Treatment for PCOS?

[Em886]

After going for a private scan (after NHS referral was rejected!) I have been told that i have PCOS. Irregular/absent periods are one of a few symptoms i have and one which is affecting me most as i’m TTC.

Is there any known medication or treatment which manages PCOS, specifically the irregular periods and ovulation? My GP in the past has said to lose weight (which i am doing and it hasn’t made a difference to my ovulation and periods so far) but nothing more was suggested.

I’m keen to go back to my GP and request relevant tests or medication but i’m not sure what to ask for! Does anyone have any suggestions please?

Have you also had blood tests or just the scan? Metformin can be prescribed to help with your weight
loss. It's a drug used in diabetes. People with PCOS often have insulin resistance problems.

If you are prescribed it then ask for the extended release version. It's a bit easier on the stomach than the normal metformin.

@IreneJones no blood tests specifically for this. The scan i was referred for was rejected too because apparently it’s not needed and PCOS can be diagnosed based on a combination of symptoms alone.

what blood tests should i be asking about?

thanks for the Metformin tip!

GP can check your hormone levels but need to be on specific days of your cycle

day 2/3 - FSH/LH/testosterone/SHBG/prolactin
day 21 (or 7 days post ovulation depending on how long your cycles are) - progesterone

they should also do baseline bloods including glucose and thyroid function.

the scan findings of multiple ovarian follicles is one of 3 markers for pcos. The nice guidelines for investigations are outlined fully here
cks.nice.org.uk/topics/polycystic-ovary-syndrome/diagnosis/investigations/

A good supplement called inositol (at a specific ratio of 40:1 myoinositol/d:Chiro) has been shown to be as effective as metformin in regulating ovulation cycles in women with pcos. I took it for 3 months and was able to get pregnant after more than a year of trying. I was also prescribed metformin and lost weight quickly after starting that.

Push your doctors to manage this better!

I've been diagnosed for over ten years, blood test and scans and a nurse even admitted to be as this is a female issue they are reluctant to offer any medicine or support as the pharmaceutical industry is so sexist!

I've had laser on my face from the sk:n clinic and it's been brilliant.

Before lockdown I lost 4 stone on slimming world and it works for pcos due to the limitations on carbs.

I'm now pregnant and it's going well so far, there is a constant niggle of being reminded my bmi is high at every appointment.

I honestly think this is one you need to take charge of yourself to make yourself feel better and more confident. You'll find lots of books on amazon for pcos meals which definitely make you feel better in yourself and help the mental health situ.

Definitely a frustrating disease! Hope you find something that works for you x

There is good info here:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos/treatment/

Thanks all!

Unfortunately I haven’t had a period since August so i imagine it will be impossible to get accurate hormone readings from a blood test 😒