PCOS - when to visit doctor?

[LaurenWilkinson]

Hi all

Just wanted to seek some advice please if anybody is able to help. Some background -

• Diagnosed with PCOS aged 16 after suffering from pelvic pain and irregular periods
• Was put on the pill to relieve symptoms and told to come back when I decide to start trying for a family
• It might be worth mentioning that I was probably a bit overweight at the time
• Fast forward 15 years and my partner and I are now hoping to start a family. I came off the pill over a year ago to see what would happen with my periods given I’m now at a healthy weight and so much time has passed
• After my withdrawal bleed I didn’t have a period for several months. I was referred for blood tests which came back normal (although they were testing for early menopause rather than PCOS)
• Eventually I had a period, and have had one since (so very irregular). No pelvic pain though like I used to get as a teen.

I have since moved GP and NHS Trust so my question is - is it worth going to the doctors now for advice on how to regulate my periods (and therefore hopefully ovulation) in advance of actively starting to ‘try’ for a baby? Or, is it likely that they’ll tell me to go away and come back after a year of unprotected sex? I’m 31 if that makes a difference.

Thanks xx

Hi @LaurenWilkinson

I would definitely go to docs and even say you've been trying for a year already.
Just like you I have PCOS, I was diagnosed at age 18 and now I'm 24 and ready to conceive. I'm not overweight. I was put on metformin at age 18 to regulate the periods (they offered me the pill but I wanted to have a "real" period") I'm lucky I managed to get metformin as I went to a private hospital - usually they only give it to you if you're ready to conceive.

Fast forward to 24 I went back to the docs and told them I'm ready to conceive. They knew to put me back on metformin as it worked before. I was also on the pill for the last two years so it really took long to get my periods back. Finally got them back a week ago and that was my first real period in about 3 years.

If you are ready get the ball rolling
Get ovulation tests and get bloods checked ASAP.