really is nice it is talking to someone that understands and is going through something similar.

Hopefully the results come back fine for your hubby, shame you have to wait a month or so but atleast you will know for sure and it's not like we aren't all used to waiting. I feel like I spent my whole life waiting....waiting to come off AF, waiting for fertile days then that awful TWW.
Completely understand about the endometriosis - I don't want to have a laparoscopy either. Do you have any other symptoms? And is your cycle regular?

I think my main concern for me is that i'm too acidic down there...The lady doing my scan today said that this can be the problem with some women which is why artificial insemination can work well but no chance of my OH agreeing to that this year!

I know what you mean completely about the mums and abused/unloved children. It really is not fair considering how much we would love our own. Also, I can't tell you how many pregnant women i see out and about these days, even on my way home from work everyday. It’s like as soon as I started trying they all started appearing…or maybe I just started noticing it a lot more

Anyway, as you said we can do this. Just got to keep on going and remain positive.

@dinosauraddict

You are right I am in a panic, anxiety is really high at the moment which makes me think I have it as one of the symptoms of pcos. I do need to calm down. Thank you for your reply it is helping me but i was so shocked by the blood tests

@Explorers - not a problem and I don’t want to sound harsh at all. I know this is difficult, I really do.

Good luck for those of you waiting for SA results.

@dinosauraddict no your response was not harsh it is what I needed to calm myself down.

Can I ask what your situation is? Have you had any children with PCOs? I’ve already had 1 child so finding it difficult to take the news. Will try to relax. I’ve taken this month off TTC as I think it’s what I need to do with all the stress I’m putting myself under.

Hi @explorers, I don’t mind you asking at all; but I’m probably not a reassuring case study - I’m still TTC my first. I’m 28 and was actually diagnosed with PCOS at 15, so was always aware this could be an issue when I later TTC. My DH’s results were completely clear though - it’s only me that’s the ‘problem’...

@liveinhope100 I don’t have any true symptoms of endo but my mom had it and it was diagnosed owed laparoscopically and theoretically both my grandmothers had it. They had a lot of trouble conceiving for no apparent reason.
My only real symptoms are: obviously the genetic component, cramping from ovulation until period (the entire luteal phase), and pre period spotting. Normally 2-3 days but has been up to TEN!!! Though exercising, diet, and supplements has seemed to make it a lot less intense. And I have a very painful day 1, like I can’t function without extra strength ibuprofen. But that level of pain medication is sufficient. And I also always have diarrhea on day 1. Which is apparently a sign.
But it could also not be a sign. Who the heck knows anymore.
My cycle is pretty regularly. Usually 29, but can sometimes be 27 to 32 days but I always know exactly when I ovulate because of the CBFM, and my luteal phase is always 15 days. So I always know once I ovulate precisely how long my cycle will be.
I totally understand how you’re fed up with waiting. If I never have to force myself to DTD again it would be too soon.
I’m so tired of my stupid lady bits being stupid. Ugh.
Maple

Wow @MapleAndCats I feel like I wrote that! My grandmother took over 2 years to conceive and my mum took 5 years (was told she couldn't have kids) I just pray it doesn't take me that long!

I don't get cramping or spotting like you but the day AF arrives is always agony. Literally the pain has woken me up before and even the strongest of tablets don't work. I also get diarrhea too. Didn't realise that was a symptom :(

Similar cycle to you too. 28-32 days but usually day 29. Out of interest what CD do you normally ovulate?

I need to work out my luteal phase actually, I'm guessing best way to do that is temping?

@liveinghope100 looks like we are living very similar lives!!
I usually ovulate day 13-15. But I have a weird 15 days luteal phase and most women is 14. Statistically speaking you probably ovulate day 15. Honestly, save yourself the time and hassle and confusion and just get a Clear Blue Advanced Fertility Monitor. It gets rid of all the guess work and you save a lot of money. You don’t actually have to use ten sticks every cycle, I use around 6/7 (once you reach peak day 1 it goes into automatic mode for peak day 2 and high day after peak day 2, so you can just keep sticking in the same stick until it tells you to stop). After the initial investment it’s much cheaper than individual tests. And it learns your cycle too. It is sent by god to women. Seriously. I use the “Marquette Method” chart printout to track my cycles using both the monitor and my CM, and once you see the pattern right there on the chart it’s so easy to figure out the patterns your body is following. You can also do pregnancy tests with it. You can buy the box of sticks that come with pregnancy tests or the box without. I bought a bunch with tests as it was all that was available when I lived in Germany but now I get the ones without the tests as I don’t test anymore until the day of AF and I always get AF plus spotting I always know I haven’t conceived.
We used it at first to postpone pregnancy. Which clearly we didn’t need to be doing. Hah hah. Cruel joke stupid body. And now to try to conceive.
My grandmother took five years and four years for each child. And my mom was 7 months and four months but she had the laparoscopy before conceiving my brother. And my other grandmother took around five years and had multiple miscarriages and ended up adopting two before having her natural born kids, my mother included.
They were all in their early twenties. I’m 32 next week 🤦🏻‍♀️
Ugh.
It’s nice to have a fellow cycle sister though!!!

Maple

@MapleAndCats we definitely are! I think I ovulate around day 14-15 as well. I use the clearblue ovulation sticks but not the advanced fertility monitor. This one just goes straight to solid smiley but I never know if I've caught the surge early or late and as it says you usually ovulate 12-36 hours after surge i just assume I ovulate the next day. It's weird though because they say your luteal phase usually stays the same yet I've had a few cycles that have been 32-36 since trying so maybe I have ovulated later than I thought

What a journey your grandmother and mother had. It just shows you have to keep persevering and it will happen, let's hope it doesn't take as long for either of us.

Hopefully you get a very special birthday gift next week, you never know And don't worry I'm not that far behind you, turning 30 this year...and there was I thinking I'd be married with two kids by now lol