Do you think it’s likely I have PCOS?

I had my first child at 18 which was conceived quite quickly, after about 3 months after I had given birth I started to put on weight as I become depressed and started to over eat, I went from 8 stone 12 to 11 stone 10. I then started to notice I was getting facial hair and sideburns which I hadn’t have before it is also the same hair colour that is on my head (I’m a natural redhead). I have always had regular periods from the day I started when I was 11 years old never had any problems, I have a 29-30 day cycle and bleed for about 3 days.

At the age of 24 I decided to find out why I had facial hair, I went to the doctors and they took my bloods and they said everything was normal, they also booked me for a scan to see if I had cysts, soon as she had a look she said it was clear. I then become pregnant again, we only tried once and I conceived very quickly. After about 2 months after giving birth I become depressed again and gained over another stone which brought me to 13 stone 2. I then noticed my facial hair was getting worse I also start to get dark hair on my chest which I had not had before. So I went back to the doctors and I saw a specialist, they took my bloods again and said they were normal, they said they didn’t know what was causing the hair because I had conceived on my own, I have normal periods and my scan had come back clear so he would not diagnose me with PCOS. He just kept telling me to lose weight. I was supposed to go back for another appointment to see if the weight loss had helped, but because I was really depressed I didn’t bother to lose the weight so I didn’t go back.

About a year ago I noticed I was getting dark hair on my arms which I never had before.

My weight has yoyo ever since I have had children, before child I had never had a problem with my weight.

I am 30 years old now so I decided to have my bloods tested for PCOS with Thriva, my results were the following.

FSH -8.18 LH - 6.32

SHBG - 51 nmol/L

Testosterone = 1.93 nmol/L which was high

Testosterone (free or unbound) = 0.028 nmol/L

TSH - 2.29

FT4 - 18.6 pmol/L

Seems to be every time I have a child my hair gets worse, I have always had thick hair, I don’t have oily skin I have dry skin, I can lose weight quite easy when I want to but now I have high cholesterol which is from all the rubbish food I eat and my periods have be regular since I was 11 years old. Sugar also makes me feel so tired.

I’m thinking of going back for another scan to see if I have any cysts

Sorry if this post is very long, I just need to advice

Thank you xx

[LisaEB]

I'm not a doctor but maybe you just have high Testosterone from your results? Which would cause hair growth. You are saying you were depressed after your children, people do get post natal depression, without have PCOS. You are saying you eat rubbish, so will put on weight? It seems a little you are looking for a reason for your symptons. You didn't have cysts last time you were checked, you have had children no problem, you have regular periods, you don't struggle losing weight, doesn't really sound PCOS. Hair growth is normal with the hormones during pregnancy also . What difference would it make if you were diagnosed with PCOS? You can have the scan but I would guess it would be clear and if its not what would you do?

Do you want more children? Do you want medication for the weight, which comes with its own issues? You can have laser hair removal? The doctors will also recommend the pill, but you are having regular periods, so you might need to do this I would imagine..Try eat well and exercise, to help your wellbeing.