PCOS dilemma

[Aprily91]

Hi, Im 26 I was diagnosed with pcos at age 18 I have never had regular periods and do not believe in taking any contraception as Im worried it'll make getting pregnant harder in the future. I used to have the implant and i didnt have periods for 2 years, i prefer to have my periods regulary but currently this year every month my period has been a week later than the last...its extremely frustrating and I know stressing out over it never helps. Also last year i had a minor op on my cervix to remove abnormal cells.... My dilemma is if any can give advice or help is... Whenever i go to the doctors to ask for any kind of medication to help me ovulate they turn me away its extremely annoying as theyre not the ones living every day with this symdrome, does anyone have any advice on how i possibly get the doctor to help me???

[Hidden]

In my experience doctors are very reluctant to help and don't want to know and also just don't know enough about PCOS.

If you're having 'regular' periods then you are ovulating so I don't think they'd be willing to give you anything. I realise you say they come a week later than the last... I would assume this means you have a period every five weeks?

You're not having one say now, then five weeks later having one, then six weeks after that having one? My period maths has never been great (probably because with PCOS I never knew when it was coming so couldn't do maths to figure it out!).

Your doctor obviously isn't concerned and in some respects this should bring you some comfort. My best advice is to just breathe. Be healthy in your daily life and take care of yourself. Worry about getting pregnant when you're trying to get pregnant- the doctors won't want to help you until this point.

[Aprily91 in reply to Hidden]

Thats correct my last period was 7 weeks ago i am now 2 weeks late due to my period calendar, last time i saw the doctor she said I was ovulating but since then i have had increased pcos symptoms

[Hols969]

Are you actually trying to conceive now? If so ask to be referred to fertility, often GP's will not offer anything fertility wise as has to be done by a specialist.

Just so you know, being on the combined pill can increase your chances of getting pregnant quicker when you come off it as your body is less pcos. Implant is not good from a pcos point of view and can make the symptoms worse. Also something to remember is that a period does not mean you are ovulating. have you checked to see if you are (fertilityfriends is a good website - the kits often dont work for pcos ladies so taking your temperature is the most accurate way).

Also 1/3 of fertility issues are men now so dont presume it is you that has the issue!!

[Aprily91 in reply to Hols969]

No i'm not trying to conceive but I'm thinking ahead. I have been offered the combined pill numerous times and said no do you think i should give it a try? I am ovulating according to the GP

[Hols969 in reply to Aprily91]

Did you have blood tests to check you are ovulating or did the GP 'presume' you were because you had a period?? i was anything from 2-11 days late and rarely ovulated (I had presumed that a period meant ovulation but it doesn't sadly and still so often got wrong by GP's as they still believe a period means you are ovulating).

What other PCOS symptoms do you have? I have been on the combined pill for about 25 years on and off and for me it keeps the symptoms at bay so I am not as hairy or as fat (I find it easier to lose weight too when on it), so it is really down to whether you want the symptoms controlled. If you don't have many then you may be ok as you are, it is really rare not to conceive just because of pcos so don't worry about it. Our fertility (egg quality) lasts longer than non pcos ladies so you have at least 10 years till it will start to decline.

[Aprily91 in reply to Hols969]

Thank you for your replies I think i have learnt more from you in two posts than research and GP have told me !!! i had blood tests a good few years ago now, they told me until im trying to concieve theres not much else they can offer, I had a minor op last year due to bleeding during intercourse which was due to some abnormal cells on my cervix, I have very bad period cramps some months and then other months nothing, I have hair almost everywhere which for a 26 year old lady is so annoying, I have had hair loss since i was a teen sometimes its so bad i fill a hair brush....my weight is always yoyo ing and i think im the heaviest ive been in years, Im 5 ft 9 so it doesnt show much but It doesnt feel great....I think i will now consider the combined pill as i havent had a period for 8 weeks nearly, I switched dairy to soya in january now im aware its just as bad for you

[Hols969 in reply to Aprily91]

I was the same that I learnt nothing from the GP - at the time my only lifeline was Verity (I was diagnosed about 25 years or so ago and there was nothing known about it. Luckily with the internet it does help but sadly a lot of the GP's are as useless now as they were when I was diagnosed. I was told I would never have children either (Noah is 11) and that still seems to be told to ladies so I have learnt loads along the way (was a trustee for Verity for about 3 years too). They are doing more research into pcos now as well which is good as it is pretty common. My hubbie has the condition and so does my son - when it was named pcos it was thought that the cysts on the ovaries were the cause of it but now they realise that that is not the case so is hereditary and can come down both male and female lines.

Sadly it is also still thought of as just a fertility issue but there are long term health consequences like diabetes and heart disease which need to be managed by keeping weight within the normal range and eating low GI.

As my hair loss was a bit depressing I cut it all off so now have short hair so dont 'notice' it as much, I used to have to unblock the plug hole during a shower!!

I had laser on my face about 6 years ago and it is the best thing I have ever done (I am married and my hubbie doesn't mind me being a yeti from the neck down and no one sees it!) but I wish I had had my face done years ago. Nothing is permanent for us as it is a hormonal imbalance so does need to be maintained but I wish I had had it done in my 30s rather than 40s (just a note that I found IPL rubbish but proper laser is good if you do ever need to get it done).

[Aprily91 in reply to Hols969]

Yes i feel the doctors have about much knowledge on the condition as i do when i'm asking questions, wow i didnt know men could have it too!! my auntie has it too and shes 40 with a 7 year old now. I have the same trouble in the shower !!! I can shave my legs and a day later theyre hairy again its so annoying ive now gone to waxing but im not always happy with the outcome!! Yes i have heard of this low GI Diet and i am going to start it next week, Ive also been recommended Inositol with is a powder or capsule