PCOS help

[NYC2018]

Hi ladies

Just wondering if anyone has any advice or is/has been in a similar situation to me?

We have been trying to conceive for a year now with no luck and I’ve had bloods and an ultrasound scan over the last few months which have shown I am not ovulating and I have cysts on my ovaries but my hormone levels look normal. I’m also not having periods and my cholesterol level came back a bit high. My doctor said I have polycystic ovaries but maybe not PCOS (not very helpful!) so I’m really confused about what to do for the best to help myself. I’ve got an appointment with the infertility gynecology department where I’m hoping to find out more but this isn’t until 1 October so I’d really like to do anything I can myself before this appointment.

I’ve read myo-inositol can be helpful for ovulation and regulating periods but I don’t want to take this if it would do more harm than good. Has anyone tried it?

I have always exercised around 3 times a week so am keeping this up and I’ve improved my diet over the last month, trying to eat low GI with low sugar/sat fat and no processed food.

I'm not overweight and have a BMI of 22 so right in the middle of the healthy range for my height/weight.

If anyone has any ideas/advice it would be great!

[Hols969]

Look at the fertilityfriends website as taking your temperature is the most accurate way for pcos ladies as periods don’t mean much as you can ovulate without one and having a period doesn’t mean you are ovulating! Has your partner been tested yet?

[NYC2018 in reply to Hols969]

Yes my husband has been tested and all came back normal. I've already been temping for a year using FF and had a few ovulations confirmed when I first came off the pill but nothing now since Feb. So unfortunately I'm not ovulating or having periods since then. But I will keep temping as it's been really helpful to keep track of things and show doctors.

[Chichz_88]

Hi there!

You sound exceptionally similar to me. I have had all my tests done recently, and my infertility appointment is on 9th October - super close to yours!

I don't know my blood results yet, but when I had all of this done 10 years ago (at age 21), I was given exactly the same diagnosis as you - polycystic ovaries, but not PCOS. It will be interesting to see if that has changed...

I haven't had proper periods since a few months after coming off the pill, and did try various things when they stopped - Inositol and Agnus Castus, sometimes overlapping - but didn't find it made a difference. I've also been taking pre-pregnancy supplements for nearly a year now.

I have also heard lots of advice, on here and elsewhere, regarding diet, but I also have a BMI of around 22-23 and tend to eat only wholewheat anyway. My plan is to leave things to nature until the appointment in October, and then basically do everything and anything that the consultant recommends!!

I just find that it takes over your life otherwise.

Hope this helps, or at least reassures you that you're not alone

xx

[AVN1]

Hi! I was very similar to you a couple years ago..no periods or ovulation, polycystic ovaries and yet normal weight with bmi 21...I tried everything myself but nothing got my periods back although did feel good to be trying something and the healthy eating probably did me good. After infertility appointment I tried clomid and this didn’t work...I then tried clomid with metformin (I didn’t have insulin resistance) and I both ovulated and fell pregnant straight away! I’ve stayed on metformin ever since and my little girl is now 16 months 😍 since stopping breastfeeding my periods have also returned so fingers crossed I’m ovulating and we will be able to give her a sibling! Stay hopeful..there’s lots they can try and I would definitely push to try metformin even if you’re not overweight or insulin resistant! Good luck xx

[NYC2018]

Thanks ladies. I've booked an appointment with my GP to see if there's anything I can do before the fertility app as I haven't actually been given advice on lifestyle or medication other than what I've read myself or heard from others. My last appointment was very much - your scan showed cysts so we will refer you. It's nice to know I'm not the only one though and that there is help and positive stories out there i just need to be patient which is easier said than done haha xx

[Chichz_88 in reply to NYC2018]

I know the feeling! Best of luck with your appointment and any treatment. x

[NYC2018 in reply to Chichz_88]

Thanks you too! xx

[Worried546]

Sounds like you are going through a tough time but it is really positive you are in a healthy weight range. I would absolutely recommend taking inositol. My periods came back very shortly after starting it and have been completely normal since which is amazing! I just stir a small teaspoon into a cold drink in the morning and it’s been amazing for me. Also there is no side effects reported (the worst that can happen is an upset stomach is you take too much). Good luck

[NYC2018 in reply to Worried546]

Thanks I've just started taking inositol tablets so really hoping they work for me too as I've heard lots of good things. Im glad they worked for you! X