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Re: I've got PCOS, and I'm depressed!From: anonymous (anonymous@obgyn.net)Mon, 19 Feb 2001 15:16:30 -0600 (CST)
Dear Emma, i am from the UK too!!!. I was diagnosed three weeks ago with PCOS after having a fertility workshop. My DH and myself have been ttc for the last 10 months. We are both in our early thirties. I felt completly devastated when i was told. I thought to myself......'well thats it then, i won't never be able to have children'. The fact of the matter is that there is a good chance that you,myself or other women will be able to concieve, we may just need some assistance thats all, which can help maximize our chances of concieving like any other woman with or without PCOS!!! It is true to say that PCOS is a complex condition and it will be really useful for you to read up as much info as you can about it. AT least then, you will have a better understanding of what PCOS is all about and what treatment can be given to manage this. Equally there may be questions you will want to ask at your next appointment with your Doctor, and having that underpinning knowledge prior will probably help immensly! I have personally learnt alot from the wealth of information shared on this forum as well as seeking the PCOS topics on the Web. I was diagnosed from an U/S scan that showed the follicles on the ovaries characteristic of PCOS. I also have irregular periods and probably do not ovulate and if i do, then its very occasionally. Things you may want to consider are: 1) Ensure you have had blood tests for FSH and LH at the beginning of the cycle- Elevated LH can indicate PCOS. 2) Have you had prolactin blood tests. These can be raised due to stress. High level can prevent ovulation. The fact that you are probably stressed out of ttc can as imagined raise the levels. PCOS can cause high levels since it is a hormonal condition that can be effected by other hormonal activity and glands. 3) Ensure that you have your Oestrogen, testosterone levels checked. The adrenal glands produce aldosterone and with PCOS, excessive amounts of testosterone can be produced thus reduces oestrogen levels and effects the whole menstrual cycle. 4) Do you ovulate- the day 21 or 7dpo progesterone test will indicate whether you do or not. 5) PCOS can have short luteal phases- i.e. the time between ovulation and period. Normally menses starts between 12-14 post ovulation. If a period starts 10 days or less from ovulation this can be known as the luteal phase defect. Since if pregnancy should occur and for successful implantation, there needs to be more than 10 days and adequate levels of progesterone. Some pcos sufferers achieve pregnancy but may not maintain it due to LPD or because the progesterone levels can be low and cause a miscarriage. You may want to chart your BBT to see whether you do ovulate, have an adequate time between ovulation and menses and to establish a cycle and temp pattern so at least there are info to give your doc and how then it could be managed. (I have identified a luteal phase defect from charting my temps). 6)Fasting blood glucose levels and blood tests to identify whether you are insulin resistant should be considered since many pcos women have this but it can be managed and treated and in alot of cases achieve pregnancy and maintain it. 7) possible treatment- if you are obese- a loww carb diet is recoomended along with if there are insulin resistant. Metformin is commonly used for insulin resistance and is very effective. To achieve ovulation- Clomid is usually the first initial treatment for a fertility programme and tends to be given up to no more than 6-12 cycles dependant on the indidivual. It is very effective and even if that was not successful, other fertility treatment in the form of injectates would be the next option which in most if not all cases, ovulation would occur with the possible consequence of multiple egg follicles developing and being released! Women who have PCOS and say for example start on clomid may also have progesterone suppositories since many women with this condition can have low progesterone. So the clomid to stimulate ovulation and the progesterone to hopefully ensure adequate levels to maintain a pregnancy and minimize/prevent the luteal phase defect!. So there ARE treatment to manage it, sometimes it just means alittle education on our part to understand it fully and sometimes to ensure the doctor is well informed too! I know how you feel, its tiresome, frustrating, traumatic, depressing when you are ttc and nothing happens. But at least now for me and hopefully like you, we are aware on what is wrong rather than being left in limbo wondering what could be the matter!!! Identifying the route of the problem can allow forms of treatment to be established and managed to its effect, SO PLEASE don't give up or feel this is the end, its not!!
Good luck!
At Mon, 19 Feb 2001, Emma.UK wrote:
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