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Re: DOCTORS- CAN YOU HELP?From: Sallie (anonymous@obgyn.net)Mon, 27 Mar 2000 09:27:40 -0600 (CST)
Jan, I just wanted to point out that in PCOS a lack of progesterone is the problem. Women with PCOS do not make enough progesterone. Instead of progesterone, which is what the ovaries make after a release of the egg, the ovaries make testosterone. A deficiency of progesterone is also one of the reasons women with PCOS have a higher risk of miscarriage. Other points about PCOS is that some women have high estrogen (which can be converted into testosterone also) and others can have low estrogen. I think this difference is what makes for many of the varied symptoms in PCOS. You can have too freguent periods (every other week or a period that won't end) or a lack of periods with them being only a week late to years without a period. If you have too frequent periods your body is building up the lining and when there is a defiency of progesterone it sheds too early. It probably never sheds all the way. Too frequent periods means no ovulation just as much as infrequent periods do. Doctors will sometimes give Provera which is synthetic progesterone to either stop a period by signaling the uterus to hold on to the lining and then when you stop taking the Provera this sudden drop of progesterone signals the uterus to shed the lining. If you don't get a period then there was not a build up of lining to begin with. Some women use natural progesterone cream to do this also. It is not a cure and simply a more natural way to "bring on period" as with Provera. It is better for you (sometimes) because it can also clear out excess estrogen if you have that. However natural progesterone can be converted to other hormones in the body just as your own and it all depends on how your body reacts to it. Synthetic hormones cannot be changed into other hormones. Natural progesterone can sometimes be converted into more testosterone in the body. When BCP are taken it shuts down the ovaries and calms the cysts down. Natural progesterone can do the same thing if taken for three weeks out of the month. It fools the ovaries into thinking you are pregnant and can calm the ovaries down also (for some women not all - everyone reacts differnt). At Sun, 26 Mar 2000, Jan wrote: > >Your story sounds so much like mine, except that my periods stayed >regular. Maybe because I was on bcp. In September of this year my body >went wacko, depression, anxiety, gained 36 lbs. in a little over 4 >months with little change in eating habits, carb cravings increased! >Overall, a miserable 6 months! In my search for I help I came across a >reference to PCOS, then found this board. I started taking an >antidepressant & doing the low carb diet, and like you I feel great >relief already! I feel like myself again. I saw an RE last Thurs., and >was diagnosed from my history alone. He has ordered bloodwork, I'm >curious to see those results, and anxious to start meds. > >In answer to your questions: >I'm not a physician, but it definately sounds like PCOS to me. I don't >know details about progesterone, I'm sure someone alse can help there, I >just know it's sometimes elevated in PCOS. > >IR can lead to increased appetite (carb cravings) and weight gain! I'm >certain it did in me, because the low carb diet has had such dramatic >results. I'm also taking chromium, inositol, vitamen, essential fatty >acids and psyllium seed husks. > >>From what I've read on the boards an endocrinologist, especially a >reproductive endocrinologist is generally better informed than a >gynecologist. But it depends more on the individual practictioner. >That's why I chose to go straight to an RE. Good luck finding a good >doctor. >- Jan > >At Sun, 26 Mar 2000, Clara wrote: >> >>Recently, I have had my hormone levels assessed as for the last 3 years >>I have had a total disruption in my menstrual cycle (40-60days on >>average)which for the previous 15 years was 28 days (I am now 29 yrs). >>The results showed at day 28 that- my progesterone levels were >>3(low),FSH:LH greater than 2:1, androgen levels high, testesterone >>normal,oestrogens -200. I also had 2 ultrasounds the first at day 11 >>showed enlarged ovaries and many follicles arranged in a pattern >>normally seen in PCOS. At day 28 the follicles were still there but in >>a different pattern. I am 5ft8" tall and my weight changed rapidly at >>onset of these symptoms from 9 stone to nearly 11 stone over 6 months. I >>experienced a loss of control over my appetite to some extent though not >>enough to gain 2 stone! I also suffer from lethargy and mild depression >>since then. There was a six month period were I regularised my cycle >>and immediately lost the weight, was happier. I lead an active life >>especially at work! My doctor is now referring me to a specialist as >>they suspect PCOS. 1.Is this right? How do my progesterone levels play >>a part in this? 2.Could my weight gain and increased appetite be related >>to insulin resistance? 3.Should I request that my referral be to an >>endocrinologist rather than a gynaecologist? >>People arent that concerned with PCOS where I come from (outside US). I >>want to sort it out as I feel awful at the moment but at the moment I >>dont think I'm very knowledgable! >>THANKS.
-- Sallie
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