Any successful pregnancy with PCOS?

[Keysha]

Hi all,

Am new here but have been following most of the threads for a couple of months now. It is great for all of you to belong to such a good network that has created a close bond.

Am 34.5 yrs diagnosed PCOS almost 20 years ago.Am told mine is mild and have normal weight (65kg) for my height. Naturally, been having very irregular periods that can go up to 3-4 mths. Been TTC for the past 3 years and unfortunately had 2 miscarriages.Been on almost all kinds of fertility treatments (Clomid, Metafolmin, Injectables) that regulates my AF but do not conceive. Mind you both times, I conceived naturally while on medical break. Currently, am not on any treatment, as we are considering IVF as our next step. Not gotten AF for almost 4 mths now.

Well ladies, I just need to hear from any other PCOSers' experiences to a successful pregnancy. Will really appreciate your info that might assist me and other women. Thankx a bunch!

Holiday sounds great - will make you forget about the wait! Will keep my fingers crossed for you too. Enjoy the holiday and make the most of it!

I have pcos - i was ttc for 15 months and was diagnosed just before i found out i was pregnant. I didn't have any treatment and I hadn't had a period for 16 months.

Hi ladies

Runtus - How is it going with you? Hope all is well and fingers crossed for you dear.

I got another short cycle of CD 18 . The last one lasted up to CD 15. The one just after ovarian drill was good went up to CD 26.Am still on metformin, and it looks like my hormones haven't normalised yet. Two weeks ago when I saw my consultant (about the short cycle) he told me to wait after two more cycles and if no pg, then he will prescribe tamoxifen or clomid to kick off my hormones. I feel so unpatient waiting for 1 more cycle to start the medicine. Am I stressing myself too much? Any one heard of the tamoxifen? Your advise will be appreciated!

hey keysha, sorry for the delay in getting back to you. We were away last week so I've only just logged on. Sorry to hear about your short cycles, that must be so frustrating.........I always hate it when they say 'oh just wait another couple of cycles' like that's nothing at all. And all the time you are wanting to shout - no, sort it now!!!

Not heard of tamoxifen, what does that do?

Hi Runtus

Thanx for your message. I'm doing quite ok on CD 13 now and hoping that I will have a normal cycle this time. I have been thinking of you lately knowing that you should be about testing now. Where are you in the cycle? I really wish you the very best and hope that this is your month.

Last nite I dreamt a friend who is TTC for her 2nd is pg. Twice I have dreamt of someone being pg and it turns out true.I really hope she is, will be happy for her. I can't imagine the day I get those fantastic two lines and carry the pg to full term. God, I pray for us two!

Let me know how about you love. Hope the holiday did you good and feeling so much fresh.

Hi Keysha,

Still waiting and hoping, got my fingers crossed for both of us right now...........

We'll get there soon I know it.

Hi all, hope you don't mind me writing on this thread. I had an appointment with a consultant at local hospital about my polycystic ovaries, I have had a scan and bloodtests and i have been prescribed 500mg of metformin, so much information to take in i never asked all the questions i wanted to. Will this drug make me ovulate? How long roughly will i have to wait for a period? Probably a stupid question but can we try to conceive now? I have been given some other medication to take to bring on a period called MEDROYPROGESTERONE. Which one do i take first this one or the metformin or both together? sorry for the confused message I am having no luck contacting the hospital to speak to someone.

Hi chunkymunky,

Isn't metformin prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes to help control insulin levels?

Just a thought, could be totally wrong

Hi mjp185, apparently my blood sugar levels are slightly above what they should be, nobody has mentioned diabetes to me. I am confused as to why this medication will help me.

Hi Chunkymunkey,

Some but not all women with PCO/PCOS have what is known as insulin resistance. I would think you have been given Metformin because of your higher than average blood sugar levels. These should be retested.

I know of a drug treatment called medroprogesterone acetate (MPA for short). It looks like you've been given this - am I right?. It is used to treat absent periods and bring them on.

You ought to be monitored whilst on both of these drug treatments and should not be left.

You may find Verity's website to be useful. Verity is the UK charitable organisation for women with PCO/PCOS. Their website address is www.verity-pcos.org.uk

HTH and I hope you manage to speak to the hospital unit as soon as possible.

Hi Chunkymunkey

I have PCOS and was given metformin...it is not because you have diabetes, it is just pure accident that this drug happens to help PCOS but it is not licensed for it, only a consultant can give it to you for this though apparently (rather than GP)!

I would say carry on trying to conceive as often as possible, regardless of the pills! I was told 12 years ago that I couldn't have children due to PCOS, no female hormone and no ovulation, had laparoscopy and all sorts of pills...had another batch of Metformin last May, the day before I took them I realised I was already pregnant...completely naturally.

I did find monitoring my LH levels for a few months a real help as when I do ovulate it is on peculiar days, and never realised it.

Pop the pills and get to bed!

Good luck with it, I'm sure it will happen for you sooner than you think - Joe x

Havent read whole thread so apologise if anyone has already suggested the Collete Hayes book, pcos diet. I followed it religiously!!! hardest thing ive ever done, as like a lot of pcos women im addicted to sugar even though it make me feel like poo. But i stuck to that damn book and it took about six months but miracously my periods returned for the first time in years and became regular!!! which i had never experienced before ever.

I was still only having two day brown periods though so also had one go at acupuncture to boost my fertility energy. The therapist put a moxa needle on the point which is on the inner ankle somewhere and told me to say when it got hot and she would remove it. Didnt feel anything, until she said "oh dear" it had actually burnt my leg and left a mark. apparantly whatever our body is lacking it really takes from this type of therapy. That was on the 20th of one month and i conceived on the 20th of the next!!!!!!! i still have the burn scar but am kinda fond of it. Be optimistic chunky monkey there are loads of success stories.

ATKINS! ATKINS! ATKINS! ATKINS!

Get you knocked up in no time!

Atkins is a definate no-no for PCOSers, it is also speaking generally a very hard eating plan to sustain long term. Far better to do a low GI type eating plan instead.

Sorry if I was wrong about metformin, didn't mean to offend/upset! I was told I had PCOS at the age of 18 and that kiddies would be a problem.Am 28 with 6 and 3 yr old with no medication so there's hope. I'd make the most of practising. Have found low GI diet and ww helped me to lose the weight and Dianette for acne.

mjp185

You certainly did not upset me!. Actually you are correct, Metformin is also one of the drug treatments given for type 2 diabetes.

I would certainly concur re the low GI. Haven't used dianette but it does seem to be widely prescribed for women with PCOS who have acne.

One of the many problems with PCOS is that it is a very individualistic disorder and every woman with it can be affected very differently. The underlying causes of PCOS are not fully understood either.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I went to see my GP today, didn't get any information i was looking for, told to look on the internet and try to phone the hospital. I phoned the hospital but couldn't get hold of the fertility nurse and she wont be in until Monday. I do feel that i am just being left to get on with this alone. Meerkats you are right about the medication (MPA)this is to make me have a period so that i can have another scan done? I think this is the reason. I still dont know if i can take the metformin at the same time as this or start the MPA first. In tears of frustration.

Chunkymunky

(((((((((((((((chunkymunky)))))))))))))))

I cannot tell you whether you can take the two of these at the same time; you may be able to get hold of the hospital pharmacy dept and ask them.

I would put in a complaint about your treatment to date with the fertility department and say that you left with these tablets without advice. It goes without saying that you need to be kept better informed. I would also ask the nurse when you are due to see the consultant gynae re your treatment.

It is unfortunately fair to suggest that some NHS units are far better than others when it comes to subfertility. I would also mention your problems to the GP re this dept and get them on side too.

At my last meeting with the consultant (July) he told me that if I hadn't conceivced within 6 months of trying I would be given Metformin. It was explained to me that this regulates the infrequent cycle so I would have a monthly (approx) period instead of every two or three. Clomid is an alternative but you are quite likely to get multiple pregancies with this as it stimulates egg production.
I was diagrnosed at the age of 25 when an unltrasound scan showed both ovaries to be the size of tennis balls! At this point the damage had been ongoing for some time and I was told that I was likely to need medical assistance to conceive.
I was amazingly lucky and conceived 'without trying' the first time and I am just pregnant again after 'trying' for one month. My health visitor gave me a very accurate description of when to have sex - when the vaginal mucus becomes thin, clear and stretchy. I then had sex every three days for about 10 days and it worked. There is little point (except the fun factor) in ttc at other times of the month. It does take time to get to know what the changes in the mucus (sorry for being so graphic and disgusting!) but this is definately what helped me. If your cycle is 3 monthly, it makes sense to try 'harder' when there actually is a chance of conceiving. That said, every month there is a 25% chance normally of doing everything at the right time and actually getting pregant.
I hope this helps a little. There is often life and pregancy after PCOS - look at Jools Oliver, Victoria Beckham and Emma Thomson. Good luck!

I am feeling a bit calmer today. My GP is going to get in touch with me regarding the medication. I am going to try the hospital again on Monday. I started the MPA today which i have t take for five days and once i get a period i will go to the hospital for a scan so will try and get more information then and hopefully another appointment for the consultant. I am not going to start Metformin until i finish this medication or until i speak to a professional. Thanks for your reply AnnaK. In the last two years i have only had two periods so hopefully Metformin will help.

Hi all!

Runtus - where are you girl? You are quite. I'm watching out for you? All my fingers and legs have been crossed for you since. Let me know how it is going!

ChunkeyMunkey - I also started metformin 1000 in July just after I had an ovarian drill.(Read the thread below for my history). My circles have really improved since the ovarian drill and metformin. The only side effect in the 1st month of the drug was a loose bowel. After that, I think my body is kind of used to it expect the on and off nausea which is still there -which i can manage. I wish you the very best and I hope it helps you too.

Good luck to everyone else.

Hi all,
I am new here and just wanted some advice....
Was diagnosed with PCOS about 8 years ago and have been on Dianette since then, until coming off 3 months ago to try for a baby. Have only had one period since and so GP is referring me to a specialist, probably to start on clomid.
The thing that's really getting me down is the return of greasy skin, spots and hair growth which the dianette really controlled well. Does anyone have any advice apart from using medicated face wash etc?
Also, what are the side effects of clomid? Thanks

Fee05,

Glad to see that your GP had the prescence of mind to refer you to a specialist.

If you are prescribed clomid ensure that you are actually suitable to take it. It is not always suitable for all PCOS patients to take and some people on it can become clomid resistant. If your LH levels are very, very high you may not be given it at all (clomid encourages more LH to be produced). You should be monitored whilst on clomid (certainly not left) with ultrasounds and blood tests. It should only be taken for a maximum of six months after which time other treatments should be looked at.

Side effects with clomid include breast discomfort and headaches.

Things like tea tree oil and aloe vera gel may help with the acne. Dabbing vitamin E oil of acne and scars can help them to heal. Pierce a capsule of vitamin E with a pin and squeeze out the oil to apply it.

You may want to look at Verity's website (this is the UK based charitable organisation specifically for women with PCOS. There is lots of information on there for you to look at). Their web address is www.verity-pcos.org.uk.

hi keysha, and everyone else. Only time to skim now but will try and come back later. Joining verity was the best thing I ever did. Conceived without medical intervention after following a low gi diet. Many women with pcos are insulin resistant and the diet regulates insuln levels. So does metformin, which is why it helps some women with pcos. I found I had bad side effects unless I ate carbs with it, which seemed pretty pointless.

Keysha soemtimes women with pcos have trouble with miscarriage because of the condition. Some continue to take metformin in pregnancy for that reason. Verity, verity, verity - you will find people there who have been through it all and most eventually pregnant.