does anyone have pcos?? I think I might have it?

Question

I have an appointment for the gynecologist to check for pcos, but not untill august... I was just wondering if you know the first steps that the doc does to diagnose it,. Or if there is anything I can do in the mean time to help the doc out then..
I am pretty sure I have it. I have almost all the symptoms except for being overweight..
Me and my hubby have been *trying* for years and nothing has happened. and i am only 23 and he's 25.
...neways thanks for your thoughts!!
baby dust to u!!

Answer 1

There's nothing you can really do to help at this point other than eat a low-carb diet and exercise.

You should keep track of your mentrual cycle (they may be nil!) to show the doc.

The doc will most likely look for common symptoms, do blood work, and possibly an ultrasound. IMO, a gyn isn't the best person to deal with PCOS - an endocrinologist is (and when TTC a reproductive one). Not all gyn's are "up" about PCOS even though they act like they are.

For treatment you can take a diabetic med like Avandia (what I take), Metformin, or Glucophage - especially if you have insulin resistance. When TTC you can take Clomid if you're not ovulating.

When you are done having kids, you can then take other meds to help the PCOS symptoms - the b/c pill, Spironolactone, and heart meds. As you age, the symptoms get worse and the risk for heart disease and full-blown diabetes get worse. The only symptom I had in my 20's was annovulation. In my 30's I started with the hirsutism, male pattern baldness, skin tags, IR, and increased blood pressure. I also gained weight and couldn't get it off.

In addition to Clomid, if you've been TTC that long, your doc will most likely request a full infertility work up for both you and your DH. It does no good to chemically induce ovulation if there are other factors - female (blocked tubes, etc) or male (low sperm count, poor sperm, etc).

Best wishes!

Here's a great site for info:

http://www.soulcysters.com/

Answer 2

My daughter, 22 years old, has recently been diagnosed with PCOS. She is not now nor has she previously tried to have a baby so that is not how she ended up being diagnosed, but it is a common way. In a rather odd series of events, my daughter went in for an in-grown toe nail. One doctor examined her, a second doctor did the procedure. The second doctor noticed some moles on her neck that he recommend be removed (close family history of Melanoma - my son, her brother, was diagnosed at 16 with it). Yet a 3rd doctor did the mole removal and while she was checking for additional moles, she asked my daughter if she had ever been tested for PCOS. She'd never heard of it, so the doctor suggested a series of tests. They were all done with a simple blood test. High testesterone levels, along with high insulin and high blood glucose levels are all signs of PCOS and my daughter had all 3. The doctor also ordered an ultrasound on her ovaries which revealed the cysts. There are numerous symptoms and my daughter has most of them, including overweight with difficulty losing weight no matter what she does. Odd patterns of hair growth was the symptom that the doctor noticed on my daughter to cause her to question whether she had PCOS. The one consistant symptom (as we understand it) of PCOS is irregular periods, which my daughter has always been irregular. My daughter's treatment has consisted so far of taking birth control pills to regulate her period and she takes a diabetic medication called Metformin. The Metformin has made her very sick and she had to start out with 1/2 a pill and has worked her way up to 1 1/2 pills so far. She has Insulin Resistance so she is working on eating the way a diabetic needs to. It has been hard for her to deal with and I know when she does get married that possibly not being able to have children is a real concern for her. You may want to consider watching your carbohydrate intake, not eliminating carbs, but eating them in moderation consistently throughout the day. Adding more vegetables and lean protein sources with whole grain breads is a good dietary goal. Things to eat in moderation include not only bread, but pasta, rice, fruit, milk, yogurt, starchy vegetables (potato, corn, green peas), sweets, starchy snacks, and legumes. If your insulin and blood glucose levels are high, this type of eating will help.

Answer 3

You can have all the symptoms or just one. I had dark skin blotches, high testosterone levels, and very irregular menstrual periods. I was diagnosed by an endocrinologist - if you can go see any doctor you want, I'd try to see and endo first. They are specialized in hormonal disorders (typically what causes PCOS in the first place). They can also refer you to a reproductive endocrinologist if one is necessary. The endo that I saw, had a reproductive endocrinologist on staff. My gyn wasn't informed about PCOS as much as I would have liked her to be. She didn't even catch it with my testosterone being sky high.

The endo put me on medication that regulated my cycles/hormones and I am happily 19 wks preggo. It took a year and a half, but well worth the wait.

Good luck to you and your hubby on your quest to conceive.

Answer 4

there is no real test for it. I have it and my doctor diagnosed me based on my symptoms...weight gain, excessive facial and body hair, no periods...they did a blood test to rule out thyroid problems...they may do an ultrasound to check for cysts on your ovaries. Its possible to have it, very common...don't let it get you down though. I am trying to conceive and not worried and the doctor isn't worried. Losing a little weight helps with the insulin resistance but there are medications that induce ovulation...if you weren't trying to conceive one of the best ways to treat it is the pill. See your doctor...if you do have it I recommend a reproductive gynecologist...they specialize in PCOS

Answer 5

I have PCOS, and conceived with the use of Metformin. (I'm eight weeks!)

Many symptoms of PCOS are as follows:

- Insuline Resistance (blood test confirmed by doctor)
- Weight Gain, even with constant exercise.
- Infrequent or absent menstrual cycle
- Hair growth in places men grow hair

And quite a few others.

Answer 6

I have pcos, and if you don't have periods and you grow hair where it shouldn't, trust me, you have pcos.
He will probably put you on Clomid to trigger your periods.
Good luck!