Hello,
I've recently been diagnosed with PCOS. I've always had fairly regular periods (average 32 days) until I started trying to conceive 2 years ago (ironic?!) In the last year my periods have been more erratic, 36 to 50 days. I'm at the top end of the healthy weight category and have some minor hirsutism. I had an ultrasound last summer which was normal, but another in Febraury this year that showed PCOS. But all in all I count my PCOS symptoms as fairly minor. I've started a low GI diet (geez I miss bread) but would appreciate any other advice.
I'm now on month 3 taking Clomifene and have noticed that my periods appear to be shortening, but more dramatically than i expected. 27, 28 and now 23 days. Can anyone tell me if that's normal? Or should I speak to my doctor?
Any advice greatly appreciated.
xx 
Hello
You might find it more useful to post in the fertility forum as well as it is definitely more active on this subject.
I have PCOS- healthy weight, minor outward symptoms, very irregular periods (between 2 or 4 a year). I was referred to the fertility clinic after TTC for one year. The fertility doctors started me on letrozole. I was monitored to make sure I was ovulating- they did a day 21 progesterone level. It turns out after 6 months of treatment my body was not ovulating even with the letrozole to stimulate ovulation and doses up to the max. So now I start IVF in less than 2 months.
Clomifene is similar to letrozole, are you having your cycles monitored with bloods or scans to make sure are responding to the medication? Have the doctor's confirmed ovulation with a blood test? Apparently the OPKs are not as sensitive in PCOS ladies. I would definitely speak to your doctor as they should be upping or reducing the doses depending on how you get on. Not to freak you out but I think my fertiity doctor must have known I wasn't going to respond after the second round of letrozole as that was when I was referred for IVF.
Best of luck and definitely have a wee look at the fertility forum you will find lots of help and support there!
Good luck!!!
xxx
Hi Emma,
Thanks so much for your response and advice! I will certainly check out the fertility forum.
I had bloods about a year ago (before clomifene) that confirmed ovulation but I've never had a positive OPK (I don't bother with them anymore!) but through charting have always thought (if I did ovulate) then it was probably quite late. During month 1 of clomifene I had a scan that showed I had 1 healthy follicle in my left ovary but no blood tests or further scans were offered- I'll try and press for that next time!
It does feel like a delay tactic before offering IVF. Doctors suggest putting you on something for 6 months as if 6 months isn't a long bloomin time!
Good luck with your IVF, I hope these last two months go quickly so you can get cracking!
Thanks again! Xxx
My doctor was really positive about me conceiving on Letrozole, my body just didn’t want to comply. My clinic are really aware of the feeling of wasting time during this whole process so they referred me for IVF whilst still recommending me to take the tablets.
I have been told that a progesterone test 7 days after ovulation is the gold standard and you are looking for a level higher than 15 (some clinics want 20).
Good luck!! Fingers crossed you don’t have to get to the IVF stage.
Xxx
Thanks Emma, wishing you all the luck too. Xx