Pcos

MortgageVirgin

Are there any fellow 'sufferers' on here? I suspect I have PCOS and I'm very nervous and worried about the implications.

Can anyone share their stories? What your symptoms are, what you said to the doctor, what tests and treatment you're having?

Thank you.

DigForVictory

Two things - this is a public forum so folk may be a tad bashful. Or witty, or petty. We vary.

The other is an online diagnosis is worth less than loo paper - if you are worried, get to your GP. They both have the tests and the established methods to go forwards.

Finally it's something you may die with but not of, so unless you were wanting to start a family in the next 12 months, it isn't that big a deal. However, you're anxious enough to post - get to your GP & get informed peace of mind & practical help if needed.

Best of luck!

Hemera

I have PCOS and I don't quite understand what you're so worried about? It's an and I'd rather not have it, so I understand you might be a little upset right now; but as the poster above said, it doesn't affect your everyday life massively. There is not that you have (or can) do in terms of treatment either.
Anyway definitely speak to your GP, he/she will know what to recommend.

Anyway, to answer your questions: I was diagnosed a few years ago but I always knew something was wrong since my periods were never regular, and at times they would disappear for months altogether. For personal reasons, however, I was unable to see a specialist, and my GP wasn't extremely helpful.
When, after a prolonged period without periods, I was finally able to see a specialist, she immediately made a diagnosis based on a scan. So I didn't have to tell her anything really, she immediately preceded with the scan as soon as I told her about my lack of periods.

I don't have any other specific symptoms, unless hairy legs come under that, but I suspect my Italian genes might be part of the problem. I didn't do any other test, and I don't take any treatment. I'm on the pill, but it's more for my peace of mind in relation to skipping periods than anything.

jackyann

I wonder why you are nervous about talking to your GP?
Would you be more comfortable trying one of these first:
Practice nurse
Well woman clinic (may also be called family planning or sexual health clinic)
Either of these will be experienced both in the presenting signs & symptoms, and in supporting you to access the appropriate help.

Black_Ribboner

Hi MortgageVirgin

I was diagnosed with PCOS in February last year - after coming off the Pill in November 2014, my periods were all over the place. I had several other symptoms (excess body and facial hair, bad skin, excess weight sitting mainly on my abdomen and difficult to lose), so went to my GP. She referred me for blood tests and an ovary scan, which led to the confirmed diagnosis.

As others have said, most of the symptoms of PCOS are irritating more than anything else, but the big fear factor for me was infertility, as it means I don't ovulate very often and pregnancy is more difficult to achieve. But more difficult is a long way from impossible and there is help available. I took a myoinositol supplement to help control my insulin/blood sugar levels and there are also prescription drugs such as Clomid that can help induce ovulation, if that's an issue for you.

The above helped me and I gave birth to our first child three weeks ago :-) There are varying degrees of PCOS and I would make your GP the first point of call - they can help confirm whether you are affected, to what extent, and how best to manage any symptoms. Wishing you all the best x

cyantist

What type of PCOS do you suspect you have?

psychopathbabble

MortgageVirgin wrote: »

Are there any fellow 'sufferers' on here? I suspect I have PCOS and I'm very nervous and worried about the implications.

Can anyone share their stories? What your symptoms are, what you said to the doctor, what tests and treatment you're having?

Thank you.

Hi, I was diagnosed I think 3 years ago now. My referral to the hospital got 'lost' so had to wait over a year for an appointment... he then just told me to go back when we wanted to start trying to conceive.

In January we decided, so I made a GP appointment to get a referral back to the hospital but by the time my appointment came round we were already pregnant.

Please don't worry, it doesn't mean you can't have children and there are lots of meds and procedures that can be done to help ovulate etc. I was just sent for a scan and she said there and then I was a 'textbook case of pcos' (cheers love!)... no symptoms really except I didn't have a cycle for over a year.

tea_lover

I have PCOS and endo. My periods have always been massively irregular, despite various treatment over the years to try and sort them out (clomid, metformin, etc). Metformin is pure evil btw - I know other people have success on it but I've never felt so ill!

Bizarrely, for the last 8 months or so they've settled into a 32 day pattern. This is unheard of for me. I've had everything from 35 to 100+ day cycles and never two cycles the same. Have no idea why, at the age of 37, they've suddenly sorted themselves out!

Nicki

I've got PCOS too. I had a tough time conceiving first time round and needed some help with that, but then went on to have two more with no medical help required. Use waxing and threading for excess hair and when not trying to conceive the lack of periods is quite nice!