PCOS Messages for April, 2001: Re: Can periods be regular in PCOS?

Re: Can periods be regular in PCOS?

From: Joy (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sun, 29 Apr 2001 07:06:35 -0500 (CDT)

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In reply to: Melanie: "Can periods be regular in PCOS?"

HI Melanie - A PCOS diagnosis can be tricky since the disorder presents itself with a wide range of symptoms. I was diagnosed just this month (I am 44) but am certain now that I have had it for 25 years at least. And it does seem to get worse with age - if left untreated. At your age my periods were very regular - they went askew in my late twenties and mid-thirties (sometimes 4-5 months apart) but now have evened out on their own again. My total and free testosterone levels have always remained in the mid-range of normal (my DHEA's were low normal). And I was quite surprised that my ultrasounds showed no cysts. However, I have many of the other hallmarks - excessive hair, skin tags, beginning of male pattern baldness, dark patches, and am insulin resistant (determined from a fasting insulin test). I asked why I had so many symptoms that come with high testosterone and was told that some women are simply more sensitive to even normal levels of testosterone then most (which may be a nice way of saying that no-one really knows).

As you already know - DHEAs are produced by the adrenal gland and irregularities with the adrenal gland can create symptoms that parallel many of the PCOS symptoms. So it is good you are having an endo workup. A good endo should be able to sort out the source of the problem - and offer effective treatments now while you are young. These are problems that can be addressed before they create havoc - catching them early is so important. Good for you for pushing hard to understand what is going on!!

All the best!

-- Joy

Good luck!

At Sat, 28 Apr 2001, Melanie wrote: > >I had my hormones tested. All were normal except my DHEA-S was >_slightly_ higher than normal. My total testosterone was high normal >but free testosterone was very normal. My nurse practitioner said a >doctor looked in a book and said I could be "slightly PCOS." This >confuses be because I have always had regualar periods that last 5-6 >days. The bleeding isn't light nor too heavy. Can I have PCOS and >regular periods? I am 24. Or is it more likely that the excess male >hormones are coming from my adrendal gland? I see an endo soon, but I am >still worried. Melanie

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