I think I have pco

[Honeyandjam]

Hi guys, I think I have pco and my gp are literally doing nothing about it. I have been to the gp about my irregular periods many times and taken blood tests and the results all come out normal. But my body says otherwise... I have chin hairs that I pluck out every 2 days which is very irritating. I also have bad irregular periods, sometimes I’d have my period for 3 month (as normal) and then it won’t come for the next 6 months. I’ve been reading online about pco and the symptoms nearly match mines. What worries me the most is me struggling to have a child. Having children is a must for me and I just want to know if pco would effect this. I would actually cry if it does. Someone please help me out as the gp won’t x

[LisaEB]

I believe I had PCO..even though I was diagnosed with PCOS. I'd request a scan, that's the only way you will know. I was ignored for many years. I didn't have periods in my 20s I do now I my 30s. The fact you are have periods is a good sign, that means you are likely ovulating. However, because they are irregular, it may take you alot longer to get pregnant. I've been pregnant and not had regular periods and had PCO/PCOS. You won't know until you try and in some cases it took me over a year. So don't get to stressed out if it doesn't happen straight away. For me there is no point in worrying about something unless you have tried. Depending on how soon you'd like to try, I'd definitely request a scan to confirm whether or not you have PCO, then you can start doing things to manage it, to give you the best chances in the future. I was on the pill many years, as that is supposed to at least clear the lining of the womb, making it a better environment for a future baby and also help with hormones I believe. However, the pill also has its own issues, I used to bleed between periods, bruise all over my legs, feel really sick the first day or so of taking it.Recently, I'm in my mid 30s now they actually found no cysts, they found loads in my mid 20s, I don't know how common that is, but mine has seemed to correct itself in that time.

[Emmagrimshawmusa]

Hi , I too have similar issues with my gp ; they’re very dismissive of women’s health issues even though it’s their job to listen and figure out what’s wrong. Don’t be afraid to remind them of this , often they’re dismissive because they know these things can be an embarrasing topic for women and they know they can get away with ignoring it because women are too embarrased to stand their ground. It’s within your rights to request to see your patient file , demand a scan , ask if you may need keyhole surgery. If they say no to the scan , ask them to note down their refusal of care for you on your file and the reasons why . It’s also within your right to ask to see another gp on the same day . They can’t say no to these things. Be aware of your rights and implement them. Take control of your health. I wish you all the best 😄

[Emelisa]

Hey, same for me. Not got an official diagnosis but know my periods are all over the place, never regular, go months without, but my blood levels are ok and my ultrasound shows some follicles but not big enough to qualify as PCOS. Unfortunately it's so common, GPs will just not care unless you are trying for a child and if you are unsuccessful then they'll refer you for fertility tests. In my 20s I saw a GP, she just did a blood test and then all did was put me on the pill and that was it. I also wanted to know whether it would affect my ability to have children but ultimately, they don't know, as PCO or PCOS doesn't mean you can't get pregnant, it may just be harder to conceive without fertility treatment. In my mid 30s now I've gone back to GP, and got the ultrasound done - I wish I'd known to push for it at the time. They should do blood tests and an ultrasound test when people are concerned. Ultrasound should be both transabdominal and transvaginal - push for an ultrasound and you can then ask the radiologist at the time whether you have follicles and what they think. They won't give you an answer about fertility but they can tell you what they saw (or at least mine did - told me my ovaries and womb looked fine, and I did have some follicles but not big enough to qualify under the PCOS diagnostic). Wish you all the best

[katieh1988 in reply to Emelisa]

Hi I have gone through everything you ladies are talking about, what you. Wed to ask for is an internal and external ultrasound, that's the only way it can be confirmed, as pcos is not curable the most they can do is monitor your health and offer you a hormone pill or contraceptive hormone to regulate the hormone imbalance, when that didn't work for me and I kept bleeding they tried all sorts of meds including tranexamic acid, which does work but makes you feel extremely sick, so would not advise taking it, I lost a baby seven years ago due to the condition, and because they tried everything and failed I ended up having to have an abdominal ablation which burns away the womb lining to stop the bleeding, it was only after they told me it would mean I'd never be able to have the family I desperately wanted and still want, so if your wanting a family and have tried pills and the coil dnt get the ablation. Hope this helps you all ladies xPs the ablation also puts u into early menopause too which is hell on earth!

[Emma15]

Hi, I was in a very similar situation to you a year ago so don’t worry too much. The good news is that even with PCOS you can have a child if you take a simple pill (my mum also had it and used it to conceive me). In terms of getting GPs to listen and take it seriously, it’s worth asking for a pelvic ultrasound as PCOS is diagnosed according to the Rotterdam Principle, which essentially means you have to fulfil 2 out of 3 criteria (either showing PCOS in your blood, ovaries and symptoms). I would really push for that. I found it difficult to get my GP to look into mine carefully too but it was worth all the badgering!It definitely sounds like PCOS to me (very similar symptoms to me) so definitely just keep trying and don’t worry about having children, it is apparently quite simple according to my GP.

[Catstroke]

I had the same issues with diagnosis. I was diagnosed young; I started my periods at 11, stopped at 14 and was diagnosed at 16. The GPs we’re trying to pass off my symptoms, blood tests and scan results as normal. Luckily I had my mum advocating for me at that age and she pushed for me to see a gynaecologist, who sat me down, asked a couple of questions and on the strength of that, my blood tests and my scans diagnosed me with PCOS. I then was diagnosed again when I moved away for uni as the GP didn’t believe I had it. I would be insistent that they scan and refer you on to a specialist.

In terms of starting a family it’s really important to keep your weight under control. You may be able to conceive naturally, you may need some help conceiving or you may not conceive (as harsh as that sounds it’s also a part of the PCOS reality). If you do need a helping hand then you’ll need to be under a certain BMI to access the treatments on the NHS.

But definitely push the GPs. I don’t know what your surgery size is like but there may be a GP there who specialises in women’s health who may be of more help (we have one at my surgery and she’s definitely more aware of PCOS).