Diagnosed with PCOS - TTC

JBT1116

FYI: I am not pregnant but I was referred to this board for success stories and encouragement. 

I went to the OBGYN on March 3rd for a routine physical.  While there we discussed some issues I've been having (irregular cycle/AF, rapid weight gain, infertility, skin tags, anxiety/depression/stress, sleep apnea/snoring, decreased sex drive, etc.).  She drew labs and scheduled me for an ultrasound for the 17th.

I went back yesterday to have my US and it only showed 1 cyst on my ovaries and my A1C and Thyroid were normal.  However, my FSH/LH were totally backwards.  She said after ruling out everything else it was clear that I have PCOS.  I was already prepared for that answer so I didn't freak out.  

I asked her about Metformin but she said that I was way past that and recommended that I start Provera and Clomid to induce ovulation and if it didn't work we would bump it up next month and try again.

Is there any information or success stories out there that will make me feel hopeful about this next step?

ecwk

Why did she say you're way past Metformin?? I was diagnosed as PCOS last year mainly due to irregular LH/FSH ratio and lack of periods. I started on Metformin last March and increased my dose slowly to 2000mg a day which allowed me to ovulate. I got pregnant the next cycle and am currently three days overdue!!!! 
I had tried provera to see if I would bleed and I did which is a good sign but it never restored my cycle.
If you are going to go the Clomid route you need to make sure you are doing it properly. You have to be monitored and have ultrasounds. You can't use Clomid indefinitely and your doctor should not be encouraging you to take it unmonitored, that is a really really bad idea.
Honestly if I were you I'd start with Metformin and go from there. There can be nasty side effects but it is manageable and I credit it (along with temping) for allowing me to get pregnant. Let me know if you have more questions. Best of luck. 

Edited spelling 

mrszoess

I'm on 1500 metformin and am pregnant a second time from clomid (first was an unrelated loss). the metformin was described to me as vital to the pcos puzzle to ensure I ovulated and maintained pregnancy. 

JBT1116

I actually just got my PCP (who I work for) to write me for Metformin because I've read a lot about I need it whether or not I'm trying to conceive. 

PugsandKisses

Pregnant with my 3rd child with PCOS.

First step, start charting. Long cycles do not mean infertile.  You don't know if you are not ovulating. Chart will help that.

2nd, Metformin the gold standard for PCOS, even if NOT TTC.  I would get a 2nd opinion. It helps balance hormones,  and insulin. Insulin resistance is a major problem is PCOS. Your HA1C can be fantastic and your fasting insulin can br horrible.  Mine was.

Cowboycorgi

Ditto what others have said. I ended up needing IVF to get pregnant, but that is because I have blocked/hydro tubes on top of Endo and PCOS. 

Metformin is for way more than just achieving pregnancy. My A1C was fine, but I failed my fasting insulin resistance test. 

KilgraveMadeMeDoIt

Metformin is also associated with fewer early miscarriages and a lower risk of GD in women with PCOS, though the evidence is mixed it's still pretty much considered an important drug for women with PCOS. It isn't just used for ovulation induction (although it can be effective for that.)

I have PCOS and have had two children and am currently 6w5d pregnant. I have had repeat pregnancy loss probably due in part to the PCOS since it is associated with higher miscarriage rates (depressing, I know, but I don't want to sugar coat things) but I also have Asherman's which is probably responsible for most of my losses. 

Frankly, PCOS sucks but it can be managed and the vast majority of women with PCOS who wish to have children go on to do so. It is definitely one of the more treatable fertility conditions. Good luck to you!

kcolly32

Before I got my BFP I went to see a RE to see why my cycles were irregular and thinking maybe I had PCOS. My US was clear, no cysts. However my labs were just slightly out of whack. My RE was going to start me on Metformin or Actos before even trying clomid. I ended up getting pregnant before needing to start the mediations but I would get another opinion before starting clomid. You can only take 6 cycles of clomid during your entire life and that's because it can increase your chance of cancer. If you do take clomid you'll need regular ultrasounds and bloodwork pretty much weekly. A RE will monitor you better than an OB and has more experience so I would try to find one in your area.

MrsBallengee

Hey! I'd just like to offer encouragement I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 15, & my gynecologist told me it would be difficult for me to conceive. As luck would have it, I had 2 unplanned but healthy pregnancies before I turned 22. Although I suffered a miscarriage at the end of 2014, I am now 6 weeks pregnant with my 3rd & praying that there are no complications.  No medications were needed, but a healthy diet & exercise help tremendously by regulating your hormones. Good luck & baby dust!!!

BlueGal1

I was diagnosed with pcos at 24 and told it was going to be a difficult road . At 34 I started my IUI journey first I altered my diet and exercised I was days away from going for my first IUI attempt and found out that I was pregnant .

I was lucky to have no medical intervention so it proves it can happen and my doctor has put me on methphormin for now to prevent miscarriage .

Metformin is a God send.

Get a second opinion 

BlueGal1

Currently 9 weeks 3 days 

SisterMaryNapalm

MrsBallengee said:

Hey! I'd just like to offer encouragement I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 15, & my gynecologist told me it would be difficult for me to conceive. As luck would have it, I had 2 unplanned but healthy pregnancies before I turned 22. Although I suffered a miscarriage at the end of 2014, I am now 6 weeks pregnant with my 3rd & praying that there are no complications.  No medications were needed, but a healthy diet & exercise help tremendously by regulating your hormones. Good luck & baby dust!!!

Please don't use the term "baby dust". It can be triggering and insensitive to women who have had to cremate their babies. 

OP - OB GYNs are not necessarily experts in PCOS or their treatment, you may need to see a GYN who specialises in PCOS or an RE if you have other issues. Metformin is for more than getting you pregnant - it helps manage the cause of symptoms such as weight gain and difficulty ovulating. I second PP: you should chart your cycles using a BBT and possibly OPKs.

I have PCOS and after losing ~40lbs after my diagnosis, we started TTC by charting and OPKs etc. 4 cycles/5months and we conceived naturally with twins. PCOS isn't a sentence on your fertility. I don't think I would have been able to conceive as quickly (or kept my sanity as long) if it weren't for the ladies on the TTGP board. They're awesome and the support and information is invaluable. Good luck! 

Caroline351

I have PCOS and endometriosis. Bummer. We tried about 6 months, 4 on Clomid before seeing a specialist (another year after that). While I liked my doc, I DO feel my specialist is more knowledgeable and keeps a much closer eye on things. I think seeing a specialist is a great suggestion! I've never taken anything for my PCOS so can't speak on it. But, this cycle I was having pain, found two cysts, then got a bfp. The body is weird. Good luck! 

styler91

Hello, 
I was diagnosed with PCOS, and I decided to take a more natural approach to things. I participated in Acupuncture for fertility, along with Chinese herbs and a diet change. Granted it took me 2 years to get pregnant, but here I am, almost through my 1st trimester! 

meggspeggs

I was diagnosed with PCOS 13 years ago. My husband and I have used little to no contraception all of these years. In December I started drinking Plexus Slim. It's a product designed by endocrinologists. I started drinking in hopes of improving my hormones and to feel better overall. I had heard stories of women getting pregnant while taking it but never thought in a million years that I would get pregnant! I have a 17 year old and 13 year old lol! Well guess what happened in January?!?! I'm now a little over 11 weeks. I do not sell the products and in no way work for the company. I just want you to know every option that is out there. I'm not sure it was the plexus or just a last hurrah from my body. But like I said, I am not the first that this has happened to. I couldn't be happier and I wish you happiness too!!!!! Look it up. Look up testamomials. Good luck ❤️

ChicagoFloridian

I also have PCOS- I had tried Clomid, Letrozole, IUI, and then took a break- didn't get pregnant doing any of those things. I pushed my doc for Metformin, partly because of unexplained and frustrating weight gain on top of my irregular cycles. She started me at 1000 mg daily and then send me to an endo for follow up. The endo upped my dosage to 1500. Meanwhile- I had never had a regular period, ever, but on metformin (even 1000 mg) I was getting a period every 29-31 days. It was like magic. 
After 5 months of metformin I am pregnant, 8 weeks as of this weekend.
I had asked my doctor why nobody offered me met before (I am 34!) and she said the studies on it are inconclusive. But I think you will find many women who had success with it. I definitely did. Good luck! PCOS is a pain but hopefully you find things that work for you. 

yellingbanana

I've heard metformin is always the go-to for PCOS.
I have PCOS, and we just conceived after 2 yrs of trying (and we have 2 previous children). We went to the RE, did clomid, then letrezole, shots, prods, pokes, the whole shabang. We stopped seeing the RE in October, it was too stressful, expensive, and we weren't seeing any results other than I was diagnosed with PCOS. I'm almost 32, DH is almost 33. 
We decided to take a more natural approach for a year or two: both exercising, eating healthy, both taking CoQ10. I was also still taking metformin, FertilAid, folic acid, and an emergency-c every day. I just got my BFP on Friday and am already feeling the pregnancy symptoms. 
While I'm not your doctor, I can tell you that a natural approach ended up working (eventually) for us. If you have time, try different things, depending on your age. If you are 35 or over, stick with the dr to fast track things. 
But it can happen! It took us 2 yrs to do it, but it happened!

mrsdaddario

Preface: I have never been, nor am I currently pregnant.
DH and I are also TTC since September. I was diagnosed with PCOS last month after an 80+ day cycle. I did the hsg (clear), U/S (a few but not a ton of cysts), and blood work (normal with the exception of LH to FSH was 2:1). Oddly enough, my glucose test came out normal as well. I do not have an insulin resistance. This is called Non-Insulin Resistant PCOS. My OB told me I wouldn't benefit from Metformin because it's specifically for those with PCOS AND insulin resistance. She also said my best option would be Clomid with an IUI.  I didn't like her to begin with, so I have an appointment with an RE on 4/21 to get his opinion. I understand why she doesn't think Metformin will work for me, but I am definitely going to pass it by the RE and see if he agrees or disagrees with her. I certainly don't want to be on a medication that I won't benefit from. But if there's even the slightest chance I could ovulate from it, I'd be interested in learning more. 
I am also under the belief that DH and I can get pregnant on our own, but it could take a long time. Fx and good luck to you! 

mamabear0813

I didn't read the whole thread, but you are definitely not "way past" metformin. I have PCOS and within 30 days of starting metformin I ovulated and conceived. I did not take clomid or provera. I only took the metformin, so there is that.

phoenix870509

I was diagnosed with PCOS in April 2015. I scheduled an appointment with my OB because I was tired of not getting my period as my husband and I were ttc. She suspected PCOS but sent me to an RE just to be sure. The RE confirmed it and recommended I go on a modified paleo diet, modified so I could continue to have dairy. Basically, anything low carb. I did that, no meds, and she said she couldn't see why we shouldn't be able to conceive within a year. Well, we got that BFP one year and a day after my diagnosis. There is hope.