trying to conceive with polycystic ovaries

[Egypt]

Anyone out there trying to conceive but having difficulty because of polycycstic ovaries? Have not long found out that my ovaries are polycystic and I have a large cyst on one as well. It means I've not had a proper cycle since coming off the pill a year ago and obviously not ovaluating regularly. My doctor is going to start me on fertility treatment (clomid) in 4 weeks time. Was wondering if anyone is or has been in the same situation as me and had success?

My friend had polycystic ovaries. She had them operated on (nhs) after being promptly referred by her gp and got pregnant within months of the surgery. She has since gotten pregnant a second time again within months of starting to try. Good luck.

A friend of mine also suffered the condition with her first and it took her ages, I think she too also went down the clomid route. 2nd time round she got pregnant unexpectidly after having a coil fitted!!

I found I had polycystic ovaries after trying for number 2. Clomid didn't work for me, so I was operated on (ovarian diathermy). I ovulated one month later and was pregnant after 2. I was told to complete my family within about 3 years as the operation was not a permamnent solution, however thay may have done the job a bit too well, because I went on to have 3 children between 1996 and 2001! I was sterilised to stop me having any more after that. Hope this helps.

wow! super fertile then, lou33! that makes me feel a little bit more positive. what is ovarian diathermy? how long did you perservere with the clomid before the operation?

Hi Egypt. I had 2 or 3 tries with Clomid, but it didn't work at all for me. Ovarian diathermy is done through a laparoscopy. In everyday language they sort of use a laser to drill tiny pieces of the ovary away. For some reason noone knows it seems to restart ovulation. Like I said I was pg within 2 months of having it done, and since then have had regular periods, whereas I never did before. It was done under a general as a day case.

thanx lou. so if clomid doesnt work after 2 or 3 months (ie you dont ovulate, not necessarily get pg) then they will help? sounds positive. how long ago was this for you?

Egypt, it is certainly possible to conceive with polycystic ovaries, but it really does vary enormously as to how easy it is. We went through Clomid, Gonal-F injections to induce ovulation, ovarian diathermy and IVF. After a total of 10 operations (8 under g.a.), over 70 transvaginal scans, 100 Gonal-F injections, and too many blood tests to count we have 2 wonderful sons. But our hospital has a 50% success rate with clomid (yes a fertility drug, but pretty low-tech in comparison with what is available), so this isn't the norm! And again we were told that if we were happy to keep on trying we would get there in the end (but then we were paying!)

thanks miriamw. we are paying now too. the nhs is just sooooo long winded. got fingers crossed. blimey how long did it take you in all? so pleased that it worked out for you in the end though. i guess we just have to try and try and it will all work out. hope it doesnt take too long.

This was on the nhs and at the Chelsea and Westminster hospital in 1996, so a bit of a while ago.

Referred by GP to NHS hsopital Jan 97, first appt Jun 97, went private Jun 99, DS1 born Mar 01, DS2 born May 03. Wish that we had gone private sooner. We were treated at the Lister in Chelsea - very good stats for PCOS.