fertility testing - Acne cures - hair growth cures and diet recommendations

[Lozza456]

Hi everyone, I am feeling completely overwhelmed and stressed with all of the information online and really don’t know where to start. I have PCOS and have been diagnosed since I was around 16 (I’m now 26) however have only really started to understand it over the last few years as my GP really brushes it off whenever I try to discuss. I’m currently on no medication or having any treatment etc. I suffer with bad hair growth, mood swings and acne, also have been unable to get pregnant.

I am wondering whether going private and getting fertility testing etc would be a good idea? If so I have no idea where to start or what to look into.

Any treatments I should be looking at for hair growth?

Best treatment for hormonal acne?

I previously went around 4 years without a period however nearly 4 years ago went vegan and have had period’s consistently pretty much every month since. I see so much conflicting information around diets online so would really appreciate peoples advice on this.

I don’t know anyone else with Pcos so I would really appreciate advice, swapping details for someone to talk to and share information/ask questions with. Would be really nice to start a fb/WhatsApp group with people so we can all support each other?

I feel really stuck in a rut atm so any advice would really help!

Thank you x

[Platy]

You are definitely not alone.

I explored fertility with my GP. You are a great age, not needing to rush but it appears wanting to understand a route forward. It can take time to get pregnant naturally, so go with details of how long you have been trying. Information can be shared and needs noted. I note present PCOS support from GP not what you were looking for, so if you have tried this already my apologies. Perhaps you can seek a referral from the GP?

I did get a hair analysis done (one pays for it) that can give guidance on lacks that might impact fertility. I also took special vitamins. Specialist who oversaw my first conception did not view particularly relevant, bar do take folic acid. Do remember your partner’s fertility should also be checked at some point (slightly easier for men, lucky).

Regular periods seems a good start, but my understanding is this does not necessarily mean you are ovulating. In my case I was initially required to put on weight - so check, r u in a err ‘normal’ range; others are requested to loose weight. I was then prescribed a tablet, Clomid, by GP. When this did not appear to work I was moved and switched to injections that I gave myself and they scanned my ovaries for developing follicles, they vary dose and advice on when to have sex depending on observations. All steps take time (months), given your PCOS diagnosis it is likely to be appreciated that assistance should be under review.

Bit of a fail on acne and hair growth personal input. A friend and some family have both had successful laser treatment for hair removal, friend recommended it to me - but I stuck with tweezers, recommend ‘Twezerman’ make! There r some interesting comments on this site that suggest the colour/thickness of hair impacts suitability. Skin - We like Neem (theNeemTeam) and Boots tea tree and witch hazel, but no insight on your position.

There r some books on PCOS, but as I think you have noted there is a lot of variation in PCOS. Good luck with the journey and I wish you the very best.

[Citizenerased83]

Hi Lozza456, so sorry to hear about your experience. You really need a good GP who is going to listen to you and take you seriously. If you're not happy with the one you have is their potential to change? Your GP in some instances can do some fertility tests for you or as in my case they referred me to a fertility clinic who gave me medication to help me ovulate and then I had three rounds of Intrauterine Insemination. This didn't work and I moved on to IVF. I got pregnant twice and sadly miscarried but it was good to know I could get pregnant. Feel free to pm me for any questions. Good luck x

[harriegeenen]

the kitavans , a well studied traditonal community, heve no acne, not 1 in 1000, it simply does not exist there, not because of genetics, but by diet.

the diet prescribed by dteven gundry an md / cadiologist or by jason Fung , md kidney specialist , both solve pcos.

traditional medecine has no solution

[Afive]

Hi! If you are vegan I would strongly suggest you check blood levels of all B vitamins. Taking folic acid (is also a B-complex vitamin) is a must, as well as vitD.

I would recommend checking your iron levels as well (they can be hard to maintain on a vegan diet).

GPs should test you and your partner if you can't get pregnant after trying for a year, but you can convince them to do it sooner arguing that your PCOS decreases fertility (even though it will be harder for them to accept this argument if your periods are regular). You can argue that with PCOS hormone imbalance having your periods doesn't mean that you are ovulating and they should test if you are (which involves doing 3 blood tests per cycle, one in each phase). Good luck!