talk to me about eggs

[pigeonpoo]

I'm 31. PCOS, endometriosis and a failing relationship with my only child's father.

I'm desperate (unhealthily desperate) not to lose out on a second child - I'm working on this emotionally IRL

But practically, can I find out how healthy my eggs are? How much time I have left?

I cannot financially or emotionally go through collecting and freezing eggs right now. But I can't stop worrying either.

It has lots of advice for PCOS as insulin resistance and testosterone can affect egg quality. Essentially PCOS and diminished ovarian reserve are two ends of the spectrum

PCOS - very high antral follicle count, usually high levels of testosterone and insulin resistance or sensitivity which can have a deleterious effect on egg quality. Metformin and / or inositol can help to modulate this.

DOR (diminished ovarian reserve) - low antral follicle count and often very low levels of testosterone - too little of which is just as damaging to eggs as too much. Hence why DHEA (a precursor to testosterone) can be so good for women with low AMH

We are all individuals and what suits one will not necessarily suit another

Another vote for 'it starts with the egg' book. It made a HUGE difference to the success of my IVF cycles. Lots of great info in there about PCOS and ways to maximise your egg quality.

I wouldn't bother with the AMH test if I were you. With PCOS you can have wildly fluctuating results depending on how many cysts present at he time which has no bearing on the quality of the eggs.