Trying to conceive with PCOS

[YorkieCM20]

I have PCOS and want to try for a 2nd baby. I was diagnosed 5 years ago at 26, went through the process and had my first baby with clomid. I’m now not able to be referred to NHS again, would have to go private. I would like to try naturally but no idea where to start.
Bit of background: I don’t have periods. Maybe 1 or 2 a year. Have a BMI of 26. Possible blockage of one tube but they were not sure when I had the hyscosy scan. Had a very successful pregnancy with my clomid baby and was very lucky to have conceived 2nd cycle.
I have plenty of supplements etc but in all honesty my head is blown from conflicting information. Can anyone shed any light on conceiving naturally with my type of PCOS?! Any help much appreciated.

Hi,

you haven’t said what type of PCOS it is, but some really great places to start:

Take inositol, magnesium, coq10. Worth reading the period repair manual for background to this, there’s lots of other recommendations in there for supplements too.

Start temping so you can track it and when you ovulate - I used lh strips to correlate with it. Even if you have to do a 100 before you get your peak it’s pretty cheap. And you really do need to make sure you have sex when you’re ovulating when it doesn’t happen very often.

i went from having 2 periods a year, to 5 cycles in 7 months and I have now got pregnant. Best of luck!

@YorkieCM20 are you certain you can’t use NHS? I can’t see why they wouldn’t prescribe clomid again?

I am also trying to conceive with PCOS. Inofolic alpha is meant to help and maybe speak to your GP about metformin. I have lean PCOS but have been told by several gynecologists now that metformin could help!

The GP sent a referral letter and it got rejected! Would have to go private. I’ve had metformin before and it didn’t do anything, I also really struggled with the size of them. Have you been taking Infolic Alpha? I have bought some recently but haven’t tried yet!

It doesn't help everyone, but I went from bleeding maybe twice a year due to pcos, to regular monthly periods immediately after starting Metformin. Worth asking about for sure.

I would definitely ask for the reason as you need to know, they can’t reject it without explaining why.

I have been on the inofolic for a month and it’s been fine, no period has come though but it says it can take 3 months. Been taking metformin for 2 weeks now and apparently both in combination really help.

@octoegg when you say immediate, was that a matter of days/weeks? I’m now up up to 2 x 500mg daily and go up to 3 x 500mg next week. What dose were you on?

@YorkieCM20 would recommend reconsidering metformin as it’s really meant to help. If you keep 5 hours between each dose and have healthy meals, it helps with the side effects as mine have gone since doing that and having a glass of milk after each tablet.

It got rejected as I refused to have another hycosy scan last year but at the time I didn’t feel ready to have it (horrible procedure) and apparently it was because of that reason. I might try my GP again and discuss Metformin. I just need try and have a cycle as it’s just not happened with anything i’ve tried in the past but I guess persistence is key!

I’m not actually sure? I have higher levels of testosterone and prolactin. But my only symptoms really are lack of periods and a potential blocked tube, but this didn’t hinder my first pregnancy. Good to hear that the supplements worked for you, that’s amazing! I’m definitely going to relook at what I have already and figure out a plan..

@YorkieCM20 ah that makes sense! They won’t do anything without you getting a hycosy done as the treatment may not work if it’s blocked. Perhaps reschedule it now as probably a wait list.

Yeah I would suggest taking the Inofolic from now and then see your GP asap to get a referral for the scan and see about metformin. Even if it’s 12 weeks for a scan etc, you’ll feel better as it’s booked and you have a plan :)

I really recommend this book - www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/0473538601?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image

I was pregnant within 2 months of implementing her suggestions after 6 months of trying beforehand!

I took myoinositol and got pregnant after 7 years etc the first month I took it so would take it again when ttc number two.
good luck

I would try again with the fertility referral. I have PCOS and haven’t managed to get pregnant without intervention, but got pregnant quickly twice on letrozole. It’s amazing how the drugs can just override PCOS problems. I also was recommended infolic alpha (and a low carb diet) but in conjunction with ovulation induction.

I have PCOS and was able to get pregnant 3 months after coming off the pill, I seemed to be having around 6 week cycles. Back when I was first diagnosed before I went on the pill I didn't really have regular cycles at all. These are the things that I think helped me to start ovulating and I would recommend trying:

• Take ovasitol twice a day, you can buy it online from evitamins. It's expensive but I think worth it.

-Take 500mg Metformin either twice or 3 times a day depending what you can handle, twice was enough for me -Have one or 2 cups of spearmint tea every day -Have a yakult every day -Try the proceive conception supplement, could be just coincidental but I credit this massively to helping me ovulate and get pregnant . Can get from Boots or Holland and Barrett -Stick to a lower GI diet, don't need to restrict yourself entirely of carbs or any sugary treats as that's impossible but cut down as much as you can on sugary treats, fruit juice, fizzy juice, and alcohol. Switch white pasta, rice and bread etc for sourdough bread and things like lentils, bulgur wheat, pearl barley -Do regular strength and toning exercises or classes at gym, I did kettlebells and legs bums and tums classes once a week -Try using pre-seed lube -Track your cycles with ovulation tests and temping. I had looked into the tempdrop bracelet hadn't bought it myself so can't say if it's any good but it looked like it could be.

I hope this helps, I wish there was more info and support out there about how to manage PCOS symptoms and help with fertility.

Unfortunately for me I've tried everything. I've been on metformin for past 2 years , tried clomid , all the supplements. Ovulated on clomid but didnt get pregnant.
Nothing helped regulate my periods.
The only thing I round to bring back my periods every month and it kick started me ovulating, literally bang on time every month was to shift a bit more weight bmi was 27 and completely cut out sugary foods. I didn't limit carbs just sugary foods like biscuits ect completely.
Although I'd started having more regular periods we just didn't want to waste any more time due to our ages and went for ivf. I'm currently 3 1/2 months pregnant now.
I did have a natural pregnancy the month after the dye test. It was suspected I had fluid in one tube so perhaps it flushed it out. I miscarried that pregnancy tho.
Since your not having regular periods , get onto your gp to get provera. It's not recommended to have less than 4 periods a year as it increases your risk of cancer. When I saw gynae he gave me a regular prescription for it if needed.
Your referral may have got blocked for clomid due to having a child however get back to your gp and demand a referral to gyane. Fertility aside your having gynae issues and you have a right to be seen by a specialist.

I have got provera and have taken it but don’t count those bleeds as real ones. I did have a couple of days of what I thought was a period, had minor cramps but it was more of a darker colour (sorry tmi) so not sure if it was one but it was promising that something happened. I did recently lose 1.5 stone but half of it has crept back on. I know I should cut our sugar and that’s my major downfall. I’ve heard it can do wonders for PCOS if completely avoided and it’s something i’m working on (deffo have a sugar addiction..) but yeah I will try again with the GP and get punchy as I have read that people have had clomid prescribed twice whereas my GP is adamant that they won’t!

I wonder if anyone can help
I have PCOS and are currently trying to conceive
since using tablets to help my periods come back I’ve since had one in december 2023.
I have been using the clear blue ovulation digital test to try work out if and when I ovulate.
recently for 9 days I had high fertility (flashing smiley face)
I took a second test with a new digital stick on the 9th day that once came up as low fertility

however on the 10th day the regular test I had been using was again high fertility but the new one ( which would of been used twice now) is showing as peak fertility (smiley face)
really confused as to whether I am ovulating or not? Are these test worth it?

When you use a new stick for the first time it always comes up as a low fertility. I found they did work for me, I could have many days of high fertility before the peak as I also have long cycles so personally I would keep going with them and see if you get the peak and make sure to ddt every 2 days at the moment as you might ovulate anytime soon. That's what worked for me. I was literally in a very similar position the time I conceived where I first tested with a new stick so got low fertility as standard, but then the next day it was peak. Luckily because we'd been ddt every second day anyway we'd ddt the day before I got the peak and then we did day of peak and day after. (Tmi haha but I hope this is helpful)

When I got diagnosed with pcos after my scans I was told there was only a 5% chance I would conceive naturally. Like you I would barely have 1/2 periods a year. However first time round I decided to try a keto diet ( cutting out sugar and carbs) and took inofolic within 3 months I was pregnant and my little girl is almost 3. A few months ago I came off the pill, no period, starting taking inofolic again and in barely 2 months fell pregnant.

I totally believe it's down to the supplements! As I was trying for years before I caught the first time!

Keeping everything crossed for you 💕

Wow that’s amazing congratulations!! Reassuring to hear a positive story and how you managed naturally. I’m going to cut out sugar & carbs for weightloss again and continue taking all the supplements.. i’ve had 2 x spotting episodes that have lasted around 3/4 days and also mild cramping which is a good sign, since taking inofolic alpha. Fingers crossed!

Also have some good news to share so there is light at the end of the tunnel!

Aww Congratulations! Amazing news 💜