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 😁

@swirls3468 I find it really hard pinpointing when I've ovulated as I seem to get cramps and EWCM for quite a few days. Temping and OPKs help on the 'normal' cycles for me - OPKs and temps this cycle are all over the place so guessing it's an anovulatory cycle.

@zoeyj Do you mind me asking if Clomid helped regulate your cycles / helped with ovulation etc? And how long you were on it for?

@AttilaTheMeerkat That is exactly what my temp charts look like some cycles, this one for instance! 🤦🏼‍♀️

@AttilaTheMeerkat thanks for all of that advice, really useful. I'll check out Verity!

Yeah before lockdown I had a really good diet and exercise routine but it's gone a bit downhill lately!

Hi ladies, wow haven't been on for a few days and it seems we have a fair few new members !! Welcome everyone!

@ElsiesJourney just have to say our journeys sound very similiar! Also TTC just short of 2 years, awaiting a laparoscopy as I have PCOS and a small uterus, but have decided to bite the bullet and pay to go private! If you have any questions at all I'm happy to try and help 

@swirls3468 amazing news you think you've ovulated!! Like the ladies have said below if you're not temping or using OPK's monitoring cervical mucus is the next best option! Everything crossed in two weeks time you get your BFP!! X

@Tink2019 thanks for sharing. Hopefully won't be too awful :(

@swirls3468 well I started using opk's, but they weren't actually helpful as I'd get my peak and then not actually ovulated, and with pcos apparent you get highs throughout the month. I tend to check my cm and cervix position which are pretty accurate. This month I obliged and started temping, and genuinely that's the only reason I know I'm 7dpo now as my temp is on the rise! It's annoying but that's the only thing that's helped. I just take it as soon as I'm awake (as I wake up at dawn and then sleep on and off I just do it the first time as it's more accurate). Worth trying despite the faffing around. I've attached a pic of mine, but baggy like others have said it there's a definite rise after ov. My boobs always hurt post ovulation too so that's a pretty sure sign for me.

@Pinkbunny2811 ah that might be something to try then. I remember my mum used to give me B6 when I was younger but I can't remember why.

@Newbie0818 Your chart / temps look really promising 🤞🏻

@Tink2019 I'm getting too excited about it lol. Hoping we DTD enough!

@newbie0818 that chart looks fantastic!! I have my fingers, eyes and toes crossed for you.....

@Newbie0818 I use Femometer rather than FF do not sure where DTD is on your chart but if it's all those crosses I'd say you've defo done it enough 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

Newbie

Is it at all possible to have blood tests done?. This would give you a far more accurate picture overall than temp charting. Also you can have a rise in temp in the second half of the cycle when an egg has not been shed so charting is not infallible.

@Newbie0818 Wow that chart looks great. I will try and start temping but difficult as I get up late for work as it is and it's all a mad rush in the morning!!
Xxx
Thanks for the tips everyone. In terms of position of cervix does it need to be softer and lower for ovulation?

I hope it's ok to post this here - if not let me know - but I actually got a BFP yesterday, less than a week after being referred for fertility treatment because of my PCOS. I had a really good chart/temp rise this month but was not expecting a BFP at all. Still in total chock. I only did a test because I was booked in for a cervical smear today and I know they usually won't do them if you're pregnant, so thought I'd better test just in case.

Of course it's still so early (my period was only due today) and unfortunately lots can still go wrong, but I definitely did not think i could get pregnant naturally as I meet all the 'criteria' for PCOS. I hope that's encouraging for some to hear.

@Tink2019 yes the crosses :)

@AttilaTheMeerkat on the nhs? Hah! No chance. I had to wait for my one last week for months. They wouldnt blood test just to check for that every time. I'm having all the usual signs of ov so I'm pretty certain.

@swirls3468 high soft and open :)

@fifi1989 yay congrats! How long have you been trying for?

@Newbie0818 Thanks So actually not that long, about 5 months but I guess my symptoms were severe enough for a referral at this point.
Your temp rise is looking really promising this month - I found temping a lot more reliable than OPKs. Fingers crossed for you!

@fifi1989 congratulations!

@fifi1989 That's wonderful news and really reassuring, congratulations!

@fifi1989 I bet you're thrilled! It's gheat you got such a quick referral, I hope your little bean sticks x

@fifi1989 That's amazing news 😄😄 you must be made up. Congratulations xxxxxxx

Thanks so much everyone! I actually don't feel that excited yet it just feels unreal. But hoping it will stick of course. I know there is a higher risk of early miscarriage with PCOS too... something new to worry about now! Will just have to accept that there's nothing I can do either way, just have to wait and see.

Hopefully goes to show that there can still be a good chance of conceiving naturally with PCOS. Hoping for the best for all of you x

I was you about 5 months ago ! I didn’t have a period for 6 months , I started to grow little stubs of facial hair all over my chin.. I went to the doctors to get this diagnosed, they tried fobbing me off , but I insisted a scan after ttc for 3 years .. I got put on metformin ( 1000g ) and my periods have been regular since . I also asked to be to be seen by a gynecologist . I got put on Clomid to grow my eggs . It worked first time for me , but ended as an ectopic & had to have one tube removed . Am trying again now though . Good luck . Remember to always push for things ! xx

Can anyone recommend a good skincare brand/ regime? I know diet plays a big role but I feel like no matter what I do I keep having breakouts at different points in my cycle. And my face is ALWAYS oily! Even if I've just washed it! I feel so disgusting 😭

@Newbie0818 Almost all of my main skincare products are by The Ordinary and I can't recommend them highly enough! Lots of great products for different skin types.

A book that changed my skincare regime game is called 'The skincare Bible' by Anjali Mahto - FANTASTIC BOOK!!! She is a leading dermatologist and the book gives advice on what to ditch, what to look out for, how to care for acne, pregnancy skin and all sorts.. it's really useful!

I don't suffer too badly with acne or oily skin (I'm more often very dry and dull) but Freederm has always been a good one too! A good toner also helps massively!

@Croselle ooh thank you! I'll check out both of those!

@Newbie0818 My skin is ridiculously oily too. I've used the La Roche-Posay products for years and think they've really helped to manage breakouts. Would recommend the Micellar Water (www.laroche-posay.co.uk/micellar-water-1 - I prefer this one but think they have an oily skin one too in their Effaclar range), Effaclar Duo + as a night time moisturiser (www.laroche-posay.co.uk/effaclar-duo-plus) and Effaclar K for a day time moisturiser (www.laroche-posay.co.uk/effaclar-k). I also use their Toleraine eye cream for sensitive skin (www.laroche-posay.co.uk/toleriane-ultra-eye-contour) and Respectissime for eye make up remover (www.laroche-posay.co.uk/respectissime-eye-make-up-remover)...I promise I don't work for them 🙈!! X

Thank you @Tink2019 ! I'm willing to try anything tbh. When I was younger it was a LOT worse but I still feel self conscious about the few spots I get now. It was so bad at one point I was using salicylic acid on it to bleach them away! Until layers of my face peeled off 😳

@Newbie0818 Clinique number 2 cleanser is good. And also clean and clear products. I used to suffer myself but touch wood roaccutane has cleared it forever xxxxx
And also eat a well balanced diet. Lots of veg and nuts , salmon