Getting pregant with PCOS

[thegeordiegirl97]

I'm just curious if anyone has previously became pregnant naturally with PCOS without any periods at all. I have researched so many things and am yet to find what i am looking for. Me and my SO have been trying for nearly two years within those two years I have been diagnosed with PCOS, I am lucky if I get one period a year. I've known since i was a lot younger that something wasn't right down there. I've done everything i possibly can to conceive naturally, the dissapointment each month with a negative test is so heartbreaking.

I didn't have no periods at all, but mine were incredibly irregular when I got pregnant with DS2. (Background: DS1 was a Clomid baby, I was diagnosed with PCOS while TTC first time). I think I got my first postpartum period when DS1 was about 14 months (breastfeeding) and then had a handful scattered over the next few months - sometimes 26 days, sometimes over 100! I wasn't tracking ovulation or anything, we kind of assumed after the trouble we'd had first time that we'd need to try for a year and go back to the fertility clinic for more Clomid, but somehow managed to get lucky and I got pregnant after about 6 months. Interestingly, since my periods started again after DS2, they have been much more regular.

Have you been referred to a fertility clinic yet? If not, definitely talk to your GP about this. Obviously there may be delays at the moment due to Covid but it's definitely worth getting in the system. In the meantime, if you are overweight, losing weight can definitely help improve your PCOS and therefore your chances of conceiving. I had a BMI of 35 when we started TTC, got it down to about 32 when I got pregnant first time, and then just under 30 when I conceived naturally. I'm now at about 27 with regular cycles. Low carb and/or intermittent fasting can be particularly helpful with PCOS. Good luck!

I have PCOS and didn't have IVF/use prescribed drugs to have my children. I did have periods, but they were irregular.

What have you tried so far? Charting/FAM? Inositol? How were you diagnosed (abnormal androgens/cysts on ultrasound)? Have you tried any diet and lifestyle programmes designed for PCOS women? Are you a member of any PCOS advice and support groups?

I found that diet and lifestyle helped massively with my digestive issues more than my PCOS, but it did make a huge difference to my bloods... my inflammatory markers dropped like a stone, and my immune system became so much better. Victories are not always measured on the scale.

Charting/FAM was just so helpful. I took high dosage inositol which helped me to ovulate for the first time in a very long time, and then vitamin B6 for a luteal phase defect (although these are not especially common in PCOS women). You may find that Agnus Castus can bring your period and reset your cycles, although it is a double edged sword... some women say it makes things worse.

Lots of advice out there! Don't be disheartened.

I have PCOS as well. Very, very rarely have periods. I also seemingly rarely ovulate as well. I fell pregnant (naturally) just once in 2 years trying (about the same time I had my first fertility appointment funnily enough), but sadly that pregnancy wasn't meant to be.

As part of my fertility treatment, I was then on Metformin and a low dose of thyroxine. This really helped the weight loss, alongside a low carb diet. Once I got below a BMI of 35 (11 months later) I was started on Clomid. Amazingly, it worked on the very first month, and that BFP is now 16 months, and we're starting to think about trying for another. Not had a period since her birth though, and the weight is creeping back on, so some prep work to be done first. Sockqueen has given me hope that I won't have to go down the Clomid route a second time.

I have pcos, have a healthy bmi and have irregular periods. I go through phases of ovulating like normal (this seems to correspond to when I exercise) or missing periods for months at a time.

I got pregnant after almost 2 years on my first month of metformin, just after having ran a 5k. I had to request the metformin as it is not given as a standard treatment for pcos, but based on my response to diet and exercise i thought it might help me. I'd already tried gonadatropohins (not in UK) and was about to try clomid before full ivf.

Good luck.

Just to add, I went so long without a proper period in my twenties (years) I forgot what mine are actually like (heavy ). Just because you are not ovulating atm, doesn't mean you never will.

I have PCOS but do have very irregular periods. DC1 was conceived with some help from Provera and Clomid (3rd round of treatment). DC2 was a surprise and conceived without any help from the fertility team at the hospital. I didn't actually think I could conceive naturally but after 18 months of trying/not trying it happened for us.

I had no periods, PCOS, normal bmi, used the below natural methods for about 9 months, I was taking my basal body temperature - the chart looked like rocky mountains but after a few months doing the below started to even out and after a couple more months had a period. Then another. Then got my BFP the same day a letter arrived saying I wasn't a good enough candidate for clomid and should go straight to IVF.
Had a period when DS1 was 15 months (did ecological breastfeeding) and caught immediately with #2 and have just had an exact repeat and now pg with #3 when DS2 is 15 months. Was told it was extremely unlikely I'd ever conceive naturally.

COPY/PASTED from a while back:

"Sodiet-wisea protein-heavy rather than carb-heavy diet, no added sugars /artificial sweeteners/ additives / processed foods / alcohol / gluten / only live organic yoghurt as dairy / only odd green tea as caffeine.Supplement/extras-wiseI've been having a protein shake each morning (natural stevia sweetened whey isolate) & add 1tsp inositol [great for insulin issues that studies show may be a leading factor in pcos]; 1tsp maca root powder [studies show boosts circulation & good for pcos]; 1tbsp freshly ground flaxseed [again been shown to help with pcos - stopped this one after ov, (1st half of cycle only)]; and I throw a fistful of organic leafy greens in there. Also take Pregnacare conception; a good quality fish oil; calcium supp; high dose vit d3 supp; a herbal tincture prescription that includes agnus castus (stopped after ov); tribulus tincture days 5-14 of cycle [small studies have shown it can reduce ovarian cysts and boost chances of ov in up to 2/3 of pcos women, animal studies also v. successful]; also evening primrose oil 3 times a day from cd1 - cd14 to increase ewcm. Also been doing yoga most days in my living room before we start work or after work as well as going for a 30 min - 1hr walk with DH on our lunch break & daily fertility self-massage with geranium or clary sage oil (stopped after ov). Adding a high dose vit B6 for the luteal phase.
Don't think I've left anything out (oops yes I did - magnesium! Which I use in oil format sprayed on skin for better absorption), apologies for the essay!!"

My BMI is 28, I was in the process of getting referred. We moved out of the area of my gp surgery so they took me off their records that was four weeks ago I’ve joined a new go just waiting to hear back which has obviously set me back. I’m following a pcos and pregnancy diet plan as it’s really beginning to effect me.

It puts me all at ease listening to others story’s. I haven’t really been given many options at the moment I’m just personally doing what I can and researching to see what changes or things I can do on my own. Everyone’s comments are so helpful as I can look into these further.

I was diagnosed by ultrasound, everything in my bloody was fine. The only problem was my lh hormone was double the normal, no high levels of testosterone etc. I really struggle losing weight. I knew from being 14 something wasn’t right I’m currently 20, I know people will think that’s going for trying but there’s personal reasons behind it. I went through early puberty at age 8 which during my research I actually found that it is caused by a high lh hormone, I had my first period around 14-15 and since then I have had 20 in five years. My last was may I’ve not had one since then they usually happen for three consecutive months and then they go for a while. My BMI is high for my height etc but it’s apparently not bad in comparison to others who try.

You’re just like me! Cysts on ultrasound and irregular periods without abnormal androgens, and with weird LH spikes and troughs!

Seriously, get hold of the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility and try inositol. I used 4000 mg a day. I also recommend Kym Campbell’s programme... as much for her FB advice and support groups as anything else. So many women are in the same boat as you... all looking to feel better and/or add to their families. You’re not alone!

I have PCOS and have irregular periods when off the pill. I think I conceived on about day 60 of a cycle! I was tracking my temperature and it did go up, so I was hopeful it would work. I've read that temp tracking doesn't work for people with PCOS but it worked for me. Another thing I found helpful was to work on the basis that ones period arrives about 14 days after you ovulate rather than that ovulation happens around day 14.

12 years ago I was diagnosed with PCOS and hypothyroidism and was told It will be unlikely I will get pregnant again naturally.I was a bit upset but had 2DCs already so thought oh,well.3 years later I realised I still have Mirena in so got rid of that and fell pregnant after just ''one time'' with DH (yeah,marriage was what you can call ''sexless'') and then fell pregnant again after 2,5 years with coil in.
So yes,PCOS didn't mean I am totally infertile.
I am so happy to have my 2 other DC's but sometimes feel like the doctors should not say that it will be impossible to get pregnant at all.

Hi @thegeordiegirl97 just wanted to share my story. Diagnosed with PCOS five years ago by Endocrinology unit, first two years managed it via diet and exercise but periods still very irregular. Im 5'8 and bmi also 28. 2 years ago started metformin, which led to regular periods for the first time! (Yay!) When i told my endo consultant we wanted to start trying for a baby, he immediately referred us to assisted conception unit. Our referral was delayed by covid but i had 1 month of scans / monitoring in Jul 20, first cycle of letrozole (2.5mg) in Aug 20 (unsuccessful) and second cycle of letrozole (5mg) in Sept 20. Im now 16 weeks pregnant 🥰. I cannot fault the care i have had from both the endocrinology and assisted conception unit. I know lots of ladies have their pcos managed by their GPs, but if you can / want a referral, i would really recommend it as i found the process to be well managed and felt well looked after, even through all the covid restrictions. Lots of luck to you!

I have PCOS and have just conceived naturally. I did have irregular periods but my main issues were my hormone levels and insulin resistance. I was so desperate I did something called the PCOS protocol which is run by a woman in New Zealand and honestly it completely changed my life. My GP was fully on board with it all and I couldn't believe the difference it made to me, in the way that I feel as well as conceiving. It's pricey and maybe not for everyone (I did have to scrape pennies together but it was worth it) but I'd recommend having a look as it really did make a big difference and is used by lots of women trying to conceive I think.