Think I've got PCOS...first GP appt - what to expect?

[day_dreamer]

Hi eveyone,

I think I may have PCOS...I've had irregular periods for years but just recently they seem to be coming to a grounding halt! I've only had 1 this year, and have got increasingly spotty. I am a bit overweight and find it really difficult to lose weight, and seem to spend time every day plucking unwanted excess hair (TMI sorry!

So I'’ve finally plucked up the courage to book a GP appointment (I avoid the doctors like the plague!) my appt is on Saturday and I was wondering what to expect.

My girlfriend and I are wanting to TTC now (using an anon donor) and I don'’t know what the doctor might say.

Because we're not actively trying, are they likely to not do anything to help me or refer me any further? I am eating a healthy, low GI diet and trying my best to lose weight but am struggling,…and I'’m worried I'’ll get fobbed off because we haven't been TTC for a year. But I can't afford 12 months of donor inseminations

Can anyone shed some light on what happened on their first appointment please? Did it involve blood tests? Losing weight? Referral to a specialist? Referral for a scan?

Thanks,
x

 

[cheerios]

Hi, I didn't want to read and run. By GP do you mean your normal General Practitioner? Normally he would refer you to a gynae or reproductive Endocrinologist. I think first visit varies, but you would probably have to go for a blood test to see if you have elevated LH levels - a sure sign of PCOS as well as elevated testosterone or/and androgen levels....If all of these are present, chances are that you have PCOS.

And with PCOS, there are usually 2 types of treatment. Either Metformin (with horrible, disgusting side effects esp. when you first start) or / and Clomid (to enhance ovulation). I think since you're going for artificial insemination, you might be started on Clomid followed by IUI or IVF.

That's my 2 cents worth, hope it helps!

 

[day_dreamer]

Yeah just my normal general practitioner.

Thanks for your reply - i wonder if things are the same here in the UK...?

Its complicated with us using a donor because we can't try til AF arrives but no sign of it at all...so the trying for 1 year thing doesn't really work for us, but i'm really scared that's what they'll say!

 

[momof4girls]

I was diagnosed with PCOS way back in 1996 , I was going without AF/ovulation for up to 6 months at a time and was also struggling with weight and having the annoying hair growth everywhere . my pcos was diagnosed by ultrasound.
and I was first given progesterone for 14 days then they told me to stop taking them to make AF come.
then I was started on 50mg of clomid cd 3-7.
it did make me ovulate but I dident get pregnant on it. I ended up losing 20 pounds on slim fast and boom surprise BFP!.I had a healthy baby girl 8 months later. and then 2 more back to back after her.
lo and behold now that im 40 I ovulate almost every cycle on my own and and weight gain no longer afects my cycles like it did in my 20's.

 

[day_dreamer]

Saw the doctor this morning. She said i most likely had PCOS but she has to do day 2 LH and FSH bloods and also day 21 progesterone bloods. So whenever my period shows up i have to go for them. She's also referring me for an ultrasound of my ovaries.

Apparently she HAS to do these bloods before referring me to the hospital, it's the rules.

From then, she doesn't know how much more they can help me because she doesn't know how compatible assisted ovulation is with home donor insemination especially if we want to get sperm from a clinic...suggested it might be easier to use a friend...anyway said that they could drill my ovaries to kick start them or maybe try clomid.

And she said I have to try and lose more weight. I only have about 1.5st to lose to be a healthy weight but its bloody hard lol

 

[momof4girls]

Many many women who are overweight with PCOS have gotten pregnant on clomid and dident have to lose weight. weight loss can help but its not going to keep you from getting pregnant if your not able to lose it.
there is another drug called metformin that doctors are prescribing and it seems to help . here is a link with info on it. https://www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/glucophage-metformin-pcos.html

 

[day_dreamer]

Thanks Lisa, h'll have a look at that link. I have heard of it but don't really know much about it

 

[cheerios]

I'm on Metformin now and oh boy, the side effects are not fantastic really. I would say try to see if you take Clomid first. So far, I've been on the Metformin for more than a month and it did bring on my AF after 1 mth of usage. I dunno if that's just coincidence, but I'm hoping that my Af comes again next month - to show that the Metformin is effective.

Allstars - I think its common treatment that your hormone levels have to be checked first. Clomid is less invasive than ovarian drilling....so I would think try Clomid first.... I know what its like to have a non-existent AF....really sucks.

 

[TroysWifey]

Hey there! Just wanted to throw in my 2 cents! I was diagnosed with PCOS in 1996. I have been on Metformin 1500mg/day since 2007 (I experienced zero side effects!) and I just finished my 1st round of Clomid 50mg, cycle days 3-7. Hoping that the combination of the 2 will do the trick! G/L!

 

[Mrs&Mr]

Hiya!! i didnt wanna read and run. Ive not long been diagnosed with PCOS. Basically im overweight and i hate going to the doctors as all they'l say is lose weight. Ive always had irregular periods and leading up to my wedding i didnt have one for months. So i finally went to the doctors about it and she sent me for blood tests. had them done then before the results from them she sent me for an ultrasound scan look at my ovaries. 2weeks later went back to the doctors and she confirmed it and said there was nothing wrong with my bloods its jst PCOS. she asked how long i had been tryin to concieve and i said we hadnt started as i wanted to know what was wrong with me. my husband is currently being sent to do a sperm count just to make sure we're ok in that department. she was perfectly fine and said i hav to try for a year, if there is no joy come back and ill be referred to a gynocologist. meanwhile lose weight and dont get stressed. so i dont know anything til then. i just wanted to tell u my story to see if it helps. xxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[day_dreamer]

she was perfectly fine and said i hav to try for a year, if there is no joy come back and ill be referred to a gynocologist. meanwhile lose weight and dont get stressed.

This is what I'm worried about. We simply can't afford to try for a year - 12 donor inseminations would cost something like £3600 and i don't want to pay out a penny until i know i'm ovulating. she seemed sympathetic to the added complications though so hopefully we won't have to wait that long.

I'm still waiting for AF to appear so i can get my bloods done lol

 

[Mrs&Mr]

Bloody hell thats alot of money!!
y do they have to take ur bloods wen ur on? xx

 

[day_dreamer]

Tell me about it!!

Because your hormone levels vary throughout your cycle. They're all meant to be low at the start, then rise at different points throughout it. If bloods are done at random then they can't tell whether they're high cos you're in the middle and they're meant to be, or high at the start when they shouldn't be