PCOS advice please!

[gembay]

Hello - I'm a bit of a newbie so not sure if this is the right place to ask .. but I was just wondering if anyone had any advice/experiences they could share re PCOS.
My sister has PCOS and I know from her how very little doctors seem to know about the condition which is why I wanted to ask here - but I know you cant exactly diagnose me! basically - Im quite hairy (!) - I often get dark-ish hairs on my chin which I pluck out, and I also have some hair in a line underneath my belly button ( i think on men this is a called a treasure trail - not quite so desirable on a woman!) This hair is quite course/dark and pube like .. sorry if TMI..

I also have very slightly irregular periods - they vary between 29 days - 35 days each month, but never any longer than that. Is this classed as irregualr?

however, i dont have any problem with my weight and my skin is ok too. As I mentioned my sis has PCOS, im not sure if its genetic?

We have been not exactly TTC but 'seeing what happens' since May - and the answer is nothing has happened! we will start trying properly in the new year, but Im worried that I could have PCOS which is why I havnt conceived yet.. Im not quite sure what Im asking, but guess just wondering if the 'hair' and slightly irreguar periods is worth getting tested for PCOS ? or could you have these symptoms without actually havving pcos.. or just asking for general advice in this area?? thank you!

I don't think it is genetic- I have it and my sisters don't.
You sound like you have some of the symptoms of it- you don't have to have all of them!

I would go to the doctors and get tested- they will test by blood test and by a scan -I think it is better to do it sooner (even if it turns out to be unnecessary)- I had mine diagnosed years ago but when I went to the doctors for help on TTC - he still made me repeat all the tests which added a lot of time to the process

Hi gembay

It is certainly true to say that some GPs are ignorant when it comes to PCOS. It is not though a condition that GPs should try and treat. It is not impossible to conceive with PCOS (I have this and am a parent) but it can be difficult and often specialist assistance from a gynae at a hospital's subfertility unit is needed. Both you and your man should be tested further.

The underlying causes of PCOS are still not fully understood although there could well be genetic components involved.

It may well be that you have PCOS; the symptoms you have could well be indicative of this. A "normal" cycle is a cycle length of between 21 and 35 days OR with a cycle variation of less than 4 days from month to month. It is also possible as well to have periods without ovulating.

PCOS is a very individualistic disorder and affects each woman with it very differently.
I was diagnosed with this based on my irregular periods, bloodwork showing the usual LH/FSH imbalance and a few stray hairs.
Some but not all women with PCOS do have some degree of hirsuitism. As mentioned before though PCOS is a very individualistic disorder.

I would be looking into having blood tests done asap to see what your hormone levels are like. You could have a day 2 test done to measure and importantly compare your LH (luteinising hormone) against that of your FSH (follicle stimulation hormone). Both LH and FSH are important as these kickstart the ovulation process. If these two hormone levels are awry then ovulation will be affected. Sometimes with PCOS there is an excess of LH to FSH. If there is such an imbalance I would ask to be referred to a gynae at a subfertility unit to be further evaluated and diagnosed properly.

Collette Harris has written several books on PCOS which may be helpful to you. Verity is a UK based website on PCOS which may also be useful:-

www.verity-pcos.org.uk

HTH, any other questions just ask.

Thank you so much for your replies - they genuinly really do help. I think my next step will be to get to the doctors before Christmas and try and find out, as it would put my mind at rest. and like you say - it's best to get this done sooner rather than later in case I do have PCOS and need some help conceiving...

hiya
iam going to the doc's today to see if i can get tested for pcos,i have always had irregular period's i do have a ds who is 3 but it took me 4 years and 4 mc my waight went up when i was 20 and i dont eat alot to be 2 stone over iam dark haired and dark skin so i know that my hair shows up more but i have really hairry toe's and belly and upperlip and the hairs on my leg's are really corse my cycles can varry from 4-6-7 weeks.i have been trying to conceive since jan 09 i have had bloods done and they came back with low progestrone
does this sound like pcos?
xx

Hi,

You certainly should be checked further by a gynae (not the GP) to see if PCOS is indeed an issue given your gynae history (having PCOS can also bring with it an increased risk of miscarriage). It is also possible to have periods without ovulating.

Would urge you not to use any ovulation predictor type monitor as these are worse than useless if the menstrual cycle is irregular. These are at best beset with problems anyway and can give misleading readings.

Low progesterone is indicative of ovulation problems. Your LH and FSH levels should be checked and compared against each other on day 2 of the menstrual cycle. If there is an imbalance of LH to FSH this is one possible indicator of PCOS.

Blood tests as well can be done according to calendar days if the cycle is irregular so you don't have to wait for the next period.
They could send you for an internal ultrasound scan to see what your ovaries and uterine cavity look like.

Would return to the GP and ask/insist on a referral to a gynae at a subfertility unit if this has not already been done.

You will need to be persistant in order to get answers.

I have it - was diagnosed after a huge cyst burst and gave me appendicitis type pain/symptoms.

Anyway to cut a long story short after 2.5 years of TTC I used a themometer to chart my cycle, contrary to what Attila said this worked for me as even though periods were all over the shop I was ovulating at roughly same time each month but not when you'd expect it.

Got preg 5 months after starting to chart.

Good luck!