TTC, PCOS and other questions

hannahlce

Hello!

My husband and I are TTC and I'm not sure where to start. I have PCOS and my cycles are difficult to track. Should I contact my doctor first and let her know that we're trying? Do I wait 6 months before I contact her about possible ovulation issues? I currently take Metformin, and was told that it may or may not help me ovulate. I started it in June and was told that it works very well for some women, but not so much for others (just like everything else, I suppose).

Anyone have experience with this? 

Jaje09182010

I think it definitely makes sense to contact the obgyn on the sooner side so that she can give you potential guidance and options for referrals to an RE if you end up needing one- I feel like worse case scenario she tells you to contact back after 6 months but I had a friend in a very similar situation who had her DR tell her to try 3 times on her own first as oppose to 6  

Also I was diagnosed with PCOS a few years ago and since I've started eating more paleo/low carb non processed etc it has made a HUGE difference with my cycles/ovulation! just an idea  

[Deleted User]

<blockquote class="Quote">
<div><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank">hannahlce</a> said:</div>
<div>Hello!

My husband and I are TTC and I'm not sure where to start. I have PCOS and my cycles are difficult to track. Should I contact my doctor first and let her know that we're trying? Do I wait 6 months before I contact her about possible ovulation issues? I currently take Metformin, and was told that it may or may not help me ovulate. I started it in June and was told that it works very well for some women, but not so much for others (just like everything else, I suppose).

Anyone have experience with this? </div></blockquote>
Welcome!<b>  Start with the Newbie Guide! </b> you are not the only one with pcos.  Get a bbt, pick up a copy of TCOYF and join into the daily TWW/WTO threads.  There is a wealth of information here if you dive into active participation in the group, not just starting your own individual thread.  You will also notice a weekly newbie intros thread where this post would perhaps be better placed.  Again, welcome, and please jump right in!

Eta Temping is really the best way to see if the Metformin is helping you ovulate.  "Tracking" your cycles on a calendar probably won't cut it.

laurad75

@BusinessWife beat me to it!  Welcome @hannahlce and I hope to see you on the daily threads. 

Elyse1384

Hi - fellow PCOSer here and I think you'll find some helpful info on this board and the IF board.  Check out the newbie threads in both areas as they have some great resources that you could check out.

I definitely recommend trying to see your doctor sooner than later.  Metformin did not help me ovulate and I needed IF treatment in order to make that happen.  Also I recommend checking out a PCOS diet.  It could help a bit, but again, everyone's body is different just as some have success on metformin and others don't. 

Are you doing anything on your own to see if you ovulate (eg temping)?  That would be a good place to start.  If you go the specialist route they will do some monitoring rounds to see what your ovaries are doing.  Good luck

mrsdaddario

Welcome! I was diagnosed with Non-Insulin Resistant PCOS in April. I was not prescribed Metformin due to being non-resistant. My doctor advised me it just wouldn't help at all. Did you do a 3-hour glucose test for them to confirm you are insulin resistant? I only ask because you are right, Metformin doesn't help everyone and I hear some of the side affects are a bummer. So you should only be on it if you have to! 

I agree to start trying to track your cycles/ovulation if you are able. Temping and OPK's told me I wasn't ovulating at all. So it was kind of a bust for me. But it is a sure fire way to tell if you are, or are not ovulating.

If your age is not a factor (35+), and you can pinpoint ovulation, seeing as how you already have a child, I would wait a couple of cycles to gather information. That way you can go into your doctor with an arsenal of facts about your ovulation. If you are not ovulating, and you know this for a fact, or you are 35 or over, I would get into your OB and ask for a referral to an RE. OB's are great at keeping you pregnant, not getting you pregnant! 

hannahlce

Thank you!! I've been looking for signs (egg white discharge, mood etc) but I'm not totally sure what to look for and tracking is pretty new for me. We've been trying for only a little over a month. 

houseofsetters

***Dirty Lurker*** ***TW in signature*** 
I have PCOS too, and the "typical signs" that you look for don't work quite as well for us. You really should chart your basal body temperature, that way you know a LOT more about your cycles going into a Dr. appt. I ovulated, but irregularly. EWCM and even OPKs can be unreliable with PCOS. I know I had some cycles with over 15 days of EWCM while waiting to ovulate. Read the newbie guide, get a BBT thermometer, and start tracking! You will be much more empowered to advocate for yourself if you know what your body is doing.

Edit: formatting