Ladies with PCOS

Hi ladies,

I apologise for the length of this e-mail.

I am 32 yrs old and have been regular since I started my period. I was on the pill until about a year and a half ago. My cycles have always been between 31 and 32 days -- with the exception of last year when I had a miscarriage at 8 weeks. I am now going on CD 60 and am getting worried. I have a doctors apt. this week, but wanted to see if you had any insight.

I have taken about 6 pregnancy tests and they were all negative. I am still holding out a small amount of hope that I am pregnant because the last test I took was a week ago. I refuse to buy anymore until after the doctor's apt. because I have spent too much money.

I have been researching (probably a little too much). I don't think I am under any more stress than I normally am (with the exception of not getting a period in 60 days). I am not underweight but am slightly overweight. However, I have been that way for two years.

I don't use OPK or temp - I have been monitoring CM, which has been accurate up until this point. According to CM - I ovulated when I though I was supposed to - but since that point have gotten EWCM in various spurts (which was odd).

So finally my question. It seems like lots of people get diagnosed when they are young (teens) with PCOS. It also seems like those that those that are diagnosed a little later in life had a history of irregular periods. For those of you that were diagnosed, when were you diagnosed and what were the circumstances? Is this somehing that can be diagnosed after one missed cycle?

For anyone that is reading - what else could cause this long of a cycle?

I know it may sound like I am over reacting - I just think it is weird that in 19 years of getting AF this has never happened to me.

Thank you in advance for anything you can offer.

Re: Ladies with PCOS

The main symptoms of PCOS are:
* Acne.
* Weight gain and trouble losing weight.
* Extra hair on the face and body. Often women get thicker and darker facial hair and more hair on the chest, belly, and back.
* Thinning hair on the scalp.
* Irregular periods. Often women with PCOS have fewer than nine periods a year. Some women have no periods. Others have very heavy bleeding.
* Fertility problems. Many women with PCOS have trouble getting pregnant (infertility).
* Depression.

I'm pretty sure the main symptom is irregular periods so you might not have PCOS.

i'm 33 now and I think I was diagnosed in my early 20's. I was on BCP from 16-31 though I went off several times in those years. I haven't gotten my period on my own since I went off 2 years ago. My last 4 cycles were 'forced' by either the gyn or RE.

If you need anything feel free to FM.

Good luck and i hope you get your answer (and possible +)

Re: Ladies with PCOS

Thank you so much for your helpful response.

Re: Ladies with PCOS

i havent officially been diagonosed with PCOS - but i expect my RE to when i see him for the first time this week...

that being said, here is what i have experienced.

i was completely normal and regular as a teenager, but i did have bad acne. i never associated the acne with pcos and was never tested for pcos when i was young.

at 16 i went on BCP. was completely regular on BCP for 12 years. i did go off BCP once for a month cause i was changing pills, and i did not get AF that month.

on may 1st of this year DH and i decided to start TTC. i thought i would be regular right away. well i went 75 days and didnt get AF, so i had bloodwork and went to the Dr. who said i "may" have PCOS and it "may" be temporary. she gave me provera and i got AF.

next cycle i temped and OPK.. i did end up Oing on CD32 and got AF 10 days later. this cycle started on Sept 3rd. i havent O at all. today is CD60. DR. gave me provera again and now clomid 50mg. i decided also to see an RE also, who i will be seeing for the first time next week. i do expect to get diagnosed with PCOS, my anovulation patterns seem consistent with that DX.

anyway the only thing i can tell you if you are at CD60 and are not PG is that maybe you didnt O this cycle. an anov cycle once in a while is nothing to be concerned about. if it happens more often i would go to the Dr. also if you didnt O doesnt necessarily mean you wont. that could be the additional EWCM. sometimes the body just keeps trying until the egg pops out.

either way, hope the background info helped, and Good Luck!!

Message edited 11/1/2009 1:49:06 PM.

Re: Ladies with PCOS

I was diagnosed at 18, (i'm 35 now) and told i probably would need major help conceiving... however i have two healthy boys, 12 and 2, but also two m/c in the past 3 years. I'm pretty much text book for the symptoms, i was on the pill when i was younger but came off b/c i had more issues it seemed on it then off and took my chances. I'm sure there are tons of reasons your cylcle is changing, also take into consideration your age as well!! I'd speak with the dr!! Good luck and hope this month is a BFP for you!!

Re: Ladies with PCOS

Thank you again ladies - your insight is truly helpful.

Re: Ladies with PCOS

You may have an underactive thyroid and that's what's causing the irregular cycles. Have your levels checked. Symptoms are fatigue, weight gain, and dry skin/nails/hair (and a few others but I don't remember them).

Re: Ladies with PCOS

I was not diagnosed until I started TTCing. I don't have any of the "normal" symptoms except for irregular periods, which I have had since it started when I was 13. I was put on the pill at 19 and that was that until I was 28 and wanted to get pregnant.

The only sure way to make a diagnosis is by testing hormone levels.

Re: Ladies with PCOS

Re: Ladies with PCOS

Thank you everyone . I really don't think I have any of these sympoms, now that I see them in detail. I can't wait for my doctor's apt. this week because I have been going crazy!!!