Me and PCOS are about to fall out

[TTCBabyHoward]

Literally not had a period in 70 days and clearly not ovulating again so I'm about to fall out with myself 😌

Hi,
I'm sorry, PCOS sucks.
Have you been to your GP about fertility referral?
Mine was happy to refer me as soon as we wanted to start TTC, no having to try naturally for a year or anything.
It hasn't worked for me, but if you've not heard of myo-inositol that could be worth looking into as well as some women do get regular cycles back when taking it

@IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday - I have been to my GP but they take forever- I've only just done my two rounds of blood testing to check on my hormones and my next drs appointment isn't until the 27th and they couldn't do it any earlier for me. I'm currently 75 days late so I just want something from them to induce my period at least but they originally wanted to wait until my partners sperm test has been done but it's not until Sept now (was meant to be July but didn't realise we're on holiday then) so I'm just going to ask for it on my next visit

Blood tests can be done according to calendar days so these can be done on the 2nd/3rd of the month to check and compare your level of LH with that if FSH. With PCOS there is often an excess of Lh to FSH.

Provers could be used to start a bleed but the underlying problem will remain anyway. I would also suggest ceasing the use of the testing strips because apart from not working all that well, they can just add to the anxiety.

@AttilaTheMeerkat - I have already been to the dr and had my bloods taken twice - just waiting on medication to induce my ovulation (: I use the test strips just in case I manage to catch it one day instead of doing nothing for 4/5 months and feeling like I could have done more x

It’s really not worth your while using these strips even though you feel you are doing something.

What blood tests were done and on what cycle days?. I ask only as if the hormones are tested for on the wrong cycle days the result can be meaningless. To my mind the GP should no longer dither about with more tests and just refer you to the specialists instead. PCOS is not something that should be messed about with by a GP.

@AttilaTheMeerkat - I think my DR knows what she's doing - I'm going to be referred to a specialist as soon as my partners testing has been done as that will dictate what treatments we can access and what we can't - due to being over 70 days late - my DR just took some bloods to confirm if I had PCOS which I do as I've already had scans previously and those results are what are going to be used to refer me straight away (:

You should be able to access all treatments, that’s not dependent on how many cycle days late you are (I have PCOS as well and iirc my longest time without a bleed was about 10 months, it’s always been irregular).

@AttilaTheMeerkat - I'm not sure you know what you're talking about ml but I appreciate the help - if my partner has a very low sperm count we wouldn't be able to access treatments like IUI because they just wouldn't work for us as there's very little evidence to show IUI improves fertility chances in couples with a low sperm count - so that's why we need to know (:

Iui is not always helpful where PCOS is an issue anyway because it does not address the issue of the multiple cystic follicles on the ovaries. These disappear but are replaced by further cystic follicles. If IUI is ever offered to you do ask precisely why that is being suggested.

Your man will need more than one semen analysis, a single poor sample when tested is not conclusive re potential male factor problems. To my mind you need to be referred as a couple to the sub fertility unit asap because you could well have a long wait before actually seeing them. They will also repeat the tests you’ve both had done to date.

@AttilaTheMeerkat - Yes tests may be repeated by specialists and yes he may need multiple tests but he's not even had one yet and where I am - they refer us under me - so I get the referral not him as the issues are currently with me though we attend things together - like I have said I believe my GP does know what she's doing - she just wants to cover all grounds first before sending me off to a specialist - plus specialist will be able to use those results anyway - it all depends - thank you though

@AttilaTheMeerkat - Plus I'm not sure what a sub fertility unit is but I'm being referred to gynaecologists - you also need to remember I have currently tried 0 treatment options so medication would be first anyway

Gynaes are present in the sub fertility unit in hospitals.

They may or may not decide to offer tablets like clomid or something similar like letrozole first. I was never given clomid because in their view it would not help me (was determined to be resistant to clomid through blood tests) so was offered injectables instead.

With PCOS, get your GP to put you on metformin, and you can by myo inositol- really important for regulating cycle.

I've been doing loads of research recently, and dietary changes can have a huge impact on cycle and symptoms / it's tough going though! I'm at the beginning of quitting sugar, gluten and dairy 😩 all potentially inflammatories, which is linked to cause/ symptoms of PCOS. PCOS is also linked to insulin resistance which messes with our natural hormones. Look up Kym Campbell - she's has all the info! And is currently running a 30 free course giving info, recipes etc.