What can be done to treat PCOS?

[PatriciaCarmichael]

I think I might have PCOS or at least some kind of hormonal issue - long cycle/sometimes miss a period, cystic acne on jawline, I’m very hirsute etc. But the GP said they would only refer me on if I was trying to conceive (I’m not).

But I don’t need contraception currently so I don’t want to go on the pill or get a coil etc. What else would they do to treat it? I’m just trying to decide whether it’s worth trying to push for a diagnosis or not?

You sound like you do have PCO
Sounds a bit rough to say you can only have a diagnosis if trying to conceive.
There are blood tests ( free testosterone) and a scan which can help make diagnosis - but I ( I am a GP) am often suspicious because people have all the clinical features but bloods normal - I treat the patient, not the blood test result.
There is loads that can help!

• a low carbohydrate diet
• consider intermittent fasting and eating say between 11am and 7pm as this keeps insulin levels low
• a drug called metformin can sometimes regulate periods and help with weight loss
• there is an oral contraceptive pill which contains an antI-testosterone called cyproterone acetate which can help acne and facial hair
• a drug called spironolactone can help facial hair.

You deserve an explanation and treatment!

Metformin can also help with facial hair to some extent.

Have a look at Verity's website too:-

www.verity-pcos.org.uk/

Some people find following a low GI/GL eating plan more helpful than low carb and this can also be sustainable long term.

Wow @LunaTheCat thank you so much, you have been way more helpful than the 2 GPs I have seen. So much info thank you.

I will check out Verity thanks Attila.

I went on the keto diet and it massively helped me. I followed it strictly for 6 months and now just do low carb, I've never felt better.

Losing weight and it is HARD but the more you sort out insulin levels the better it gets. My symptoms have decreased a lot as I’ve used intermittent fasting over the last 6 years. I’m still higher end of normal for BMI and it’s a fight to stay there but it’s improved my symptoms so much. It was a self fulfilling downward spiral of symptoms. I look and feel so much better than I did 10 years ago.

You have all my sympathies - it is completely shit to deal with. I had a lot of other gynaecological problems and felt like the mirena coil was pushed on me but I have to admit it helped me sort out the hormone/insulin mess. This was after I’d had my babies - which was not easy or straightforward. 7 pregnancies out of which I was lucky enough to have 2 kind, clever and capable girls.

Love your username carrie! I’m not overweight - I wonder if that’s why the GP doesn’t refer me though I did read that there is a thing called lean PCOS - but I definitely eat too much sugar so I will look into fasting or low GI.

Congratulations on your weight loss though and I’m glad you got your daughters PCOS does seem like it makes your body work against you to make everything harder.

My daughter has suspected PCOS, she has all the symptoms apart from weight gain, she’s only 15 and has special needs so will probably never be planing on having children. I have wondered if there is anything to treat it? At the moment she’s having a very long period, she often goes 6 months with out having one at all, she has dark hair on her face and back. I haven’t spoke to the GP yet as I am worried they will poke and prod her but now I’m wondering if she needs some kind of medication to manage symptoms?

I think it’s wrong the gp will only refer if you’re ttc! What message is that giving that women’s health only matters when it’s to increase the population??!!
They should refer you regardless
I have pcos there are some good suggestions here I also take inositol which helps And i use a lumea for excess hair

My DD was sent to gynae and had a scan of her ovaries.
She doesn’t have periods so she has hormones a couple of times a year to make her have one. Other than that nothing g.

Do you have children OP?

I found out I have pco via transvaginal ultrasound after a year ttc. I was only 25 which was just as well really. I had weight issues, bad moods, absent periods, hair. Testosterone levels were high on a blood test.

I had a hycosy procedure to check for blocked tubes, very painful but ultimately worth it as my tubes were flushed out and I conceived naturally shortly afterwards whilst waiting to start clomid. 2nd baby was conceived within 6 weeks.

Symptoms that bother me now are weight gain but I'm now exercising regularly, tiredness, headaches. No periods but I'm fine with that!

DD was diagnosed with PCOS in her mid-20's. Loads of exercise but putting on weight and acne (which she'd suffered from in her teens). She was on the pill, so her periods were pretty regular, but when she came off the pill, her hormones went haywire.

After much heartache, lots of different diets, a fortune spent on dieticians and suppliments, she eventually saw a consultant who specialises in PCOS. He put her on metformin, and she has been great since. It does mess with her stomach (nausea etc.) but the big thing with her was the weight gain, and she is now very happy with her shape. Still exercises but can see the results.

Her periods are also pretty regular now.

It's a hard one, because what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another.

waves no I don’t, at the moment I don’t want children but I know I might change my mind. I’m glad you managed to conceive.

These are really helpful replies thank you. I feel I’ve got ammo to go to the GP with now.

@ajandjjmum if she has terrible with the nausea on Metformin, try asking gp for modified release. You don't crash as often and don't have to be quite as careful with timing. I think it's more expensive so you don't get it as default.

I have PCOS, diagnosed some years ago and can confirm I'm offered precious little in terms of treatment. The consultant recommended I be prescribed clomid +/- metformin if I want to TTC.

The only medication I get prescribed for me (reluctantly) is norethisterone if I go more than 4m without a period. When I have abdo pain or I suspect I have a larger cyst, I get told to take cocodamol and "go to A&E if you can't cope". I very occasionally get referred for a scan which comes through too late to be of use.

Generally unless you're trying to have a baby you're expected to just get on with it. The joys of women's health!

@Badgertadger Thanks for the suggestion. She did talk to the consultant about this, but he felt that the SR version wasn't as effective.

Interesting what you say about timing though - with the exception of taking it with food, she hasn't been told anything about timing. Some days when she's very nauseous, she just takes one or two tablets, but the average is three, and it seems to keep things in check.

I do worry a little about the long-term effect though.