Hello everyone, how has ur pcos fertility journey going?

[CrystalGold]

I was diagnosed with pcos and have been having 2 years of menstrual bleed...everyday...im on iron supplements. Im struggling to lose weight at a BMI 29 and have chronic hair loss, facial acne and generally bad skin. Im 34 turning 35 in a month and have been trying for a year to conceive but with all the bleeding its very difficult. I have seen a gynae and was schedule to have a review in 6 monthsand its been 10months waiting. Its difficult as Im approaching 35 and no kids. I know happiness does revolve around having kids but its difficult with all the menstrual craziness. Im mentally overwhelmed and stressed out. I have had blood work done for pcos and its been 10 months since and it has not been reviewed. I know there are more important issues going on. Im mentally exhausted and tired of waiting for my moment.

[IVFat40]

I just wanted to say I'm incredibly sorry you're going through this, and also that I feel it's a little unfair on yourself to focus on their being 'more important issues going on'; it sounds like actually what you're going through is a big deal and important too. I guess I really mean I hope you don't feel bad for asking for help, and pushing for it if necessary, you deserve support with this, it sounds very difficult and you're been really patient. I'm sorry that I don't have anything to offer in relation to PCOS.

[CrystalGold in reply to IVFat40]

Thank you for your kind supportive words it really means alot. Hugs.

[Hidden]

Hello! Diagnosed in 2019 with PCOS after trying to conceive for over 2 years, went to GP for help, November 2019 did my first hormonal blood test, husband had a sperm analysis, December 2019 told that we can't conceive naturally because of husband having low sperm count and 0 motility. I was sooo overweight and had to lose a lot before I could be sent to fertility clinic. Fast forward April 2020 after loosing a lot of weight got our case sent and in June 2020 they made an appointment for September 2020. Had our first interview and started from December with Merformin....it helped a lot to regulate my periods...in February 2021 started to sign every month for treatment but because it's free where I live the free places are limited. In April had our first IVF round that ended brutally without having any embryo to transfer after 5 days. Just had my 2nd round of IVF waiting to see of we have any embryos to freeze this time. I'm starting to feel that my dream of becoming a mother is far far away!!!

[CrystalGold in reply to Hidden]

Manifesting that good news energy for both of us and hope you would be hearing good news soon✨✨✨✨✨. It really is tough waiting on outcomes! I hope you have a good support system, i am currently working on building mine. Thank you for sharing your story, it makes me feel less alone and i hope we both get out of this struggle soon!! 🤞🤞

[Hidden in reply to CrystalGold]

Thank you very much! Fingers crossed and many prayers for you my dear. I know how hard it can be trying to lose weight, trying to get pregnant, hearing how other women don't even have sex and they get pregnant miraculously...infertility plays with your mind, soul and body!!!!

[soccerkt6]

Hi lovely

I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve had such a tough go of it. Two years of bleeding must be absolutely horrendous.

Are you taking myo-inositol? It helps regulate hormones in women with PCOS (out of whack hormones are the cause of most the symptoms of PCOS) and can help improve egg quality as well. If you’re not already taking it, it’s definitely worth trying for 3-4 months to see how you get on. Inofolic Alpha is a good brand.

I hope you can speak with your doctor soon. You should definitely push to to be seen, especially as you’ve already been waiting for so long xxx

[CrystalGold in reply to soccerkt6]

Thanks for your reply soccerkt6, i was on metformin and inositol for 6 months and was advised if not improvement in bleeding to come off it 3 month before my next visit in the event i end up on the LOCI trial. I honestly did get relief on my acne, and lost some weight but no change on my menses. So i have been off it for 6 months now. I saw no change in my menses throughout the whole medication regime. I have been under some serious stress for the pass 2 weeks and i have notice that my menses are heavy with bloating, clots, minimal cramps, and my hair coming out in clumps and worsening acne. U are right i need to phone the practice and ask about my appointment and find what is going on and move from there. Being a female is tough sometimes my goodness. Thank you for reply, im actually motivated now to make some calls.

[soccerkt6 in reply to CrystalGold]

I'm glad you're going to call about your appointment. It's uncomfortable but sometimes we need to put up a fuss to get what we need!

Have you considered just going back on the myo-inositol since it helped with the acne and weight loss? It might make you ineligible for the LOCI trial but perhaps it's worth it to miss out on the trial if it means you can get an improved quality of life immediately?

Did your gynae check for endometriosis and test your thyroid when you saw them 10 months ago? Endo and hypothyroidism can both be causes of excessive bleeding so worth ruling them out if they haven't checked already. Estrogen dominance is another common cause and some supplements like DIM and BrocElite (sulforaphane) can help correct it, but they should be taken under the guidance of a medical professional. A functional medicine practitioner who specialises in female fertility/ PCOS would be your best bet if you want to go down that road while you're waiting for the appointment with your gynae. Good luck lovely xxx

[CrystalGold in reply to soccerkt6]

Thank you for ur advice, im learning so many new things from you, being on the forum and reading previous post. Im beginning to think it could be endo or low progesterone also. My estrogen levels were strangely within the normal lab range, and my thyroid profile was normal when they did it 10 month ago. My progesterone was undetectable at the time the blood work was done but then again that fluctates throughout a cycle. This was what i read on the report but a specialist have not reviewed it. Hoping i get it sorted soon. The biological clock keeps ticking away, time waits on noone😔

[soccerkt6 in reply to CrystalGold]

This forum really is brilliant, I've learned loads!

Estrogen dominance isn't always obvious because it has less to do with the absolute value of your estrogen result and more to do with the ratio of progesterone to estrogen. And, as you mention, progesterone levels fluctuate throughout the cycle so the test needs to be timed properly for you to get an accurate indication.

Glad that they ran a thyroid panel for you; I would just double check that they ran TSH, total T4, free T4, total T3, free T3 and thyroid-binding globulin. Sometimes they only run TSH and call it a day if your result is normal! But it's not at all unusual to have normal TSH and abnormal results on the other markers which would indicate problems xxx

[RecipIVF]

Your health issues sound incredibly difficult. Can’t imagine how physically and mentally draining that must be.It really seems treatment for those with PCOS and in particular your situation, is quite frankly negligent. I hope you get the answers and treatment you deserve soon xx

[CrystalGold in reply to RecipIVF]

Thank you for your kind words, i really hope i get into a healthy control of it soon.

[Positivechangeplease]

I’m so sorry, I can’t believe you’ve been bleeding every day for 2 years and they’re not prioritising you. Can you ever identify a period with heavier blood at times or is a full on bleed or just heavy spotting daily? When you have a normal period it happens as there’s a drop in progesterone. It might be that you’re really low in progesterone and it’s making you bleed often. Haven’t they checked your hormone levels with blood tests? It seems bizarre to me that they’re letting you carry on like this. Also I did think a bmi of 30 was the cut off for fertility treatment so you might still be in with a chance at 29.

[CrystalGold in reply to Positivechangeplease]

Thank you for ur message, the bleeding can be heavy for weeks changing 3 fully soaked double pads a day, then weeks of half soaked pads a day. Its not spotting as the blood is a lot, bright red and since the past 4 months it had been lots of clots. I brought this to the attention of the gp and she said iron supplements and wait on my gynae appointment. My iron was very low and i think the supplement helped but i do get dizzy and headaches if i exercise too vigorously. Im trying to cut down my BMI at the moment. I was a person who could lose weight quickly but i am struggling at the moment. I have given myself an 8 week challenge to lose 6-8lbs and keep going.

[Positivechangeplease in reply to CrystalGold]

Good luck! 6-8lb is achievable in 8 weeks but still can be tricky for some, even if you lose 5lb it’s still a loss - don’t lose hope!

[joey81]

Hello, all this sounds like too much for any person to deal with. You shouldnt just accept and wait. Please pester the gynae dept, get the direct dials, call the gynae reception and the secretaries of the gynae consultants. Explain what you are going through with daily bleeding for 2 years. If they have any compassion they will try to squeeze you in somewhere, call every week for cancellations. To give some hope my friend has pcos and bleeds for months then stops. She is 38 and just had her 5th child, all naturally. She wasnt expecting it at all but cherishes her 5th child knowing how difficult it is to conceive with pcos. Also increase progesterone levels, pom juice, walnuts, vit b6, vit c. Good luck lovely xx

[CrystalGold in reply to joey81]

Thank you for your hopeful message joey81. I have gathered the info to call. I really hope i get through soon!