PCOS - How long ttc until referral to fertility specialist?

[stupidbloodycysts]

Hi all,

so, I've just been diagnosed with PCOS, great!

My GP (well the locum GP lady) just had the review meeting with me in which she said that on the NHS we have to have been trying for 2 years (we're at 10 months now) until she can refer me to a fertility specialist (for them to prescribe Chlomid). This seems completely ridiculous to me, especially because minutes before this she told me that I am not ovulating... so how the heck are we meant to genuinely be TTC without me actually ovulating???

Can any of you please shed some light on your journeys with PCOS and referrals to fertility specialists? Did you have to try for 2 years even with PCOS?

Thank you!

You might want to ask to have this moved to Conception or General Health (because is is the Contraception topic, which sounds exactly not what you're asking about!)

That's not the case. I was told six months. I went after five, told a teeny fib and they started with blood tests to check for progesterone. Luckily I conceived the following month but two years is NOT the case if pcos is diagnosed

You won't necessarily have any problems. I have pcos and have 2 children and just found out I'm pregnant again. All naturally and without 'trying'. The only thing I did before the first was to take agnus castus to get me ovulating. Good luck

It was 18 months for me before I was referred. I think over a certain age possibly 35 it was 12 months.

However like a previous poster I took agnus cactus at same time as being referred and fell pregnant just after our first appointment. Took it this time and fell pregnant the first month ttc so PCOS doesn't always mean the worst. Good luck

A third vote for agnus cactus. I have pcos and have two children within two years and not a period before or between them but periods have returned since the youngest stopped BF. Sorry I know that's not your question but I can't advise you in that.

I was 32 and referred after 12 months, I thought that was standard, and 6 months for over 35. For child number 2 they referred me straight away as no tests needed just the clomid. I tried agnus castus and it kick started a period that lasted over a month so I can't recommend it. How old are you op? Are you quite young? It is recommended that you don't take clomid for more than 6 months in total I think, so if you are younger it is worth having a go 'naturally' first.

Hi, I'm new to Mumsnet. Been trying to conceive for just over a year. I'm 30, was on the pill for 10 years. Been the worst year and half since coming off it. Mainly due to acne that comes and goes and some extra weight around the the middle, but I'm very fit and healthy, not over weight. Am having periods but every 36-40 days. Been back and forth to GP, had blood tests, nothing too much has come up but couldn't pin point any ovulation signs. Been referred to gynea, but apt in 2 months and that's just for an initial consultation. £350 to go private to get a check up and scan. I have also booked in for acupuncture. I've turned into a bit of a hippy since coming off the pill, everything to try and stop the acne. I tried agnus castus which was great at the time, seemed to help me ovulate, but nothing. Non diary diet and now also very low carb diet too. I'm convinced I have pcos, I've always had a hairy face but it's worsened gradually over the past year and half. But not too much dark hair just generally noticed more hair on my face. Been very bloated around the middle all year. Has anyone on here gone private for a scan and then continued treatment via the NHS? And does anyone else recommend acupuncture? I hope Mumsnet will become a bit of a release for me, getting to the stage of feeling stressed now after remaining positive for so long.

Hi sorry I'm a bit late to this thread but just to say I was diagnosed with PCOS four years ago after coming off the pill to try and concieve and my periods didn't start. Had loads of tests to diagnose why my periods had stopped and eventually got diagnosis and told to keep trying for a year. I booked privately for acupuncture and within a few weeks of treatment my periods started again and became quite regular. So I would recommend trying acupuncture as I think this is what helped although you never know if they would have started anyway. I then took about six months to conceive DD1. Two years later we concieved DD2 the first month we started trying!