PCOS - Let's Talk

[caitvictoria]

Hi everyone,

So I'm really looking for some advice to do with PCOS. I really think there's a good chance I may have it, as I have the majority of the symptoms (late periods, acne, weight gain, dark hair under chin, not ovulating when using tests etc) and I just want to know what some of your experiences are?

I know that this page isn't the same as going to the doctor, and I do plan on going, but I just wanted to know how you all found out and what were the steps to took to get the diagnosis? I'm not even really sure what to ask for if I go to the GP.

Just some basic advice about it really, thank you!

My starting point would be Laura Briden's Period Repair Manual and Dr Fiona McCullough's 8 Steps to Reverse your PCOS. Both provide a wealth of information and are a great starting point for understanding the condition.

Hey, I’ve recently been diagnosed, I had all the symptoms you list and when to the doctor who ran my bloods and said I have high testosterone so with the other symptoms could confidently say I had it - I did have to push for bloods however! I’ve also been referred for a scan.

Since finding out I’ve been taking prenatal vitamins and inositol (you can get both from Holland and Barrett) since taking them I had a period for the first time all year! Unsure if anything has helped ovulation but fingers crossed as we’re TTC!

I would say that GP’s can be a bit hopeless so ask to be referred to a specialist if possible, and that we’re very much still in the dark ages with treatment and they’ll only really offer help if you’re TTC which is incredibly frustrating for a lot of women!

Good luck, and try not to worry too much xxx

If you're TTC check if you're insulin resistant. It is common with PCOS. If so, you would usually take Metformin. For me onlu endocrinologist could diagnose me since I have minimum symtomps.

Hi all, I’ve just been for an internal and an ultrasound scan and was told I have enlarged ovaries but they couldn’t see any cysts? Is this normal?

I did ask a few questions but they weren’t massively helpful tbh…

Got to call my doctor next week! Xx

yes.

Polycystic ovaries can appear larger than normal size. A normal sized ovary is about the size of a walnut.

The cystic follicles associated with polycystic ovaries can disappear, only to be replaced by further cystic follicles. As these follicles can be so small it can take a highly skilled operator to spot them.

For my diagnosis, my blood tests showed abnormal levels of FSH and LSH. I also had an internal ultrasound which showed the classic 'ring of pearls' cyst pattern around my ovaries. I have classic PCOS (symptoms of weight, acne, hirsutism, irregular and heavy periods) as well as the cysts on my ovaries but I believe you can have the symptoms without the cysts.

I have never found GP's to be particularly knowledgeable about PCOS. In your position, I would ask for your GP to do blood tests and then refer you to Endocrinology.

@JaneGnR88

You can have PCOS without the cysts.

Have you had thsme blood tests?

Thanks all!

@Cherry35 I have, and have high androgens so I defo have it 😔

Hoping to get a referral and in the meantime I shall stay positive and keep taking my many many supplements haha Xxx

any medicine to reduce hair under chin or is there a lotion or cream to reduce hair under chin? thanks

@JaneGnR88

I got the diagnosis by the endocrinologist but they don't really do much for PCOS. They only will prescribe Metformin to control the insulin while TTC.

I started taking Myo-Inositol to help the insulin.

Mine came up after a smear test in my early 20s and was confirmed by a scan and blood test. I lost two stone and my periods became regular (but long cycles) and I conceived in four months.

@MissSeventies can you reverse PCOS? it would be great if we could.

I didn't have problems conceiving, does it still mean I have PCOS? when I went to complain about heavy periods GP told me that scan shows I have it without the syndrome. but I have chin hair and I think I have the syndrome too?

There are those that argue that with diet and lifestyle changes, yes. I haven't had that degree of success, but have seen improvements.

In my case I have always had irregular periods, but had no other symptoms and feel pregnant naturally, once by accident. I have had my bloods tested over the years and androgen levels have alwsys came back well within normal levels. I fall into PCOS under the Rotterdam criteria, this would previously not be considered PCOS.

I don't know what others experiences are, but it took me almost 20 years to get to see a specialist on the NHS (gynecologist). Dr was lovely, but the only offer was birth control in different forms. I would rather work toward getting my body to work how it should.

Ask your doctor about trying spironolactone. Nb you can’t use it while ttc.

I'm 32 and was diagnosed at 14 funnily enough. I had no idea what is was and lived with my aunt at the time who didn't seem to want to explore it with me or help me understand it. I was just a lodger really so no guidance in any area. Very straightforward diagnosis and over the years I've had cysts drained, ruptured, twisted, cysts the size of golf balls. I have about 2 periods per year and have never used contraceptive. I've fallen pregnant 3 times in 16 years since I've been having sex, carried two to full term. I get acne on my chin and facial hair. I have to work hard to keep the weight off. It's definitely been a burden but I've learned to live.

@Chaoslatte thanks. I'm not TTC. does this cream work? im thinking if the only option is to pull the hair out, (using a tree flue I have its anceint technique but good) and overtime the hair get reduced)

@MissSeventies thanks. I don't see the GP regularly. but the facial chin hair is really bothering me. recently I cut out all sugar. sometimes I feel really tired. I think people/GP think PCOS is pretty normal and we should just get on with life?

I was diagnosed about 8 years ago, aged 29. I had had infrequent periods as a teenager, yet they were utterly debilitating. As in severe flooding for 48 hours, soaking through a super heavy tampon and a night time towel every 30 minutes at peak flow (about 24 hours, I would sleep sitting up on the loo and just sob when I was awake).
Thank god I didn’t work at the time as I would have had to call in sick with “heavy periods” as a reason and we all know it sounds lame 😒
no trouble conceiving but after my third dc I found the periods ramping up a notch.
i went to the doctors, they sent me for a scan and diagnosed PCOS, my ovaries were like popcorn! And that was that. After telling me that I was sent on my way. No advice. Nothing.
I’ve found when my weight drops my periods become more frequent (maybe every 3 months rather than once a year).
I’ve been suffering with some bad pain in my left ovary for the past 5 months - I can only imagine that it’s bloody falling off with the amount of pain it’s causing yet I can’t be arsed going back to the doctors only to be fobbed off. It’s soul destroying 😫

@mumznet I take it as a tablet rather than a cream. I’ve found it effective but it takes a few months to work because of the hair cycle.