Confusion about PCOS

[Rosieposy89]

Hey, I hope I have posted this in the right place. I was just after some advice about PCOS and diagnostic criteria. I'm 30 and we are on cycle 8 TTC number 1.

I have often wondered if I have PCOS. My periods are regular and I appear to ovulate (I get ovulation pain and mucus changes). However, I do have some of the symptoms - I have facial hair and am quite hairy, I gain weight really easily and get spots on my chin, back and chest (my husband is so lucky hahaha). I had a pelvic ultrasound in June as I was getting midcycle pain but the scan came back clear - so no cysts. I had a blood test but I was unsure what that was checking.

Looking at the NHS website I can't have PCOS as I don't have irregular or no periods and no cysts. I believe you need 2 of the 3 criteria. I was just wondering how stringent that is?

I haven't really discusses my PCOS symptoms with my GP as I am a bit embarrassed but I'm wondering if it's why we are not pregnant yet x

80% of couples will conceive within a year. That's only 4 out of 5! We're led to believe at school that all it takes is kissing, but a huge number of people won't find it easy.

The bloods you're looking for are you fsh and lh, taken on days 2-5 of your cycle. Taken on different days, the result is meaningless.

It's not impossible to have pcos with cysts, but I'd say it's unlikely you've got it without cysts and with regular cycles. It's the irregularity of cycles that tends to make it difficult to conceive with pcos, that and the maturity of the eggs.

Also, up to 30% of women have polycysitic ovaries. A large number of these women don't have pcos.

Conception is mostly having LOTS of sex and pot luck.

Took me two and a half years, and still no idea why we only got pregnant with ivf... it's a total headfuck. But statistics are still very much on your side!!

If you suspect PCOS you could try a PCOS friendly diet to see if that helps for the next cycle as it is affected by insulin spikes.

Low sugar and low sweetener and no refined carbs is what you should aim for.

I had PCOS (no symptoms other than the cysts showing on the ultrasound and weird periods) but managed to get pregnant very quickly once I’d changed my diet.