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 😁

@Newbie0818 yeah thought mine was negative. So often do I have to test now? I had ewcm today and tested with that strip. I am day 16 so maybe already ovulated? Xxxx

@swirls3468 when you start to notice them getting darker just rest every 4 hours as you're more likely to catch peak, but with ewcm I'd do 2 times per day until then x 🤞🏼

Hi all - Is anyone else on Metformin? I'm looking for some advice...

I started Metformin 1 1/2 weeks ago, the stories I am reading have people variously getting pregnant the same month or within 3-4 months of starting Metformin.

My questions are (i) should I be also taking ovulation tests at the same time to increase chances of conception? (ii) considering periods are not regular and you could get pregnant in the first month, when do I take a test to check? I read somewhere 4 weeks after starting Metformin is that a good rule of thumb?

This is our first time trying and we always thought it would just happen...so not actually sure what I should be doing. Dr has just said "I'm sure you and your husband are doing everything right"

Hi @WolfClan - I'm in the same boat as you. Started metformin last week. How've you been with it?

I'm planning in taking a test in about 4 weeks but I am doing ovulation tests too to see if/when I ovulate. I've been taking inofolic so I want to see if that combined with the metformin does anything for me. If not, I've got my clomid prescription ready to start next cycle!

I would assume that 4/5 weeks is a good time to test. Are you doing ovulation tests?

@Tillyisabelle2018 - the first week I was on 500 mg and felt a bit tired but that was it, this week on 1000 mg and its making me feel quite vommy.

I haven't been taking ovulation tests but was discussing with DH today that it might be a good idea just to see if it is working (his response was "Why - can't we just "do it" all the time" ). I think I will do the same as you and start taking the tests.

Other than the Metformin I'm taking Pregnacare for Conception, and my usual probiotics and omega 3. I've heard of Inofolic but haven't looked much into it - but will do some research tonight. We have a referral to the fertility clinic, in the UK we can't get Clomid until we see the fertility clinic but I think my Dr said 3 months on Metformin and see where we are before going to the fertility clinic. She did also say, there is a high rate of PCOS in our area (the area where all her patients are from), and she's been very lucky that almost all of them have gotten pregnant on the 3 months of Metformin so I am hopeful...

Agreed 4/5 weeks from the start of Metformin seems to be the going date for testing (if you don't have a period that is) - going to put a reminder in the calendar I think.

Its good to find someone else in the exact same boat - thanks for responding !

@WolfClan yeah I've had a bit of an off tummy so not looking forward to increasing it!

I'm based in the UK - I was seen by a fertility clinic and prescribed with metformin and clomid after the initial tests but my period started just after my scan so I couldn't started clomid straight away. We've decided to give it a while with metformin before starting the clomid as it's limited to 6 months only!

I'm convinced that the inofolic caused my period to start - I hadn't had one since the start of May but started my period 3 days after starting the inofolic! It's quite pricey though

It's definitely nice to have someone going through this at the same time! My husband still thinks it'll just happen 😂

I was diagnosed with PCOS about 5 years ago but then based on my recent scan and bloods the consultant said they wouldn't diagnose it. Apparently some NHS non specialist doctors can be a bit keen to diagnose it as it gives an 'answer' so I'd definitely recommend getting a second opinion!

@Tillyisabelle2018 Made Hubby look up Infolic as he works for a pharmaceutical company, the main ingredients are myo-inositol and folic acid. The supplements I'm taking have insitol and folic acid already so I think I might stick with it and see how it goes before switch to Infolic if needed.

Thanks for the info on clomid - yeah I want to exhaust the Metformin route first before trying anything else, that way it feels like we have options and back up.

Guys are so funny when its comes to babies, they all seem to think nature will sort it all out! This is why I had to talk to another girl going through the same thin - will keep you updated but fingers crossed for us both :)

@WolfClan haha men definitely don't understand do they 😂

Yes definitely fingers crossed for us both 😊 let me know how you get on!!

@Tillyisabelle2018 @WolfClan
I agree with you both that men don't have a clue lol. I think they like to brush things under the carpet. As my boyfriend always says "it will happen if we just relax and not think too much about it" what a load of rubbish.

Can I ask @WolfClan did your GP prescribe metformin? Or was it a fertility clinic?
I have been referred but haven't got an appointment until end of October so wondering if my Gp will prescribe it in the meantime.

Thanks

@swirls3468 My GP prescribed it - it’s a diabetes drug and the fertility treatment if off label so your GP can prescribe it. We are really lucky that my GP has been super supportive and from Day 1 when I spoke to her she sent me off for all the blood tests to see if I have PCOS and the ones needed for fertility clinic referral and scans at the same time. She was like if you know you want a baby and the NHS waitlist is so long why waste time it’s best to do everything at the same time.

I’ve heard that some GPs in the U.K. don’t know about Metformin for PCOS and fertility so might be worth speaking to them again and being a bit pushy. My GP said for her patients she prescribes them Metformin and most get pregnant before they even get off the fertility clinic waitlist so I’m super hopeful.

@WolfClan That's interesting thank you, because they've never really been straight with me and said you deffo have pcos even though I know I have now. But worth an ask I suppose. I know it's off label for pcos and usually only used for type 2 diabetes that's why I didn't want to just take it without proper assessment etc if that makes sense. I think a lot of gps aren't that educated on pcos to be honest. Also I have bad ibs at times and metformin can make it worse. How are you feeling in it? Xx

@swirls3468 maybe try and see another GP to get a second opinion. I’ve had a few blood tests and also a scan and they have confirmed the PCOS diagnosis so GP was happy to prescribe it. You should double check as it might be endometriosis, normal ovarian cysts etc. and Metformin doesn’t seem to help with any of those.

First week on 500 mg I was alright just tired, now on a higher dose of 1000mg feel pretty nauseous after I take it and also in the morning. Pretty bloated as well, bad tummy. So not pleasant.
try and see if you can get a second opinion, you need to know what’s going on right?

Hello,

I just wanted to share my experience. I was diagnosed with PCOS a couple of years ago.

I am 28, BMI is 24.

I got an ovulation kit test but recently found out they don't work well for those with pcos as I would peak and then go down and then peak again ect. I also got a thermometer.

I've had 2 miscarriages. For one i was 3months, but actually showing 8 weeks and no heartbeat. I say three months as had no period and tested positive for the 2 months prior. I'm not sure how common that is. Second time I was 6weeks they did an internal scan and Warning TMI but when they took the internal scan thing out it was covered in loads of blood.

Anyway, I have been taking the following supplements and changed my diet to vegan since January (8 months) to try help my symptoms and get body prepped for baby.

• pregnacare

-inositol (wasn't prescribed by doctor just got from amazon)

• Cod Liver oil (not vegan and even though GP said is fine to have a vegan pregnancy I want to make sure baby has what it needs)

After my first month of taking inositol I've just found out am 3 weeks pregnant! We have been TTC since May. Fingers crossed I can make it full term this time. Good luck everyone!!!!!

@1992girl sorry about your MC's :( but congrats for the bfp this time round :) hoping it works out for you. I've been taking inositol too for 2 months but still no luck unfortunately x

@1992girl hope it goes well for you.

Ive just been reading about supplements if it's ok to say, I take omega 3 (fish oil) there is a seaweed option but its way expensive, but what I read was try not to get it from cod liver just because thats their detox organ.

Can I ask what your cycles were like? And if you got pregnant while ur LH was still peaking high? Don't suppose you knew ur LH/FSH ratio?

I'm BMI 26 and still losing weight. I try my best to be vegan and eat the pcos way, take supplements. It's been 3 months since my last cycle but I am now on day 3 and had bloods taken today (only recently found out day 3 is the day to take blood tests!) waiting eagerly for my results lol.

Hope you don't mind me joining in. I've been told I have PCO but not PCOS. Bloods all normal but AFC scan showed 20 follicles on one ovary and 28 on the other. I have pretty regular periods but a lot of spotting/light bleeding between days 22/23 and day 28. I also get positive OPK results. Basically I'm not sure what all of this means and what I can do to help the situation! We've been TTC for 1 year and OH has low count, motility and morphology.

Hi @MF1981 welcome

I've been TTC a while but only recently started learning about pcos and beginning to approach the doctors. Waiting for OH SA results and then they will refer us.

With doctors it seems you have to push them for help, so if your doctor isn't helping maybe get back in touch or get referred to fertility clinic, I hear wait list are long so good to get on them.

Meantime stay healthy, I was a little fat which im working on now. Bad thing is I kinda let myself get fat after I was having a giving up phase not realising how bad for fertility it is.

@Ronnii

Hi *@MF1981* welcome

I've been TTC a while but only recently started learning about pcos and beginning to approach the doctors. Waiting for OH SA results and then they will refer us.

With doctors it seems you have to push them for help, so if your doctor isn't helping maybe get back in touch or get referred to fertility clinic, I hear wait list are long so good to get on them.

Meantime stay healthy, I was a little fat which im working on now. Bad thing is I kinda let myself get fat after I was having a giving up phase not realising how bad for fertility it is.

Thank you! Hope you get your referral soon.

We had our initial clinic appt in Feb then everything was delayed due to covid which didn't help as I turned 39 in that time so no longer eligible for NHS funding. All tests done now and have a follow up clinic appointment tomorrow. My HSG couldn't be done as my body kept pushing the tube out so we don't know if my tubes are healthy.

@MF1981 that's interesting I thought things got fast tracked after 35.

Hope your appt is helpful. I'd hope fertility clinics have more understanding than GP.

I have started asking for print outs of my results. I'm told I have normal bloods but the ranges for hormones are large as they naturally go up and down and depends where you are in cycle which was never said to me.

Positive OPKs is from high LH, and unless you're ovulating I don't get how it can be called normal.

@Ronnii it does get sped up usually - we were referred by GP after only 6 months of TTC but then covid struck and now we're at a year and have only just finished having all tests done. And now we have to save up! Definitely get print outs of your results - mine weren't all sent on from the GP but luckily I had them with me at my appt. Definitely make sure your bloods are taken on the right day too.

Hello everyone!

Just looking for a bit of advice really.

I started taking inofolic on 21st July and then started my period on 24th July. On 31st July I started taking metformin and am now taking 3 tablets a day.

For the last few days I've had really bad nausea, headaches and indigestion. I've also had sore boobs and been really tired. Also been waking up in the night for a wee but not sure if that's linked 😂

Before I get too optimistic, has anyone else had similar symptoms after upping metformin to 1500mg daily? If so, when will the side effects ease?

Thank you 😊

Anyone?

Hi all,

Newbie here. I've got my first fertility appointment coming up (via telephone) at the end of Sept and i'm not sure what to expect. I came off the pill in March 2018 and have had one period (in June 2020) since. I was diagnosed with PCOS in summer 2019 after various tests including scans and a glucose tolerance test. As a result I was recommended to go on a low carb diet which i tried for three weeks, lost a lot of weight (which i didn't need to lose) and as a runner it just wasn't right for me so my GP told me to go back to my normal balanced diet. I then moved house and had to wait for all my records to transfer before i could get another referral, then Covid hit, and here we are. We've been TTC for just under 2 years. Any advice on what I might be told or the next steps is appreciated. I'm having more bloods, and my partner is being tested to ensure we have those results ready for the appointment.

Thanks everyone!

Hi All - I posted earlier on the chain. Got a bit of a dilemma. So I’ve been taking Metformin for 4.5 weeks.

Been having symptoms like nausea all the time, tiredness, sore boobs, going to the loo ALL THE TIME. Took a test last Saturday- came back negative. Then had cramps - thought I was getting my period. But nothing came. Continued to feel nauseous, gone off food, sore boobs, acne, going to the loo ridiculous amounts. It’s now Wednesday- took another test still negative.

Can’t work out what’s going on - is this a combination of the PCOS and the Metformin? Still no period. Should I continue testing?

@WolfClan Hi!

I'm exactly the same 😂 posted on here last week but unsurprisingly received no responses!

It's so confusing isn't it? I was feeling really rough for the first 3 weeks of metformin and then started with more pregnancy like symptoms (sore boobs and tiredness for me) so took a test but it was negative. The last few days I've started feeling a bit better so I'm just assuming that my body is now getting used to metformin?

I think I'll keep testing every few days either until my period arrives or a point where I'm certain I'm not pregnant due to dates.

Hope that's helpful!