PCOS and Not taking Drugs- Advice?

styler91

My husband and I decided 13 months ago to try and have a baby. I have always had irregular cycles, so my Dr. put me on Birth control pills back when I was 18 (I'm 23 now). I never could find a BC pill that worked right for me - I would ALWAYS end up bleeding constantly after about 6 months of taking it. So, when I was 22, my husband and I agreed for me to stop taking the pill and try to have a baby. Well, when I stopped the pill in January 2014, my Period never came back. May, I say my gyno and she gave me provera to get things going again. I worked that one time, but my cycle doesn't come back without taking it. In October 2014 I was diagnosed with "lean" PCOS... so I am not over weight, and don't have Insulin Resistance. But, I do have the "pearly" ovaries and other symptoms. 

My insurance doesn't cover Infertility treatments, so I want to try a natural approach to getting pregnant. I also HATE the way hormones make me feel. I get super cranky the first half of the time, and then the last half I'm depressed and cry over everything. 

I am about to start acupuncture in a few weeks to see if that will help bring back ovulation.  I was wondering if anyone had any advice, or information that may help encourage us during this journey?

 

babeRN101

Just wanted to say good luck to you! I am on the medicated journey with lean PCOS (I've had 2 failed clomid cycles and am now on Letrozole/Femara). I tried acupuncture for a few weeks and loved it, but stopped bc of the cost ($85/session out of pocket)
I would say if I was going the more natural route, I would see a fertility acupuncturist (they are more specialized) and either take the herbs they recommend or see a naturopathic that can prescribe you herbs/supplements. I know the fertility acupuncturist I saw recommended a special blend of Chinese herbs that ran around $75-100/month (but I didn't take them bc I was on Clomid at the time; don't take both!)
Also, try going on a low-carb diet. I completely cut out all sugar, wheat/flour, potatoes (except for 3 "cheat items" a week) and I ovulated on my own on CD 34- the earliest ever for me!

ckk8584

The book "Woman Code" by Alissa Vitti provides incredible insight into how you can completely change your hormone health through foods & environmental changes.  

courtL13

I was also diagnosed with 'lean" PCOS with what sounds like many of the same symptoms you have and i'm 23 . My OB wants me to try Metformin, to help with ovulation, Metformin is actually a diabetes medication although i don't have low insulin or diabetes symptoms. Studies have shown it to help women ovulate. She also wants me to take progesterone only during the time i ovulate because i have low progesterone levels due to my PCOS. I got pregnant in December with out any meds and it was our first try (so there's hope (: )but I had a miscarriage Jan 28 and that is when i found out I have PCOS. She thinks it may have been due to the low progesterone levels so if it wasn't for that i wouldn't have to be on any medication. She also told me i didn't have to take the meds since we've already got pregnant once on our own but I couldn't stand the thought of not taking them and having another miscarriage, I would be devastated and blame myself for not taking the right steps to possibly prevent it. I have also been trying to eat healthier

GoldenKeys

styler91   Even though your insurance doesn't cover infertility treatments, you might still have medical options.  There are  quite a few treatments that can be coded as treatment for coexisting problems associated with PCOS, which could get covered.   I really hope that you will consider having a consultation with a reproductive endocrinologist (RE) --  their back offices will take your insurance into account and can possibly make a plan that works for you.

If you haven't already, I really think that you should consider having a sperm analysis for your husband, which isn't usually very expensive out of pocket.   I know several people who spent years dealing with their own IF issues only to discover that both of them had challenges that needed to be overcome.  It's worth doing it!

Good luck...

jilligan14

I also have PCOS. My OBGYN recommended Ovasitol, which is a natural supplement and has helped lots of PCOS women conceive. I've just started taking it. I also have low progesterone and will start taking it this cycle (after I ovulate). Low-carbs have helped me a lot, as well as regular exercise. Good luck!

styler91

Thanks everyone for the advice and encouragement! I am currently on a low GI diet, have been for three months now. I haven't noticed too much change while being on it (though i wasn't overweight to start out with). My OBGYN suggested taking "pregnitude" a B-vitamin supplement to help my chances. I am also going to start seeing a Fertility Acupuncturist in two weeks. I am praying that this will help me get back on track with ovulation and bring back my cycles to I can better my chances of getting pregnant. 

Thank you for all your encouraging words and advice! It means so much to me that there are others out there who are going through the same/similar situation, and are willing to help. 

bre3095

As I read your post I realize how similar our situations are. I was on BC for 9 years. Decided to stop because it makes me crazy and never started my period after. I was just diagnosed with PCOS two weeks ago. My new OB said no one thought to look before because I don't have any other symptoms aside from the pearly ovaries. I'm skinny and all blood work has been totally normal. It was an ultrasound that finally cleared up the mystery. Just wanted to let you know your not alone! Fingers crossed! Best wishes!

MaximusTiberius

Hi there, I was in a very similar situation! I have PCOS, on the skinny side of weight, but irregular cycles.
I saw a fertility specialist and was put on metformin despite not having any problems with regulating insulin. It restored my cycle almost instantly and it now runs like clockwork. It did take me a few weeks to adjust to it, as I felt a bit weak initially.
My own experience with just taking metformin was great. There's lots of research online about it helping others with PCOS.
Good luck and all the best!

AutumnSkye10

@GoldenKeys : I noticed you said some procedures can be coded so that they appear to be treating PCOS and not as infertility. Do you have any more information about that (which procedures? Can they be coded that way by a Fertility Clinic?). I don't know if I have really bad insurance or if my clinic didn't even TRY coding any other way. When asked about my options, I was told either go 100% out of pocket or get a loan. Thanks.

GoldenKeys

AutumnSkye10 said:

@GoldenKeys : I noticed you said some procedures can be coded so that they appear to be treating PCOS and not as infertility. Do you have any more information about that (which procedures? Can they be coded that way by a Fertility Clinic?). I don't know if I have really bad insurance or if my clinic didn't even TRY coding any other way. When asked about my options, I was told either go 100% out of pocket or get a loan. Thanks.

All of my diagnostics were coded for exploratory diags.  I had heavy periods, and so my HSG was coded for that, and so was my biopsy.  It was only when I went on meds did anything start getting charged under Fertility.  All of it was under a fertility clinic with my RE.   Personally I don't like your clinic's answer and would search for someone else who respected my finances.

AutumnSkye10

Well, It's possible things were coded differently when I first went because they wanted to see my state of PCOS and look for other abnormalities. However, I had difference insurance then that DID cover some fertility treatments. Sadly I wasn't able to keep that insurance as of this January and my new insurance doesn't cover it. Once we went back after our initial PCOS appointments it was already after January 1 and we went straight into starting Clomid and monitoring US. So that is probably why it currently HAS to be charges as fertility. I might ask about if the base US at the start of the cycle can be coded as PCOS monitoring or something that might be partially covered. I'd still have to pay it out of pocket right now because I haven't met my deductible, but at least it would be going TOWARD the deductible. 

Lucerotorre

I also have pcos. A year and a half ago after not having a period for 6 months my doctor was able to make a diagnosis. Her only solution was to put me back on hormones, but I knew my husband and I would be ttc soon so I started doing research. I don't know that what worked for me will work for everyone but I started taking chaste berry (oregons natural harvest brand was the only one that worked for me), d chiro inositol, and cinnamon with chromium and within 2 months I got my period back and I have been regular ever since. Af every 30 days. I was able to get pregnant within the first 2 months of trying. Unfortunately I mc at 7 weeks but I am hopeful we will get good news soon! Good luck to you.

styler91

@Lucerotorre. I am deeply sorry for your loss. I hope that you get good news soon! 

I've been seeing a acupuncturist that specializes in fertility problems. I've been going almost a month, and I've noticed a few changes. It helps with the pain, which is a blessing. Some nights I would have pain so bad in my lower back and lower abdomen that I could not sleep (which in turn made me grumpy, and exhausted).  The Acupuncture has helped ease the pain, and has helped me sleep better through the night. We are hoping that we can get my cycles back to normal, and still TTC. I am also taking Chinese Herbs, called Jade Pearl 2. I just started those this week, so I can't tell if they have helped any.. but I can update later when I've been taking them longer. It is a daily battle, but I am hopeful. 

Good luck to everyone! 

Me: I'm 23 Years old, diagnosed with PCOS in FALL of 2014.

I've been TTC for 15 months, with no luck. 

Tried: Provera, Acupuncture, Progessense plus oils, Jade Pearl 2.  

 

AutumnSkye10

I would definitely be interested in how the Chinese herbs work out for you!

styler91

@AutumnSkye10 - I have been taking them for almost two weeks. So far I honestly have not noticed any changes. I was given 15 days worth of pills (60 pills, taking 4 a day- 2 in the AM, 2 in the PM). I am not sure how it takes for them to take an effect. I haven't noticed any bad or good changes. But I will keep you updated on if they do anything for me in the next week or two.

styler91

UPDATE: 

I have been going to acupuncture and taking the Chinese herbs for a month now. and I am Finally seeing some really good progress this past week! I have started seeing signs of ovulation (which for me hasn't happened in a long time)! I still have three more weeks left of my acupuncture treatments, and I am almost out of the Chinese herbs. So I will have to see what my acupuncturist says about continuing the herbs once done. But I am so happy to be seeing changes and positive outcomes due to this!