New to PCOS

[HannahAmy]

Hi 😊 my name is Hannah and I’m 28. I had an ultrasound scan yesterday of my ovaries following a collapse at work with feeling lightheaded and dizzy and having pain on my right side. Initially the scan was to see if there were any ruptured cysts which there weren’t but it did highlight that my ovaries are enlarged and I have raised hair follicles.

I saw a doctor after my appointment and she asked me about my periods which have always been irregular (I started when I was 15, and had 2 periods in 18 months) they were always so painful, some days I couldn’t get out of bed with them. I was referred to a GUM specialist and had an ultrasound scan at 18 - all of which was normal. My symptoms over the years have been directly related to pain and irregular periods. Why is it now that it’s been highlighted I’ve got polycystic ovaries?

Also, what’s the next step? The doctor suggested there was nothing much to worry about but from what I’ve read that’s not the case. My hormone levels have always been normal and my pain has been managed by the mirena coil for the past 5 years (due to come out this month). I’ve never had an issue with acne or excess hair but I do struggle with my weight. I’m considering not having the coil replaced as my future husband and I are looking at trying to conceive within the next year.

Just a bit of advice would be helpful please? It’s a lot to get your head around xx

[Hols969]

A lot less was known 10 years ago that is probably why, one thing I would suggest is you ask your GP to refer you to an endocrinologist as pain generally isnt associated with pcos but is with endometreosis and it isnt uncommon to have both conditions.

The cysts on the ovaries (which are really follicles) are only a symptom and not the cause and can come and go so if you had a further scan in 6 months time you may not have any.

I would also ask your GP to do a glucose tolerance test (not the month type one which they will try and fob you off with), needs blood test then sugary drink and then further blood test as this shows how your body reacts to sugar. It is quite common to be insulin resistant with pcos (I am not though).

Is your coil hormonal, if so I would keep it in or go on the combined pill as your body will be less pcos when it is removed so it increases your chances of conceiving quicker. Some ladies conceive in the normal time frame, some need a little help and some need more. It is extremely rare not to conceive just because of pcos so try not to worry too much (I was 36 when I conceived Noah via IUI, who is now 11)

1/3 of fertility issues are now men so get your other half healthy, I put my hubbie on the Boots Vit C and Zinc tablets and he ate things with zinc and his count etc improved by over 100% in a year so worth putting him on those just as an extra help (my hubbie had lots of dead and two tailed sperm even though his diet was good, didnt smoke, rarely drunk so it was a bit of a shock).

One advantage of pcos is our fertility (egg quality) lasts better than non pcos ladies so we can conceive much later, so you really have 10 years before it will start to be more of an issue.

[HannahAmy in reply to Hols969]

Thanks for your message. I’ve had 2 laparoscopies in previous years to see if there is any endometriosis and both times everything has come back clear. The mirena produces progesterone which has helped with the pain but has also stopped my periods completely, although I had never really established a monthly cycle because they were so irregular. Previous specialists have questioned whether or not I ovulate at all but it’s hard to know until I actually start trying to conceive.

It feels like such a minefield to get your head around 😣

[Hols969 in reply to HannahAmy]

It is a bit of a minefield as we can all be so different. I don't know enough about endo so it may be worth going on endo forum on here as it does sound like it to me but I am no expert.

I would stick with the coil or maybe try the combined pill as it may help and stay on it till you want to try for a baby. Also look at the fertilityfriends website as it advises how to take your temperature to see if you ovulate as it is the only accurate way - also a period doesn't mean you are ovulating and you can ovulate without one so don't focus entirely on your period as they don't mean much to be honest.