PCO and TTC

[TillyJ3]

Hi,

Does anyone here have PCO or PCOS and would be happy to share their TTC stories?

I had a scan last week and my GP today confirmed PCO, although hasn't confirmed if it is just PCO or if I have the syndrome too. Getting bloods done next week so will perhaps hear more after that.

Feeling very disheartened and down about TTC now, just feels like it's going to be a really tough journey now.

If anyone has any tips etc on staying healthy, dealing with PCO and TTC would love to hear from you.

@TillyJ3 Please don't be disheartened. You'd be surprised as to how many women suffer from this condition. My sister had a diagnosis when she was in her teen years. She conceived three months into trying, the first two months nothing happened and the third month she was taking 'Seven Seas - Trying For A Baby' and conceived. I do believe that this product (vitamin) helps PCOS sufferers. It's not proven, but I've seen a few reviews. Yes it provides folic acid, but if you read the box it also helps 'regulate hormonal activity'. PCOS is partly due to a hormonal imbalance. I believe that for many, (if you read reviews on Amazon and Boots) this product has somewhat regulated their hormones and aided conception - this is what I believe from what I've seen/read. There is hope. Fingers crossed. X

Hi @TillyJ3

I second @sak96x

PCOS is very common and also one of the most studied disorders currently. You are not alone.

The best advice I can give you is to understand your exact type of PCOS. This will help you and your Doctor decide the most effective treatment plan.

There's literally a whole book of tips here if you want to know what works and how > fertilityscience.org/getting-pregnant-with-pcos/

Thanks both for the reassurance, really appreciate it!

Feeling a bit better today. That book sounds good, will def have a look for it and order today. Would like to know as much as possible.

It just feels very overwhelming. Especially as I've been tracking my ovulation, and thought I was able to confirm using OPKs, but have now read they can be really unreliable for PCOS, so hoping I haven't been tracking wrong all this time. But I'm sure I'll know more once bloods etc are done and I chat with the doctor again.

This TTC carry on is a minefield hopefully all worth it in the end! Thanks again.

Hi, we were TTC for 17 months when I fell pregnant naturally.
We ended up getting fertility tests done due to a change in my periods and the fertility clinic said that I have PCO, but didn't think I have PCOS as no real symptoms. My husband was also diagnosed as having poor quality sperm, with a low count and poor mobility. We hunkered down thinking we needed IVF and just over a month later I got a BFP!
I don't know whether it was because we subconsciously relaxed thinking it definitely wouldn't happen for us naturally or whether it was due to a healthy lifestyle change (my way of coping was to push myself with really difficult hikes so ended up losing weight, my husband came along with me and he had also given up caffeine on the advice of the clinic) but it can happen so please don't think its the end of the road.
Best of luck

@MissLC

Hi, we were TTC for 17 months when I fell pregnant naturally. We ended up getting fertility tests done due to a change in my periods and the fertility clinic said that I have PCO, but didn't think I have PCOS as no real symptoms. My husband was also diagnosed as having poor quality sperm, with a low count and poor mobility. We hunkered down thinking we needed IVF and just over a month later I got a BFP! I don't know whether it was because we subconsciously relaxed thinking it definitely wouldn't happen for us naturally or whether it was due to a healthy lifestyle change (my way of coping was to push myself with really difficult hikes so ended up losing weight, my husband came along with me and he had also given up caffeine on the advice of the clinic) but it can happen so please don't think its the end of the road. Best of luck

Oh wow @MissLC, thanks so much for sharing your story. That's amazing!!! Can I ask, were you able to track ovulation with PCO?

I need to buckle down and sort things like exercise/diet. I'm very much a comfort eater, so my first reaction to the news was to want sweets/chocolate! Feel like I need to overhaul my entire diet now if I want things to improve!

@TillyJ3, yes I did track ovulation and I conceived around the time I was apparently at my peak.
Honestly, I think there is a balance to it, I pushed myself far too hard physically when I was at my lowest emotionally but I think we all deal with things in our own ways. Although saying that, I 100% believe that losing weight did help.
I really hope you have a good outcome too x

[quote MissLC]@TillyJ3, yes I did track ovulation and I conceived around the time I was apparently at my peak.
Honestly, I think there is a balance to it, I pushed myself far too hard physically when I was at my lowest emotionally but I think we all deal with things in our own ways. Although saying that, I 100% believe that losing weight did help.
I really hope you have a good outcome too x[/quote]
That's good to know re: ovulation. I'm using CB fertility monitor, tracking CM and have just started to track BBT this month so hoping I'll have a good idea if I'm
Ovulating or not.

I know what you mean, I've gone through periods of strict exercise and diet in the past and I've not noticed it positively impact my cycles tbh, but going to try and find a middle ground. My sweet tooth definitely needs reigned in!!!

I wanted to share my story for you. I got diagnosed with pcos at least 3 or 4 years ago after an ultrasound scan. ( I didn't realise there was a difference between pco and pcos , I had at least 12 cysts on each ovary anyway) I never had any follow up appointments at the time I was on the mini pill with no periods and had been for a number of years which I was told to continue as that is basically the treatment. I worried for the following couple years that we would struggle TTC but were waiting until we were in a financially stable position. I came off the mini pill at the start of sep 2019. I got pregnant without even having had a period! It took a few weeks to get bfp I didn't actually know I was pregnant until end of Oct and no one could date me as I hadn't had a period until I went for my first scan. DS1 is currently eating spaghetti hoops next to me (17 months). I had heard ( might be total bollocks) that you are super fertile AS SOON AS you come off the pill and you have a surge of hormones. A lot of people say to come off hormonal contraception and use other methods until your cycle levels out but I'm not convinced that's the only way!

I have PCO, but not PCOS. TTC now for the first time too! My Gynecologist told me that the most important thing is weight management. I am a normal weight (BMI 23), but she says every ounce of extra fat (especially belly fat) is a problem when you have PCO(S), because the fat cells release hormones that mess up your cycle. She is very blunt about these things, but I'd rather have someone be honest with me. She also told me to eat low-carb because of the risk of diabetes and insulin resistance, so I have been trying to eat a low-carb and high protein diet. Too much insulin in the blood stream can prevent ovulation. She did warn me that it might take longer to conceive, just because we don't ovulate as easily or often as people without PCO. I really hope we will be lucky!

@Rubiales678 I know, I didn't know there was a difference either until the doctor mentioned it at the scan. Its still quite hard to find anything out about PCO online Ive found.

Ah that's great!! I'm sure you were over the moon. It's good to know that it doesn't always have to be the struggle it's made out to be!

@CrumchyLeafs

I have PCO, but not PCOS. TTC now for the first time too! My Gynecologist told me that the most important thing is weight management. I am a normal weight (BMI 23), but she says every ounce of extra fat (especially belly fat) is a problem when you have PCO(S), because the fat cells release hormones that mess up your cycle. She is very blunt about these things, but I'd rather have someone be honest with me. She also told me to eat low-carb because of the risk of diabetes and insulin resistance, so I have been trying to eat a low-carb and high protein diet. Too much insulin in the blood stream can prevent ovulation. She did warn me that it might take longer to conceive, just because we don't ovulate as easily or often as people without PCO. I really hope we will be lucky!

Thanks for your reply!!

Most of my fat is around my belly, it's an absolute nightmare to work on. Going to really try though as I could see how it can negatively impact. I'd say I'll need to get cracking on diet, and get that under control. I'm not in too bad shape, but there's still a lot of far around my middle section I'd like to lose.

Ive had a busy few months, with birthdays and party's, and have been feeling so run down from it. Clearly because I'm eating all the wrong foods and my blood sugars are all over the place.

Are you taking any supplements/vitamins for your PCO?

Hey! So glad to see this thread. I have suspected pcos and will have a scan next week to confirm. My bloods have indicated it as I have high androgens! It got me soo down but this thread has provided some hope. 🤞🏻

@xoJellyBean

Hey! So glad to see this thread. I have suspected pcos and will have a scan next week to confirm. My bloods have indicated it as I have high androgens! It got me soo down but this thread has provided some hope. 🤞🏻

Aw glad to hear it.

I was so upset after my scan. Mainly because I stupidly went online and just overloaded myself with negative information. But I feel much more positive now. I'm going to focus on trying to eat better (im a big carb/junk food fan) and figure out what vitamins will work best for me.

I'm the opposite, I had the scan first and then bloods. So I know for sure I have PCO, waiting to hear if I have PCOS. I reckon I do though, as I have quite a lot of the symptoms now that I've read up about it.

I was diagnosed with pcos.
I was also told I had ovarian failure.
Also told my coeliac disease causes fertility issues.
Didn’t have a period in 15 months. Had medication to bring one on but still missed 2-5 months between. Took me so long to accept it.

I’m now 24 weeks pregnant, she’s my little miracle ♥️

@TillyJ3 I am taking Vitex agnus-castus for it, my best friend has PCOS as well and she had her first regular periods in years after taking it, so I thought it couldn't hurt and my gynecologist gave me a prescription (although you can also get it over the counter here since it is a herbal remedy). Apparently the views on this supplement are mixed, some people say it is super great and others say that it makes their symptoms worse. It is only my first cycle off the pill, so I can't say if it helps or not yet. I also take pre-natal vitamins and just a general multivitamin. Good luck on the diet changes! I promise, you will just feel all around better by cutting down on sugar and junk! I was never much of a sweet-tooth, but I do love fruits and my gynecologist told me to especially cut down on fruit sugars.. which is hard, but anything to get that BFP!

I discovered I had PCO after my periods just didn’t return when I came off the pill. It was discouraging - I was 36 and wasn’t given much information (ie I had to work out for myself that this didn’t necessarily mean I had PCOS). When my periods still hadn’t started 8 months after stopping the pill we were referred to fertility clinic. I also started acupuncture to boost my chances of conception.

So it was quite surprising to discover a couple of weeks later that I was 9wks pregnant! The acupuncture was very nice but I could have saved my money.

Second time around I came off the pill and knew we could be in for a long time trying. What I didn’t expect was to be pregnant in a month - it didn’t even occur to me to test until I’d been feeling odd for weeks and weeks.

PCO certainly made things surprising for us but haven’t prevented us from getting lucky twice over. Really hope you get your BFP soon x

Hi @TillyJ3 i have polycystic ovaries , with AMH levels at a massive 70.

I got pregnant after 9 months of ttc (pregnancy might not be successful as I have threatened miscarriage) but just wanted to tell you that I got pregnant okay, and know a lot of people who did too. X

Not to dishearten you but I think a lot of the time ttc is a tough journey.. it doesn't happen straight away then you worry whether you will make it to the first scan, then worry about a lack of symptoms, or about cramps.. Then worry about some spotting as many women get it. maybe it's different for others but I found women do worry until they hold a healthy baby in their arms

I have read a lot about body fat being bad for pcos and I've to say I've always eaten v low carb (no sugar or bread or rice or pasta - only as an occasional treat)

Hi @TillyJ3, Ive been TTC since 1.5 years and was diagnosed with PCOS just recently through a scan, irregular periods and and a high AMH level..I've been seeing a fertility doctor and she has asked me to start letrozole on my next cycle to induce ovulation which I will do in the next month.. I don't ovulate and whenever I used OPKs they showed a negative for me.. my doctor also suggested inofolic supplements it has myo inositol which is good for PCOS and regulates hormonal balance..I've been taking it for a month and this time my period was clockwork 28 day cycle..I have read good reviews about it as well it's available online so you don't need a prescription..maybe you could try that once your bloods come in because many times it's just PCO and not PCOS.. good luck!

@laurenGame Sorry to hear your pregnancy might not be successful, hoping everything is ok

These are all such helpful stories! It can be a bit overwhelming Googling, so it's good to hear some personal experiences.

I haven't got AMH levels back yet but hopefully soon.

Has anyone tried Mayo-inositol for their PCOS? Reading some good reviews online so wondering if anyone here has tried it?

@TillyJ3 I'm going to try cutting carbs too! My tummy weight gain is not good 😱🙈 regarding the myo-inositol - I take these! Have only been taking them for 3 weeks but I feel like they have made a difference. I haven't confirmed ovulation just yet but it's still early days. Would you like me to share the capsules I take?

The challenge with PCOS is that there is a lot of different sub-types of this disorder. On top of that you could also have insulin resistance, be obese and maybe have other related (inflammatory) complications.

PCO is also quite different to PCOS, a lot less severe.... and depending on your blood tests, you may find your consultant prescribes something non-fertility related to correct the potential cause.

Fortunately though it's very common and very well researched (at least regarding various treatments).

A very good consultant should be able to put together an effective treatment plan following a full array of tests. On a side note, if your consultant doesn't bother to test your Vitamin D or Calcium levels, I would probably look elsewhere for a second opinion.

P.S. Inositol is a very good alternative to Metformin, for women with PCOS and some insulin resistance, however not all women with PCOS have elevated insulin levels (approx 20-35%).

3 stories of conception following PCOS diagnosis

2 x people that successfully lost quite a lot of weight and promptly fell pregnant without additional help. They had been trying unsuccessfully for multiple years. Both used a very low carb diet and felt that it was the only way they successfully lost weight. Their cycles and all symptoms massively improved with very low carbs.

1 friend was prescribed clomid and fell pregnant on 2nd cycle. Was told she's need to use it again for any future pregnancy. She fell pregnant naturally when her DS was less than 6 months old.

All have successful outcomes

Hello dear and welcome to your ttc journey. Don't be disappointed, there are many things your doctors can do for you.

I have PCOS and normally (if I was younger and didn't have some extra medical issues), I would have many fertility options. So, don't worry :)