PCOS and TTC 2yrs

[Effidy]

Hi ladies, just wondering if anyone has been in a similar spot. I came off HBC over two years ago. Hubby and I were having unprotected sex for a few months with no joy and then decided to actively start ttc. My periods were really sporadic and we had a few stressful family issues during that time so put it down to that. Then lost my period for three months so had bloods done which suggested Pcos. Had an internal ultrasound which confirmed the diagnosis. My gp felt I was too young to warrant a referral to fertility services as we weren’t yet two years ttc. So I went and saw a gynae privately. I did a round of clomid which I didn’t respond to and my dr felt it wasn’t worth increasing the dose due to the effects on the lining of the womb (it can thin the lining)she recommended we try letrozole next but our circumstances have recently changed and we can no longer afford the private fees of the clinic. I went back to the gp and explained all of this and still had no real joy with what to do next. I am a nurse myself and contacted the nhs fertility clinic within the hospital who encouraged me to insist on a referral to them which I did. So I have an appointment now for august. My mind had been going into over drive. Hubbys semen analysis came back good they said it didn’t need to be repeated and that they will discuss treatment plans etc in august. Is there anything I can be doing myself? My bmi is 30 so I know I could probably do with losing weight but mentally I am probably using food as a comfort. I am taking the recommend supplements and I exercise fairly regularly. Just wondering if anyone has had any success with similar issues or any advice really..

@Effidy sorry you’re struggling to conceive. I’m currently going through IVF on the NHS. There is a book called ‘it starts with an egg’ which is brilliant. I recommend reading that. Daily walks/yoga, eating healthy, taking supplements, reducing/stopping use of bad chemicals in cosmetics and around the home are things you could try. How did you respond to clomid?

@Effidy i just saw you didn’t respond to clomid. You could try letrozole on the NHS once you’ve had your initial tests

I actually have bought the book just haven’t got around to reading it but I must do! All of that sounds like really good advice. I didn’t respond at all the clomid no follicles matured or even got slightly bigger unfortunately.

Yes that was next for the private clinic so hopefully the nhs agree to it

@Effidy The nhs should hopefully agree to letrozole as initial treatment unless they do any tests ahead of that that identify any potential blocks in your Fallopian tubes

Do you mind me asking how you went about finding a private gynecologist? I'm 35, been trying to conceive for 9 months and have just been diagnosed with PCOS. I've been referred to the fertility clinic but there's a 42 week wait minimum and I'm starting to panic because of my age so wondering if we should go private. We're not sure what all the costs could be or whether we can even afford to but want to try and explore all options.

I was in the same position 9 years ago. TTC for 2 years, my periods disappeared completely. Had tests to monitor my hormone levels, and was diagnosed with PCOS.
What worked for me was starting a low GI diet (I went to see a nutritionist for guidance), started running and generally exercising more and went on metformin.
I'm not gonna lie, it was tough! I managed to lose some weight and my periods came back but they were still fairly irregular and metformin wasn't agreeing with me.
After 3 months of it, DH and I decided that we had enough, we were going to stope trying and travel the world and come off the metformin.
On the day of my GP appointment my DH asked me to take a test "just in case" - and there is was! A positive line!
I have now a 9 and a 7 year old (the second one was conceived at the first go!!!).
It was a tough time, but I think metformin, exercise, losing weight and stopping the pressure on ourselves is what worked for me!
Hope that helps. Sending strength and hugs x

I was in the same position as you a few years ago, I had a private scan after ttc for months and suffering a miscarriage that suggested I had pcos. My gp was unwilling to help so I did my own research and started to eat healthier (less processed foods- more protein/fibre fruit & veg) and took supplements (Myo inositol, co-q10, multi vitamin etc.) and soon my cycle was more regular and I fell pregnant quickly. A few years later we tried again and I suffered another miscarriage- I started taking the myo inositol twice a day and again fell pregnant with my second child.

@SleepWouldBeADream How much Inositol are you taking a day if you don't mind me asking? I'm new to it and I'm following the recommended 1g a day at the moment.

I found the private gynaecologist locally through a clinic. I’m northern Irish so went to mid Ulster women’s but most hospital consultants offer private and if you ring the hospital and enquire with their secretary you should be able to get an appointment privately xx

Inositol is really really helpful. Helps regulate insulin receptivity and therefore should make weight loss easier. Being overweight with pcos is especially bad for conceiving, so although I know it's hard, in your shoes I would make this your focus. The inositol should start to work after a couple of months and it should make your weight loss a bit easier (like a 'normal' person).

If you want to monitor ovulation, you could also try bbt? I found it helpful to reassure me I was ovulating each month (once the inositol had sorted out my cycles).

I would give intermittent fasting a go. Your BMI is a bit high (sorry don’t shoot the messenger!) - I’m not saying this will be stopping you conceive but if you are overweight it can point towards poor diet choices (again, sorry).

Fasting can have very positive affects on hormones and thus can (and I say can) help PCOS.

I have been reading Fast like a girl, there is a lot of information around hormones in it.

If you don’t fancy IF then definitely try to cut out sugar and refined carbs and this can contribute to fluctuating blood sugars and have a knock on affect to insulin- which affects our sex hormone functionality