Varying degrees on PCOS

What constitutes "mild" PCOS as opposed to "severe" PCOS?? Since my gyno did not explain ANYTHING to me, I'm doing much of my research online and through you ladies Until I see my RE on the 16th, I'm relying on you girls!!

ETA: Can you conceive with the aid of medicine (i.e., clomid) without having an IUI or IVF?

Message edited 1/6/2008 5:41:36 PM.

Re: Varying degrees on PCOS

I was told by my RE that I have mild PCOS and apparently it is because I suffer from some of the symptoms and not others...I don't suffer from cysts ( do have many little ones but they are not large (so far anyway), don't have the facial hair etc...However, I do not get a regular AF and need meds to make me ovulate....I dont see why you wouldnt be able to conceive with only meds but according to my RE- Clomid has a drying effect on your CM which makes it harder for the little guys to swim -whereas IUI bypasses that problem putting them closer to the egg....HTH...The whole "mild" thing confuses me too

Re: Varying degrees on PCOS

I have very mild PCOS as well. My RE said to think of PCOS as a continuum of symptoms and severity. They saw some of the tiny cysts on my ovaries and I do need help getting my period and ovulating BUT I don't have any other symptoms of PCOS. You could have some symptoms of PCOS and not others, it's not a hard and fast rule that every PCOS patient will exhibit the same symptoms or problems.

Also, consider IUI if it's available to you. Although everything is fine with my husband and although I actually did ovulate on my own this month without Clomid (hence no dried up CM) we did the IUI. It's covered by my insurance 100% and the procedure itself was quick and painless. I think it's worth it just for the fact that anything that even slightly increases your odds of conceiving is worth it!! But it's a personal choice of course.

Anyway, hope this helps!! Lots of luck!!

Re: Varying degrees on PCOS

Re: Varying degrees on PCOS

I have never been given a severity on my PCOS. I was just told I have it. I do not ovulate on my own and consistently have many follies under 10 mm in my ovaries, the so-called "string of pearls." My LH/FSH ratio is totally out of whack and my testosterone levels are too high. Not sure how this would be classified.

Re: Varying degrees on PCOS

One of my Dr's said my insulin to sugar ratio could indicate insulin resistant which is probably like the mildest form of PCOS. I do O regularly, do not have cysts. I am taking (another) 2 hr fasting glucose test as soon as I can work up the nerve to sit around nauseous for 2 hrs

Re: Varying degrees on PCOS

I was never told my degree of severity. I had ALL the signs. Missed periods, no ovulation, weight gain, hair growth, then hair loss on my head, etc. (However, I had perfect cycles until I was about 26, which is odd. Most girls have problems earlier in life.) I was put on metformin for 6 months when nothing was working for me.

After a long time and many tests we found out my PCOS was an effect of a pituitary tumor I had. As soon as they began to shrink my tumor, then things started working on their own. I was doing chemo to shrink it and I got pregnant. No IUI or IVF, so it's considered 'natural', although I had medical help.

Re: Varying degrees on PCOS

Waterspout4 you have FM !