Question about PCOS

Im just wondering how a doctor determines that someone has PCOS

I first got AF when i was 14 and from the start my periods were very irregular (6-7 months apart) and very heavy/crampy until i went on the pill at 17. I got off the pill last year and have been a regular 28 day cycle every month.

Is it possible that i have or had PCOS? The RE never asked about my prior AF history - just that im regular now.

Also they did day 3 bloodwork and everything was fine - so would something show up if i had PCOS? I never had a sono of my ovaries done.

I guess im just wondering cause i was talking with a friend who has it and since i was so irregular before the pill - it just made me wonder.

Re: Question about PCOS

I was always irregular and nothing has every been said to me for 17 years......

We were ttc and was having a hard time.....I was not O'ing at all!

Went the RE he took one look at my bloodwork and was like you have PCOS.

Re: Question about PCOS

I had the same problem. The only reason I found out I had PCOS was because 2 years ago before AF i started getting really bad pains around my ovaries. Every month it progressively got worse until I made an emergency appt and had a sonogram done. I had to cysts on my right overy the size of golf balls. They did blood work and confirmed I had PCOS. After the laparoscopy i had to wait 6 months and get retested, the PCOS was gone. I would not worry to much but if you are still unsure speak to your doc and see what they recommend.

Re: Question about PCOS

Thanks - does anyone know what specific bloodwork test they do for PCOS?

Re: Question about PCOS

I think it is a regular blood panel. But if you do have it, they will probably want to check your Insulin levels, which is nto a fun test. You have to drink a 'gatorade' type drink every hour for three hours and they take blood as soon as your done. This is to figure out what medication is best for you.

Re: Question about PCOS

Message edited 6/10/2010 3:01:10 PM.

Re: Question about PCOS

Re: Question about PCOS

I was diagnosed by two separate endocrinologists and then an RE. There was a physical exam and lots of blood work involved.

Re: Question about PCOS

I've had cysts many times -- when I was 18 I had only gotten my period 2 or 3 times my whole life and they did an ultrasound and found cysts -- many, and on both ovaries. I went on the pill and when I was tested again 4 years later the cysts were gone.

After 11 years on the pill I went off and a cyst came back -- only this time I could feel it. The ultrasound showed it and it was pretty small and fortunately went away after a natural cycle (it was just a very long cycle). I had another one that I could feel more recently too but I think that one went away itself.

I honestly was feeling a very similar pain on my left side (the last cyst was on the right) when I got my BFP. We also found a lump in my right breast but my doctor said it was nothing to worry about (she thought it would go away once I got my period came... but I showed her and got PG anyway).

No one ever diagnosed me with PCOS -- they just said I had cysts on my ovaries and that when I was ready to TTC that I'd have to be monitored and may need help. I showed them, though!!!

As an unrelated note, polycystic kidney disease runs in my family (it's a hereditary disease that cysts grow on your kidneys and shut them down until you go on dialysis, get a transplant, or die) and my whole life I have been deathly afraid of cysts. The doctors keep promising me cysts on my ovaries have nothing to do with cysts on my kidneys but it's still pretty scary.

I hope you find out what you need to and the perfect solution. Wishing you much !