TTC WITH PCOS

[swirls3468]

Hi everyone!
Just thought I'd make a thread for anyone TTC with pcos. I have not formally been diagnosed with the condition but pretty sure I am due to my irregular periods and the way my ovaries look on a scan.
I came off the pill August last year and had regular periods and then they just completely stopped in January. I had to have a tablet to induce a period in the end.
Anyway it's been a while now and hard to try and conceive when you know you probably aren't even ovulating.
Any body in a similar position?
Also anyone has any tips/ supplements that might help?

Thanks 😁

Have you thought about changing your diet to low carb? I was diagnosed with pcos when I was 18 and the only time my cycle ever normalised (every 29 days instead of 3 periods a year) was when I cut sugar and refined carbs out.

@Rumtopf I have tried but it didn't last long to be honest. Find diets like that really hard.
I could try it and I'm sure it would help.
X

Hi @swirls3468 try inofolic . It’s a vitamin supplement for PCOS. Really helps regulate your periods and has helped me get back to normal cycles (though still irregular but averaging 30-35 days now).

I agree on the diet - low carb all the way and watch sugar intake. Try BDing every other day if you can. Good luck

Agree with the other ladies regarding the low carb diet I thought it would be really difficult and I didn't really have a lot of weight to lose but my first week on Keto I lost 8lb! I also take inofolic so I can tell it's doing me some good x

Hey,

I'm pretty much the same as you. But came off the pill 4 years ago.

Lost 2 stone doing keto (low carb) although probably out it back on now 😞

Started taking myo-inositol in December and it's transformed my cycles. Gone from maximum of 180 days down to 54 then 45 then last cycle was 28 when I got a BFP (which ended in early miscarriage).

Now CD25 and 7DPO. Had very very slight spotting yesterday and today but trying my very best not to symptom spot.

Anyway....I highly recommend inositol products. At least they get things regular and maybe a first step before going down Clomid route...

@ApplePie86 thanks !! Sorry to hear you are in the same boat.
Tbh I've tried lots of supplements including myo-inositol. It didn't seem to do anything for me. But might re start it again. I was on it a good 6 months and only just stopped really.
Is there any particular brand you would recommend?
My diets pretty good tbh I eat a well balanced diet with plenty of good protein and fresh vegetables. But will deffo reduce the carbs. Starting from this week!

@ChicaXS Hello
How long did you take the supplement for? Is it the same as myo- inositol? I took that for a good 6 months with no change really. In fact I was worried it actually stopped my periods. But could've been a coincidence.
May re start it . Many thanks

@swirls3468 it took inofolic 3 months for me and got pregnant whilst on keto and exercised. I know it worked because I took a break and my periods went all over the place (I had a TFMR) and now back on it and it’s started to regulate again. I use the new version which has an Alpha supplement which is meant to help in egg quality and insulin intake. Keep at it, patience is a virtue and honestly cutting the carbs work wonders. Quit alcohol if you can. If you have no luck it’s best to get a fertility check. I know most women With PCOS are on Metformin to set periods straight again but I decided against it as I would prefer the most natural way possible.

@ChicaXS that's really interesting thank you!!
Where did you order your supplement from??
Mines just a powered form I add to my drink. I will start taking it again.
Yes deffo don't want to go in Metformin tbh I already get terrible IBS at times so that would just aggravate it.
I have actually been referred to a fertility specialist but just waiting on an appointment now. Didn't want to leave things too late to get them sorted.
Thanks for the advice- I'll cut back on alcohol but don't drink much really. Some weeks nothing, other weeks probably a bottle of wine over the course of a week.

Do you think cutting caffeine helps?

@ChicaXS what is TMFR? Xxx

@swirls3468 I use these ones https://www.amazon.co.uk/MyOva-Myo-Plus-Supplement-Myo-Inositol-Chromium/dp/B01M0OZQHI/ref=sxtssxwds-bia-wc-p13n110?cvcttcx=myo-inositol&dchild=1&keywords=myo-inositol&pdrddi=B01M0OZQHI&pdrddr=8580591c-5bea-4dd6-998f-5c75a5c4ce0c&pdrddw=dyOxv&pdrddwg=8r8H5&pfrddp=3706c3bd-3266-4c7b-88b8-55890dca63c0&pfrddr=RCN9SMRHZST2YE3G075R&psc=1&qid=1591649972&sprefix=myo&sr=1-1-e4abe256-0722-424e-a8a3-6caa9bba7df8

Sorry to hear they didn't work very well with you. I am planning on taking them until I'm pregnant and throughout a pregnancy (apparently they've shown to help prevent gestational diabetes).

@swirls3468 I tried the myo ionsitol in powder form as well when we first started ttc. Got spotting a lot, spent most of the month spotting or after sex and then my period wouldn't come. Also got bad acne which I'm only just recovering from by taking vitamin b5. I need to find out if this is ok for pregnancy just in case by some miracle we do fall pregnant.

I've been diagnosed since 18yo with PCOS and I've never fallen pregnant despite sometimes not using contraception. This is the first time TTC though and it's been 9/10 months now. I've already had referral done etc, just waiting for covid to blow over so we can get back to it.

Metformin apparently is really good if you do need it though so don't write it off until you've spoken to a specialist.

@swirls3468 - how long ago were you referred to a fertility specialist 😊?
I had my appointment in March and I'm currently waiting for a laparoscopy for ovarian drilling!

I also suffer from IBS and have found cutting back caffeine helped with both my IBS and PCOS! X

[quote swirls3468]@ChicaXS that's really interesting thank you!!
Where did you order your supplement from??
Mines just a powered form I add to my drink. I will start taking it again.
Yes deffo don't want to go in Metformin tbh I already get terrible IBS at times so that would just aggravate it.
I have actually been referred to a fertility specialist but just waiting on an appointment now. Didn't want to leave things too late to get them sorted.
Thanks for the advice- I'll cut back on alcohol but don't drink much really. Some weeks nothing, other weeks probably a bottle of wine over the course of a week.

Do you think cutting caffeine helps? [/quote]
Cutting caffeine defo helps but honestly it’s my vice and I never cut it but stuck to two cups a day which is fine. I also suffer from IBS so keto definitely helped manage symptoms! I buy from fertility friend inofolic which is the powdered form. It’s different to myoinosotol since it contains a alpha protein which is under copyright with them. One other thing which is important is be weary of OPKs. They give you guidance but you’ll learn how to use them with PCOS after a whilst. Get a HSG done and make sure no tubes are tied. I’m an avid believer PCOS women can get pregnant normally providing they are getting assurance on the insulin side. X

@ForeverHopeful67

Hello!! I've heard of the drilling procedure but didn't like the sound of having an op.
I was referred way back in Jan and my first appointment was 2nd April. Got cancelled due to covid. And they actually just discharged me and wrote a letter to say if I'm not pregnant in the next year to get my gp to re refer me- I was well pissed off wjth that.
I got the gp to refer me to another hospital (a bigger more specialised one) so just waiting for an appointment now. Will most likely be months probably. But at least I am in the system xxx

Hi everyone,

I'm 29 and have been diagnosed with PCOS but it's not yet known how much of an affect it's having on my fertility as some appointments I was due to have with fertility at King's in London have been postponed due to Covid-19.

I came off contraception 18 months ago but I'd say its only in the past 6 months or so that we've been actively TTC. I feel at a bit of a loss because I can't have my scan or consultations and I don't think ovulation tests or my Flo app are that reliable because my periods are so irregular!

I've bought preseed lubricant and have been taking folic acid for a year and gave started taking selenium and Coq10 supplements too.

I'm hoping this thread will be a good source of advice and comfort. Will be interested to read through and hear stories and see how everyone is doing with their PCOS.

Thanks

@swirls3468 yeah it was pretty daunting for me at first too, seeing as in my first app in March that was when I only just got diagnosed with PCOS and told I'd need an op too - bit of a shock!!
WHAT!! That's awful I'd feel so pissed off too I can't believe after having your app cancelled they just fobbed you off like that! Make sure you do persevere with the new hospital as I find this is all so much easier to deal with when you have the medical support behind you  hopefully you don't have to wait too long!

@Croselle welcome! Sharing this journey definitely makes it easier it is frustrating having everything put on hold currently, but use it as a time to focus on yourself and getting your body in the best physical state ready for your scans etc when they start going ahead!

If it helps ladies, I've recently read " it starts with the egg" and 8 steps to reverse your pcos" and would really recommend them! X

@ForeverHopeful67 thank you I'll check them out!

@ForeverHopeful67 I know I was so annoyed about the appointment thing. But just the waiting game now isn't it. That's why I'm trying to be mega healthy whilst I am waiting lol.
So when is your operation ?? Did they say you would deffo need it? Is it meant to help you ovulate? Not really done much research into it.
How long have you been TTC?
Great to chat to people in the same boat!!!

@Croselle Welcome ! Hope you are well. I understand your frustration. My periods are really irregular it does my head in. How often do you have them? A monthly period usually means monthly ovulation so if there's no period, it probably means no ovulation.
Xx

@swirls3468 hiya. Yeah it can be so frustrating can't it?! My cycle length varies, I've had 28 days, 25, 46, 53, 70!! I don't have periods every single month but the past 4 months or so I have had one so I'm hoping that's a good sign at least.

@swirls3468 that's a great choice eating healthy will do you the world of good!
Currently waiting for operations to resume but I'm looking to go private due to the 12 + month wait list!
They've said it increases your chance of conceiving by 80% and essentially my body will work as normal for a little while! I also have a small sized uterus which is why I think they're suggesting I do the op.
Been TTC for about 15 months! How about you?
Also out of curiosity how irregular are your cycles? X

@ForeverHopeful67 That's really interesting, I presume the operation is pretty successful then.
Yeah I've considered going private as well but will see when my initial consultation is.
So I come off the pill last August. Been on it since I was about 15 on and off! I am not actually formally diagnosed with pcos but have a lot of the symptoms and also the scan she said I was on the threshold for pcos but apparently they don't just go on the scan? I've had blood work too which came back normal but I dont think gps are very clued up on this condition which is why I asked for a referral.

So been TTC about 10 months I could say. But my periods just stopped in December so i knew I wasn't gonna get pregnant. We have sex regularly anyway so wasn't really a trying thing if that makes sense.

When I came off the pill I had various cycles but pretty much monthly for those few months.

I had a progesterone pill then to give me one naturally about 3 weeks ago because was concerned I just needed to get rid of the lining lol.

But I've actually just come on my period! Like yesterday which really shocked me???? So god knows what's going on.

Are yours irregular ? Sorry for the essay! I must sound mad x

@swirls3468 that's ok you don't sound mad at all! Very similar to everything I've been going through!
I definitely agree that GPs aren't as clued up about pcos. I had my bloods and a scan last year through my gp and was told everything was fine no pcos. My first app with the fertility specialist straight away said I have it - sometimes you need to trust your gut!
That's great news you've came on, hopefully this will be a proper cycle for you - baby dust!! X

@swirls3468 also my periods are super irregular, last year I went months and months without having one! Now I've bled around every 33-50 days but sometimes I wouldn't call it an actual period as it's quite light! X