TTC with suspected PCOS

[NLO94x]

Hey! 💛
I'm in UK and been TTC for over a year, it is hell!!! I've had doctors appointments, scans and blood tests and everything seems to be coming back to PCOS, I have most of the symptoms so it wasn't a surprise! I'm currently on the waiting list for a gynaecologist but have no idea how long I'm going to be waiting, is anyone in a similar position and if so how long did you have to wait? 💛

@NLO94x hey Your story sounds just like mine.
Husband and I TTC for a year, so went to GP all bloods came back fine, his semen analysis came back low count.
Referral sent in Oct 22. But he was asked to repeat his tests 3 months later, we did one in Dec. When that came back we were allowed to send off our referral forms for fertility clinic.
(we have a son so won’t qualify for IVF or NHS treatment) however we have so far been lucky with all of our tests being funded and accepted.
Anyway… January we got the semen test back, so I was able to submit the forms.
we had our appointment with Gynaecologist in Feb!! (We got told in Feb, his count is now fine!)

So really from October - Feb isn’t bad wait time! And it was more like 6 weeks from the time they got our letter and results.
It was found I also have PCOS - they did internal ultrasound. I was given advice for supplements and diet changes whilst I wait for a Laparoscopy which they will do under NHS. They told me 6-8 wait for that surgery months and keep doing what we’re doing! I have already had a pre op questionnaire via email and a pre anaesthesia assessment booked for April! So I think that surgery is going to be sooner than they said.

it does seem long, but we are more hopeful now that lifestyle and supplements might get us our BFP and failing that we’ve tried everything before we have to seek out IVF.
I’m in Worcestershire Gloucestershire if that helps.

@lottieb92 I never realised you didn't get IVF through the NHS if you already had one child! That's great that everything is moving so fast for you and good luck with everything 🤞🏼✨

I was under the impression my doctors had sorted my referral as I have never received any forms to fill in, my boyfriend has his appointment booked for April so fingers crossed everything is okay with him.

I'm Manchester based 🤍

Hi! Not in UK so can't comment on system/wait times, but I'm a woman with PCOS who has had one child and is now undergoing treatment to try and have another. Happy to answer any questions.

@BritInAus good luck with everything ✨ can I ask what treatments you are currently under going?

It's great hearing other people's story's, I've kept this to myself for so long it feels like I'm the only person in the world struggling!

I'm very hopeful though, it's not an if, it's a when 🤍

@NLO94x so yes the GP sorted the referral for us but then the clinic sent us a long questionnaire to fill in before we went :) and they had to wait for all of our final results before they’d book us in!
hope that helps x

Thank you, and sure. So I'm a gay woman. My DD (8) was conceived using donor sperm - but artificial insemination at home. Fell pregnant first month. INCREDIBLY lucky. 4 years later I tried for 6 cycles to do the same thing - different donor, but his semen analysis was great. I was tracking ovulation carefully and didn't fall pregnant. Saw my GP who ordered lots of bloods (thyroid and AMH amongst all the general full blood screening) plus I had bloods taken every 2 days from 21 days of my cycle to see if I was ovulating or not. I wasn't. My GP then wrote me a referral to a fertility clinic. I realise this process may be totally different in the UK, and in Aus it's all private, so no point telling you about timelines/costs ifyou're in the UK.

I had one round of IVF which wasn't successful, and am about to try again.

A few things really worth looking at with PCOS - definitely ask to be tested for insulin resistance. That can play a huge role in fertility success. Also there's lots of really good general information about management of PCOS on the Jean Hailes website that I suggest you have a read of.

Good luck! Remember that PCOS doesn't mean it won't happen. It might just be harder or take longer. But better to know sooner what your problems might/might not be. And understand that you might not ovulate naturally with PCOS, or at 'normal' intervals. One good thing with PCOS is that usually you have loooots more eggs than normal. No guarantee of quality, but lots of eggs is a good thing, especially as we get older.

Can I ask what the recommended supplements and diet changes for PCOS are?

@BritInAus sending you all the luck in the world for your next round of IVF 🤍

My doctor did say my insulin levels look normal but the more I read up on things the more I'm seeing about insulin resistance so that is definitely something I will bring up when my referral comes through x

@lottieb92 that is really helpful thank you! Maybe after my boyfriends appointment they will get the ball rolling 🤞🏼 x

@JussathoB Im currently taking Pregnacare pre conception, vitamin D and cod liver oil, however I have just purchased pregnacare max which I am going to try once my current packet runs out, the max includes the cod liver oil, none of these have been recommended to me I have just done my own research. I have also tried the conceive plus fertility support but I didn't like them as much 🤍

Hello

I have PCOS and struggled TTC - BUT it turned out I also have hypothyroidism and as soon as that was medicated, I got pregnant.

PCOS and hypothroid often go together so make sure you get your thyroid checked too and ask for the actual numbers not just “normal” or “abnormal”. You need your TSH to be below 2.5 for TTC, doctors will say it’s “normal” up to 4.5 but that is not low enough for TTC.

I believe Inositol is the main supplement recommended for PCOS - I’ve just started it (but to help with acne not PCOS). Some people are prescribed Metformin especially if they are overweight. And the diet change is basically low carb, especially avoiding high GI carbs like sugar, bread and other bakery foods, mashed potato, cereal etc.

sorry meant to say - to help with acne not TTC

Inositol is a good supplement to use for PCOS. I took inofolic for 2 months and became pregnant with my first and fell pregnant within a month of taking it for my second. Look it up x

Thank you for the tips re supplements/diet

@minipie I've never come across hypothyroidism before so that's really interesting to hear! Can I ask how that was diagnosed? Was that part of your initial doctors appointment?

I will definitely look into Inositol

Thank you for sharing 🤍

@Changemynamechangemyname23 thank you so much I'll definitely look into this! Did you have any other fertility help from the doctors? 🤍

@Changemynamechangemyname23 also did you take anything else along side this? Any other vitamins/supplements? Is there a particular brand you'd recommend? 🤍

I had tests and partner had tests, everything was fine other than the PCOS. took us 4.5 years to conceive first time, supplements took 2 months and I was pregnant. I also greatly reduced my sugar intake where I could, I wasn't strict about it but definitely tried.
The supplement I took was called inofolic, I highly recommend.
They have reformulated since my day and have added other things.
Google inofolic and it should come up x

Before that I had tried Agnus cactus, evening primrose, BBT charting, can't remember half of the things.
But I just continued with the inofolic throughout my first pregnancy and for 12 weeks with the second as it contained the folic acid I needed.

I wasn't offered any fertility help from doctors as my BMI was too low, I have lean PCOS which not many doctors know about and so I don't tend to put on weight.

Another for inositol. I used watchers combined with folic acid. I got mine from abroad, they are very expensive here but definitely recommend.

@Changemynamechangemyname23 i have been taking Inofolic alpha given by the gynaecologist also this has made me so so hopeful 🤍
i had about a stone to lose when I last went in but not in the obese BMI category. I just wanted to get lean and healthier before I throw everything at it … with ivf in the back of my mind if it doesn’t work. They said even 5% loss can help with pregnancy.

they said try Inofolic for 3 months and see how it goes. My skin has cleared up, I have lost 7lbs without drastic effort and I feel much much better. Next step positive pregnancy test. I highly recommend so far even just for regulating pcos symptoms I didn’t know I had!

I also wasn’t offered any meds to help pcos either as I have regular periods and ovulate regularly proven by blood tests x
Hopefully I get the same result as you!

Fingers crossed for you @lottieb92 ! I didn't know they give it out at gynecologist.
Yes even with things like weight, hair management it balances hormones.
It worked for me, really hope it does for you too!

@Changemynamechangemyname23 I have read up on some reviews and I've ordered a brand called MyOva so everything crossed this helps 🤞🏼 🤍

@Changemynamechangemyname23 i had to pay for it - but they told me about it!
fingers crossed ✨🤞🏻

I have PCOS ttc for over 7 years and got pregnant within 4 weeks of starting to take myo inositol so wanted to agree with the others it's definitely worth trying