PCOS Periods & Pregnancy

[AMrkmn]

I am a 39 year old mother of 3 who had her tubes tide 9 years ago. In April 2006 I did not get my period, and I had pregnancy symptoms. I took several tests and had both a pelvic and internal ultrasound done. The only thing my doctor could tell me was that I had not ovulated, was NOT premenapausal, and that I had a cyst on one ovary. He prescribed provera and sent me on my way. The pills worked and I did get my period. Other than that one time I have been extremely regular the past nine years witha 27 day cycle. My last period this year was 4/29. Again, I took 2 tests and both were negative. I have made an appt with my gyno but cannot be seen for a few weeks. I have been searching the internet for possible reasons of not getting my period. I came across PCOS and have been reading up on it. I have several of the symptoms and am wondering if this is the culprit for my symptoms.

What is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?

Polycystic (pah-lee-SIS-tik) ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a health problem that can affect a woman's menstrual cycle, ability to have children, hormones, heart, blood vessels, and appearance. With PCOS, women typically have:

• high levels of androgens (AN-druh-junz). These are sometimes called male hormones, although females also make them.
• missed or irregular periods
• many small cysts (sists) in their ovaries. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs.

How many women have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?

About one in ten women of childbearing age has PCOS. It can occur in girls as young as 11 years old. PCOS is the most common cause of female infertility (not being able to get pregnant).


What causes polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?

The cause of PCOS is unknown. Most researchers think that more than one factor could play a role in developing PCOS. Genes are thought to be one factor. Women with PCOS tend to have a mother or sister with PCOS. Researchers also think insulin could be linked to PCOS. Insulin is a hormone that controls the change of sugar, starches, and other food into energy for the body to use or store. For many women with PCOS, their bodies have problems using insulin so that too much insulin is in the body. Excess insulin appears to increase production of androgen. This hormone is made in fat cells, the ovaries, and the adrenal gland. Levels of androgen that are higher than normal can lead to acne, excessive hair growth, weight gain, and problems with ovulation.
Does polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) run in families?

Most researchers think that PCOS runs in families. Women with PCOS tend to have a mother or sister with PCOS. Still, there is no proof that PCOS is inherited.
What are the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?

Not all women with PCOS share the same symptoms. These are some of the symptoms of PCOS:

• infrequent menstrual periods, no menstrual periods, and/or irregular bleeding
• infertility (not able to get pregnant) because of not ovulating
• increased hair growth on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes?a condition called hirsutism (HER-suh-tiz-um)
• ovarian cysts
• acne, oily skin, or dandruff
• weight gain or obesity, usually carrying extra weight around the waist
• insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes
• high cholesterol
• high blood pressure
• male-pattern baldness or thinning hair
• patches of thickened and dark brown or black skin on the neck, arms, breasts, or thighs
• skin tags, or tiny excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area
• pelvic pain
• anxiety or depression due to appearance and/or infertility
• sleep apnea?excessive snoring and times when breathing stops while asleep

Please let me know if anyone else has been diagnosed or has these similar symptons after not getting thier period and testing negative for pregnancy.

[Somebodysangel21]

I was diganosed with Pcos when i was 19. I had always had irregular periods ( I would miss every second period and i thought it was a blessing, but what woman wouldn't). Until i found out that i had a very slim chance of ever having kids, even with treatment. Pcos does mess up your hormones ( the dr put me on Diane 35 to try to fix the hormonal imbalance.) It is also very difficult to handle because your periods are usually more painful and heavy than a average menusal cycle. Your period can also stop for months at a time. After four months of missing my cycle and went in to the dr. I found out that i was five months pregnate. So even if any of you are worried about pcos, there is hope. I fear i am in the same situation. Its been almost three months (march 25th) since my last menstural cycle. Ive had 10 negative hpt test,( i had negative tests while i was five months preggo with my son) as well as one blood test so far. And i still get a negative result. I just want all of you worried about pcos to know that there is hope, because despite what the doctors say, i have a beautiful, healthy and happy 1 year old boy.

[rowfmowf]

I was wondering, does anyone in your family have PCOS? This is new to me. I've always been regular and had no trouble getting pregnant with my 2 kids. I stopped the pill in November and have had regular periods at 35 day intervals, not 28 like it was before the pill. I was on Depo prior to the pill until I switched insurance and it was no longer covered. Now I'm 3 months late. I have cramps all the time and feel pressure. I feel pressure when I'm laying down on my back, my panties feel tight as well. I never had pregnancy symptoms with my 2 kids. But I also had positive tests from the beginning. So, I don't know what to think. I'm going to the doctor on Monday. I will know more then, but was curious nevertheless.

[chelsea]

I am a 39 year old mother of 3 who had her tubes tide 9 years ago. In April 2006 I did not get my period, and I had pregnancy symptoms. I took several tests and had both a pelvic and internal ultrasound done. The only thing my doctor could tell me was that I had not ovulated, was NOT premenapausal, and that I had a cyst on one ovary. He prescribed provera and sent me on my way. The pills worked and I did get my period. Other than that one time I have been extremely regular the past nine years witha 27 day cycle. My last period this year was 4/29. Again, I took 2 tests and both were negative. I have made an appt with my gyno but cannot be seen for a few weeks. I have been searching the internet for possible reasons of not getting my period. I came across PCOS and have been reading up on it. I have several of the symptoms and am wondering if this is the culprit for my symptoms.

What is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?

Polycystic (pah-lee-SIS-tik) ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a health problem that can affect a woman's menstrual cycle, ability to have children, hormones, heart, blood vessels, and appearance. With PCOS, women typically have:

• high levels of androgens (AN-druh-junz). These are sometimes called male hormones, although females also make them.
• missed or irregular periods
• many small cysts (sists) in their ovaries. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs.

How many women have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?

About one in ten women of childbearing age has PCOS. It can occur in girls as young as 11 years old. PCOS is the most common cause of female infertility (not being able to get pregnant).


What causes polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?

The cause of PCOS is unknown. Most researchers think that more than one factor could play a role in developing PCOS. Genes are thought to be one factor. Women with PCOS tend to have a mother or sister with PCOS. Researchers also think insulin could be linked to PCOS. Insulin is a hormone that controls the change of sugar, starches, and other food into energy for the body to use or store. For many women with PCOS, their bodies have problems using insulin so that too much insulin is in the body. Excess insulin appears to increase production of androgen. This hormone is made in fat cells, the ovaries, and the adrenal gland. Levels of androgen that are higher than normal can lead to acne, excessive hair growth, weight gain, and problems with ovulation.
Does polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) run in families?

Most researchers think that PCOS runs in families. Women with PCOS tend to have a mother or sister with PCOS. Still, there is no proof that PCOS is inherited.
What are the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?

Not all women with PCOS share the same symptoms. These are some of the symptoms of PCOS:

• infrequent menstrual periods, no menstrual periods, and/or irregular bleeding
• infertility (not able to get pregnant) because of not ovulating
• increased hair growth on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes?a condition called hirsutism (HER-suh-tiz-um)
• ovarian cysts
• acne, oily skin, or dandruff
• weight gain or obesity, usually carrying extra weight around the waist
• insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes
• high cholesterol
• high blood pressure
• male-pattern baldness or thinning hair
• patches of thickened and dark brown or black skin on the neck, arms, breasts, or thighs
• skin tags, or tiny excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area
• pelvic pain
• anxiety or depression due to appearance and/or infertility
• sleep apnea?excessive snoring and times when breathing stops while asleep

Please let me know if anyone else has been diagnosed or has these similar symptons after not getting thier period and testing negative for pregnancy.

I AM ONLY 21 YEARS OLD AND I FEEL LIKE I HAVE PCOS BECAUSE I HAVE ALMOST ALL TH SYMPTOMS I HAVENT HAD A MENSTRAL IN OVER TWO YEARS. CAN T GET PREGNANT DOCTORS DONT KNOW Y BUT I HAVENT VISITED A GYNOCOLOGIST YET DO I NEED TO,,,,,,WILL I EVER OR IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE KIDS WITH PCOS

[yorkielass]

I'm having some of the sypmtoms above in the other threads but i have been tested and told i haven't got this problem would you ask to be checked again? Heres a list i suffer from.

Increased hair growth,face ect
Weight gain
Thinning hair
Dark brown skin round the neck
Skin tags
Snoring

Yorkielass

[CarrieGL]

Hi there everyone i was just diahnosed yesterday with PCOS. It came to me and my husband as quite of a shock. We had been planned to try for kids but didn't know when to because i was not gettting a period. I would tell my Gyno and she would put me on Provera and send me on my way but still wasn't telling me the problem. So I switched Gynos and he reccommended that my husband and I go and see a fertility specialist because from all the bloodwork and symptoms he wasn't sure and thought that if my husband and i wanted to plan for a baby in the next 6 months well we'd better find out whats wrong.

Well we found out. PCOS. To make matters worse i haven't had a period in about 2 years and my Reproductive Dr. wants me to go on Metformin for 6 months.

I have heard some stories about this drug. Does anyone know anything about it other then what i can read on the internet.

Thanks. Carrie

[yorkielass]

Hello Carrie,

What problems were you having with Metformin and what have you heard? i do know this medication is for diabetics i am lacking in insulin but not diabetic i was put on Metformin and didn't get along with it so i was put on a similar tablet called Glucophage and both tablets caused back ache for me so i'm taking no medication.The reason i was put on it was so that things don't get worse and i become diabetic but like i said i cant take.

Take care

yorkielass

[lady_whiskers]

i was diagnosed last month. im 21. i just recently broke up with my bf of 2+ years and now im with a wonderful guy. i was curious about the infertility thing and it has hit me hard. i would love to have kids someday but i guess its going to be a tough road.

[lady_whiskers]

i took Metformin for 3 weeks. it really massed my stomach up. i was miserable. my doctor told me to stop taking it. i hope it works for others though. are there other types of drugs like metformin out there or am i just going to have to start taking it and deal with the side effects for the duration i am on it?

[JustaGirl]

When I was about 24 I was randomly contacted by a doctor doing research for UCSD on PCOS. He said he had heard that I might be a candidate for it and would love to test me to see if I did have it.

At the time I was newly engaged and had no idea what he was talking about. I had no idea was PCOS was or why the symptoms were, in fact I assured him that he had the wrong number. When he rattled off my information, I was really confused but after talking with my doctor (who had never considered me a candidate) I decided "why not".

I went to this appointment clueless, and at the end came to find that I was a perfect example of Polycystic Ovaries! The doctor was ecstatic to take a ultrasound picture of my "pearl necklace" (ovaries completely covered with cysts) while I layed there shocked at everything they were telling me. I was a young woman about to be married and start a family and this man just told me that I more than likely would not be able to concieve without fertility medication. I was devastated and it robbed me of feeling very womanly for a long time. Though, it did explain why I always had oily/bad skin and waxing was a daily chore for me! Still very devastating. The doctor assured me that it was good to know this early on, as most people do not discover the condition until they have been trying to conceive for a long time and are unsuccessful.

I was told that there was not really anything to be done for PCOS except to treat the side effects. Birth control pills to fake ovulation and clear the lining of the uterus, glucophage (Metformin) for the insulin resistance, and a trip to dermatology for the acne. I was told to be weary of extreme pain in the pelvic area as a cyst could rupture and cause great pain. Then I was sent on my way. My husband and I didn't use birth control for a year and we never got pregnant, so I simply felt that we had validated what I had been told.

It took me a long time to come to terms with the fact that as much as I LOVE children, I simply would not be one to have my own. Everyone who does fertility medication has a litter of children and I had no interest in becoming octamom! Over the years I found my peace and accepted this piece of information as truth for me. Since my divorce I have always used protection, but more for STD's than pregnancy. It was always kind of a joke to me to take a home test when my period was late, but better know for sure and move on than wait unknowingly too long.

UNTIL recently. I have another posting on the pregnancy piece of this forum because I am now 32 and single AND I just found out I was pregnant. Surprise! 2 forms of birth control and PCOS, and I am pregnant!?? I really was shocked out of my mind because I didn't realize it was even possible.

Anyhow, that was a long posting but maybe it will help in some way to hear another persons PCOS story!