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 😁

Hey ladies

Just to give you a heads up- you can have a period AND NOT ovulate. This is due to the hormone levels surging the lining of the uterus. It’s also called an anvolutary cycle. This means an egg was not released. Unfortunately these are some of our cycles (a questionable of mine in the last couple of years!)

You will know if it’s anvolutary if they become longer then usual and you experience heavy bleeding that cycle - however the best way to know is blood tests. That’s why with PCOS we use a trigger to ovulate for certain when under fertility treatment.

@ForeverHopeful67 What was your fertility test like? What happened on your first appointment ?

I've ordered that Inofolic now and it actually came today already ! So will be starting that. Hopefully it helps me xxxx

Appointment was fine, I went with my partner as it asks you to bring them, they were really lovely took their time to go through some of my results and explain everything to me including my next steps / options, I had an internal scan at that app which confirmed PCOS.
I know it all feels like a huge waiting game at mo but once you've got your foot in the door and you've had your first app things will start moving a lot quicker then
Good luck with your inofolic! I've been taking it three months this month and this is the first time I've ovulated in almost 2 years and had a period naturally myself! Hopefully it continues x

@swirls3468 sorry it wouldn't let me tag you! X

@ForeverHopeful67 Thanks for the info! What kind of tests do they do? Do they weigh you both etc?
Omg that's amazing about the infolic. I've heard great things about it. How did you know you ovulated? Hopefully it will work for me as well. I've ordered I think 3 months supply , there's quite a lot. Cost me £90! But will give it a go xxx

@swirls3468 no worries anything I can do to help! ☺️
They only weighed me, checked my bmi etc, my partner had to had a SA done before our app and I had to have bloods.
The one thing I'd say with the inofolic is persevere with it! I also ordered the 3 months and didn't really notice anything in the first 2 months and it does say it can take 3 months to work!
I noticed the EWCM around two weeks ago and do ovulation sticks to check! Also had my period almost bang on 2 weeks after so all adds up :) so

Hi, I hope you don't mind me joining here. I (guess) I have PCOS. Main symptoms are long cycles (38-40 days) and cysts on my right ovary. Struggle with some hormonal acne as well. All of my blood tests have come back normal, but as far as I can understand that's not so unusual? I've just been referred to a fertility clinic as we have been TTC for 8 months (GP was very kind and put 12 months on my referral!). My GP said that they would probably want to put me on Clomid, but would need to do further tests first. Just had a big cry this morning when I had the result of my ultrasound, just assumed it would come back normal I think. Have had positive OPKs and a good temp rise this month too, but GP said it doesn't look like I've ovulated.

I feel totally overwhelmed and it feels unreal to have a referral to a fertility clinic all of a sudden. Never thought I would need that. My partner is being really lovely and supportive but I still just feel like crying all the time!

Anyway. I think I just needed to vent. I hope everyone is doing ok :)

@fifi1989 hello welcome to the thread!
It's a good place to vent, it's how I feel, so damn frustrated. But don't worry too much there is so much they can do these days for fertility problems. How old are you?
Also it sounds really positive that you are having periods every month and positive OPKs. I didn't have a period for 6 months, was a nightmare.
I've got the appointment for fertility next week. So nervous, it's a virtual one so don't really know what to expect.
Xxxx
What results did you get from ultrasound? They never really discussed them with me properly. The sonographer just said they have some features of pcos.

@swirls3468 thanks so much for this. I actually feel a lot better this evening. I've spoken to my mum about it too and she was being so helpful - and actually she thinks she probably has PCOS too, based on the symptoms I told her about! She's booked an appointment with her GP - obviously not relevant for fertility, but would be good to know either way as I do think it tends to run in families. We even think that my grandmother may have had it too - they've both had 3 children without any help though, I guess that gives me some hope. Just found it really interesting that we've never had this conversation before!
Does anyone else here have close relatives with PCOS?

Oh and I've just turned 31 and my partner is 34

My ultrasound showed cysts (12 or more) on my right ovary - that's basically all my GP said. Not super helpful, but at least I got the referral.

That's so good that you have your appointment next week! Must be nerve-wracking too! Have you prepared for it in any way? As in a list of questions to ask or something like that? I wouldn't know where to start. I hope it goes really well, you'll have to tell us all about it! Do they want to see your partner as well?

Hello, is it ok if I join in here please? I've suspected for quite while that I may have PCOS but haven't been to see my GP yet... this month marks 6 months since I last had a period, the past 2 months I've had EWCM, last month with spotting for a few hours then as if nothing had happened again - it's all very frustrating. We have been TTC since September. I'm planning on making an appointment to see my GP at the end of this month if my period still hasn't arrived, I keep worrying about whether I should be making an appointment at the moment, though I guess the sooner I go the sooner I can be in the system to find out what's happening I suppose! (Sorry, that ended up being a lot more of a waffle than I intended!)

@fifi1989 welcome I do find it helps to speak to others in a similiar position - it's surprising how many of us are actually affected! It's so daunting and overwhelming at first, I had a good cry when I was diagnosed but like @swirls3468 said, there is so much that can be done to help now, and so many changes you can make yourself too through diet etc which will make a difference!

@SparklesandSunshine welcome I definitely recommend getting in with your GP as they don't tend to like it when you go over 3 months without a period so usually over provera to induce a bleed. This can be a long process to so it's always good to get the ball rolling and get ahead of the game! X

@ForeverHopeful67 Thanks so much! It definitely helps talking about it, especially on here. Already feel less down about the whole thing than I did yesterday. I find that being proactive about it makes me feel a lot better. Although being diagnosed is really tough, at least we are taking action and seeking professional help! That makes me feel better.

I saw that you are taking Inofolic, how are you finding it? I've been taking it for about 3 months and I do think it's helped regulate my cycles. It's so expensive though!

@SparklesandSunshine Welcome! I definitely agree with what @ForeverHopeful67 is saying - if I were you I would just call my GP - all of my consultations have been on the phone (then went for blood tests and scan at a different clinic) and actually it's taken less than a month to get a referral to a fertility clinic - and I get a period every month + blood tests came back normal. Of course I may not get an appointment there for ages, but I'm glad I spoke to my GP sooner rather than later. Would recommend!

Thank you both. I called my GP this morning, and had a phone appointment this afternoon, he was really nice and reassuring. I'm going into the surgery for blood tests next week and then a face to face appointment with him to decide what next based on the blood results!

@fifi1989 a problem shared is a problem halved  I've also been taken inofolic for around three months now, I had super irregular periods before but just had a proper period for the first time in months so
I'm curious to see if it continues! Agreed the price is a bit steep!
I'm also doing the keto diet, are you trying anything else?

@SparklesandSunshine well done for biting the bullet with your GP! Keep us updated on your journey

@fifi1989

Yes I've heard it runs in families too. My mum never struggled with her fertility but she did say her periods were always irregular ! And same with my Nan, I think she took 5 years to conceive my mum.
I have a brother and my mum has a sister too so don't think their were any conception problems.

the letter I've had is for gynae when I thought it was for fertility! So god knows what route that will take me down. Will just have to wait and see.

I get so broody and constantly seeing pregnancy announcements on Facebook just wishing it was my turn.

What have everyone's symptoms been of pcos? I think they vary a lot but does anyone get fatigue ? Like I have times where I am just so tired and it's not relieved by sleep.
@ForeverHopeful67
@SparklesandSunshine @ApplePie86

@SparklesandSunshine Welcome to the group!! Yes deffo get the ball rolling with the gp. I had the same problem with periods and they prescribed me a tablet to take which gave me a period and felt much better and actually had a real one a month after that!!
It's nice we can all support eachother and to actually speak to people going through a similar thing.
I speak to my partner a lot about it and he is so supportive but I think I just bore him to death lol. Men are just so laid back and he keeps saying "it will happen". Just think women understand more!! Xxxx

@swirls3468 just FYI my letter also said gynae on it but it was a fertility app
I luckily don't suffer from the excessive hair growth / weight gain side of things too much, the main thing for my that's affected it's fertility & periods. I tend to go months and months without one! How about you? X

@SparklesandSunshine That's great! So good to get the ball rolling, I found that taking that first step and booking the initial appointment was actually the hardest thing to do. I hope your appointment goes well.

I'm now booked in for further blood tests, a cervical smear (was due one just as everything closed down in March) and a self-swab for STIs (!). My partner has just spoken to his GP today about the SA too. Hoping that we will have all of the results in the next few weeks.

Yesterday I spoke to a friend of mine who is now 4 months pregnant after trying for about a year. Although not formally diagnosed with PCOS, she has cystic ovaries too and used to get just one period a year. She was prescribed Provera which brought on her period and then got pregnant in the following cycle. They've only just started telling people as they've been really nervous that something would happen in the first few months, but she was looking super healthy and happy and baby was doing well. Was really uplifting to hear that. It can (and will!) happen for us as well.

Hi ladies, can I join you? I officially got my pcos diagnosis yesterday, but unlike others I've heard about it came very suddenly and I'm not really prepared for it... I'm feeling quite scared. I always knew what pcos is and suspected the possibility but I just wondered if you ladies would feel comfortable sharing some of your symptoms with me?

I'm 27, ttc since August after being on pill for 11 years, shortest cycle has been 33 days and longest 56 so far. Currently on cd39 and possibly 4dpo. Having insane right side pain which I get every few months (now wondering if it's a cyst bursting?). I've been tracking it all for a few months, so now just trying to work out what are pcos symptoms or other things... thanks for this thread :)

@Newbie0818 Welcome!! Hope you're ok. I've never had a proper diagnosis to be honest but 99% sure I've got it. Out of interest who diagnosed you? Because Gps just seem to sit on the fence!!
Ask me any questions you want.
I know it's disheartening when you know there's something wrong but honestly there's that much treatment out there and things that can help, it's good to stay positive.
Don't get me wrong, I get down a lot about it and scroll through baby clothes just yearning to be pregnant. But I know one day I will be and you will be too!!
I was on the pill since age 14 , I've heard that the pill can make it worse but you don't get told that at the time. I've been TTC since last August/ September too. But nothings happened. That's when I knew to go to the gp again. I didn't expect to get pregnant straight away though , so wasn't really shocked.
My symptoms at the moment are periods of fatigue, Ibs , mood swings, I struggle to keep my weight stable. I'm not really over weight, about a size 12, but probably on the heavier side- despite eating healthily.
I've never really had excess hair growth luckily!!
I did have quite bad acne last year but went on this tablet which cleared it up and not really had it since.
What are your symptoms??

Nice to chat to people in the same boat!!!! X

@Newbie0818 oh yeh forgot to mention another massive symptom of irregular periods. I come off the pill last August had a few periods up till September monthly and then they stopped !!! Had to have an induced bleed in may with a tablet. Xxxx

Evening Ladies, I have blood tests booked in for Thursday. I agree, I feel such a relief now that initial call with the GP is over, it feels like such a weight has been lifted.

My husband is lovely, and supportive but it's just not the same speaking to him about it as it's not something he will ever physically experience if that makes sense!

I've never been diagnosed with PCOS (well yet anyway) but my main symptoms are the missing periods, the tiredness is absolutely overwhelming at times and the weight gain but inability to shift it. I eat healthy and exercise most days but those pounds are clinging on for dear life!

I've been on the pill/implant since I was 16 and I'm now 31, I wish now that I'd done far more research before just agreeing to whatever the various GPs/nurses recommended over the years.

(I've no idea how to tag you all sorry!)

@SparklesandSunshine
Glad you've taken the first step!! Although they said my bloods come back normal. I would try and get referred to a specialist as soon as you can because most gps don't know too much about pcos or are interested - in my experience.

Your symptoms sounds very similar to mine! Especially the tiredness thing. I manage to get a good 8 hours sleep weekend days and still wake up exhausted. And the weight gain also!! It's a nightmare. Have you tried myo inositol? It's meant to really help. X

@swirls3468 thank you for your reply 💙 I'm just feeling a bit down but I'm feeling hopeful as I'm fairly certain I ovulated over the last few days now 🙏🏻 my gp diagnosed me funnily enough. She's quite on the ball though so I feel very lucky as I know others have a long journey to get a diagnosis. And thanks for sharing your symptoms, what was the skin tablet called out of curiosity?
I'm still learning what's pcos symptoms and what's just my normal cycle off the pill, but it seems to be acne, thin hair, fatigue (so bad that I've had numerous tests over the years that came back inconclusive- now I know why!), irregular periods and really bad pain in my right side every now and then (so bad once I went to a&e thinking my appendix had burst!) I guess with time I'll start to understand everything more though. I don't have the hair thing and I'm a fairly average 10, so they don't seem to be an issue right now.

@SparklesandSunshine thanks for sharing your symptoms. It seems we're all quite similar! And glad you've got doctors sorted, it can feel like banging your head against a wall sometimes.

So glad I found this thread as I've always felt something was wrong and it's nice (well not really nice if you get what I mean!) to hear that others have similar symptoms x