[julia*v]

Thank you to all who helped ease my nerves about my ultra sounds the other day

I have made an appointment with my GP to discuss the results, but have not been able to get an appointment for nearly two weeks. I have been googling – which may not be a good thing!

I was wondering if there is anyone with PCOS who might be able to tell me about it/the side effects/ the treatment/ getting pregnant etc?

My ultrasound tech said she could only tell me what see saw – not what that meant.

Apparently one of my ovaries is measuring 15.5 and the other 5.8 (I’m not sure in what measurement though!) and that she stopped counting at 15 follicles.

In the research I have done on PCOS on the internet, I am unsure if a follicle is a cyst?

If so – I’m assuming that’s a lot!

I don’t have any of the hair/acne symptoms of the condition, but my hormone levels were measuring higher than normal.

My DH hasn’t taken the news (what we know so far) well at all.

I am worried about how this would effect getting pregnant or a pregnancy and if it is still possible etc?

Anyone have anything to share with me?

Thank you.

[Spring Chickadee]

Firstly, women with PCOS fall pregnant all the time! yes, it may be a fertility issue but it may also have little effect. It's certainly not a fertility death sentence. I have PCOS and fall pregnant quickly.

I had I think around 18 cysts on each ovary, no excess hair issues, semi irregular cycles (usually 25-35 days) and a short Luteal phase (usually 9-12 days).

A separate unrelated issue was with my thyroid, when my thyroid wasn't playing up I was able the fall 3rd go, 1st go, 2nd go and 1st go.

For me staying pregnant was the big issue and PCOS can be a contributing factor so I went on metformin (as well as addressing other health issues I had).

What are your cycles like?

This post has been edited by Spring Chickadee: 07/05/2012, 03:29 PM

[mad madam mim]

I went to the AC section when I found out I had pcos and got alot of useful information there.

Getting pregnant is different for everyone with PCOS some find they have no trouble at all, others need a little assistance (like myself, I do not ovulate on my own so was put on clomid and was insanely lucky and fell pg first shot, and then after 5 failed clomid cycles when ttc#2 was put on femara, 2nd cycle we hit the jackpot with twins lol), and then others need alot of help with IVF.

When not ttc I am on the pill, it is the only way to keep my hormones in check, otherwise AF shows up maybe twice/three times a year which isn't good for your body.

Once pregnant I was able to carry to term and there were never any complications due to my PCOS and my hormones actually behaved while pg.

A follicle isn't a cyst, I had 15 follicles on one ovary and 26 on the other, I also had 3 small cysts on one, they all disappeared over time and by the time ds1 was born they were all gone and because we have been managing my symptoms they are perfectly clear for now.

[julia*v]

Thanks SC.

I have also read that the miscarriage rate is high.

To be honest, I have not taken much notice of my cycles. We were really only talking about pregnancy recently and this discovery has come about by accident really. I was unwell and went to see my GP about something unrelated and said I was interested in getting ready for pregnancy.

The last few cycles have been irregular (I have only tracked three) roughly 4 weeks, 3 weeks then 10 days.

Not looking good?

[Kez82]

I suggest holding off and speaking with your GP first to confirm exactly what you do have - you don't want to go researching down the wrong path!

The most important thing I can think of is that PCOS has no cure - you simply treat the symptoms, and that is different for each and every one of us. So depending on what your PCOS symptoms are will depends on what, if any, treatment you may require.

As PP mentioned, it's not a fertility death sentence. PCOSers can fall pregnant. Unfortunately there are some who do face infertility, but there are also many others who have fallen pregnant on their own or with assisted conception.

Head on up to the buddy groups - there should be a TTC with PCOS group up there. Also check out the POSAA website for further information if you are indeed diagnosed with PCOS.

All the best.

[julia*v]

I went to the AC section when I found out I had pcos and got alot of useful information there.

A follicle isn't a cyst, I had 15 follicles on one ovary and 26 on the other, I also had 3 small cysts on one, they all disappeared over time and by the time ds1 was born they were all gone and because we have been managing my symptoms they are perfectly clear for now.

Thank you MMM.

I will have a look at the AC section. I wasn't sure where to look, but knew that EB would have something!

That's good to know about follicles. While I was reading information the term seemed almost interchangeable and I assumed that I had over 15 cysts....

Thank you for you response. Great to hear that pregnancy may be possible.

[julia*v]

I suggest holding off and speaking with your GP first to confirm exactly what you do have - you don't want to go researching down the wrong path!

The most important thing I can think of is that PCOS has no cure - you simply treat the symptoms, and that is different for each and every one of us. So depending on what your PCOS symptoms are will depends on what, if any, treatment you may require.

As PP mentioned, it's not a fertility death sentence. PCOSers can fall pregnant. Unfortunately there are some who do face infertility, but there are also many others who have fallen pregnant on their own or with assisted conception.

Head on up to the buddy groups - there should be a TTC with PCOS group up there. Also check out the POSAA website for further information if you are indeed diagnosed with PCOS.

All the best.

Thanks Kez. Yes, I would usually wait until I could see my GP - but it just seems so far away! I had heard of PCOS before and my GP did mention that there might be issues with pregnancy - so I started to read about it after my DH did not take the news well. It was a bit of an emotional day and it felt better to be doing 'something' about it rather than just waiting and waiting.

[KylieMin0gue]

I have PCOS that was diagnosed at age 17, after having no period for about 2 years, bad pain in lower abdomen. (I was diagnosed via laporoscopy)

I was put on the pill which made me have monthly periods. (and also stopped the pains I was having, as it seems the pains were being caused by my body trying to ovulate, but instead producing a cyst)

10 years later DP and I started trying for a baby. After 12 months off the pill and no success I went to my ob who put me on clomid. First cycle I ovulated, fell pregnant, but had a very early miscarriage. (around 4 weeks)
Waited a month, then second cycle fell pregnant with my now 5 year old DD.
Side effects of clomid weren't too bad for me. A few hot flushes, a bit of moodiness, but nothing too bad.

After DD was born I went on the mini pill, (just in case), but after 14 months I fell pregnant with DS. Completely shocked and surprised. My GP sent me to the hospital as I had stomach cramps because he thought I had appendicitus, but haha no I was 6 weeks pregnant.

SO even with PCOS I now have 2 healthy children. (Although DP has since had the snip to ensure that we only have the 2!)

[Kez82]

Totally understandable, but try not to freak yourselves out okay? I hope the PCOS is only mild and you'll have no problems what so ever!

[julia*v]

Totally understandable, but try not to freak yourselves out okay? I hope the PCOS is only mild and you'll have no problems what so ever!

Thank you. I am trying. And I keep telling myself it is better that I know any potential conception issues now, rather than trying for a year and then finding out.


Thanks KylieMin0gue. Thats a lovely story.