PCOS and TTC

[Sarah051504]

I have PCOS and been Dx with it back in 1999. I have always had wacked periods sometimes they would be just over a month apart sometimes 4 monthes apart and any and all lengths inbetween. I also had horrid zits all over, face, back, chest, but not a whole lot of excess hair and of course weight gain. I've been on the pill, spiro and met for a while now. I was the first female in my family to be officially Dx but from talking to others my mom, sister, aunt, grandma, and cousin all have it. The good news, all of them had 2 kids (grandma had 5) and had no issues getting PG. I hope the same is true for me.

DH and I receantly caught the baby bug and want to start down the TTC path. I've made an appointment with my RE but I couldn't get in untill Feb 9th and that seems so far off.

I was wondering if any of you other PCOSers out there would care to share your TTC story. I'm especially interested in those of you who knew they had PCOS before TTC.

[Southlooper]

I was diagnosed with PCOS this past May after trying for a year. I had a feeling I had PCOS after reading many post on WC which mentioned PCOS. My RE told me that I was lucky and that I caught it early.

Aside from go on the traditional treatment (metformin, which I did not respond to all that well, made me VERY tired), provera amd clomid, I also consulted a nutritionist and went on a strict diet to help me with my insulin resistance. My concern was not only that I had PCOS but also that I was on the fast track to developing diabeties, which runs in my family.

It was a relief and scary when I was diagnosed. I was happy to finally know what was going on with me but at the same time upset that I had to take yet another round of drugs (I'm already on meds for allergies and hypothyroidism) and scared at the possibility that we would not be able to have a baby.

Beacuse of my age (I'm 35) my RE decided to be a bit more agressive and stared artificial insemination right away. We got pregnant on the 3rd try (4th round of clomid.)

Feb 9th IS too far away, especially when you want to find answers. In the mean time I recommed reading books on Insulin Resistance. There's a great book called the Insulin Resistance Diet which helped me with my weight issues. Aside from here there is another great website called SoulCysters.com that deal specfically with PCOS. I got alot of great information there.

Good Luck!

[Sarah051504]

Southlooper thanks so much for telling your story. I've checked out soulcysters before along with pcosupport.com, which has a message board. There is a lot of information on those boards but it all seems to be either from people newly Dx or have been TTC for a long time. Right now I'm kind of in an in between phase. I'm 29 1/2 so the age factor is quickly sneaking up on me especially since my DH and I would like 2 kids.

I did call my RE's nurse and ask if they had any recommendations on books about PCOS and TTC but she said they couldn't come up with any and gave me some websites to look up. From my own research, all the books I've found have been on having PCOS or living with PCOS and I didn't find any on TTC with PCOS. From my past bloodwork I'm not IR but I'm very close to becoming and my Dr basicly told me it was just a matter of time so that's why we started met. I might check out that book you mentioned becasue even with the met and cutting most carbs my weight hasn't budged.

[tlew12778]

I am not TTC but I have PCOS and I am taking Fertility Blend. I couldn't deal with the BCP (tried 1 type before PCOS, then 2 after Dx and they made me nauseated, gave me heartburn and migraines, etc). Anyway since I have been taking the Fertility Blend, I have o'ed every month. I don't know if that's necessarily because of the Feritlity Blend, but it's supposed to help. I should probably note that I am not insulin resistant though.

[Sarah051504]

Tiffany what is Fertility Blend? I've heard it mentioned around here before but I'm not familiar with what it is.

[tigerest]

I have a few questions that a friend with PCOS has asked me and I didnt know the answers....hopefully someone who has been through this can help...

Why is it that they usually prescribe clomid over femara?

And having PCOS, does that mean you develop a lot of cysts and you just dont ovulate?

If thats the case why couldnt someone with PCOS receive and HCG shot to trigger ovulation?

Lastly, what are the drugs they usually prescribe women with PCOS? I know of clomid and metformin.

She is not TTC yet either, but wants to be prepared when she does. Sorry for all the questions but I figured this would be the best place to get more info. Thanks.

[Heather719]

I was dx with PCOS after 10 months of TTC. My ob/gyn and I both were convinced that is what I had and the testing confirmed it. The good news is that I am not insulin resistant- so don't think that (at least for now) PCOS equals being insulin resistant. Even before my diagnosis, I started using Ovulation Predictor Kits so I knew I didn't O on my own. My ob/gyn confirmed this with some basic blood work.

Once we knew I didn't O, we started on Clomid. I began with 50 mg and didn't O. We bumbed that up to 100 mg, and I did O and I got pregnant. Unfortunately I had an early miscarriage. After my miscarriage, my ob/gyn started me on Metformin- I started at 500 mg and worked my way up to 1500 mg. I was one of the lucky ones that had minimal side effects from the Met as long as I took each pill with a meal.

3 months after my first miscarriage, we started actively TTC again using 100 mg of Clomid. That wasn't strong enough anymore, so we bumped it up to 150 mg. That did the trick and my third month on it we got pregnant again. This time we did have to use PreSeed as the Clomid had dried up my CM. Unfotunately I had another miscarriage and my wonderful ob/gyn did Repeat Pregnancy Loss testing...which lead me down a whole other path that I won't bore you with. ;)

A few months after my first miscarriage, I also started going to acupuncture which I highly recommend! I had heard great things about treating PCOS with acupuncture in conjunction with Western meds and I have to say- I'm a big believer now!!

I also can't recommend Soulcysters.net enough. It has been a huge source of info for me and I've also made some great friends there.

Tiger- here are my answers to your questions:
1) Why is it that they usually prescribe clomid over femara? Truthfully, I don't know. I hadn't heard of Fermara until I started on Clomid, which I had a lot of good luck with. I had minimal side effects and good results, so I just stuck with it.

2) And having PCOS, does that mean you develop a lot of cysts and you just dont ovulate?
Well..that is exactly what it means for me. :) And typically when you're talking about fertility and PCOS, that is the general impact. However, PCOS can effect your weight, your insulin resistance, your skin and many other aspects of your health. So even if you have PCOS and never intend to have kids, it's still important to monitor it.

3) If thats the case why couldnt someone with PCOS receive and HCG shot to trigger ovulation?
Typically the cysts that PCOSer's have are very small- they aren't mature follicles ready to release eggs. A mature follie is any where from 18 - 22 mm, my PCOS cysts were typically much much smaller then that.

4) Lastly, what are the drugs they usually prescribe women with PCOS? I know of clomid and metformin.
It all depends on your ob/gyn or RE. I know my ob/gyn wanted to perform other tests before prescribing any meds for PCOS- she had me do a HSG and she did a sperm analysis on my DH. Typically Met and Clomid are the first steps if nothing else outside of PCOS is an issue. If Clomid isn't strong enough, you may have to move on to stronger drugs like injectables (Gonal-F and Lupron, for example). For it was a gradual process working up to those drugs.

Best of luck to everyone! If you want any more info, please feel free to ask or PM me.

-Heather

[amychris03]

I have PCOS- ha, that actually ended up being the least of my
fertility problems :) Anyways- I had no clue I had it until I went
off of BCP's and we started trying to ttc. Didnt have any other
symptom that would make me suspect, but when I went off the
pill I was VERY irregular. Really long cycles, basically when I was
tested they found out I probably wasn't ovulating at all. When
I had my annual appointment, my OB thought he felt a mass,
so he did an ultrasound, and while there was no mass there,
my ovaries had a ton of cysts on them, and since we had been
trying to ttc to no avail for a while, he referred me out to an RE.
He said he could have prescribed clomid and done some basic
testing, but since we wanted to be proactive, he didn't see why
we shouldn't just go to the specialist and get the care we
needed from the get go...

So- I went for the basic tests- they will typically draw blood
on day three of your cycle. With me, I wasnt ovulating on my
own so they had to give me Provera to bring on AF before they
could even do this test. They will check your hormone levels
for FSH and LH to see if they are within the normal range.
They also will check your progesterone levels later in the
cycle to see if you ovulated or not (I forget what day). They
also do a blood panel, and if your insullin/glucose levels are
off they may put you on Metformin. Im not totally sure what
they are looking for here but I did go on the Metformin.
Sometimes with the Metformin alone, it can bring on ovulation.
It didn't work for me!!

Now, I also found out that I had other fertility problems later
on (whole other long long story) through a laparoscopy, and
while they were in there they did ovarian drilling, which
supposedly helps with ovulation as well. I can't really say if
that worked or not because I had to do IVF.

Here is a decent website: http://www.4woman.gov/faq/pcos.htm
And here is a great message board: http://www.soulcysters.net

Let me know if you have any other specific questions!
----
Tigerest to try to answer your questions:
1) I have no idea on the Clomid/Femara issue. My doctor
skipped both when we first started because she said my
ovaries had so many cysts that they thought I would respond
better to injectables (and insurance covered them).

2/3) My understanding from my drs explanation is that you do have
a lot of cysts, and those cysts prevent you from ovulating because
you have so many, you dont have enough of the hormones for any
to fully mature... That first website listed above explains it better
than I could. Basically, there is no dominant/mature egg so even if
you triggered, none would release. The Clomid or Femera or
whatever would help mature the eggs. Some drs use a trigger
as well to guarantee that the little guys release, some don't.

4) Those Meds are generally where drs start. And as a previous poster
mentioned, PCOS is driven a lot by diet, so I have heard of many
people using the Insullin Resistant Diet on there own.

[jellybeany]

I was recently Dx with PCOS. We aren't TTC yet but my doctor found out about it because I was having a lot of issues. We originally thought it was my thyroid (which could still be an issue), but we started going over my symptoms, bloodwork, and my history and he started me on metformin (I'm up to 1000mg a day) and I'm on BCP. We are hoping to start TTC later this year (towards the end) and I'm so scared!

[gymwidow]

I went off BCP last February with plans to start TTC over the summer. I started charting when I stopped taking the pill and discovered that my cycles weren't always regular and that I did not always clearly O. In August, I got AF and then kept bleeding for weeks (6 weeks in all), which led me to my doctor, who did a vaginal u/s and blood tests and diagnosed PCOS. I had considered it as a possibility, but wasn't sure, since I don't have any of the other symptoms. As much as I hated bleeding for so long, I'm sort of glad I did because it led me to my diagnosis long before I would have gotten one had we just gone the normal "try for a year and then get tested" route. Because we knew I had PCOS, and because we were ready to start TTC by then, my doc went ahead and put me on meds. But before she did so, we had to do an SA and HSG. I started Clomid in November and did O, although it wasn't clear when or how long my LP was. I'm now seeing an RE, who is monitoring me more closely. I took another 50 mg of Clomid this month, had an HCG trigger shot on Monday, and O'd on Tuesday.

After my diagnosis, I looked back at my weight averages since going off BCP and realized that when I stopped taking the pill, I started gaining weight. In October, I started the WW Core plan (which emphasizes whole grains, fruit, and veggies, and is low in processed foods and sugary foods) and since then have been able to drop a few of the 8 pounds I had gained over the summer. I think that perhaps I did have some kind of insulin resistance that might have contributed to my weight gain. I believe that WW Core or SBD are good tools for PCOS women to help us keep our weight under control.

This is from WebMD, about Clomid and its use to prompt ovulation:

"Ovulation, which is essential for your regular menstrual cycle and for pregnancy, is preceded by a chain of events involving several hormones and beginning during your prior menstrual cycle. Clomid works by influencing the interaction of these four hormones:
GnRH (gonotropin releasing hormone)
FSH (follicle stimulating hormone)
LH (luteinizing hormone)
Estradiol

Toward the end of a normal cycle, your body's levels of estrogen and progesterone slowly decrease. During the first days of the next menstrual cycle, the lower levels of those two hormones eventually trigger production of GnRH in the hypothalamus. GnRH then stimulates the pituitary gland to produce FSH and LH, also called gonatropins, which directly affect ovulation: FSH is responsible for the growth of both follicles and eggs and for increasing the size and number of the follicles. The level of LH suddenly increases one to two days before ovulation, which causes the eggs to be released. Estradiol is a hormone produced by the ovaries and the corpus luteum, or tissue left behind in the ovary after ovulation. Among other things, estradiol aids in the development of the uterine lining and the eggs.


If GnRH, LH, or FSH are not produced in the right amount and at the right time, your ovaries won't release eggs. In some medical conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome, the body produces too much estrogen, which may interfere with the production of GnRH, LH, and FSH and cause anovulation.


Although we still don't quite know a lot about how Clomid works, we do know that it tricks the body into believing that your estrogen level is low. The body then produces more GnRH, causing the pituitary to pump out more of FSH and LH eventually triggering the release of an egg from the ovary."

tigerest, in women with PCOS, the eggs start to mature, but because we lack the right hormones at the right times, they don't fully mature and release. As someone said, a mature egg is 18+ mm. My cysts (I saw them all lining both my ovaries) are about 5-6 mm. A trigger shot definitely prompts O, but first you need to have eggs to release, which is what the Clomid/Femara helps with. I think Clomid is prescribed more often just because it's been around longer and more doctors are familiar with it.

[Janey]

I was diagnosed with PCOS in the April of 2003. It was the hair that did it for me. Long story short -- I was dating a guy (not my husband) who wanted to touch my face, and I wouldn't let him touch my face because of the hair. I went to get laser hair removal, and the nurse who gave me the treatment said, "Ya know, I think you might want to see if you have PCOS."

I am 5'1" and weighed 246 lbs. I had a period about 2-3x/year. I had the ultrasound, and saw the little cysts with my own eyes. I was also diagnosed as Insulin Resistant. Reading up on PCOS, I read how a lot of people who have trouble getting pregnant have PCOS. I had never really wanted to lose weight before -- oh, I'd tell myself I did, and I'd make little stabs at it here and there but never really stuck with anything. All of a sudden, hearing the correlation between PCOS and infertility was finally enough for me to turn the corner and lose the weight. I went on a diet (http://www.hmrprogram.com/) and lost 115 lbs (photos here (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=12162)). When I hit about 170 lbs., my periods started happening semi-regularly again (28-35 days), and I'm pretty sure I started ovulating (http://stfunfw.blogspot.com/2004/03/ovulation.html) again in March of 2004.

I guess in a way, PCOS has actually made my health better. :)

I was 30 years old when I was diagnosed. I was 32 years old when I got married. I'll be 33 when we begin to TTC in June, and yes, I'm scared poo-less that I'm going to have issues. This is part of why I began Charting two months ago. So far I've had two fairly clear O's (picture me making the little side-karate-kick motion to the PCOS monster), but we shall see what the future brings. I'd love to be one of those statistics that makes others hopeful.


Sarah051504, thanks for starting this thread. I've appreciated hearing everyone's stories.

[Sarah051504]

I want to thank all of you girls for telling your story. There is so much info over on soulcysters (http://www.soulcysters.net) that at first it was a bit overwelming to weed through it all that's why I posted here first. And for some weird reason I feel like the girls over there are all strangers and well eventhough I don't know you girls you seem not like strangers.

tigerest Everyone else has answered your questions but I thought I would add a little something. If your friend isn't planning on TTC any time soon there are two other meds that are used that haven't been mentioned yet, the obvious one is BCP. The other is Spironolactone or spiro for short. Just like met it's main purpose isn't to treat PCOS, however it has worked wonders for me. I don't know the technical stuff but basicly it gets rid of the excess testostorone in your body. After starting spiro most of my systoms went away. Spiro casues birth defects so it can't be used if someone is TTC. I'm hoping that it's not a dug that stays in your system after you stop becasue I have been on it for 7 years and wouldn't be too happy having to put off TTC.

[tlew12778]

Tiffany what is Fertility Blend? I've heard it mentioned around here before but I'm not familiar with what it is. It's a vitamin that is specifically geared towards hormone regulation. You can read more about it here (http://www.fertilityblend.com/). I did a lot of research on natural ways to deal with the PCOS since the BCP obviously was not working for me and I decided to try vitamins first. I considered both this one and Optivite but I read/found a lot more about Fertility Blend on the soulcysters message boards so I decided to give it a whirl. I actually got mine off ebay bc they are really spendy in the store or through online pharms. I think I paid $20 for a 2 month supply but I actually don't take them everyday. The recommended dose is 3 pills throughout the day (so like one with each meal) but I only take them after AF stops and I usually forget to take them while in my LP (bad me! I just bought one of those old person pill minder things to help me remember to take them). Since taking them I have o'ed every month and my LP has gone from 11 days to 14! Honestly I think that the key ingredients are probably the B6, magnesium, and zinc (those 3 helo lengthen LP) and the vitex for the O'ing. You can probably take them all individually but then you have to experiment with the doses and balancing them out and whatnot. Since I cannot be bothered with all that, I just buy the fertility blend.

[ds2003]

I have PCOS. I was diagnosed just before we started TTC. My gyn knew I had irregular cycles and decided to run some blood test and schedule me for an ultrasound. The first time I had this done I was still on BCPs and everything came back normal. A year later I was off the BCPs and she noticed I had multiple cyst on my ovaries. That with the blood results led her to believe I had PCOS. I started taking metformin but it was not enough on its own to regulate my cycles or even get me to ovulate. I then went on Clomid (50, 100, 150mg) and did not ovulate on it. During the Clomid cycles I started seeing an RE. After Clomid I had Ovarian drilling, continued with the metformin (1500mg) and ovulated on my own about 5 weeks after the surgery. My progesterone levels were low (<10) for the first 2 cylces post surgery. The 3rd cycle I used Femara (5mg) and my prog level was >20. We had planned to do an IUI that cycle using OPKs to time it, but I never got a positive OPK but had clearly O'd based on my prog level. The 4th cycle I did Femara again but had u/s monitoring instead of using OPKs. We did and IUI and I'm now 16 weeks pregnant.

Seeing an RE is a great move. It isn't unusual to have to wait to get in to see and RE. I called to make my appt in Dec 2004 and my first appt was Feb 2, 2005. I wish you the best.

[craftgenius]

A friend of mine has PCOS and she just KNEW that she wouldn't be able to get pregnant...she ended up getting pregnant two months after her wedding! She is due in March! :)

[Sinclair319]

Another PCOSer here. The only symptom I have is very irregular periods. We started TTC in July 04. In the 19 months since then, I've only had 3 periods on my own, the other 10 have been induced by meds.
I'm not a typical cyster--I'm thin, athletic, no excess hair etc. They did an u/s and saw tons of cysts, and the blood work also confirmed it. I was diagnosed in Oct 04 and put on 1500 mg of Metformin--I take all 3 at dinner, but it's done nothing for me (as far as regulating my cycles)
We started meeting with an RE July 05, did our first medicated round (Femara, injectables, trigger, IUI) in Aug 05, got preg, but at the 6 1/2 w u/s there was a sac, but no baby.
I'm currently on the 2nd medicated round and hoping to get better results this time.
Good luck--there's great support on here!

[IzzyJune2006]

I have PCOS but I believe it's a "mild" case? I don't have insulin resistance. The reason that my OB made me have an u/s was because I was complaining of my non-existent AF and that I was hoping to TTC the year after.

I am 32. I have been on BCP since I was 17 due to heavy periods that made me sometimes very sick. In the last 3 or so years on BCP I had hardly any periods. I couldn't tell what my cycles were. The OB had me tried different BCP or ring or patch, etc. Nothing helped. Finally, last year I decided I had enough and went off BCP to see if my cycles would come back. I waited a few months. Then at the OB visit they did the u/s. There many cysts but she said something about there being the larger one that suggested that I had ovulated. (I am not too familiar with all of this so I hope it makes sense). The doc looked at my blood work and did not recommend further action as I was not TTC.

In the next 12 months, I had maybe 3 AF. I was trying to chart but was not successful. I learned that my aunt had low AF her whole life and no problem TTC. During that time, we were not practicing safe sex but were somewhat "careful". After getting married last August, we decided to TTC. Not knowing my cycle, I figured we would DTD as often as we could and see where that took us. Six weeks after the wedding I found out we were pregnant.

Sorry for the long post, but I just hope that this can be encouraging to others with PCOS.

[papergirl]

Just yesterday I was diagnosed with PCOS. My RE prescribed Metformin. Can anyone provide some insight on this?

I do O on my own but my cycles are long, heavy and I guess irregular. They change in days anywhere from 32-42 days long. I am wondering if the Metformin will make me O sooner, will they just aid in making me O or do they help in making my cycles more consistent. I thought I understood everything when I left the office yesterday and now I find myself with all these questions. At some point I will probably call the nurse.

[kimthebride]

A very very long story short, I have a mild case of PCOS. It took 5 months for me to Ovulate but I was using the ClearBlue Easy Fertility Monitor at the time so saw it coming and did the deed. We very luckily got pg right away, and our healthy son is singing to himself as I type. :)
Of course, I don't know how generous lady luck will be when we TTC#2, so I am back here lurking around for more info....

[cc8]

I have PCOS. I am not insulin resistant. The only 2 PCOS symptoms I have are absent periods and mild hirsutism (which is super rare in Asian women!).

I knew I had PCOS before we started to TTC. What worked for us was Follistim + Trigger Shot + IUI. DD is now 5+ months old!

I *just* got my period again yesterday. I honestly think this is my first REAL period since I was a teenager! At least I think I can *assume* it's a real period (ie not BC induced, etc)...which would mean that I OVULATED ON MY OWN - huge news! (Before TTC, I was regulating my periods with BCP.)

It is definitely possible to get PG and have PCOS. Don't give up!

[jh124]

I was diagnosed with PCOS after TTC for six months. I was very angry with the medical community because, in hindsight, it was clear I had PCOS 15 years before but was never diagnosed. I am insulin resistant. I really believe being on the BCP for 16 years saved my fertility. As it turned out, I also had another more serious obstacle to TTC/carrying a baby.

Anyway, 14 months of treatment later, I got pregnant. I was incredibly lucky that I was able to get/stay pregnant. Every appointment went along the lines of "There's a 60% chance you will lose this baby, but you're pregnant today." We forbade anyone from buying anything, and from telling friends/distant family for several months (which my mother promptly disregarded.) But we were so blessed and lucky.

Best of luck to all of you!

[Janey]

I was diagnosed with PCOS after TTC for six months. I was very angry with the medical community because, in hindsight, it was clear I had PCOS 15 years before but was never diagnosed. I am insulin resistant.
JH124, that is me too. I think - why in the world was I never told this BEFORE?? My 20's could have been soooo much different. :rolleyes: Congratulations on your baby boy! :D Way to beat the odds... 60% chance to lose the baby ... oh man, I would've been so scared the entire time.

cc8, when I started getting my periods again, I asked my Dr. if that meant that I was ovulating. Her answer was "probably." She said that spontaneously getting a period could have meant that I ovulated or not, but that I was having other signs of Ovulation (hormones, etc) meant I probably was. Congratulations on your baby girl as well!

kimthebride & IzzyJune2006, Congrats to both of you, too! It is so nice to hear "success stories" in this thread. :D

[cc8]

MrsHill - when you started getting your periods again, were they consistent or on again/off again? Are you pretty regular now? I am totally crossing my fingers that the PG somehow kicked my hormones back into place!

[cc8]

jh124, can you please explain how being on BCP saved your fertility?

I really believe being on the BCP for 16 years saved my fertility. As it turned out, I also had another more serious obstacle to TTC/carrying a baby.


I've just asked 7 different MDs/REs/OBGYNs whether getting on the pill now will have an ADVERSE effect on future fertility, since after going through infertility/PCOS issues I am a bit paranoid for when we TTC #2 (not anytime soon). Every med expert I spoke to said taking BCP now does not have ANY effect on future fertility (positive or negative).

TIA!

[tlew12778]

Ironically my GP told me that my ovaries became lazy after being on the BCP for 8 years. Before BCP I had periods every 28 days more or less. Then I decided to chart to avoid and found out (8 months into charting) that I had PCOS. I asked for an explanation and that's what I got.

Oh and FTR, a period does not = ovulation necessarily. It could be endometrial threshhold bleeding. The only way to confirm O is if you chart or have blood tests or U/S done.

[Janey]

MrsHill - when you started getting your periods again, were they consistent or on again/off again? Are you pretty regular now? I am totally crossing my fingers that the PG somehow kicked my hormones back into place!
They were pretty consistant (27-35 days), and got more consistant as I lost more weight. I went on Nuvaring in September 2004, and was very happy to go off of it again in October 2005. I started charting to avoid in November, and have had two pretty nice charts since then. I ovulated on CD15 in November and CD16 in December, with 27 and 28 day cycles, respectively.

Charting, and finding out my body really is doing what it's supposed to be doing has been such a humongous load off my mind. I am still cautiously optimistic at this point, however. I still have hirusitism. Even though it not nearly as bad as it used to be, it makes me nervous. Someone in the Charting-to-Avoid thread (Tiffany was that you??) said that sometimes BCP can "kick-start" your body into ovulation for the first few months afterward, but then it remembers it has PCOS and goes back to its old ways. This is Cycle 4 off of BCP, so we shall see what the future brings.

[jellybeany]

I want to Thank all of you ladies that have shared your successful pregnancy stories. It makes me feel better about eventually TTC. I feel blessed that my doctor found it at 23 and we know before we TTC.

[jh124]

jh124, can you please explain how being on BCP saved your fertility?

I've just asked 7 different MDs/REs/OBGYNs whether getting on the pill now will have an ADVERSE effect on future fertility, since after going through infertility/PCOS issues I am a bit paranoid for when we TTC #2 (not anytime soon). Every med expert I spoke to said taking BCP now does not have ANY effect on future fertility (positive or negative).

TIA!
PCOS causes cysts on your ovaries because your body begins an ovulatory cycle then fizzles out before releasing an egg. That fizzled egg (pregnany/nursing brain prevents me from remembering what it's called) causes the cysts on your ovaries. BCP prevents ovulation. Because I was on the pill non-stop for 16 years, I did not ovulate and therefore only had one cyst (which came while TTC.)

Read and do your own research, but IMHO, the BCP saved my ovaries - or at least kept me from needing surgery on them later on. What is it called when they cut a pie shaped piece through the cysts in order to give the ovary some room to mature eggs? My SMIL had it and I'm relieved that I didn't have to.

So no, BCP in and of themselves do not have a direct affect positively or negatively on your fertility, but they will prevent cysts, which have a negative effect. If you have a problem with cysts, I'd give BCP some serious thought.

[kimthebride]

kimthebride & IzzyJune2006, Congrats to both of you, too! It is so nice to hear "success stories" in this thread. :D
Thanks. :)
I have to say that every day with DS is totally a blessing, considering I had to go on the Pill at age 15 because my body went WHAMMO out of whack all of a sudden because of PCOS. I stayed on BCP to regulate my periods from then until April of 2004 (age 28). If I wasn't using the CBE FM, I'm positive I wouldn't have known when I finally O'd and been able to make the cute little guy.

Good luck to all of you TTCers! (babydust ~ babydust ~ babydust)

(Edited to fix the year)

[jh124]

Thanks. :)
I have to say that every day with DS is totally a blessing, considering I had to go on the Pill at age 15 because my body went WHAMMO out of whack all of a sudden because of PCOS. I stayed on BCP to regulate my periods from then until April of 2003 (age 27). If I wasn't using the CBE FM, I'm positive I wouldn't have known when I finally O'd and been able to make the cute little guy.

Do you think that BCP hindered your TTC? The interesting thing about PCOS is that it seems different people have different symptoms and reactions.

[kimthebride]

Do you think that BCP hindered your TTC? The interesting thing about PCOS is that it seems different people have different symptoms and reactions.
Nope, not at all.
I was lucky in that my gynocologist that I went to when I moved to town just happened to be a fertility specialist who had all the equipment needed on hand for the diagnosis. When I went in the 1st time, she reviewed my entire history, did blood work, did an u/s and said "hmmm... it looks like you may have PCOS. Stay on BCP and when it comes time to TTC we'll do some tests and monitor closely". That was in 2000. When it came time for our preconception visit in 2004, she told me to stop taking the BCP right before we were ready to try. However, she said she wanted me to keep charting, try without meds/shots for about 6 cycles.
Two cycles later (about 3 months+) I brought in my charting info and she confirmed the PCOS with that and a new u/s. One more cycle later I got pregnant, much to all our suprise and joy.
Mind you, I am not now on BCP. I am BFing and was givent he mini Pill but decided to let my period come when it's ready, and chart/use the CBE FM to see what my body decides to do naturally. Still no period yet at almost 8 months post partum, so it's "wait and see".

[jh124]

Mind you, I am not now on BCP. I am BFing and was givent he mini Pill but decided to let my period come when it's ready, and chart/use the CBE FM to see what my body decides to do naturally. Still no period yet at almost 8 months post partum, so it's "wait and see".
I am also on the mini-pill because of BFing. Once I wean, I will go back on BCP until ready to TTC #2.

[cc8]

I am also going to start the mini pill this Sunday!

[EJH]

My partner has PCOS. She was diagnosed with it when she was 23 by her primary care. This was 7 years ago, before anyone knew much about it. Her PCP started her on metformin at that time, and we are convinced that saved her fertility.

Right around the time we were TTC the RE upped her metformin to 2000 mg a day. Took 6 months (obviously AI) but DD is here now and is 5 months old.

They watched her carefully for gestational diabetes, because of the insulin resistance. They wouldn't do the regular sugar test on her because she's had them done before and she has a violent reaction, was practically unconscious when the sugars crashed.

Oh, she stayed on the met through the first trimester b/c she'd been reading about that helping pregnancies stick. RE wanted her off by 2nd trimester. She's still off the met because she's nursing, but I imagine will go back on in the future.

Erin

[off2skl]

What is it called when they cut a pie shaped piece through the cysts in order to give the ovary some room to mature eggs? My SMIL had it and I'm relieved that I didn't have to.

I think it's called wedge resection or something like that.

[amychris03]

What is it called when they cut a pie shaped piece through the cysts in order to give the ovary some room to mature eggs? My SMIL had it and I'm relieved that I didn't have to.

I know what you are talking about... Im not sure they are doing that
anymore... I think it's been replaced by ovarian drilling these days.
I did have ovarian drilling ( i was having a laparoscopy anyways so
they figured may as well do it) but then we did IVF so I was on BCP's
after the surgery and we never determined if it helped me to
Ovulate or not...

[red_canuck]

I also have PCOS. I had no idea about it until I went of BCP's to TTC. I went on BCP's at 16, and had normal periods prior to them. When i went off BCP's, I was 23. I charted for a year and a half, without a single ovulation. I had to induce AF with progesterone. Other than not ovulating, after going off the pill my hair began to thin drastically, and my acne worsened (I had always had acne, but it was livable. It was very severe after going off the pill.)
My ob tried metformin with me (even though I am NOT insulin resistant) but not only didn't it help, but it was tough going on me. Side effects were no fun at all!! After much talking, DH and I decided to wait till fall 2005 to start clomid/meds, putting us in the best position work/school/financially to dedicate the time to medicated cycles. We took a break from any TTC for the summer, I even stopped charting for the first time in almost 2 years. I went on a diet and started an exercise regime. Surprise, suprise...I got pregnant in June naturally!! It was a fluke that BD was timed right, since I had stopped charting for the summer and wasn't watching CM closely since I was swimming so much.
46 more days till my EDD :D I can't wait to meet my little baby.

[Sarah051504]

I want to thank all of you girls for sharing your stories. They have given me hope that TTC might not be all that hard and if it turns out to be hard, that there are people who have gone through the exact same thing and made it to the other side.

Well I had my preconception appointment today with my RE.

First let me say I love my Dr. not becasue he's brilliant or a miricle worker but because when I asked him if there was anything I should or shouldn't do while we are TTC the first thing out of his mouth was, and I quote, "Don't lose weight." Now I am no where close to being even an average weight, I could lose 100 lbs and still be technically considered overweight, so I was a bit worried he would say something negative about my weight but I have never ever ever had a Dr tell me to not lose weight! LOL

Ok now for the details. Obviously I need to stop taking BCPs and then I need to stop my spiro becasue it causes birth defects but the met he thinks, based on his experience that's all I might need. The bad part, he wants me to wait 2 periods after stopping the pill so my lining has a chance to build up. I asked what if I should get PG in those 2 "months" and he said that there's a greater chance of m/c. I'm not really sure condom sex is going to last in this house so i guess technicially we should wait untill April/May but I don't know. Other then that, I go back in three monthes and if I've had 2-3 periods then we keep everything the way it is, if not he said there's another med we could try, didn't name it but I'm sure it's colmid.

You know what, I worked myself up to much about this with everythig I read online I was expecting the appointmet to be so info backed that I wouldn't be able to remember it all. But in reality of course we aren't going to get into anything real deep untill we know what my body is going to do.

So that's where I stand now.

[jellybeany]

Sarah, thats great that your appointment went well. I wish you the best of luck with everything! :)

[Sarah051504]

ok girls I need help. And with most everythign TTC related I need to add a TMI warning. This is my first cycle off BCPs but we aren't TTC yet. My Dr wants to see if the met alone will regulate me. I am on cd13 and when I just now wiped after going to the bathroom there was a huge glob of snot like looking stuff. What in the world? Could this be what everyone refers to as EWCM? I'm not charting or anything so all I have to go on is it's about the right time for me to O and I've never ever seen anything like this come out of me before. What do you think, could the met be working it's magic on me?

[KaliLily]

I am so frustrated right now. My doctor increased my Prometium dosage from 200mg to 400mg as the lower dosage often failed to induce AF. I finished my first round on the 400mg on 2/18 and here it is 2/27 and NO AF!!

I called my doctor's office (OB/GYN) this morning to see if I should be concerned or if I can give it a few more days. I talked to the nurse who said AF should have arrived by now and she would discuss this with the doctor and call me back. I have been freaking out ever since.

I'm still waiting for a call back from the doctor, but in the meantime wondered if anyone here has had the same experience with Prometrium and/or has some advice. I have a few questions for the doctor when I talk to him/his nurse, such as running the PCOS tests again to look for advancement (I was first diagnosed 10 yrs ago and have not had any follow-up tests, and have been off BCPs for 5 yrs) as well as other fertility tests that we can run (he offered at my first consultation in July, but I declined). Anything else that I should ask?

I've been plagued for months with fear that has kept me from starting on Clomid. I have waited so long to TTC (I'm 33), and now I'm petrified of trying and learning that I can't get pregnant. For the last 10 yrs I've at least had the hope of the possibility, and now I'm afraid of the reality. I've been an emotional wreck all day. :(

[tlew12778]

I didn't take prometrium but when I used progesterone to induce AF it took 10 days for AF to come. I took 200mg for 10 days straight. I found this website on the side effects of prometrium:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/progesterone_ad.htm

This is going to sound dumb, but are you temping? BC if you are temping then you would know at least if the progesterone had the desired effect of raising your temp (tricking body into thinking it is in its LP). Could you be pregnant?

[kimthebride]

...after going to the bathroom there was a huge glob of snot like looking stuff. What in the world?
Lol, in general I would describe EWCM as snot-looking.
It is typically a good sign of fertility - if I were you I'd be taking OPKs and DTD.
However, with my PCOS I'd have multiple sessions of EWCM in each cycle so it was never a real 'sign' for me that I was to O. I had to use the CBE FM to be sure (and of course I also backed that up with OPKs because I am neurotic). I can't recall if I did have EWCM when I finally O'd...but in any case it sounds like progress. :) Yay for you!

Kalilily
I'm sorry you are so frustrated, and rather than offer advice I just want you to know I am thinking of you and have all fingers/toes crossed for you. There is always hope, especially with all the expertise and medical assistance out there now that we can get (oh, and 33 is not that old! - sorry, had to say it...).

[Janey]

Sarah, in general EWCM looks like snot, but it also looks more like... well... eggwhites. :) However, I'm not sure that it's necessarily a sign of O. With my PCOS, I had EWCM all the time (and I thought that was normal).

Kalilily, I'm 33 too, and can empathize with being scared. Hang in there!

[jennylou]

EWCM, in multiple patches is a common sign of an annovulatory cycle. I had it all the time prior to clomid.

[Sarah051504]

Thanks for all the advise on EWCM. This is my first cycle off of the pill and we aren't supposed to be trying this cycle. I have been sick and been on a decongestend for the past week, although I stopped that on Sunday. All I have to say is it was a large amount and not something I was "looking" for but couldn't not notice it. I haven't had much of anything since so who knows. I am a very impatient person and can't stand the waiting around to see if I'm going to get a period. I've only been off the pill for 14 days and just have this overwhelling need to know now what my body is or isn't going to do so we can make a game plan so to speak.

[KaliLily]

This is going to sound dumb, but are you temping? BC if you are temping then you would know at least if the progesterone had the desired effect of raising your temp (tricking body into thinking it is in its LP). Could you be pregnant?


No, I haven't been tempting since we hadn't started actively TTCing. Never thought about using tempting to "monitor" the effectiveness of the Prometrium. Thanks for the tip!

Unfortunately, I'm not pregnant.

Thanks to all of you for you words of support (and the reminder that 33 isn't that old). It does help. Right after I finished my post, DH came home and asked how I was. I gave a thumbs down and he asked why. The minute I started telling him I broke down sobbing. He was so wonderful and handled my breakdown like a pro. :) He hugged me tight until I calmed down, told me how much he loved me and that we would deal with this together. He even offered to go to my doctor appts with me. AND he said he'd even undergo fertility testing if necessary...as long as he got dirty magazines. ;)

I talked with the doctor's nurse this morning and the doctor's plan was to have me take the Prometrium again right away, provided that I wasn't pregnant. I told her that this issue has increased my fertility concerns and I'd like to have tests run to see exactly what I'm dealing with. She's going to talk to the doctor and see where he wants me to start. I can put off the Prometrium until I hear back from her (WOOHOO!). I don't think I could take the side effects again this soon! :eek:

[tlew12778]

Have you undergone hormonal testing? I assume they did it when you were dx'ed with the PCOS.

I was just reading my TCOYF and on page 112 of the latest version there is a chart that talks about progesterone challenge testing. It says that if you do not bleed within 14 days, they should give you estrogen and THEN another course of progesterone. If you bleed at this point it means that you did not have enough uterine lining to shed the first time around. This indicates an estrogen level problem which would make you annovulatory (which is a totally separate problem aside from PCOS).

[KaliLily]

Have you undergone hormonal testing? I assume they did it when you were dx'ed with the PCOS.

Yes, I have undergone hormal testing. My testosterone was at the high end of "normal" or the low end of "abnormal" depending on the doctor. :rolleyes: And my LH and FSH ratios are reversed. I also did ultrasounds and though my ovaries are enlarged, there were no cysts. However, all of that was done almost 10 years ago. I'm concerned being off BCPs for almost 5 years may have caused my symptoms to advance - I'm particularly concerned with the possibility of policystic ovaries.

Thanks for the info from TCOYF. I have a copy that's a few years old, but I'll take a look for the progesterone challenge and discuss it with my Dr.

Another thing I'd like get tested for is insulin resistance. My last doctor put me on met (at my request), but I was never tested for IR. The only time I've had "normal" cycles (28-32 days) while taking met was while I was also working out regularly. That was a couple years after going on met. However, once my DH lost his job the normal cycles stopped. I also stopped working out regularly then b/c we couldn't afford the gym membership. That was 2 years ago.

I'm wondering if met is even helping me. The only thing it seems to have done is ended the hunger I used to have w/in an hour of eating a meal. I haven't lost weight while on met, but I have maintained the same weight for 2 yrs. My new Dr suggested stopping the met at my last annual in Nov, but I decided to stay on it for the (presumed) eating control/weight management benefit. He said OK as long as I didn't have bad side effects (I don't), but now I'm thinking I want to be tested for IR and if I'm not at least borderline I'll stop taking it.

[tlew12778]

I don't think you can be tested for IR if you are taking the Met. I mean, it controls the IR so it would give you false values (sort of like testing for PCOS while on BCP). I'm not really sure about this though as I was never tested since my GP says it's obvious I am not IR from my weight and given what I eat. My other levels were off the walls though and I showed multipolicystic ovaries on both sides when they did the u/s.

[Asha]

i am in the process of having my infertility issues diagnosed by my gyn. it's looking like i am not ovulating from fertility kits and temping bc my temps stay low almost throughout my whole cyle. though, i don't know if i have pcos bc according to my ultrasounds i don't have any cysts. also, i am not overweight. in fact, last year my dr. told me it might help if i gained a bit of weight, so i did. also, i really don't have any major issues with hair growth. though, my periods are pretty wackadoo. anyways, who knows what i have. i still have to get my blood work done. i appreciate you sharing your stories bc even if i don't have pcos i don't feel so alone for having these problems.

[gymwidow]

Kim, can you ask about taking something else? I took Provera each time I needed to induce AF. I'm taking Prometrium now to lengthen my LP in the hopes that it'll help increase my chances of getting pg.

[tlew12778]

Asha - I do not have most of the PCOS symptoms. The only symptom I had that spurred testing was insane acne just one time. I subsequently had my free-testosterone levels checked as well as FSH:LH and a transvag. ultrasound, all of which confirmed the PCOS. The main thing with PCOS is that no one has the same constellation of symptoms. Therefore it is sometimes difficult to dx. That said, lack of O could also be caused by other issues, such as estrogen imbalances or even stress and/or diet.

[KaliLily]

Good news! (Well, good in my twisted PCOS world ;)) AF arrived 30 minutes ago! :D I guess the Prometrium just needed more time. Still wouldn't mind getting some updated testing done, but not as frantic and panicked about it now.

[Sarah051504]

I love metformin!

It’s been exactly 28 days since the first day of my last period and you know who showed up tonight?

AF!!!!!!!

Maybe getting PG won’t be as hard as I had feared.

I anounced this in my journal this morning and my buddies pretty much thought I was on crack for being excited But I just know you guys will understand.

[Janey]

Congratulations, Sarah! :) Isn't it fantastic to know your body's doing what it's supposed to be doing!

I think it's a funny how we never really wanted AF before, and now we're so excited to get it... and soon we won't want it again. It's all in your perspective, I suppose!

[Sarah051504]

Thanks MrsHill I am past the excited part, now I just whish these cramps would go away! Ugh I've never had cramps like these before. LOL

[Janey]

FWIW, my first month of having regular periods again, I had severely heavy flow with lots of clotting, and major cramps. So... maybe this is the beginning of regular periods for you too? :) (If it makes you feel better... after that first month, things went back to normal and I have only slight twingy cramping.)

Are you planning to temp? That was another thing that made me really happy -- actually seeing in pretty colors that I really was ovulating. I haven't had an annovulatory cycle since I started charting back in November.

[Sarah051504]

not sure about the whole charting thing only becasue DH and I have wierd schedules. I go to bed between 10 and 11, DH gets home from work between 2:30 and 4 and I normally wake up and go potty or just wake up, and then my alarm first goes off at 6:15 but I don't get out of bed untill 6:45. So when would I temp, when DH gets home from work? Just doesn't seem like my temps would be very accurate becasue I never ever ever sleep through the night.

[Janey]

I would temp at 6:15, the first time your alarm goes off. As for whether or not your mid-night wakings would affect your temperatures... I don't know. It wouldn't hurt to try it and see... just think of it as an experiment. :) If you decide to do it, I would also buy/borrow the TCOYF book and read it through. Lots of interesting information in there even if you decide not to take your temperature.

I hardly ever sleep through the night either. I almost always wake up around 4-5 AM to use the restroom. I take my temperature at 7am, and it seems to not be affected.

[Sarah051504]

I actually have a copy of TCOYF on hold at the library and as soon as I can get away frommy desk today :rolleyes: I'm going to walk over there and pick it up.

I guess what's the worest thing that could happen if I tried temping, my temps would be all over the place and make me crazy? Well I'm practically crazy already so might just try it. :p

[tlew12778]

Actually I would temp at 2:30 everyday. You will have had 3 hours of sleep by then and if you are consistent and always temp at that time, you will get accurate results.

[Sarah051504]

I thought of that but he doesn't always get home at 2:30 and I really don't want to set my alarm for 2:30 wake up, take my temp, reset my alarm, wake up AGAIN when DH does get home, and then wake up when my alarm goes off again.

So this leads me to a question. Which is more important, taking my temp at the same time everyday, or having at least 3 hours of sleep?

[tlew12778]

That depends on your body... you will have to try it out and see. I know if I get up to pee, I can still get an accurate temp after an hour. But that's not the case for all people. You don't need to "get up" per se. Now that I am unemployed I don't need to wake up at 8:00 everyday. But I still temp at that time. I roll over, grab the therm, put it in my mouth, then put it back on the nightstand when it beeps. I don't even wake up fully.

You don't want to constantly temp at different times. You would have to constantly adjust your temps and with PCOS, I think it could just be more confusing overall (since adjusting might not be 100% accurate for you).

[Janey]

I posted this in the Charting To Avoid thread (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=17140&page=7), but it's also applicable here:


I think I'm having my first annovulatory cycle. My EWCM has dried up without the temp jump I usually see. Of course, I did not do the Daylight Savings Time Polka, which could be part of the issue -- we shall see what happens over the next few days. But, I'm pretty sure that I'm in a bad spot.

I think I've told you all this before, but I lost a significant amount of weight after I was diagnosed with PCOS. On the way down the scale, I started ovulating on my own again (I think -- I wasn't charting, but I had severe o-pains one month) around 170 lbs. Well, I'm nearing that marker again going the other way, and I think it's screwing with my cycles. The last two cycles I've had pretty long periods of EWCM. Right there on page 170 of TCOYF, it states (emphasis mine):

In order to ovulate, most women probably need at least 20% body fat. But just as being underweight can prevent ovulation altogether, being overweight can also alter your cycles by causing excessive production of estrogen, which interferes with the nrmal feedback system of the hormonal cycle. Some of the signs of excessive estrogen are prolonged periods of fertile cervical fluid buildup, delayed ovulation, and irregular cycles.

Well, there you have it. I have Excessive Estrogen. I knew I wasn't 'just reeeeally fertile.' That'd be too good to be true. She goes on to say:

To eliminate hormonal imbalances due to being under or overweight, you should try to attain a normal weight through wholesome foods and exercise.
... thanks for the tip, Toni.


Sarah051504, did you ever read TCOYF? What did you decide to do about the temping?

[Sarah051504]

Sigh, I haven't deceided to do anything yet. I haven't gotten my hands on TCOYF yet, darn library, I've been thinking I might just go out and buy it.

I was so excited about AF's arrivial last month but now I'm discouraged again. Last month I was bloated for a week, BBs hurt for almost 2 weeks, I cried at everything. I'm on CD20 and I'm a bit bloated, got neasous last night and that's it. Probablly just casued by what I've been eating. In addition to that I ran across an old planner of mine and in it I had listed my periods for 3 or 4 years, starting back in 1994 (pre PCOS Dx). Well at one point I went off of BCP and I saw that exactly a month after my last BCP AF I got one on my own. So especially with how this month feels, I'm not sure the met is actually doing anything for me, either that or I'm PG this cycle which I doubt.

[Janey]

I read somewhere (I think tlew had posted it?) that sometimes being on BCP can kick-start your body into thinking it's normal, and ovulate the first few cycles on its own before the BCPs are out of your system and your body says, "Oh yeah, I have PCOS!" and goes back to its old habits.

TCOYF is a good book to have on hand. If you decide to buy it, I don't think you'll be sorry. When I saw my eight days of EWCM, I thought, "Hmm" and decided to look it up. Much better than sitting around wondering WTF is going on.

[jellybeany]

I read somewhere (I think tlew had posted it?) that sometimes being on BCP can kick-start your body into thinking it's normal, and ovulate the first few cycles on its own before the BCPs are out of your system and your body says, "Oh yeah, I have PCOS!" and goes back to its old habits.

My ob/gyn told me this last week. She said that usually she tells people to wait about 3 months after going off the pill but she said in my case to try right away because it might be our easiest shot at getting pg.

[tlew12778]

The only reason they say to wait is bc it's harder to determine the exact date of conception since the BCP can mess up your first few cycles. Anyway, I was told the same thing... they said to try for 6 months then come back for fertility treatment if we aren't pregnant by then.

[Sarah051504]

My RE told me to wait for 2 cycles so my lining has time to build back up. Otherwise there was a higher risk of mc.

I'm just so dissapointent in myself/my body/everything. I thought for once in my life things were going to go my way, i.e. met would regulate me, but I'm thinking that's not the case.

[Sarah051504]

Well, I'm completly confussed by my body and hope maybe some of you girls can figure out more then I can.

Today is CD36 of my second cycle without BCPs. My first cycle was exactly 28 days long with my BBs sore for about 2 weeks. (I say about because I didn't keep close track of it.) and with one day of heavy spotting before AF arrived. I'm assuming that right after O'ing my BBs got sore. Back to this cycle, Dh and I DTD on CD12 and on CD24. On CD27 my BBs started to be sore and they have been getting sorer and sorer every day since. Since Sunday night (CD33) I've had very light spotting brown to pink to dark red only when I wipe, nothing that even reaches the undies, however today it seems to be a bit heavier.

If I did O a day before my BBs got sore I'm about 10DPO. Is this spotting the begining of AF, AF, implantation, something else? I know the best way to get my answer is to wait and see what happens but it's driving me crazy.

Any thoughts?

[kimthebride]

sarah
I hate to say it, but wait a few more days then test. It's the only way to know for sure. I got pg around the same CD that you think you Od, so it is possible. Good luck!!

Question About OPKs and PCOS
Now, I have "some aspects" of PCOS, not full-blown. I have the EWCM multiple times a month, charting that does me no good. I stopped nursing DS a month ago, and am charting symptoms (PMS, headaches, pains, etc) and bleeding...next cycle I'll start using my CBE FM again. All this with my fingers crossed for my being able to O on my own so we can TTC again later this year.
I took an OPK yesterday and the lines were equally dark. Today the test line was fading. I felt pains on my right side, felt icky for a few days...so I am thinking I actually O'd. But my question is: Is there any chance at all I could show on an OPK that I am having the surge (thus Oing) but not actually be Oing?
I have TCOYF, but don't recall this specifically being addressed. Then again, my son seems to have nursed my brain right out of me. :rolleyes: TIA!

[Sarah051504]

Thanks kimthebride.

But how long do I wait? Do I assume that I have around a 14 day LP because my last cycle was 28 days with about 14 days of sore BBs? So should I wait untill Sunday (14DPO) or Monday (15DPO) to test? Or shouldn't I base anything on my first cycle because this cycle I took so much longer to O?

Ugh we weren't even really supposed to be trying this cycle and I'm already going crazy! What am I going to be like a few months from now?

[Cath]

kimthebride - In answer to your question, yes you can have an LH surge without actually Oing.

From what I remember from discussions with my RE, your body can gear up to O but not actually do it. Has something to do with the hormone imbalance or something. I also think with PCOS, you can have an LH surge but the follicle not be mature enough to O.

My knowledge is pretty vague on this because I've never even bothered with OPKs. My body is so out of whack with the PCOS there really hasn't been any thought or possibility of me Oing on my own.

good luck

[kimthebride]

From what I remember from discussions with my RE, your body can gear up to O but not actually do it. Has something to do with the hormone imbalance or something. I also think with PCOS, you can have an LH surge but the follicle not be mature enough to O.
good luck
Thanks, Cath.
I think something did happen, since I was feeling O pain...fingers crossed! It would be so nice to be able to have baby #2 'on my own', ya know? Just trying to stay positive.

[jjsanner]

kimthebride, I have had several cycles where I have gotten a + OPK and then never o'd. In fact, one cycle in particular I geared up to o twice. During these cycles I did have what I had thought were o pains, but my temp never spiked. Hope that helps.

[Janey]

*bumping up* for Chelsea524.

And an update -- we're pregnant on our first month of trying. I credit weight loss & charting as the keys to my success, 100%.

I hope everyone is doing well.

[21daisygurl]

Hey everyone,
I am not currently TTC, but I am new off the pill and I have been diagnosed with PCOS since I was about 18 so I thought I woudl join in and share my story:

When I was 13ish I got my first period. Then when I was about 16, I got my next one. And I got one more before I went on the pill at 18. When I was at this age they did a few ultrasounds and started me on electrolysis for excessive hair growth on my face, and dx me with PCOS this way. I had blood sugar issues, but the opposite to the norm...I get very HYPOglycemic. I have slight weight issues at times. They could never diagnose me via bloodwork when I was younger bc/ they had to do the bloodwork so many days after my last period...and since I NEVER got it....they never tested. However, I have very cystic ovaries visable on u/s and every symptom in the book it seems.

Now, I just went off the pill to start charting to see what my cycle does for the year before I start TTC. My family doctor thinks this is best for me so I get a referral to a fertility clinic sooner than later if I have charts to prove I am not ovulating.

Sooooo, I am on my first cycle off the pill with NO signs of ovulation 30-something days later. I am sure it could be months before I ovualte...if I ever do. i am not holding my breath. My sisters and mom all have PCOS as well.

Good luck to everyone TTC! And congrats to Mrs Hill!!!!

[armadillo]

I'm just chiming in on this thread now...my RE mentioned PCOS to me yesterday after my sonogram. He said I might have a VERY mild case of it, because the only symptom I have is the cysts on my ovaries (~15-20 on each one). He mentioned that my "acne" (3-4 zits about once a month counts as acne?) might also be a symptom. But my hormone levels are all good, he agrees from my charts that I'm ovulating, and I have fairly regular cycles (they vary by 2-4 days most of the time). I'm going in for a GTT sometime within the next few weeks.

[tlew12778]

They could never diagnose me via bloodwork when I was younger bc/ they had to do the bloodwork so many days after my last period...and since I NEVER got it....they never tested. This is incorrect. I had my b/w done somewhere around CD50. If you are not ovulating it is likely that you have too much free testosterone and that will show up on a blood test regardless of when you do it.

[21daisygurl]

tlew,
You are probably right. Don't forget that my testing was over 10 years ago> Things may have changed.
The MD didn't seem to concerned since eveyr other symptom was so textbook. But I suppose if I did do the bloodwork now, it would give me a solid diagnosis

[lil_geek]

21daisygurl - I am similar though maybe not as extreme.

Got my first period at 15.. I had 4 in 2 years (very coicidentially on vacation, Christmas day and Easter break... WTF??). I had issues of pain in my right for a year and was sent for an ultrasound. DR. said it was PCOS and sent me to a gyn She said it was common in teens and perscribed BCP.

I have been on them for 11 years now. Never gone off. Had one DR. tell me I had no cysts (which makes sense now if I've been on BC straigt! They wouldn't develop- correct?) I never had blood work done... I am slightly overweight and have excess hair growth.

Now, not sure which way I want to head. Go off BC and hope to figure things out with my body over the next year BEFORE TTC, or wait and take advantage of the possible 'kick start' coming off BCP!

[21daisygurl]

lil_geek:
I had the EXACT same dilemna. Everyone says you are most fertile coming off the pill. And I thought of using that to my advantage when we are TTC, but it didn't work for me. I decided to go off the pill to chart my temps and see if I ovulated for the time leading up to TTC to show my MD when we do start trying, but the first cycle I didn't ovulate at all, and we had unprotected sex most of the month (don't ask me WHY I had so uprotected sex if I wasn't ttc....my DH is too confident that I won't ovulate....bad...bad....) and am now suffering with AF! ;)
Not that this is the case for everone, but for me I was right back to what I was like before the pill...no increased fertility for me.

All I am saying is, talk to your doctor. If you are ttc in a year or so, you may benefit from coming off the pill, charting, and know going into TTC that you may have some difficulty. OR your MD may think it is better to wait and TTC as soon as you come off the pill. It is best to do what is best for your body. But for me, I wanted proof that I dont ovulate so I won't waste all this time TTC with no result. Instead, I can head straight into Fertility treatment.

[lil_geek]

Talk to the dr... that is the fun thing! I have moved and had 3 different DR's since I was 'dxed' and had yearly physicals on university campus for 3 years. So any 'record' is likley lost (I never transfered my files....honeslty never crossed my mind until the last year or so when 'growing up', getting married and TTC came into the picture).

Seeing that we are now settled and my current DR is likley to be my dr for a while, I will book an aapointment and see what her thoughts are. Right now I am leaning towards going off.. charting for a few months to see how thigns look. If I look to ovulate, would going back on the pill until we are ready be a bad move? And like you , if I'm not ovulating, we have a starting point when/before we want to TTC.

[kimthebride]

Seeing that we are now settled and my current DR is likley to be my dr for a while, I will book an aapointment and see what her thoughts are. Right now I am leaning towards going off.. charting for a few months to see how thigns look. If I look to ovulate, would going back on the pill until we are ready be a bad move? And like you , if I'm not ovulating, we have a starting point when/before we want to TTC.

Just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents...

Bring any scrap of information you can to this doctor, get bloodwork & u/s done then work with the doctor to decide whether staying on or going off is best.

In my case, my doctor (Fertility Specialist) thought it would be best for me to TTC as soon as I got off the Pill (after 11+ years on it). We had a preconception visit where I had lots of bloodwork done and she & I & DH discussed everything. Then I went off the pill and I charted per TCOYF while TTC. Since I was having long periods and wacky chart info (gearing up to O but not Oing 1-3x per cycle, etc), I went back to see her with this info in hand and that helped her finalize my diagnosis and make a Plan: how long to TTC before starting meds, procedures, etc. The Big Picture, you know?

Luckily I was using the Clear Blue Easy Fertility Monitor (& charting & OPKs) and caught it the 1st time I finally O'd and got pg. We were all very pleased, and I think a combination of both really knowing what was going on with my body and having the knowledge that we had a plan B, C, D, E...in place relaxed me a bit.

Good luck!

[lil_geek]

Question: Can they accuratly test/do needed blood work while you are still on the pill??

[tlew12778]

No they cannot do b/w while you are on the BCP. Reason being is that the b/w tests your hormone levels that the BCP is controlling so there is no point.

I don't know how much sense it makes to go off the BCP, see if you ovulate, then go back on BCP bc there is no guarantee that your body will react the same way the 2nd time you go off the BCP as it did the first, make sense? For instance, I was BCP for 8 years. I went off to chart. 8 months into charting, I had a REALLY long cycle and was dx'ed with PCOS. They put me back on the BCP for 2 months (2 different brands bc I did not tolerate the first one) but I went off again bc I could no longer tolerate them. I decided (along with my GP) to just deal with the PCOS. The second time I went off the BCP, my cycles went back to normal (this was 12 months ago) AND my luteal phase got longer. The PCOS is asymptomatic right now and I hope it stays that way.

Also, once you get the hang of charting (which may take a while and be very frustrating if you suffer from long cycles) you probably won't want to bother with being back on the BCP. Since you say you are 12 months from TTC, you could conceivably spend 6 months charting, then not want to bother with being back on the BCP for the remaining 6 months. You never know.

Regardless, if you do have PCOS, you may want to start treating it once you find out what is causing it (if you can pinpoint it). For instance, a lot of PCOS women have insulin resistance. You might want to be tested for that since you said you are overweight. If you treat the insulin resistance, you might be able to control your PCOS. You could also take anti-androgens to see if that helps as well. Basically, you would be able to best decide (with your dr) how to approach PCOS and TTC once you confirm it.

[Sarah051504]

No they cannot do b/w while you are on the BCP. Reason being is that the b/w tests your hormone levels that the BCP is controlling so there is no point.

I want to throw my two cents in on this one. In theory this is true but for me, even on BCP my levels were still wacky. Still showed PCOS level hormones. BCP alone didn't regulate me. My point is that yes in many women the pill would make any blood tests results look normal but there's also a chance that they wouldn't.

[tlew12778]

Yes that is true, but getting insurance to pay for it twice is another story. In fact, I think some ppl on the thread couldn't even get insurance to pay for the b/w once! And IIRC the OOP expense was close to $1k :eek:.

PCOS testing involves FSH:LH and free-testosterone. FSH and LH are both regulated by the BCP. They might be able to find elevated testosterone levels, but that alone is not sufficient for a dx since they will be looking for a constellation of symptoms (that you won't have bc of the BCP).

[lil_geek]

Hmmm, so if I suspect I have PCOS then I really need to go off the pill to accuratly figure it out anyways.

Tiffany - I had thought of that.. and if I end up with long cycles it could end up being only 3-4 before we want to TTC anyways!

Off to make a DR's appointment to discuss it all!

[21daisygurl]

Lil Geek: I think that is the only way to know what is best for you is to make an appointment with your doctor. Then you can personalize your care.

I cannot BELIEVE it would cost that much for BW....

[kimthebride]

I had my bloodwork done while on the Pill.

A re-evaluation was done when I was actively TTCing when I was off it, but it just confirmed what they already knew from previous bloodwork, my charting, u/s, etc.

[jennylou]

Yes that is true, but getting insurance to pay for it twice is another story. In fact, I think some ppl on the thread couldn't even get insurance to pay for the b/w once! And IIRC the OOP expense was close to $1k :eek:.

PCOS testing involves FSH:LH and free-testosterone. FSH and LH are both regulated by the BCP. They might be able to find elevated testosterone levels, but that alone is not sufficient for a dx since they will be looking for a constellation of symptoms (that you won't have bc of the BCP).

They can also test cholesterol, as that is another symptom.

[lil_geek]

My cholestorol is higher then it should be. Not HIGH, but borderline high for my age and putting me in the high bracket when I turn 30.

Can someone give me some good references I can read and take some thoughts/ideas with me to the DR? I would like it to have been a mis/easy out when they dx'd me by ultrasound only... so I want to try to test things to rule it out. Does that make sense?? Since I know there is no hard fast way to tell.

[tlew12778]

Here is a list of tests (http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/pcos-3.html) they might do for PCOS.

Here are a couple sources on the net that I found useful (there are hundreds of webpages out there though):
Natural Health Solutions for PCOS (http://www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/index.html) I actually own the e-book and I found it really comprehensive in terms of explanations and what not.

Soul Cysters (http://www.soulcysters.com/)

When I was tested, I had the transvaginal U/S first which showed micropolicystic ovaries (I can even post the U/S results for you if you want bc I have them scanned into my PC). Then I went for blood tests but they only tested free-testosterone and FSH:LH (which was not even ordered by my own gyn but by a friend of ours who is specialising in OB/Gyn). My free-testosterone was high but my FSH:LH was normal.

[lil_geek]

Thank you ladies.

Had my little chat with my Dr. He one question was 'Why do I want to go off the pill if we aren't TTC yet? :rolleyes: Because I want to! Blah!

Anyway, she suggested I go off, ensure I am up on my folic acid in case of any ooops. She also gave me a perscription of provera to fill in case I go more then 90 days.

Aside from that, she wants to wait and see (my physical will be january) how things go and if we decide to do any sort of testing. She was pretty good though and said if we go long cycles over the next few months, when we want to TTC we can take more action quicker.

I'll pop in once I know what my cycles look like post-BCP!

[21daisygurl]

I have a question for you ladies with PCOS.
I am about 7 dpo, and yesterday, after BD'ing, I noticed some blood mixed with the semen (Sorry, TMI). Then following that and through to tonight, I have noticed very low pelvic pain. Started on the right side and going through the middle to the left side.
It is a sharp pain. Now, I wonder if it is implantation or if it is cysts growing and being uncomfortable..
it isn't tender to touch.
Any ideas?

[tlew12778]

Daisy - Was your BD on CDs 5, 7, and 8 protected? If so, I doubt it's implantation. (If you are seriously CTA, you should use protection for the first 3 months straight through). If it was UDD, then it's possible it was implantation. Anyway I did not feel my cysts at all, although PCOS can cause pelvic pain.

[21daisygurl]

Thanks Tlew,
Yes, it was unprotected....We are not being safe....We are of the opinion that if it happens, it happens. BUT we aren't trying.

I know I have had pain in hte past with my cysts, but I can never remember what it felt like. I know when I was 16 it landed me in ER (they thought it was appendicitis). So I guess I just have to wait and see eh?

[kimthebride]

Hi Ladies,

Just wanted to let you all know this this PCOS-TTCer is now pregnant with her 2nd child! :) So hang in there, it can happen...twice, even.

BTW, I again give 100% credit to my CBE Fertiliy Monitor, OPKs and charting. We got pg on our 1st attempt.

Good luck to all of you!

[ABirney]

Congrats kimthebride!! H&H 9 months.

[OCNative]

I'm new to CC. I am perusing these boards to find out some info on TTC and PCOS.
My ob/gyn says I have PCOS. But I am not sure how she diagnosed that.
She said if my cycles are irregular and sometimes I might skip a period, she says I don't ovulate or I don't ovulate regularly.

I did one cycle of Clomid 50mg last month and nothing...no ovulation as far as I am aware from using the opk's.

I've had blood work done a month or so ago, and she says my egg quality is good so we are moving forward to maybe try IUI.

She prescribed Metformin last week which I have not started yet.
I am meeting with her on Monday. She said she wants to get me a referral to the RE.
I don't have any of the other things I've read about women with PCOS, i.e. obesity, extra hair etc.?
So, I guess I am confused why she said I have PCOS.

I did have a very early m/c January '05. Totally unexpected since we were not really TTC but not NOT trying.

I guess I am just searching for info. I get frustrated with all the information.
And annoyed that I am not one of those girls who just "gets pregnant".

If you read this, thanks. And I am glad there are posts here with all kinds of info and experiences.

[tlew12778]

Usually PCOS is diagnosed with blood tests and an ultrasound. It is likely that your GYN saw something on the BW that made her suspect PCOS. It would be interesting to know if you were tested for insulin resistance, bc if you were negative for that, the metformin would be ineffective I think. I have PCOS but am not insulin resistant, nor do I have any of the other symptoms (right nwow anyway... I had acne, cysts, and too much testosterone at one point). Anyway, if you are not getting periods regularly it means you are not ovulating regularly. You normally get your period about 2 weeks after you ovulate so no period = no ovulation. Also, not all periods mean you have ovulated. Have you read Taking Charge of Your Fertility? It explains this all really well.

Also, if you do search for the threads on clomid, you will find many women for whom clomid did not work the first time around. Many women have to gradually increase their dose in order to ovulate.

[jennylou]

OCNative - I highly, highly recommend getting the book, Taking Charge of Your Fertility. Charting would be a great tool for you, as often times, OPKs don't work for those with PCOS. Plus, if you go see an RE, that will be good information to take along with you.

Congrats to kimmie!

I too have had two succesful pregnancies with PCOS. Of course, I don't ovulate like Kimmie without any drugs, so clomid was needed in my case. My point is that, even with PCOS, there is hope in acheiving pregnancy. :)

[polarama]

I'm bumping this thread to share my experiences as a PCOSer.

I was diagnosed in June. After 8 months of irregular cycles, my gyn referred me to an RE, who suspected it based on my history, but confirmed it with 1) bloodwork; 2) an ultrasound; and 3) an HSG just to make sure nothing else was wrong. He put me on metformin, and said that he would not put me on clomid until after 3 months of metformin therapy.

My first month on it, my cycles were about 45 days. It gradually shortened, and I ovulated my 3rd cycle, and conceived my 4th (using OPKs, temping, and the CBEFM). I was pleasantly surprised that the metformin alone worked.

[Standrea]

So, DH and I have decided to ttc #2 after successfully having dd after years of trying. I just started metformin again. I'm so excited, yet nervous that it will take us years again. I have yet to have a period/ovulate since giving birth (I EBF), so hopefully, i will get one soon with metformin.

Here's hoping everyone else has good luck!:)

[jennylou]

standrea - good luck ttc! Is Metformin an okay drug to take while BFing? I haven't researched it at all, so I'm just curious. :) I'm EBF as well, and yet, I've managed to already have TWO periods by five months pp. This from the woman who almost always has to use provera to get a period - unless I wait like six months for it to come on it's own!

[ABirney]

Good luck standrea!

I just have an update too.. I had a dr appt a week ago to see what the next step is in TTC because it hasn't happened yet with just the metformin. He wants me to lose more wt (I had been working on it but not whole-heartedly and am only down about 12# since starting met in May. He would like me to lose around 50.) So he had me make an appt with a nutritionist, I go in on the 10th of Jan. My dr was talking about a diet they may put me on that's a liquid diet for 12 weeks. Not sure if I'll do that or not.. at first I was dead set against it, but the more I think about it, if that's what I need to do to get a baby, then it would be worth it. So I'll see what they say at my appt and go from there. (I am currently in a 2ww, but not real hopeful this cycle... will find out around Jan 4th or not.)

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and happy New Year!

[Janey]

ABirney - I did a major diet back in 2003 (not just liquid - but shakes & microwaveable entrees - thread here (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14516)), and lost a whole bunch of weight. I think that was absolutely instrumental in kicking the PCOS monster out of my life, and eventually getting pregnant.

Also FWIW, the first part of the diet I did was 13 weeks long, then they gave me the option to continue, which I did. I would probably not reccommend doing liquid only for a long period of time (though, my husband did it for about 9 months and is currently keeping off 200 lbs), but I'll tell you what - stuff like that works, and it is great for kick-starting your weight loss.

Good luck! I hope you'll keep us updated.

[ABirney]

Janey Thanks for sharing your success story! And congrats on your pg!

[jennylou]

abirney - personally, I'd find a new doc. My first doc told me to lose 40 pounds and take the met and then come back like six months later. As the six month mark was approaching, I'd lost about 10 pounds. I was working out about 5 days per week and was feeling good, I just couldn't shed the weight. It's hard to lose with pcos. Add in that you are ttc and not having any luck and you have a stressful situation. Nothing wrong with still trying to lose weight (in a sensible manner) while you try, but I personally, would find another doc.

[MrsSmith]

Birney - I totally agree with Jenny. Losing that much weight can take much longer than a few months, especially with PCOS. There is always an advantage to learning to eat better and figuring out what works best for your body. However, I believe you can do that and TTC at the same time. So, I would go ahead to the nutritionist, but if you are ready to TTC, finda dr that will support you in that journey now, instead of when you are 50 pounds lighter.

[ABirney]

Thanks for your input jennylou and MrsSmith. Just to clarify, I did ask the dr if we should hold off TTC while I work on my wt, and he said no, that we can still keep trying while I'm working on my wt, he just would rather not prescribe any other meds (ie clomid) until I lose some wt because he doesn't want to push things and risk me having complications like toxemia or gestational diabetes. But he did give us the go ahead to keep trying on just the met while I lose some wt. He also said with this liquid diet thing, most people lose 40-50# in the 12 weeks, so I think that's not too bad. I will go to the appt and see what they have to say and make my decision from there I think.

[MrsSmith]

Birney, the only thing with what your dr is saying is that for a lot of people with PCOS the meds are necessary to become pregnant. You've been on one method of treatment (met) for 6 months and have not conceived yet. So, at this point the dr should see that you might need additional meds to get to that point. Not allowing you to get other meds until you lose weight is basically not allowing you the option of choosing when you are ready for a child. That's why I have a problem with his methodology. Him telling you to keep trying while you lose weight is just like saying keep having sex, however, he's unwilling to help get you to the next level. It's not really helpful advice.

[jennylou]

Birney, the only thing with what your dr is saying is that for a lot of people with PCOS the meds are necessary to become pregnant. You've been on one method of treatment (met) for 6 months and have not conceived yet. So, at this point the dr should see that you might need additional meds to get to that point. Not allowing you to get other meds until you lose weight is basically not allowing you the option of choosing when you are ready for a child. That's why I have a problem with his methodology. Him telling you to keep trying while you lose weight is just like saying keep having sex, however, he's unwilling to help get you to the next level. It's not really helpful advice.

Exactly.

In addition, I question whether losing 50 plus pounds in 12 weeks on a liquid diet will really help you long term or not. It seems to me that as soon as you'd start eating again, you'd start gaining weight. Why not look into a more healthy way of eating, something like Weight Watchers? (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25047) Sure, the loss will be slower, but healthier long term for you.

[Janey]

40-50 pounds in 12 weeks? That seems like a lot. In 13 weeks of the shakes-n-entrees, they told me to expect 13-36 lbs. At that point, I lost 30 lbs., 6 of which were all in one week due to starting a diuretic for high blood pressure, so really it was more like 25 lbs.

Also, I did end up with gestational diabetes, despite keeping off 70 pounds and getting pregnant w/o drugs... so losing weight won't necessarily keep you from that problem. I had been diagnosed with Insulin Resistance along with my PCOS diagnosis, so the GD did not come as a surprise to me. It is a big PITA to have to deal with it (especially over the holidays), but I am controlling the diabetes with diet - no insulin.

[ABirney]

Thanks again everyone for all of your input. You all raise some very valid points, and alot to think about.
When I have my appt w/ the nutritionists I don't know if I'll go on that liquid diet or not. I'll talk to them about other options as well. (jennylou - I did try WW for a while but that didn't work for me.) I know I do need to get some of this wt off.. I have been noticing lately I get short of breath really easily, have constant back/joint pain, no energy, frequent heartburn, etc. I do also have insulin resistance and at my last appt was told my blood pressure is getting high.
My dr did want to see me back about 12 weeks or so after my nutritionist appt, so I think in the meantime I'll really concentrate on my wt in earnest and continue to TTC, and when I go back in 12 weeks if I'm still not pg I will request that we start further treatment for the infertility.

[charliezangel]

Just dropping in to say I think I may be experiencing PCOS symptoms. I have had excessive weight gain in the past few months, seriously irregular cycles (70-80 days for the past 3 cycles) as well as irecular menstral patterns when AF *DOES* arrive. In the past few months I have noticed dark hairs on my chin and cheeks. I have a Dr appt scheduled for Jan 9th. We are currently TTC and I'm hoping to find out what is going on with me soon.

[MrsSmith]

charliezangel - Hopefully you are able to learn what is going on when you go to the dr. It just makes things make more sense when you have some clarity as to what your body is doing. There are lots of success stories around here about ladies with PCOS who were able to conceive and carry with no problem. Here's hoping the same for you!

[ABirney]

Hi charliezangel! Just wishing you luck at your dr appt and hopefully they will be able to figure out what's going on and help you on your TTC journey.

[lovebugs2003]

Wow, I am so glad to have found this thread and all of the helpful information.
I just found out that I have PCOS.

For a few months now, i have been having irregular periods, but for me it was more than less. I would have a period, a week later have another one, different consistency, my periods have been heavier than normal. I just felt like i was always having my period. Very frustrating. I gained some weight. Was hard to get the weight off.

So after getting blood work and an ultrasound done, my ob said i have PCOS. On the ultrasound, it showed i have follicles on both of my ovaries.

Next week i have an appt with a gyno. So hopefully i will find out more then.
My doc did say that losing weight will help.

I need to do a lot of research and asking questions. I am a little overwhelmed right now. We just made the decision to start trying, after awhile of me being unsure. Then we make that decision and we are both happy and excited and this happens.

I will definitely be reading this thread through.

[ABirney]

lovebugs, hopefully treatment will help and you will get pg soon!

[Standrea]

standrea - good luck ttc! Is Metformin an okay drug to take while BFing? I haven't researched it at all, so I'm just curious. :) I'm EBF as well, and yet, I've managed to already have TWO periods by five months pp. This from the woman who almost always has to use provera to get a period - unless I wait like six months for it to come on it's own!

Jennylou-Metformin is actually prescribed to some woman who have PCOS while nursing because it can help increase milk supply. Apparently, some woman with PCOS have problems with milk production (My LC had an article for a few of us ladies in our BF support group that have PCOS). Congrats on having 2 periods already!! I have heard that after giving birth PCOS can go away in some woman.

One of the moms in our group had her DD the day before my DD was born. She had the SAME EXACT TTC CYCLE AS ME. Metformin started the same time, chlomid, m/c, chlomid again, pregnancy. She actually found of she was PG when her dd was 6 months old! that was without any problem at all. She pretty much had a normal period once she delivered.


Metformin is going ok this time around. I have finally gotten a period, and if all goes well, I should get it again tommorrow.

I hope you woman are getting pretty little BFP's soon! :)

[JLRenheos]

I have irreg. afs & have pcos. We've officially started to ttc as of today, so we'll see where this takes us! We're just going to SWH first & then go from there.
I've already spoke w/my dRs. office & we already have an alternate plan, when needed.

Af came in Jan.
No Af in Feb.
.........and now we're into the month of March.

Prior to the month of Jan., I didn't have an af for 3 mos..

[Standrea]

Good Luck JLRenheos. TTC with PCOS can be very frusterating...just remember to stay relaxed...


WE are still going at it over here. I had AF in Jan. but nothing since...still taking Metformin, but i'm still BF too...

[JLRenheos]

standrea Thanks! I'm going to try & have a positive outlook throughout. BTW, good luck to you also!

[Standrea]

Thanks!!

[TazLuv]

Hey ladies, I wasn't even aware this thread existed until someone mentioned it in another one.

I was diagnosed with PCOS officially last June. We've been TTC since June '05. Question for those of you on metformin, did your doctor/re say anything about the increased chance of miscarriage?

I was not aware of metformin when I started my treatments, we are doing Clomid and injectibles. After three cycles of overstimulation with the injectibles I asked about metformin and was told that there are mixed studies regarding the increased chance of miscarriage on metformin. Since we are now making progress with the injectibles we decided not to chance it but I'm just curious what others have heard on that topic?

Another question I have is the overweight classification? Is that usually a major symptom? The reason I ask is that I'm not overweight, I'm 5'2" and about 125 pounds so I find so many "solutions" which say lose X pounds but there doesn't seem to be any recommendations for those that don't have that as an issue.

Thanks for all of the info thus far. :D

[polarama]

TazLuv, I was actually told by my RE that metformin reduces the risk of 1st tri miscarriage in PCOS patients. I was on met for the 4 months before getting pregnant, then stayed on it till I was 11 weeks. I have a few studies about met use in pregnancy, but I can't remember the citations off the top of my head. I'll look them up for you and send you the info.

[21daisygurl]

Another question I have is the overweight classification? Is that usually a major symptom? The reason I ask is that I'm not overweight, I'm 5'2" and about 125 pounds so I find so many "solutions" which say lose X pounds but there doesn't seem to be any recommendations for those that don't have that as an issue.


I find this as well. I am 5'3" and 130-140 depending on the month. I am not overweight but there are no solutions if you don't have weight to loose!

Alright ladies, i need some advice:

DH and I decided that we will let whatever happens, happen for the next year but want to start Clomid by April next year at the earliest. So.....in the meantime we want to start fertility tests.

Do you think that since we aren't actively TTC and not actively TTA we can get a referral to a specialist? My Dr told me she would only make me try for 6 months and we have been having unprotected BD'ing for 9 months now. I ovulated ONCE in 9 months. So I think that shoudl be ok.

As well, if they do refer me, is it possible to do tests first, meds last? that is what we want to do.
And if so, what tests do they do?
(I have had bw and u/s's done already. BW was normal to my surprise but I was on Vitex at the time and I don't know if that will affect it)

TIA!

[jennylou]

Alright ladies, i need some advice:

DH and I decided that we will let whatever happens, happen for the next year but want to start Clomid by April next year at the earliest. So.....in the meantime we want to start fertility tests.

Do you think that since we aren't actively TTC and not actively TTA we can get a referral to a specialist? My Dr told me she would only make me try for 6 months and we have been having unprotected BD'ing for 9 months now. I ovulated ONCE in 9 months. So I think that shoudl be ok.

As well, if they do refer me, is it possible to do tests first, meds last? that is what we want to do.
And if so, what tests do they do?
(I have had bw and u/s's done already. BW was normal to my surprise but I was on Vitex at the time and I don't know if that will affect it)

TIA!
If you just want testing done, but don't want to start trying with clomid until April, I'd recommend that you wait until the beginning of the year for an RE appt. At least when I went to the RE, she wanted to know how long we'd been trying - so you'll have to just say that you were off birth control with a seeing what happens attitude. ;)

If you've already been diagnosed with PCOS via ultrasound and bw, all that will happen is the RE may want new baseline tests done of those two things. Then, she may or may not want you to have an HSG done. My RE told me that she wanted me on clomid first, once I ovulated three times on clomid with the right dosage, if I wasn't pregnant, then I'd have the HSG. She just didn't want to put me through an procedure that might have been unnecessary - but those are her thoughts and it seems that all REs have different thoughts on this. The RE will also want a SA on your DH. Afterall, there's no use medicating you, if there is also a problem with your DH.

Honestly, I went to the RE late July. DH had his SA. I started my cycle on 8/15 and was on clomid. It goes really quick once you get in there, so I wouldn't go too early or the Dr may push you to start the drugs earlier. I know our RE was very aggressive. When my progesterone came in low the first cycle (5 point something), I was told they were bumping my dosage. Her philosophy is if something isn't working, let's do something to fix it.

[Standrea]

I had a similar experience to JennyLou's, except I had the HSG. I will agree, that it is very uncomforttable, and I think that Jennylou's doctor had the right attitude toward it ;)!

We got our BFP the night before DH was supposed to have his SA. It worked out for us, because he was very hesitant to get it done.

[21daisygurl]

Thank you guys. I appreciate the advice. I think I will hold off on the RE until the new year. :)

[Tara07]

I too have PCOS. I was diagnosed in August of 2006. I hadent had a period in 3 months. I finally went to the Dr's, they ran bunches of tests. Finally the told me to go birth control which I had been on for 9 years. I never knew a problem existed until I stopped taking them. Now I am engaged to be married and i went to another doctor and she put me on Prometrium to help me ovulate. We do want to get pregnant next year after we get married so after that they want to put me on Glucophage. I am just scared because i really would like to start a family, and i am worried that i may not be able to to!!

[jennylou]

Tara - prometrium (aka as provera) will not help you ovulate. All it will do is fool your body into thinking it's ovulated and bring on AF. That will start another cycle, but if you're not ovulating, you're going to end up with the same sort of long cycle. Glucophage (aka Metformin) does help some women with PCOS to ovulate. Many more need to take clomid (or femara, and some even injectibles) - those are the drugs that stimulate ovulation. You need to ovulate in order to get pregnant. One thing that you can start to do now is to start to chart. You'll be able to determine if you are ovulating or not, if not, perhaps after you are married you can go back to your Dr and ask about Clomid or other drugs. If you are not getting the results out of your Dr (I assume you are just seeing an OB), you should think about going to an RE (Reproductive Endocronoligist). They are more aggressive (usuallly) and are up to date on all the latest information.

[ABirney]

tara Ditto what Jennylou said. I have had to take Provera many times to bring on my period, and was started on Glucophage last May. I'm ovulating more often since starting the Glucophage (I've since switched to generic metformin for cost reasons) but still have an occassional annovulatory cycle. Can you talk to your dr about starting the Glucophage now so your cycles can start to regulate? Also ask about bloodwork to check for insulin resistance, thyroid probs, etc. Plus I also strongly suggest charting as well to tell if your ovulating or not. I've been charting for 2 1/2 yrs and it's really helpful. Check out www.fertilityfriend.com for a charting website.
Hope that helps and congrats on your upcoming wedding!

[Tara07]

I think maybe i got confused on some of the medicines. My new GYNO tested me for insulin resitance and thyroid problems, I had nothing. So the only thing is my FH doesnt want me to go on any of the ovulation medications because he is afraid I will get pregnant before we get married and he doesnt want to risk that. I was waiting until like problably March of 08 to start Glucophage or the Clomid. But I really dont know this is all really new to me. I had been up until Feb of 07 and finally my GYNO told me now to stay off it because that is what my other GYNO had prescribed to regulate my periods. Anyways she took me off of it and now I am not taking anything. I stopped taking my Prometruim for a month to see what my body would do. I had AF for about 4 days which is the longest i have had in two months. The last 2 months have been like 1 day if that. So I want to wait another month to see what my body will do. Do you think that is good for me to do??

[TazLuv]

Tara, I'm a little confused. Metformin/Glucophage is usually only prescribed when you have an insulin issue behind your PCOS. You definitely don't want to take Clomid until you're actively trying to get pg. Most doctors will only allow you to use it for a few months anyway. BCP is a usual treatment for PCOS if you're not actively TTC. Prometrium will cause AF to appear when you stop taking it and it is often used to bring on AF when you haven't had one for a while.

I would say if you're not actively trying to TTC right now you're only option would be to go back on BCP to have a "regular" cycle or to start the metformin/glucophage to try to regulate your cycles. They may make you more likely to get pg but are really meant to make your cycles regulate. Good luck!

ETA:Or you could take nothing which would also be fine but you're periods probably won't be regular and if you aren't charting you'll need to use some other form of birth control or you could get pg since you don't know when you're ovulating.

[Tara07]

I guess well maybe my GYNO needs to explain it a little better for me. I guess maybe I am not understanding the medicines that she is having me take. The only thing is;is that I dont like how the BCP make me feel. The Prometrium is not that bad, but I dont like or remember to take pills. You know!! I see my GYNO in May so I definately will have her explain everything to me and that way I dont sound so stupid when I am trying to explain it to you guys.

[jennylou]

Tara - Hope you find the answers that you are looking for, if you have any questions, we'd be happy to help answer them. :)

[Standrea]

I went to the dr. yesterday, and they are starting me on Chlomid again (100mg) starting as soon as I get my next period. If i dont get a period within 2 weeks, it progesterone time!

[jennylou]

standrea - have you started the clomid yet? Any side effects with regards to your milk?

[Tara07]

Well I was trying to find my last post on here and I cant seem to find it. Anyways well from before I have PCOS and my GYNO had put me on Prometrium. I stopped taking it because my feet were swelling. Well I had my period on March 9, now I am a week or so late. I had sex in between my periods, I am just hoping that