Irregular cycles but no PCOS

[Pawsin]

I'm just wondering if anyone else is in the same boat as me - I have irregular cycles, but after recent testing I found out I haven't got PCOS.

My cycles have been between 34-57 over the past year. And yet the doctors said nothing is wrong with me, bar slightly elevated testosterone levels.

It's making trying to conceive even harder, as I'm not sure when I'm ovulating. I'm not sure whether I should be returning to the doctors to see if there's anything else going on, or whether women can just have irregular periods without any particular reason/problem is anyone else in the same position? Could do with a chat

I also have irregular cycles but no PCOS. I conceived naturally (without intention) in August this year, and sadly miscarried. Now TTC and just having sex as much as possible after day 14 up until a temp rise. Good luck to you x

@Pawsin

I have had irregular periods since I was a teen. GP said, it is what it is, I went on the pill at 18 to regulate them but it gave me more issues than it solved.

I have had two children both with irregular periods and conceived within 6 months. I spoke to my GP who said it appeared I ovulated later than average at day 21 - 24 on average. This gave me long cycles, but normal lutual phases.

I started charting my temperatures every morning very early on TTC #1 and it helped work out when I was due to ovulated. Have you tried this? Another option would be ovulation tests.

How long have you been TTC? A GP should request some hormonal blood tests, I am assuming that you've done this to know your testosterone levels.

I never had PCOS, I did, however, have ovarian cysts in later 2016, no real advice from my GP. I was told my periods would regulate after having kids, did they? My first, somewhat they did. My second was fine for the first three years and then it's been hell since.

GP's answer was go on the pill but when you are TTC that isn't the option.

If you need any further advice or support, feel free to have a chat.

@danielasummer sorry to hear of your loss let's hope this year is the year for us 🤞

@alittlebitsocial thank you very much for your reply! It's reassuring to hear that you have been successful even with irregular periods. I have been off contraception almost a year now, but only really TTC for the past 6 months.

I haven't tried taking temperature etc yet, but I have just ordered some ovulation sticks to try. I guess that's my worry, if I'm not even ovulating at all 🤔 I had blood tests, and the doctor said it wasn't PCOS, just slightly raised testosterone, but she couldn't give an answer why. She was then pretty dismissive and said go away and keep trying, and come back later down the line 🤷🏻‍♀️

I've also had the 'go on contraceptives to sort the irregularity out' several times, but then I've also read about how long term contraceptive use can cause irregular cycles, so who knows! It's just very frustrating and I feel like I'm stuck in limbo

@Pawsin

It's frustrating that your doctor dismissed your concerns. Unfortunately, no gp will take you seriously until you've been trying for a year with or without irregular periods. It's frustrating but I would start looking at ways of observing your cycle. Do you check for cervical fluid? Ovulation kits are amazing but also obsessive if you let it take control. Unfortunately, we are left to believe that having irregular cycles means there is something wrong. Sadly it just means in a 12 month period u ovulate less than someone with a 28 day cycle. I can ovulate anyway from day 16 to 28! This month for example is day 25 so it's not easy. I've been charting my cycles for years.

I would try and relax, we were unofficially trying with our 1st for a year before we actually figured out that my ovulation pattern moved! When we figured it out, took six months!

Sadly, GPs will just try and hand you over to a fertility clinic before actually helping.

I'd look at all your fertile signs, cervical fluid, Ovulation tests, maybe keep a journal of body changes. Mine includes spots, pain, headaches and sometimes feeling nausea.

Hope that helps. Fingers crossed that 2020 is the year x

@Pawsin did you just go to the drs about irregular cycles and they did testing for PCOS? Mine are irregular as well but only been trying for 6 months so wasn’t sure if I go to the gp about the irregular cycles to check if it is PCOS or if I have to wait another 6 months for them to test for this?
It’s making it really difficult to plan with TTC ideally I’d make sure me or OH aren’t away for work during my fertile windows to give us the best chance but I can’t plan at all and it’s really annoying!