Diagnosis options

[laura741]

Hi there

So I am 33, have been TTC since Nov 2014 and think it's quite likely that I have PCOS. I definitely have hirsutism and some thinner hair on top of my head. As for periods, I used to get very painful and irregular ones when I was younger, but strangely enough since coming off the pill and getting married (last November) my periods have in fact been regular and monthly. As I understand it though, you just need 2 out of the 3 key symptoms to be diagnosed with PCOS and just getting regular periods doesn't mean that I won't have PCOS.

As a general question, does anyone know how likely it is (or not) that you would have hirsutism but not PCOS?? Another question I have is whether you can be having regular periods but not ovulating?? I presume so... but am not sure.

I definitely need to go and get tested and have an appointment with my GP next week. I'm quite angry because I did mention this to a GP last year and she really poo-pooed the idea of me being tested simply because of the regular periods.

However I am really keen to get tested asap because of wanting to conceive. I was wondering if anyone therefore has any other recommendations of, say, a PCOS specialist clinic where you can be tested, outside of the NHS system (which I am guessing may take a while)? I appreciate this will be a more costly route but I live near London and would be prepared to do this if it's possible.

I'm feeling pretty low (even without a diagnosis) because of the fertility questions in my head. I have been spending some time on Tarryn's pcos diet support site which is great and have started this week to cut out dairy and gluten completely from my diet and increase my exercise. I am not hugely overweight but can definitely work on losing some weight and in a weird way, am feeling quite positive about that, if it means I can go some way to control (what I suspect is...) my pcos.

Any replies or advice would be very gratefully received - thanks!

[Hols969]

When I came off the pill to TTC my periods were relatively regular too, anything from 2-11 days late but I rarely ovulated so having periods doesnt really confirm that you are ovulating or that you dont have pcos either so your GP is not correct. You can be hairy and not have pcos. For weight loss really, eat little and often and avoid the white carbs as they are terrible for pcos. I dont do a gluten free diet, I worry its a bit of a fad diet at the mo so if you dont feel any improvement then dont keep doing it (unless you enjoy it!!)

Even if you do have pcos, we are certainly not infertile and actually our egg quality stays better for longer so you can conceive later in life. It took me 3 years to conceive Noah via IUI and he is now 9, it is pretty rare not to conceive just because of pcos as well. I would ask for a scan and blood tests and dont take no for an answer, list your symptoms that you have and say you want to be tested. Blood tests can be a bit hit and miss tho and scans dont always show cysts (as they are a symptom and not the cause, which I think they though it was which is why the name is a little misleading). I would also ask for your hubbie to be tested as well. Just a note, I had reflexology between my two IUI attempts and had this once a week for about 5-6 weeks and conceived and it was the only difference between the two attempts so may be worth seeing if you have a reflexologist near you

Oh and I was 36 when I conceived Noah so IGNORE that ticking clock!!

[laura741]

Thanks so much for your reply, Hols - it's much appreciated and makes me feel a bit better, thank you.

I'll carry on with the diet and exercise for now (that's no bad thing) and get tested.

One other question - how do you know if you are not ovulating, despite having a period?

Brilliant news with you having Noah at 36, that's wonderful. Thanks for the reflexology tip too, I have had it before and will be up for trying anything natural! Did you take any meds / supplements at all? Did you cut out dairy?

[Hols969]

Blood test can confirm if u r ovulating. Look at the fertilityfriends website as this shows what signs to look for. Ovulation kits can be pretty hit and miss for us so don't waste your money.

[Hols969]

Sorry forgot to say I didn't cut anything out, diet was generally pretty good.

[laura741]

Hey, so as an update - I went to see my GP and she seemed to think it was not that likely I would have PCOS (!) but agreed that we could start off by having the blood tests... I had those done last week and they have come back as normal. It seemed as though a good range of things was tested including testosterone, LH, thyroid etc....

I'm cautiously pleased as this was really surprising news to me, but at the same time I know the tests aren't the whole story and can also come back with some false readings? I was 2 days into my period when I tested but it was quite a light one.

I'm now not quite sure where to go from here - part of me wants to go and see a specialist and have an ultrasound too... and/or another blood test? any thoughts?

[Hols969]

Blood tests can come back normal, so I would push for a scan as well (I never had blood tests and was diagnosed by scan alone).