PCOS - high testosterone - trying for baby #2

[Arabgirlie]

Hi ladies!
I wanted to share my TTC journey in case it helps or resonates with anyone going through something similar, like I’ve found comfort and insight reading others’ stories.

I’m 31 and already have a 2.5-year-old little boy. It took us 4 cycles to conceive him, partly due to undiagnosed hyperthyroidism, which was later revealed to be Hashimoto’s and is now managed naturally.

We’re now trying for baby #2. I was recently diagnosed with PCOS due to high testosterone, although my cycles are still fairly regular (26–27 days). Our first TTC cycle sadly ended in a chemical pregnancy, which wasn’t too surprising given the hormone imbalance.

This cycle, we’ve added 2000mg Myo-Inositol, 50mg D-Chiro-Inositol, and spearmint tea to help with insulin resistance and hormone regulation. Ovulation is expected in about 10 days, and we’re loosely following the Shettles method to try for a girl (but we’ll be thrilled either way!).

I’ll keep sharing updates for anyone else walking a similar path, no need to go through this alone 💕.

Hiya thank you for sharing - I also have pcos and conceived first try last month but it was a chemical. My cycles used to be very irregular but after I got pregnant the first time (a few years ago, which I had an abortion for as it wasn’t the right time) they’ve gotten more regular, at around 36 days.

after our chemical last month we tried again the very next cycle and now I am 2dpo so let’s see how it goes.

i have been told to take myo for insulin resistance but it had a bad effect on me. I don’t know if it’s because i have lean pcos or because i eat relatively healthy anyway but when i took it, i would feel very light headed and faint (like I hadn’t eaten in a long time)

i manage my pcos naturally by avoiding sugar.

sorry to hear of your loss, good luck and looking forward to hearing if the shettles method works !

Thank you so much for sharing, I’m really sorry you went through a chemical as well! It’s such a tough experience, even early on. I’m glad your cycles have become more regular though, and 2DPO is such an exciting point to be at. I’ve got my fingers crossed for you this cycle 🤍

That’s really interesting about the Myo, I’ve heard lean PCOS can respond differently, and that lightheaded, faint feeling must have been so frustrating. Are you taking any other supplements now, or mostly managing things through your diet?

I have to say, staying off sugar is the hardest part for me too. Chocolate and desserts are definitely my biggest weakness, especially around PMS or when I’m stressed! Have you found any go to snacks or healthier swaps that actually satisfy the cravings?

Thanks again for the kind words. I’ll definitely update on how this cycle goes and whether the Shettles method has any effect. Please keep me posted on yours too, sending you lots of positivity for this TWW 💛

Hi OP - I am in a similar boat! Have a 20 month DS and TTC #2. I've never officially been diagnosed with PCOS (and I'm OK in terms of testosterone) but sometimes my cycles have been as long as 54 days and just to say I've noticed a massive difference going from 2000mg myo-inositol to 4000mg myo-inositol - it's really reduced my cycle length (so potentially could help you in terms of hormonal imbalance too).
We are going into cycle 3 now and had loosely followed Shettles for a girl too but first 2 cycles have been unsuccessful and I'm 35 in a few months so time isn't on my side, so this month just going to BD as much as possible (would be delighted with another little boy too!!)

Thank you again for sharing your story, it really helps hearing from others on a similar journey. I’m so sorry about your chemical last month, it’s such a hard thing to go through. How did things go for you this cycle, if you don’t mind me asking? Totally understand if you’d rather not say, but thinking of you either way 💛

I’m around 5DPO now (I think!), I saw my OPKs rising but probably missed my actual peak, so I’m going off symptoms and timing this month.

Also, I can relate to the sugar struggle, chocolate is my weakness! I’m trying to be mindful but it’s definitely a challenge 😅

Sending you lots of positive thoughts! Let me know how you’re getting on if you feel up to it 💛

@Arabgirlie thank you 🫶🏻 the cycle after my chemical I didn’t ovulate at all, which was a bit disappointing as I’ve had chemicals before and I was always ‘more fertile’ the next month with a perfect early ovulation. Of course that didn’t happen. So partner and I have gotten back in touch with the fertility clinic and they prescribed progesterone to kick start a bleed. I took them and just waiting to bleed now.

After that we will start Letrozole for the first time :) I figured it would be good to hopefully avoid future chemicals, as it makes ovulation and egg quality stronger. But waiting to bleed is taking ages.

thats so exciting you are in the two week wait! When will you be testing? Do you ovulate on the same day each cycle?

Ah I totally get how frustrating that is, especially when you’ve had chemicals before and it can be so disheartening when your body suddenly switches things up.

Letrozole sounds like a good plan though. I’ve heard a lot of people say it’s helped them ovulate stronger and avoid chemicals, so hopefully it works well for you too. But the waiting to bleed part is honestly the worst, I’ve been there too, it feels like you’re stuck in limbo. Have you had your bleed yet or still waiting?

I’m 11 DPO now and testing (couldn’t help myself 😅). I had a shadow line yesterday but brushed it off as a faulty test, but I tested again this morning and I can see a vvvfl that’s more noticeable than yesterdays, but I’m cramping a lot so trying not to get my hopes up since my chemical last month.
I usually ovulate around the same time each month, but honestly as we get older I feel like our bodies throw curveballs sometimes, so I never fully trust it!

Would love to hear how things go for you once you get started on Letrozole, keep me posted!

Omg I see it, that’s really exciting. Here’s hoping it turns into something strong 🩷 keep us updated. Have you got any symptoms?

I finally started bleeding yesterday and today in full flow so my clinic counts today as day 1. Will start Letrozole on Wednesday on cycle day 3. They’ve already booked me in for ultrasounds on day 8 and 10, they say I should be about ready to trigger then. So I could be ovulating about a week from now! It’s all happening so fast now lol

Eeeek how exciting for you!! That must be such a relief after all the waiting, now everything’s happening at once! Can’t wait to see how it goes for you, all positive now I’m sure!🥰

On my side, I was impatient this morning and tested with a Clearblue Digital… and it actually said Pregnant! 😳 I’m still kind of in denial though until my period is officially late 😂 but it’s looking promising so far. I’ve had cramps that feel just like AF is about to start, terrible backache and some hot flushes (probably why I’m in denial, since they’re all my usual pms symptoms!), but hoping that’s all normal early pregnancy stuff.

Definitely keep me updated on how your scans and Letrozole go, I’ll keep you posted on my end too! 💛

@Arabgirlie omg that’s so exciting, congratulations!!! 🥹🩷 wishing you a happy and healthy pregnancy. Is this your first?

when I was last pregnant, I had bad cramps and baby was totally healthy. My cramps were worse than a period so it’s normal

Thank you so much!! It honestly doesn’t feel real yet 🥹💛 This is my second but the last pregnancy was over 3 years ago so I’ve completely forgotten majority of the symptoms, but I do remember feeling like my AF was coming and having the WORST cramps in the first 4 weeks! I usually bloat and feel heavier right before my period arrives, but I actually feel lighter than usual this time so I hope this is all good news! Wishing you all the positivity in the world, only a matter of time before you see your BFP🥹 let me know how you get on! Would love to hear your progress 🫶🏼