A surprising Diagnosis

[Winterbornreader]

Hi Everyone,

I recently have been diagnosed with PCOS. I am 23 years old, just got married 6 months ago. So for the past couple of years, twice a year I would have prolonged light bleeding up to 45 to 60 days. Every time, I went to my GP they said it was nothing to worry about since I had my periods relatively every month, the bleeding was not heavy and I did not have any pain. The irregular bleeding also coincided with very stressful times in my life so they put it down as stressed related, also because I was not sexually active it was of no concern. However, this year they decided it was something they needed to investigate because it was happening frequently and despite being prescribed with norithestorene, my cycles did not automatically regulate. I was finally booked in for a transvaginal ultrasound to check my uterus for fibroids or polyps and low and behold my uterus was heathy but my ovaries looked polycystic, the sonographer mentioned that it was quite common. I was in shock and my worst fears were laid out before me.

Then I had an on call consultation about what my ultrasound meant and they mentioned they’d have to check my hormone levels through a blood test.

I don’t really suffer from acne, just the occasional spot here and there. Neither did I have issues with excess hair growth or hair loss and I get my period relatively every month with a week or 2 differences between each period. I’ve only recently had a bit of weight gain and the erratic bleeding occurred even in my healthy weight years.

My blood test results revealed that all the other hormones besides the testosterone was normal. My testosterone level is at 1.8nmol/L and the normal range was below 1.7nmol/L. Currently, they said that they don’t need to do anything until I wanted to try and conceive.

So being diagnosed with PCOS has been a shock for me, something that is very difficult for me to come to terms with and now I am thinking I’ve had it since I started my periods, and every time I went to the doctors for any concerns about my periods they would put it down as, they’ll eventually regulate.

Having a child was more of something that I wanted a bit later on in life after I checked all things I’ve wanted to accomplish, but now knowing that it may not be as easy or straightforward has really thrown a curveball in what I truly want in life.

I'm just wondering whether anyone has experienced similar symptoms to myself.

[MedStudentP]

I’m not giving the answer you’re looking for but I can tell from your message that this is a lot for you and I just wanted to offer some reassurance!

The majority of women with PCOS can have kids, it may be more complex but 85% go on to conceive.

I think now is a time to look after yourself and your wellbeing, given you’ve just discovered this all! The doctors should be able to guide you but your well being is the most important thing just now.

There is more advice I could give if you about what might help your condition (and feel free to ask if you want) but best to focus on your wellbeing just now, keep active and busy and look after yourself!

My best wishes!

[Winterbornreader in reply to MedStudentP]

Thank you, it is reassuring to know. I've done a loy of crazy research and reading, watching youtube videos trying to see if I can deal with the symptoms.

I'm just wondering whether there was a way in which I could lover the levels of testosterone, I've read a lot of opinions that spearmint tea helps reduce levels of testosterone.

[MedStudentP in reply to Winterbornreader]

Honestly it could but I’m not sure! PCOS seems to have a lot of alternative approaches kicking around the internet and books, and I’m not sure how or if they work but some swear they do!

There are medications you can take like Spironolactone which should reduce androgens and a good GP and especially Endocrinologist (recommend an appointment) should be able to prescribe things to get these things within normal levels!

[Dream76]

Google about myo inositol. I have read a lot about it. I am taking it from 2 weeks. Hoping to see some good results.

Good luck

[Winterbornreader in reply to Dream76]

Thank you for the tip will definitely look into it.

[Hols969]

It isn’t always difficult to conceive, some ladies have no issues - they believe we are born with the condition and comes down both the male and female line as the name is misleading as it isn’t ovary related- we believe my husband and son are carriers of the condition as well. It is extremely rare not to conceive with pcos, some need more help than others, our egg quality lasts better than non pcos ladies so we can conceive later in life. I was 36 when I conceived Noah who is now 13.

The best suggestion is to stick to a low gi type diet and try to keep your weight normal, also 1/3 of fertility issues are men so your partner also needs a good diet too, get the Boots vit c and zinc tablets just as a precaution as it improved my husband sperm by over 100% in a year as before he had lots of dead and two tailed sperm, he had a good diet too, rarely drank and didn’t smoke so you can’t tell really

[Winterbornreader]

Thank you Hols969, it does give me a lot of hope for the future. I think I just need find someway to mentally adjust myself to accept and believe that I will have children one day and its ok if its not going to be as easy as compared to other women.