PCOS question ( Newbie here.)

LaceMoon

Hi everyone! My name is Jessica, I'm 26 with a two year old daughter, married to my high school sweetheart. My husband and I have talked about having a big family since we were teens and unfortunately after our miscarriage last year, I can't seem to get pregnant. We so badly wanted our first two close in age. In the beginning of our TTC journey I did everything from temping to tracking to trying new things (evening primrose, baby Advil, ect.)  and wasted a lot of money on OPKs and pregnancy tests. The last few months I stopped doing everything but tracking because of how it was affecting my depression. (We usually try the egg meets sperm plan during the beginning of each cycle. )

I recently went my normal doctor because I suspected I may have PCOS and after a lot of blood tests, she agreed. My testosterone levels were really high (121) but even with few abnormalities from the blood tests, my female hormones (FSH and LH) were normal. She said even with the PCOS, there still was no reason why I can't get pregnant.  I have an appointment with my OB to go over the blood tests and discuss PCOS and infertility next week but I'm curious if anyone has this issue before. I'm not sure what to expect from the appointment and I'm nervous. I try to do research before hand to ask questions but I don't know where to start. If anyone could give me some advise or can tell me what your OB did during this first appointment, I would really appreciate it so I can prepare myself the best I can. I'm new to all this and am so overwhelmed and emotional and really appreciate any help. Hopefully that makes sense. Thank you in advance. 

agaun

Hi.
Usually a vaginal ultrasound will confirm pcos. I always thought I had it from young. 
I  am currently 26 years old. Also have pcos. Started ttc at 22 years old as I was affraid I would fall pregnant. Went to a specialist and started iui 

Second try was successfully (who knew how blessed we are) this was with 13 injections of menopur 50iu. 

Some people come right with the pcos diet. Some with normal ob level hormone medicine. Unfortunately I didn't. 

So fast forward to now. We have tried iui again 2 times. But my resistance to hormones is worse. (I need 24-30 injection to start making a folical)

My last cycle ending in a "chemical pregnancy" (hate the term because it feels like a loss to us)

This was with femzole 5mg for 5 days while taking, menopur 75iu and puregon 50iu. They also had to trigger. My poor tummy and emotions after this cycle. 

The miscarriage left me with 2 large corpus luteum cyst so if these are gone when AF arrives we will try IVF as the doctor has said iui is not for us.

So as you can see even if something works 1 time doesn't mean it will be the same the next time. Hoping your appointment goes well. 

suzycupcake

@LaceMoon I'm so very sorry for your loss. 

The criteria to diagnose PCOS must be that you have 2 of the 3 of the following:

1. Androgen excess
2. Ovulatory dysfunction
3. Polycystic ovaries <---plural

In addition to that, these things that mimic PCOS must be excluded as possible diagnoses:

Thyroid disease, hyperprolactinemia, and nonclassic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (primarily 21-hydroxylase deficiency by serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone [17-OHP]). 

Reference: https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/98/12/4565/2833703 This article is linked to from the Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/guidelines-and-clinical-practice/clinical-practice-guidelines

If any doctor hands you a diagnosis of PCOS during this testing process you are doing, and not following this criteria, it's probably best to seek a second opinion. It's important to remember that PCOS =/= Infertility. 

debbiegk

I am so sorry for your loss.  I have dealt with pcos as well and I have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism as a preteen and have been on medication ever since.   Becoming pregnant was difficult, but after I had exploratory surgery and found a high risk OB, we successfully became pregnant.  I had tried IVF with no success but when I stopped trying and after my other issues were discovered through the surgery, we became pregnant.  I am praying all goes well with your OB and you will have another little one soon!