Do you need to see a high risk doctor if you have PCOS?

nerdymama15

Hello.  I am very confused here at the deluge of information being thrown at me by well intending individuals (aka: my well meaning - yet also annoying at times - family).   I was told by a doctor about seven years ago that I had PCOS.  The doctor did not do any tests to confirm this, but I had the signs such as really irregular periods, discolored skin under my arms and in other ares, and hair growing where it shouldn't be.    PCOS led to having some trouble conceiving due to not knowing when I was ovulating.  The doctor put me on Metformin to  help regulate my cycles.  After about a week on Metformin I stopped taking it because I could not stand the side effects (seemingly endless spontaneous pooping if you must know lol).  So anyway about that time we joined the YMCA and I was working out about three times a week and drank a lot more water.  As it stands now I have lost 22lbs on my own.  So anyway my periods started to become more regular as a result of exercising and we were able to plan out better when to try.   I got my very first ever BFP in January.  Due date was 09/28/2015.  Had an incomplete MC on 02/28/15  at 9wks6days. 

Enter stage right the very well intending family with endless unasked for advice  My sister has a co-worker that has PCOS and she MC'd every time until her doctor started giving her progesterone.  My family told me to ask my doctor about it.  I asked my doctor and they told me that 1. PCOS only affects the ability to get pregnant due to not knowing when you are ovulating (in my specific case) and that 2. The only way they give progesterone is if their office helped you to conceive (they house both the OBGYN and fertility clinic in the same offices).   My family then told me that I needed to change doctors and find a high risk pregnancy doctor because I have PCOS.    This was due to their googling every thing and swearing up and down that my doctor should have had me on progesterone. 

Since the miscarriage, my doctor thinks I'll be able to have a successful future pregnancy in the future once we get a different health related issue under control.

How many people that have PCOS were able to deliver a happy healthy full term baby WITHOUT progesterone or any other hormone supplement?  How many people go to a high risk specialist because they have PCOS?

rabidkoala83

I have PCOS and I have delivered a perfectly healthy full term baby without progesterone or other hormone supplement and I'm currently 4 weeks away from delivering baby number 2. I see a high-risk specialist not for PCOS but partly because my PCOS contributed to me developing gestational diabetes in both pregnancies (I also have chronic hypertension, so am monitored for that there as well). 

A little bit about how I got here: When my OB/GYN and me were first discussing my irregular cycles/desire to get pregnant, she recommended that I see an endocrinologist to get confirmation and to rule out other conditions (because PCOS has similar symptoms to other metabolic disorders). The endocrinologist ran a whole battery of tests on me and officially diagnosed me in January 2010. I started taking Metformin in March 2010. They started me on low doses and then gradually increased them as my cycles were still irregular. I will admit the worst part of taking Metformin was the same side effects you described, but I found that the side effects lessened after a month on the medication. 

I ended up conceiving my first in November 2012 and my second in August 2014, both while on Metformin (1,000 mg twice a day). Each time, the endocrinologist had me stay on Metformin until I hit 13 weeks. She told me that since the Metformin had been helping to regulate and even out my levels that it can lessen the chance of a miscarriage when taken throughout the first trimester. I did have extra blood work done through the endocrinologist (in addition to the initial pre-natal blood work at the OB's office) during the first trimester. Just to make sure my levels were where they needed to be.  

This was just my experience, and everyone is different, but I hope this helps!

GirlOnTheBeach

Lurking here from another board. I would simply request blood testing about your progesterone levels. I did this and they found that I had low progesterone and they prescribed me some once I got my bfp and I stopped having miscarriages.

I am very concerned that they have put you on metformin but haven't bothered to confirm that you do indeed have PCOS. You need to get that confirmed and then go from there. Plus, the blood testing can show you if you have something besides PCOS causing the problems (or if you never had PCOS to begin with).

I also didn't need to see a high risk specialist about either problem. Your OB can order the bloodwork and will prescribe the progesterone if needed. I DID get switched to high risk due to a bicornuate uterus but that's a different story.

sarahsairsair

I was on metformin for 3 years and eventually clomid- all under my endocrinologist. Ttc 3 years, went to IVF dr, who took me off everything while she ran bloodwork for two cycles- bam! Pregnant. DH jokes my body just needed the bill-shock of seeing IVF cost plan - but seriously we were very lucky and blessed- healthy baby boy is 3 yo.
Second baby is on the way and was a surprise (a happy one though)

lucky10liz

I was diagnosed w/ PCOS about a year ago. I started going to an infertility specialist/OBGYN and he ran all sorts of tests (blood work/ultrasounds) on me before he determined that diagnosis. We had been trying for 4 years on our own and unsuccessful. He didn't want to put me on Metformin because of the side effects. So we started on clomid and tracked my period using the Creighton model. I highly recommend it if you have irregular periods! It was a God send for us. I found out my progesterone was so low that I was getting pregnant and almost immediately have a miscarriage because my body couldn't support it. Progesterone is SOOO important in pregnancy. After about 5 months of this, we got pregnant. My doctor immediately put me on progesterone pills taken vaginally and progesterone injections twice a week, and honestly, that saved my pregnancy. I've now made it to 13 wks and everything is going great. 

I would ask your doctor to test you to be sure you have PCOS. He will be able to see if your progesterone levels or any of your hormone levels are out of whack, and then they can put you on what you need. 

Katarzyn

I was diagnosed with PCOS in my teens and am 32 years old now.  According to blood work I had I'd say 5 years ago they doctor said I was ovulating normally.  I'm 11w3d pregnant with my 1st and had a panel of blood work done but the doc did not order progesterone or hCG - Is this normal?  I'm going to the perinatal specialist office because I also have a irregular shaped uterus and am wondering if I should call the office earlier and ask for a script for the blood work as the doctor will not be in the office when I go for my 4:30 ultrasound.  The regular OBGYN (which I am looking for a new one) did not order it.

ajandnish

This gave me so much hope as I have PCOS and I'm 10 weeks prego. Thank you!

piglvr81214

I have pcos and have since I was a teenager. I have a healthy baby boy who is going tone in on the 12th and a little girl on the way in September. I conceived using letrizole. I've been on 2000 mg of metformin for years and tried cloned and it didn't help. We lost our first daughter in September of 2013 then got pregnant with our son in November of 2013 on own own. Our little girl that I'm carrying, we used letrizole and with both babies I had IUIs done. I have gestational diabetes for the second time and this time have a big baby girl. I'm 32 wks 4 days and she weighs in at 6 pounds already. People say u can't get pregnant with pcos well I'm proof u can and I have beautiful kids. I don't see a high risk doctor either just my regular obgyn