Does having just one of your ovaries 'mildly polycystic' have a big impact on fertility?

[emeraldgirl1]

Just back from the internal ultrasound where the technician said that she thought one of my ovaries was mildly polycystic - she also thought I'd recently ovulated from that same one which apparently is a good sign as ovulation is taking place, at least. Am I right in thinking that PCOS can actually stop you from ovulating at all?

But I'm getting a bit confused as to how this might affect my fertility, if at all. The major issue that I'm currently working to solve is high prolactin caused by an overactive pituitary, so obviously that needs regulating first. But once that's done, will having one polycystic ovary have a big impact on my chances of conceiving? Especially if I am actually able to ovulate, which I hope is a good sign? Having more blood tests done but so far nobody has said anything is dire on the whole LH/FSH front.

DH is about to do the whole jolly semen sample thing, so we're about to get some answers on that front too, at least.

Whole thing is a bit exhausting, really. I feel like we're going round in circles atm!!

I had mildly polycystic ovaries and a slightly irregular cycle (30-42 days but mainly 31-33). Conceived twice very quickly (three months, one month). My cycle was regular after the first pregnancy and remains so, 9 years after the second, oddly enough. HTH.

Thanks Acanthus, that does help and glad to hear you conceived without much trouble!!

It's just a bit of a maze at the moment, keep going up different alleyways to find more problems... Wish I'd started sorting this out sooner, I'm 33. Still, better late than never, I hope.

Some women with PCOS can ovulate spontaneously on occasion but what tends to happen with this condition is that ovulation does not happen frequently, if at all.

How are they intending to bring the excess prolactin level down (tablets?). They certainly need to get this level down.

What have they said about your LH and FSH levels particularly if the blood test has been done for this on day 2.

What needs to be borne in mind as well is that the cystic follicles associated with PCO do disappear - only to be replaced by further cystic follicles. Is the sonographer suggesting that only one ovary is polycystic?.

I have cysts on one ovary and the only barrier to me becomming pregnant was that it took 18 months to ovulate once I'd stopped taking the pill.

Once I was back having periods, I tracked my fertility by way of temperature tracking and monitoring my cervical mucus (sorry if tmi ) I have long cycles (35-41 days) and ovulate on different days each month. I now have a 4yo dd and a 14 week ds, so it doesn't have to be too much of a hurdle. I would def recommend getting to know your own cycle and identifying your own ovulation signs. Good Luck!

Both my ovaries are slightly polycystic and I got pregnant in July at our first attempt at TTC (unfortunatley, I MC'd) and now I'm 7 weeks pregnant. My periods have always been fairly regular and, according to my Clearblue Fertility Monitor, I ovulated every month while TTCing.

HTH and good luck!

Attila - hi, yes, they are intending to use drugs to bring the prolactin level down. Basically it depends on the further investigations (today's US and an HSG) which drugs I am given, as if there are further problems with my fertility beyond the prolactin then the specialist is suggesting we should start ttc asap, which would mean I have to take a particular drug that is OK to take while ttc. If all other issues are looking OK then he would suggest a different drug which has fewer side effects for me but that cannot be taken if ttc.

I think that yes, the sonographer is suggesting that only one ovary is polycystic, is this normal or impossible? Not much has been said yet about the LH and FSH levels done on CD2 (actually it was CD 3, they told me a window of Day 2 to 4 was OK) as the specialist was mostly focussed on these follow up scans etc. He did mention something about ovarian reserve looking good. I think the most recent blood test he sent me for was delving more into the hormones issue - am I right in thinking they are testing something called AMH? Now I am due for an HSG and hopefully on the basis of all this and DH's sperm test we will have more idea of the whole picture.

God, it's exhausting, though!!

Thank you sayanything and detox diva, good to hear success stories... Sorry about the MC sayanything, but glad you're on course again now and fingers crossed for you.

I think there is a difference between polycystic ovaries and PCOS? Both my ovaries are polycystic. This happened sometime after DD was born 11 years ago.I was in my late 30s when my new DP and i decided to try for a baby. After 6 months i saw GP who got me ultrasound and then prescribed Clomid to increase my chances of ovulation every month. But beware you can produce numerous eggs if more than one folicle is stimulated by the drug. I conceived the very first month. I have since had 2 more DC without any drugs at all. I am 42 and my fertility along with polycystic ovaries should mean my fertility is in decline...we now have 4 children!

Have you seen this site? It explains differences between polycystic ovaries and the syndrome.
www.nhs.uk/conditions/polycystic-ovarian-syndrome/Pages/Introduction.aspx?url=Pages/what-is-it.aspx

Good Luck

Thank you saladfingers! Oh how I love to hear stories of Late 30s and above ttc - it heartens me that I am not at the end of the road, as some of my friends seem to already be implying, at 33!!

Thanks too justaboutisfatandtired, again it is great to get real-life versions of what these conditions can mean, especially when the endings are good!