Polycystic Ovaries but NOT the syndrome?

[MissM]

Hey There,

So, I do have polycystic ovaries but not the syndrome.

Can anyone point me in the direction of some reading? I do have several books on PCOS but it doesnt really mention much about polycystic ovaries.

I have Q's like ... Does it still mean we will have problems conceiving like with PCOS? Should i still 'treat' my body as if i do have PCOS?

Do you have PCO? Could you share you experiences/treatments?

I am a bit annoyed with the gyno I seen but thats a whole other story.

[onthefly]

The first FS I saw told me I had polycystic ovaries but not the syndrome. A year later, my second FS diagnosed PCOS. I think sometimes it's in the eyes of the beholder.
PCO implies you have lots of cysts, but without the usual attendant hormonal problems. So maybe it doesn't have the same impact on fertility?
All the best~~

[MissM]

The first FS I saw told me I had polycystic ovaries but not the syndrome. A year later, my second FS diagnosed PCOS. I think sometimes it's in the eyes of the beholder.
PCO implies you have lots of cysts, but without the usual attendant hormonal problems. So maybe it doesn't have the same impact on fertility?
All the best~~

this is what confuses me a bit ...

[Glamourcide]

I'm confused too - same problem here. Huge cysts on ovaries, heavy and painful periods, acne, hair falling out... but hormone levels 'within normal range' so therefore idiot Dr (yes, he is an idiot, I've seen him for other issues and he's just as useless) says 'it's nothing' and that's the end of that.
Sorry I can't help, but you're not alone :/

[black_rose]

I was told I had the same thing after having an ultrasound after dd1 lots if cysts on my right ovary but still concieved dd2 after 9 months if trying. There was no sign of the cysts after my ultrasounds with no 3. My understanding is that eggs may not have released at ovulation forming a cyst.

[butterfly_warrior]

It is possible to have PCO, but not PCOS, definitely. Just as it's also possible to have PCOS the syndrome and still have normal ovaries - the multiple small cysts in the ovaries is just one of many possible symptoms.

I can imagine that it's hard to find information. I haven't read anything to imply that having PCO but not PCOS reduces fertility. The only thing I've ever seen is that if you are undergoing ovarian stimulation you are likely to produce lots of eggs... but I don't recall where I read that so can't necessarily vouch for its accuracy.

Black Rose - I have a friend with PCOS and after her second child her ovaries had become normal - she had cysts before and after her first, but they resolved after her second child, so it can happen. It also seems (from a small sample among my friends) that PCOS can improve after pregnancy. I have three different friends who required varying degrees of assistance in conceiving their first child because of PCOS who all conceived number two by accident.

BW

BW

[sushee]

I've have PCO, and not the syndrome. The main symptom for me was pain during sex, and pain during ovulation. I had it occur twice after I had Zaki, and got the cysts drained both time via laps, and the 2nd time occured when I was cycling for my 3rd IVF cycle, when they went to look for follies, and one of my overaies had so many little cysts on them, they looked like a million stars on the ultrasound.

I also had cysts when I was pregnant to Charlie, discovered when we did the 12 week ultrasound. One was about 2cm big and they thought they might have to operate after I gave birth. But it somehow resolved itself before I gave birth and they didn't have to do anything about it.

The main problem with PCO in my case was that each cyst contained oestrogen, so they did have an effect hormonally on me. My gynae did say that he believed it was a heavy contributor to my weight gain after I had Zaki, because I gained 20kgs in less than a year.

I've been told that if the pain at ovulation/sex re-occurs, that I should see a gynae again asap. My mother lost her ovaries due to cysts at the age of 42, as one burst. I'm not far off that age now, so I tend to be vigilant.

[MissM]

I was told I had the same thing after having an ultrasound after dd1 lots if cysts on my right ovary but still concieved dd2 after 9 months if trying. There was no sign of the cysts after my ultrasounds with no 3. My understanding is that eggs may not have released at ovulation forming a cyst.

This is where I start to wonder. If the egg doesnt mature it is no good, but how do they test the quality? I had an ovulation test done, and he said I was ovulating 'fantastically' ... but how does he know it is actually being released?? kwim? or even if the egg is any good? Might have to have the AMH done?

Sushee - I asked about the pain during sex, and my Dr said it might be the position? But still to this day, it is uncomfortable sometimes. Sorry sweetheart - but he isnt 20 inches long or 7 inches fat so I just let it go, thinking it might be 'one of those things' iykwim?

The other thing that bothers me now - is, I have not been asked to follow up with any ultrasounds to see if the cysts have actually gone or if there are more etc ...

I think i might take another trip to the Dr and demand another ultrasound.

[Roryrory]

I was diagnosed with PCO before having DS1 - I had no symptoms and didn't have trouble conceiving. So maybe its not always that big a deal?

[Ryatha]

I remember when I was younger an ultrasound showed that I had PCO but not the syndrome. US's since then (I'ved had lots) have been normal.

I haven't really had many problems conceiving so it seems not to have impacted too much. HTH

[MissM]

Hmmmm maybe it doesnt impact ttc? Hmmm

[black_rose]

Forgot to add dd1 was conceived on our first try. Was still bf with dd2 when trying for her, fell pg still bf and not trying this time so I don't think it impacts my fertility.

[anney]

My sister and I both have PCO without any symptoms at all. Was diagnosed at ultrasound because we both did IVF but nothing to do with the PCO. It was just an incidental finding. I think I read somewhere that about 1 in 4 women may have it. And it does not actually mean they will develop into bad cysts. My FS says it is no big deal in everyday life but it can make IVF a bit difficult as reaction to drugs is not as predictable as someone without PCO. PCOS is worse as there is definitely a hormone imbalance so IVF is even more predictable.

If the egg doesnt mature it is no good, but how do they test the quality? I had an ovulation test done, and he said I was ovulating 'fantastically' ... but how does he know it is actually being released?? kwim? or even if the egg is any good? Might have to have the AMH done?

re the ovulation test, my understanding is that the hormone they test for would only be present if the egg had been released. but they can't test for egg quality. I think they can only make conclusions about that when doing IVF and seeing how the egg reacts with the sperm and whether the embryo grows.
hope you get some answers

[MissM]

re the ovulation test, my understanding is that the hormone they test for would only be present if the egg had been released. but they can't test for egg quality. I think they can only make conclusions about that when doing IVF and seeing how the egg reacts with the sperm and whether the embryo grows.
hope you get some answers

Awesome - that is good to know

Thanks

[Evansmum]

I was diagnosed with PCOS about 3 years ago. Had an ultrasound and blood tests done, confirming my long-term symptoms.

I've always had bad pimples (not acne), even now. I have never had regular periods, i've never has facial hair growth or anything though and I had too much testosterone and too little oestrogen.

After my diagnosis, I joined a gym and lost as little as 5-8 kilos, watched what I ate (lo GI diet), and started taking metformin and an appetite suppressant.

Although it turns out it took me as little as 3 months to conceive, so soon after I stopped taking all medication (except folic acid of course), for the duration of the pregnancy.

My son was born 8 weeks early (I was told for no known reason - "just one of those things")

I just had a miscarriage a few weeks ago. I brought up the subject of PCOS to the gynae, and he told me to forget about it. He said my ovaries look perfect, and my blood work was fine. There is no sign at all that I have PCOS. He also said he percieves PCOS as a temporary condition, and that I may have had it at one stage, but it is no longer evident!

So the miscarriage was not due to an increased risk from PCOS it seems......I was just an unfortunate unlucky one.

[snikkers1]

I also have PCO but not the syndrome, and am a little confused about the whole thing.
So it's nice to see the information sharing here and to be able to gain an insight in to other peoples experiences, I do experience painful periods and sometimes DTD can be painful as well, but not all the time and I get lots of pimples around O an around my period.

[Mummato2]

OK - what you want to do is google Dr Warren Kidson and read the stuff that he has written. He is my endocrinologist.

I have PCOS - and there are 4 main types of PCOS:

1) ovarian cysts, no insulin resistance and hormones are out of range

2) ovarian cysts, insulin resistance, hormones are out of range

3) no ovarian cysts, no insulin resistance, hormones are out of range

4) no ovarian cysts, insulin resistance, hormones are out of range.

Unfortunately I have the worst kind which is hormones out of range, insulin resistance and that tell tale pearl necklace cyst pattern around my ovaries....

I needed metformin to be able to conceive and sustain a pregnancy - I stayed on it to lower my miscarriage risk and GD risk.....

With PCO - it's a common finding and doesn't pose a problem to conceive.

BUT when you add another factor such as hormones or insulin resistance, then you are fighting a different battle and that's when it becomes the syndrome.

I hope that makes sense - like I said, research Dr Warren Kidson - he is awesome and you'll get a more in depth explanation xxx

[MissM]

Thanks mummato2. awesome info there.

I have the cysts, no insulin resistance and my BT came back fine

But 'I' myself know my hormones were way out of whack.

Since seeing the naturopath and having natural vitamins etc I have not had period cramping, AF is lighter, I am NOT moody (I was quite bad to the point where if you looked at me the wrong way i'd either break down crying, or tear u a new one LOL) I didnt even like myself at that time which made it so much more worse. No back pain and overall I feel alot better within myself.

TTC is really starting to make DP and I stressed and quite down, We are considering seeing a Private Gyno for further testing prior to seeing a FS