PCOS and infertility

[starrynightss]

I have pcos but want to try for a baby. When I was diagnosed I was absolutely devastated and burst into tears for hours on end when I got home, so afraid I would never be able to have kids. I feel like its a disorder that doesn't get much light shed on and it's very easy to feel very lonely when you suffer from it, even though it's much more common than people think.

I know its not impossible to get pregnant with it but if anyone out there has had the same experience, what was it like for you? Were you able to conceive? Was medication enough to help or did you go down IVF route potentially?

Every body reacts differently but just wanted to get some scope. Thanks in advance ❤️

Hi @starrynightss I have pcos endometriosis and adenomyosis plus we had a male factor and I went through ivf and am currently pregnant how long have you been trying? Maybe speak to your doctor they can refer you to a gynaecologist they can do some checks on you both and you go from there there are so many other options for pcos before u have to go through ivf too please don’t lose hope just keep going and speak to your doctor xxx

I'd suggest talking to your GP about Metformin medication and/or Myo -inositol supplement for PCOS - or ask to be referred to a fertility nurse to discuss them. I had to have IVF/IUI to get pregnant because I needed a sperm donor, but metformin and myo -inositol helped to regulate my menstrual cycle at least (and had the benefit of helping with my weight and other PCOS symptoms too).

Both of you should be tested in tandem. Write down any questions you want to ask well ahead of time because you do not want to leave there thinking, "oh I should have asked about ...". No question is daft. I would also suggest you bring your man with you to the appointments, they will need to see him and he can ask questions too.

I was diagnosed with PCOS initially and then endometriosis some months later. I did need help to conceive and I was offered ovarian diathemy surgery. I was not given clomid because in the consultant's words, "it would not have helped me" (sky high LH levels and clomid encourages further production of LH). The surgery had two purposes and these were to treat the cystic follicles on my ovaries and to laser off the endometriosis present in my uterine cavity. In my case the surgery worked and I am now a parent.

It is possible you will not need IVF at all. This should be tried for PCOS when all other treatment options have failed. IVF and PCOS can be uneasy bedfellows because of the cystic follicles on the ovaries and ovarian hyperstimulation is a real possibility; you would need to be carefully monitored.

It is worth your while finding out a lot more about PCOS, some GPs even nowadays do not know an awful lot about it and there is much about PCOS that is not fully understood; the causes for instance remain elusive. It is indeed a very individualistic disorder that affects every woman with it quite differently but the commonality is the cystic follicles on the ovaries. These can and do disappear, only to be replaced by further cystic follicles. Polycystic ovaries as well can be larger than a normal sized ovary (about the size of a walnut) and can have a ring of pearls appearance to them.

Have a look at Verity's website on PCOS; this is a mine of good information.

www.verity-pcos.org.uk/

Hi @starrynightss

I am in a similar boat to you. Have been told I have pcos and lots of tears! I have been engaging with my GP and have had all of the necessary blood tests and currently being referred to the fertility clinic. Pm me if you want :)

Sorry to hear the news has been so upsetting for you.

My best friend has Pcos and haa two children naturally, first conceived took around a year then second was a week after having the coil removed! She was so surprised as her Pcos symptoms were really unmanageable during that time and she assumed another pregnancy may never happen. Best of luck to you

Don't lose hope I have PCOS and after 6 months of no period I fell pregnant I have been pregnant 4 times since then in as many years and the most we had to properly try for was 3 months (i had certain other issues and so only have 2 children) my PCOS actually got better after my first pregnancy my cycles were regular but were 6 week cycles!!