Help needed 😔

[Brooklyn49]

I'm looking for advice... Im 20 years old and havent been "officially" diagnosed with pcos, although i am certain i have it.. im needing to see a doctor about this to get some help, but can't find the courage to go. Can anyone help as to what to expect from a first appointment?

[Anonymous29]

Hey, I’ve only recently gone to the doctors although I went over fertility issues and not having a period. They took a series of blood tests, and I’m booked in for an ultrasound next week. My doctor thinks it’s PCOS but haven’t officially been diagnosed with it yet. I can’t really offer any advice on what happens after the diagnosis but my first appointment was quite laid back and they just went through my family history, and generic health questions. It wasn’t too intrusive and I’d definitely recommend going. I wish I’d gone years ago before I was trying to conceive cos then I may not be having the fertility issues that I’m having now (although I don’t know this). Xxx

[Brooklyn49 in reply to Anonymous29]

Thanks Molly that helps... I've just never been to a doctor at all before, so have no idea what to expect!

[Hols969 in reply to Brooklyn49]

Can you take your Ma with you for support or a friend? What symptoms are you showing ?

[Brooklyn49 in reply to Hols969]

Yes I probably will take mum... I last had a period 12 weeks ago. They have been very irregular since I was 14, but I have never gone this long which makes me worried. Recently I have been having pelvic pain that goes right across my back which takes ages to go. I also have hair growing on my chin and neck. I also read somewhere that PCOS can affect your insulin resistance which makes me worried as my dad and uncle both are type 1 diabetic...

[Hols969 in reply to Brooklyn49]

As long as you have 4 periods a year it is fine but if you go longer than 3 months then ask your gp to prescribe provera as it will force a bleed, its really important that your womb lining doesn't get too thick s it can cause real issues.

Pain generally isn't a pcos issue but is for endometriosis and it is not uncommon to have both conditions.

I would ask to have an insulin resistance test which is a blood test, sugary drink and a further blood test (the HB something or other that they offer is one blood test which does not show how your body deals with sugar so it need to be the double blood test).

Look at the NICE guidelines on pcos as it will advise how to get diagnosed etc so write all your symptoms down as you can be diagnosed by symptom alone, a scan may show cysts but as they are only a symptom and not the cause they can come and go (so the name is misleading), blood tests can also come back as normal too if it is done at the wrong time so definitely list all your symptoms.

The combined pill can keep most of the pcos symptoms at bay, I have been on it on and off for 30 years, it also improves your chances of conceiving when the time comes as your body will be less pcos.

[Brooklyn49 in reply to Hols969]

Thanks Hols, that really does help.