Pcos

[Leonic]

I was curious and I havent heard much about PCOS and wanted to know some of the symptoms as I havent been very regular lately and have been worried. Of these symptoms below, i have seven of them, the ones highlighted in red!! I have got an appt for the docs in the New Year to have a pap, etc! What sort of testing can I expect for PCOS?

(infrequent menstrual periods, no menstrual periods, and/or irregular bleeding
infertility or inability to get pregnant because of not ovulating
increased growth of hair on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes
acne, oily skin, or dandruff
pelvic pain weight gain or obesity, usually carrying extra weight around the waist type 2 diabetes
high cholesterol
high blood pressure
male-pattern baldness or thinning hair
patches of thickened and dark brown or black skin on the neck, arms, breasts, or thighs
skin tags, or tiny excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area
sleep apnea―excessive snoring and breathing stops at times while asleep)

Anu info would be great! Thanks gals!

[JanetF]

It depends what kind of careprovider you choose. Common tests are blood tests and u/s. I was dx with PCOS in 1991 and had no help from doctors at all. I started seeing a naturopath in the late 1990s and have never been healthier! Try these books for info: "Women's Troubles: natural and medical solutions" and "Women, hormones and the menstrual cycle" both by Ruth Trickey, my naturopath ;) Learning to chart your cervical mucus, eating low carb/low GI and doing some moderate exercise will all help you maintain your health in a lifelong way. :)
There's also an Australian PCOS website and forum which I think is
www.posaa.asn.au

[Leonic]

Thanks Janet. I aprreciate the info! I already keep a healthy diet and I exercise often. I dont eat alot of carbs and Im very cautious about what I put in my body! Im not overweight but I do carry some weight around my middle, which I would love to get rid of! A friend of mine is a naturopath, once I have seen my doc, I will see her. She already has me on the best rescue remedy drops, I couldnt live without them!

[kacey]

Leonic, sorry to hear you have horrid symptoms.
I went to the doc because of irregular cycles. He also noticed my severe acne as a symptom. I had a blood test to check my testosterone levels (sky high, as it turns out) and two u/s's to check for cysts (yep, got them too). That was pretty much it. My doc said I have PCOS and put me on a low carb diet similar to the Atkins diet. He said it was the only diet which could help me lose weight because of the way PCOS works. I have lost 18 kg this year, my acne is almost non-existent, and I feel great. My cycles regulated within weeks, and I got CM for the first time in years. My testosterone is now right in the normal zone.
We got pg this month (the first month we didn't really pay attention to trying) because, I believe, I made sure we BDed on the days with most CM. Very un-scientific I know, but hey, I got two pretty lines on the stick, so who cares about science?
My best advice is to talk to the doc, and if you're not sure, get a second, or even third, opinion. Doctors are not infalible, unfortunately, and you know your body. Never substitute their judgement for your own. Listen to their advice and then make up your own mind. Sorry to be all preachy, but I really want you to get the best advice and have a sucess story in the not-too-distant future, and be empowered by the process.
Blessings and best wishes, Kacey

[Leonic]

Thank you so much Kacey! I have put up with these symptoms for so long and I should have done something about it along time ago. I have an appt for the docs on 3rd Jan, so I will explain all the symptoms and hopefully I can get a diagnosis happening here! Im lucky in the fact, that I have a really good GP, but I have never found a specialist I feel comfortable with! Im sure I will get there though! Where there is a will, there is a way!

Congrats to you on bubs as well! I hope you have a smooth sailing pregnancy! You lucky duck, if I could start trying now for a bub, I would, but have just started a new job and want to be here for at least a year to get some more money behind us before we have kids!

Thanks again for your kind words, I will keep you posted.....Im sure you will all hear a winge or two out of me before then though! :p