Is it PCOS???

[GirlGerms]

I’ve posted here before and I’ve had some good response (thanks guys), but now I’m after some advice once again! Here goes.

For those who don’t know, I spent most of 2004 bleeding heavily. Non stop. Until I was put on the pill. Earlier this year (March), I came off the pill because the bleeding started again and DP and I decided we’d like to… you know… give it a whirl!

Anyway, I went and saw my gyno about the bleeding and he gave me Provera tablets (progesterone) to take for 21 days. This was meant to ‘reset’ my cycle. It didn’t. So he gave me Premarin (oestrogen) tablets to take for 1 week. My period was meant to show up within 7 days of finishing the course. It didn’t. It showed up after 2 and a bit. But I was happy enough with that I guess.

I just finished a period a couple of days ago (43 day cycle) and although that’s ok, I’m starting to think that there’s something wrong. I’ve had my periods since age 11 and they’ve always been extremely heavy, to the point where each time I had my periods, I had at least two days off work and downing 4 Nurofen plus every few hours, wishing I was dead – you get my drift. I’m sure many of you will know what this is like. Luckily for me, my periods were never regular at all (between 6 and 12 weeks in between periods), so I didn’t have to take TOO many sickies.

I’ve done a bit of research lately and I’m starting to think that I could have PCOS…. I get quite a bit of hair on my face and I have problem skin. Are these symptoms that, because I manage them very well (Nair for the hair problem and lots and lots of Clinique for the problematic skin), have been missed by my gyno?

I have an appointment to see my gyno next Wednesday – should I be telling him? I’m almost tempted to cut the nair and the skin care until then, however, the fear of scaring scaring people has me thinking otherwise!!

If it is PCOS, what is he likely to do? Will he tell me “Wait until your 12 months are up” or will he give me Clomid or something like that?

I’d really appreciate your advice, ladies – you all seem so very helpful.

P.S. I've only ever once or twice experienced CM - First time I was about 17 and I thought I had some sort of STD. The second time was a few years ago and once again, it kind of freaked me out.

[Kayte]

Helloo

I have no idea about this subject but i just wanted to offer my support ..

I think you should talk it over with your gyno though he would most probably have the answers you are looking for !

ill keep my :fingerscrossed: for you !! Let us know - Were all here for you !!

- Kayte

[mel79]

Hi there
You probly should tell your gyno whats going on - they might want to put u back on the pill, but if your ttc then they will probly do an ultrasound to check for PCOS. My sister found out she had PCOS after having several years of extremely long cycles and very long heavy period - sometimes bleeding for over a month! She got put on the pill and her symptoms got better and she now has regular cycles - she has stopped taking the pill a couple of times and her symptoms havent come back - so PCOS is definitely not a permanent thing. MY sister wasnt ttc when she got diagnosed so i'm not sure but they might put you on clomid to get u ovulating.
You can ask for them to do an ultrasound to check whats going on - but they may need to do a laparoscopy - and u usually need to have been ttc for 6 months before they will do one of those. But I would ask anyway cos it sounds like you have some awful symptoms which should be addressed.

With the CM - its often related to diet or medication - certain things can improve your CM such as grapefruit juice or caffeine-free green tea, and some people just naturally don't get much CM. If you have got PCOS, then you would not be ovulating very often, so it is possible that the 2 times you have got CM have been the only times you've ovulated!
Hope this helps,
Best of luck,
Let us know how u go with gyno

[GirlGerms]

Thank you both for your responses. Much appreciated.

[nicoleE]

Heavy painful periods can also point to endometriosis and excess hair and acne can be a result of a slightly higer testosterone level which is normaly there in PCOS but can also occur seperately.

I would mention your concerns and make sure you have someone that will listen to you and offer advice. Your specialist should be able to tell you why you 'have' or 'havent' got something and not just dismiss it, get them to explain everything.

I have only been TTC for 5 months and have not ovulated and because of various things including both sisters having it my GP thinks I have PCOS and am about to have my first appointment at Repromed (a fertiity specialist) this Friday.

:hugs: good luck!

[lizzymcfizzy]

It sounds like you could have pcos or something similar, I would definatley tell your gyno about all your symptoms, the more information he/she has, the better they will be able to diagnose you. You don't need to skip the hair removal or makeup to prove it, they will take your word for it :)

If you have pcos they usually don't make you wait months before trying out some fertility treatment, usually starting small like addressing diet, testing for insulin resistence and checking to see how well you ovulate. Best to get the ball rolling asap. it takes time to work up to the bigger things like having to get a hysterography and stuff like that.

LOL at what you said about the cervical mucas! The first time I got it I thought there was something wrong. Its a turn off from having sex although its the best time to have sex!

[~beckkles~]

My first thought was that it is prob Endo rather than PCOS. I would ring and ask for the gyn to refer for an internal us and find out what is going on, your gyno should of asked questions re your cycles and looked ot your skin for hormone problems..mine commented on how great my waxer was:D .
Good luck I hope you get some answers
Bec

[GirlGerms]

I just wanted to thank you ladies for your replies. I had an appointment with my gyno yesterday and he told me I have PCOS. It wasn't a huge shock as I pretty much had my head ready for either endo or PCOS.

Anyway, he has prescribed Clomid. Have any of you had any luck with this? Would love to hear...

[DjF]

Sorry, may have missed you saying this elsewhere - but have you had blood tests and an ultrasound? These are what determine exactly if you have it - not just by looking - i suppose you would definately have to have had these for him to tell you.

All i can say is look after yourself :hugs: - i know clomid is used to stimulate ovulation but im only just starting out on the pcos journey myself and am awaiting results from blood and u/s - still figuring out whats going, so im no authority!. Heaps of ladies here can give you their experiences with clomid etc.

[wantagirl]

With the hair growth and all I would say it is very possible. Although I would also check into endometriosis. Painful, heavy periods usually point to endo. PCOS, common symptoms include, weight gain, acne, hair growth(face, chest, arms, toes), irregular cycles or no cycle, moodiness, and infertility. So you do have the symptoms, some women who have pcos are also suffering with endo, definately aske about both. You can have laproscopy done for the endo and there are several treatments for both but no cure. Bcp's, clomid, and metomorphin are used often to treat PCOS. Good luck!

[wantagirl]

Sorry, I didn't see your last post. So you do have Pcos. I am sorry to hear that but all hope is not lost. Many women concieve with this problem. Wishing you luck!

[bree27]

Hi DjF,
It sounds like I am in the same vote as you. Gone to gyno once and now waiting on results from blood tests and having ultrasound on the 11th. It would be good to talk to someone going through the same thing as me!!!