Does anyone know much about PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)?

Question

Just been diagnosed and want to find out as much as possible. We plan for kids in the near future, what is the best way to get around this?

Answer 1

PCOS is not curable, but is treatable and most women are able to get pregnant when the PCOS is treated correctly. Here's some basic PCOS info for you.

I recommend seeing a reproductive endocrinologist. They are generally more knowledgeable about PCOS and the correct treatment. Unfortunately, many doctors are not aware of the proper treatment.

The underlying cause of PCOS is insulin resistance (IR). The best treatment for PCOS is going on an insulin sensitizing drug such as metformin (1500-2550mg per day) combined with a low carb diet and exercise. There are a few important things to know:

1. Many women "pass" the test for IR, but still respond positively from the metformin. No one knows exactlly why..my thought is that the test is not a sure fire way of detecting the IR.

2. You must be on a high enough dose of metformin. I've heard women complain that their bodies dont start working even though they've been on metformin for awhile. Some doctors are hesitant to up the dose past 1500mg...but for some of us it takes more. I don't respond until my dose is around 2000mg a day.

3. It can take a few months on the correct dose, before your body is regulated.

4. It is important to treat your PCOS even if you are not trying to get pregnant. There are higher risks for many things (high blood pressure, blood clots, diabetes, and many other things) when you have PCOS, but if it is treated properly, then those risks are lowered.


When the PCOS is treated properly, all of your symptoms may not disappear, but they should improve some. It will also be a lot easier to lose weight (and keep it off). Our bodies work against us when we try to lose weight on our own, making it nearly impossible to lose weight.

There are TONS of books about PCOS and dieting. There are two that I recommend. Here's the links at amazon for those:
http://www.amazon.com/o/asin/0809224275/...
http://www.amazon.com/o/asin/0007131844/...

I also recommend a couple web sites:
http://pcos.itgo.com/
http://www.inciid.org/faq.php?cat=infert...

http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-bhp... This one is a great message board where you can ask all your PCOS questions or just chat with the women who are also dealing with PCOS

Answer 2

I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and have been dealing with it for 10 years. A girl I know when she took Glucophage to help with the insulin resistance that can sometimes be a part of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome she found that she got pregnant very easily.

Here's a good site where you can learn more about PCOS: http://www.pcosupport.org

Answer 3

Hey I just answered something like this earlier, but for you, I'll answer it again. Basics: PCOS at the root of it's name it's a bunch of cysts on your ovaries. Not always the case for all women with it, but cysts happen. It can cause infertility, weird hair growth, high androgen levels, low estrogen levels, abnormal or absent menstrual cycles, moodswings, can be a factor in becoming a diabetic, and can be a factor in weight problems, overall a really scary mess. What you should know that isn't scary: Yes, women with PCOS can have children. I'm sure that's not a 100% rate, but they CAN. There are the lucky ones who just end up pregnant and then there are the ones who have to try treatments to conceive. Of course, there are women without PCOS that can't have children either. But I do personally know a couple of women that got pregnant without "trying" You can control your symptoms. The three easiest ways are diet, exercise, and birth control. Basically, if you're overweight, lose some. Even if it is 2 pounds, every pound you take off will make your symptoms lessen. You have to watch your diet now because becoming diabetic would not be cool for anyone. I'm not talking about going on the Adkins or South Beach Diets, just maintain a healthy diet. Don't overload on carbs, but don't eliminate them either. Birth control is great because I don't know about you, but I would go 10 months without a period, and then when I'd get one I'd be out of my mind with moodswings, head to toe pain, cramps from the depths of hell, and I would be absolutely MISERABLE. Now I'm on the lowest dose birth control which is NuvaRing and I have no complaints. I have a regular cycle, I don't have the moodswings like I did before, and although I still get cramps that suck, they are much better than they were. Regulating your period is very important. I read that not having a regular cycle creates a hostile environment for conception. The birth control also stops new cysts from forming if you have any. I've had 2 that caused problems, but I wasn't taking any birth control then, I've been on this one for almost 11 months now and I haven't had any cyst problems (knock on wood). You're probably going to be fine as long as you start making adjustments now. Personally, I would try to even out all my symptoms and make sure my body is in check before I would start trying to have a baby right now, I don't know where you are in life, I'm only 23 and not trying to have a kid. You just got this diagnosis and the best thing would be to research all you can and make decisions that best suit you. Every symptom doesn't match every person. Before you do anything though, make sure you read everything you can, read message boards, but take things with a grain of salt. Just because Jane can't seem to get pregnant doesn't mean you won't. There is a ton more I could go on about, but I don't know how much of my lovely personal life you'd want to read about. But just to make you feel a little better, here's the phone call I got from my doctor's office when I found out... "Hello" "Hello, this is so-and-so from Dr What's-Her-Name's office, I have your test results back and they are consistent with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Just stay on that medicine that the doctor gave you and if you ever want to get pregnant give us a call. Bye." Note: The medicine they gave me was a high dose birth control pill that made me have moodswings similar to the ones I described earlier and I was 20. Please tell me your doctor was at least nice about it. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail or message me. kickasspunkmonkeys is my yahoo id if it doesn't show up.

Answer 4

I highly recommend that you start seeing a fertility Specialist now, They can start you off on some treatment plans that can help you down the road. It could take several years to work so waiting may end up delaying your results even further. I also take a pcos blend of vitamins made by vitanica that my doctor told me about.....They are amazing!!! I reccommend them to anyone who has been diagnosed with this problem. I myself am not activly trying to get pregnant, however 3 other patients of hers have successfully concieved in a time range of 2-6 months after starting to take it! (It reccommends taking with ground flaxseed and Soy something, according to my Dr. the soy is not nessacary, but the flaxseed is) HERE check out this site

http://www.applelakesnutrition.com/pcbl180ca.html

Answer 5

i'm 29 and have been living with pcos for 13 years. i was told i'd never have a child, i'd always be overweight, and i'd have an irregular period for the rest of my life. well, i now have a beautiful 15 month old daughter, i'm still dealing with my weight, but i now have a semi-regular period. i take metformin everyday and watch what i eat.
i think the best advise i have about kids is never give up. get your insulin in check and keep yourself as healthy as possible. good luck.