PCOS? Signs and symptoms?

First, I will say that I am definitely going to see my OBGYN about this but just wanted some input and advice from those that might be going through the same thing.

Since getting off BC 9 months ago, I have had very irregular periods.  Each cycle is no less than 35 days, with the longest being 7 weeks.  I am currently on day 37 with no period in sight.  And, yes,  I have already taken a pregnancy test...and came out negative immediately (much to my extreme sadness).  I have sharp pains in my ovaries during ovulation but also during the weeks after combined with lower back pain and tightness. 

Any thoughts?  advice?  personal stories?  We are TTC and it seems pointless to try and continue if there is something wrong with my body without medical help.  Most doctors and reference materials say to wait 12 months of being off BC before worrying...but how can I not?  I am 28 and my husband is 31.

Thank you in advance!

I was diagnosed with PCOS. I have very irregular periods and an ovulation problem.  Obviously, your doctor is the best place for advice......but ....

We were trying to conceive but it was not happening. We tried for 6 months on our own and I didn't want to wait forever (I was not getting any younger!). My obgyn said I had PCOS and that losing weight would help. She also prescribed Clomid in tandem with glucophage (this is a something diabetics take to help with insulin, guess it helps with the PCOS and ovulation). Clomid is the cheapest fertility aid because alot of insurances cover it. It helps you ovulate. We tried that for a few months and I still couldn't get pregnant.  I ended up losing 30 pounds in an attempt to help me conceive. I ended up having to go to a fertility specialist. He got me to ovulate with the clomid, however, I didn't conceive so we moved on to more aggresive methods (the shots...ouch). Long story short....I conceived my first son with fertility aid and my twins. I also got pregnant on my own twice after that (however one of these pregnancies was lost due to premature birth). So I have four beautiful children and two little identical twin girl angels in heaven.

The point is.....losing weight does help. It helps you ovulate and it also helps reduce the risks accosiated with PCOS (diabetes, etc) Also, there are so many things that doctors can do to aid fertility. I was told I would never get pregnant on my own, and I did...twice.  Keep your head up and stay positive. I know how hard and emotionally draining it can be. Send me a message if you ever want to talk/rant/cry etc..... I have been thru it all! Good luck.

Lulufit,

Thank you so much for your response...and I will take you up on messaging you! 

As far as exercising, My husband and I have gotten back into running and I have already lost 5lbs!  I am about 5' 11'' and weigh now about 167 (goal is 150).  I have always been active but now we have found something that we can do to lose weight together.  I was very active when I was young so I didn't start my period until I was almost 17 years old and never regular until I got on BC.  So, in the back of my mind, I always thought I would have problems.  It was really wonderful to hear your story, and although I bet it was a long, tedious process and stressful, your outcome is wonderful!

Again, thank you.  I have dried my tears and looking ahead and staying positive.  My sister, who has been a wonderful ear for me (even though she has not had any problems conceiving and is on #2 with only 2months off BC), told me once that that  each time I have my period, that egg was just not meant to be our baby.  For some reason, that was comforting to me. 

You have already had a great reply to this but I wanted to put my 2 cents in.  I am an identical twin and my sister and I are polar opposites.  She has no problems getting pregnant and no problems with her cycle.  Me on the other hand I have PCOS and it took me a long time to conceive my two children.  I think the support you receive is critical.  Because every time you take that pregnancy test you are going to cry.  Everytime you go to the doctor he is going to tell you to hang in there and keep trying and you will still cry.

The thing that you have to do is just keep looking forward.  I remember saying tons of times, "this is the last pregnancy test I am buying" and then saying it again and again and again.  People with PCOS are fighters.  Because we fight every month just to not want to stay in bed from the pain when we get those stupid little cysts.  Which by the way for me get worse now that I am on BC.  When I wasn't taking BC I didn't ovulate which was nice because I didn't get very many cysts.  But now that I don't want to get cancer I started taking BC and every time I am about 12 days in I start getting them.  It stinks.

Ok I am just a ray of sunshine!!  Really though I understand what you are going through only because I have just lived through it.  Your sister is so right God (please don't be offended) has a special purpose for you and if you have your period it just means that you get one more day with your husband all to yourself.  Hang in there, your body will figure it out eventually.

It is good that you are talking about it to.  It is healthy to get those feelings out.  I wish I had blogged about it when I was going through it.  I think it would have helped to get that link with someone that knew what I was going through.

Good luck with everything!

stevemindyl,

thank you so much for your words and your story.  You are right, it helps to blog/write about it.  I sometimes feel so much frustration and anger that all my friends are getting pregnant and having babies with no problems and I can't even get my period.  I am just going to focus my energy on losing weight and getting  more healthly and enjoying travelling. 

it definitely still hurts and is really tough.

thank you.

Wilkiea ~ You have had some great responses and a great attitude... 

I wanted to add my story and TTC Journey so far. My husband and I have been TTC for almost 4 years with wacky cycles as well. All my symptoms point to PCOS but my Dr (at the time) refused to believe my self diagnosis and refused to test me for PCOS or anything else fertility related for that matter. I was not as knowlegable as I am now and believed that this Dr had my best intentions in mind. This was not the case in my situation and I quickly learned that I am my own advicate and that if one Dr does not do what you want them to do then move on to one that will listen and has the same goal as you. The point of my story is that no one knows you body like you do. If you have wacky cycles then go get checked out and do not take no for an answer. I also suggest you start charting your BBT if you do not do this already. Print your charts out and take them to your GYN. I do not suggest you take OPK's as if you do have PCOS they will not be accurate. Writing/Blogging about it does help a ton!

My husband and I are currently saving for the RE and are scheduled to go in early August. I too am here should you need to vent, ask questions, cry, etc.

Good Luck and Best Wishes!!!

I am 27 yrs old and i am from the Bahamas i have neen diagnosed with PCOS  my doctor told me that i have to loose 60lbs and at times i get very depress cause it is very hard. i recently got married April 2008 and i met my husband with a child but we want kids together. i do not have periods at all and i have already lost 20 lbs throught  Weight Watchers but when you dont have people to talk to it can be very hard sometimes i feel like giving up but this is a real struggle. i have 40 lbs more to go and then my gyno said when i loose 40 lbs more she will be able to help us get pregnant, any ideas on how i can loose theis 40 lbs faster. 

I am 27 yrs old and i am from the Bahamas i have neen diagnosed with PCOS  my doctor told me that i have to loose 60lbs and at times i get very depress cause it is very hard. i recently got married April 2008 and i met my husband with a child but we want kids together. i do not have periods at all and i have already lost 20 lbs throught  Weight Watchers but when you dont have people to talk to it can be very hard sometimes i feel like giving up but this is a real struggle. i have 40 lbs more to go and then my gyno said when i loose 40 lbs more she will be able to help us get pregnant, any ideas on how i can loose theis 40 lbs faster. 

Pedita~

I know it sounds difficult now but think of you getting pregnant as your goal.  As long as you stay motivated and keep your goal in mind the pounds will fly off.  Try boosting your exercise routine.  Walk farther or faster than you have before.  Try going at least 30 minutes as fast as you can then make sure you stretch afterwards.  Also make sure you write everything down (everything).  Make sure you stay within your Calorie range and just doing it.  Every day you do it is one less day you have to worry about.  When I run I still get anxious but every time I do it I feel so much better.  Both times I lost 30 pounds I would get pregnant so shoot for 30 and when you get there shoot for 40.

Good luck and best wishes!

Hey there!

   First of all I wanted to say that I had been trying to concieve with irregular cycles for a year and 4 months. I went from having one regular to missing as many as four months of no cycle. I was really confused because they said I wasn't characteristic of PCOS, but my mom was convinced I was. Before I concieved I was 5'10 and 164 lbs. I went to a doc who encouraged me to pickup on my workouts, and I also tried metformin...even though she said I wasn't characteristic of PCOS she also said trying metformin wouldn't hurt anything. I was on that for about 2 months and then I started feeling indications of pregnancy (sore breast, etc.) So I got excited and went to the doctor and had a blood test and it was negative....well I must have been a day pregnant then because here I am 3 weeks away from my due date. I also bought some nike + shoes to run with my ipod because you can keep track of your progress (how many miles/minutes/pace...etc.) and load it onto the nike + website to help track you personal goals. I found that after trying for so long, some distractions to help get me motivated and metformin worked. I got so into running and then I started to back down because my body was telling me to..even though my test came back negative and sure enough.....I found out for sure at 13 weeks I was pregnant. Just try no to think about it..as hard as it is.....

Mindly

I will try not to think about it so much and i am going to make an extra effort to loose 40 lbs or more between now and December. i have not been to Weight Watchers for a while so tomorrow morning i am going to register again and then i will weigh in to see if i gained or lost weight since April even if i gained i hope it wasnt much but like you said only one thing i should keep in my mind is that i want to get pregnant maybe that will motivate me more. 

aishaahm,

thank you for sharing your story.  it is very encouraging..as we seem to have the same body type and specific problems.  It also makes me want to pick up my workouts!  I just posted on another question but i have a dr.'s appointment next Tuesday to discuss these problems and hopefully get referred to a fertility specialist...  On day 52 of my cycle.  sigh.

 

I have PCOS, a fairly mild case. I was only 20 pounds overweight at my heaviest, so the doc thought I was being paranoid when I asked for the test, but sure enough! My cycles were pretty long - 35-45 days.
I got on Metformin, 500mg a day, for about 6 months and dropped 15 pounds. I am now almost 12 weeks pregnant!
Ask for the test, ask for some meds, and get exercising!
Also, I am 30 :)

GOOD LUCK!!! Hope your doc appt. went well~!

My doctor's appointment is today..and looking forward to discussing everything with her.  I am on day 59 of my cycle...ugh. 

Thank you for your encouragement!!  Will do on all three counts...ask for the test, get some meds and keep exercising! 

BTW: what does the test for PCOS consist of..blood work?  exam?

 

thanks!

Mine was just blood work. Sonograms can also show cysts.
Good luck!

Update:

I had my appointment yesterday.  She did a vag. ultrasound.  the technician asked immediately if I had PCOS.  When i looked at the monitor, you could see dozens of small black spots all around the ovary.  Same on the other side.  Although my doctor said they were "follicles" and not "cysts"...isn't that basically the same thing?  She did not prescribe any medication except some hormones to try and jump start my period.  She said she wanted to wait a couple more months to watch and see what happens.  Grrr.  She said by now my cycle should have regulated...so looks like my body does not want to ovulate or at least not in any regular fashion.

Love the wait and see game.  Sigh.

 

Unfortunately I don't think they are.  Cysts would be in your ovaries because they develop in your tubes or uteras.  But I am not medical doctor so anyone can chime in if I am wrong.  When I get cysts they are usually in my tubes.  Sorry I know that is discouraging but hang in there.  My doctor gave me hormones for three months and I was a mess until I stopped taking them.  Other than that he has never prescribed me any medication either.  He just told me that I should have sex as often as possible and no birth control of any sort (when we were trying to get pregnant) now that I am done having kids he still hasn't given me any medication so I wouldn't worry, it just depends on what your body does with the hormones.