Huh, I have PCOS? Are you sure ...?

[AndiE]

PCOS needs to be diagnosed with a transvaginal ultrasound and blood tests to see your hormone levels. I'm concerned that your doc is throwing labels out there based on no indicators - that's great that it's getting you the result you want, but it makes me wonder how good a doc he is, y'know?

Agreed. The Ob/Gyn (a she) told me that the "understanding" of PCOS is much broader now - so the "classic" indicators aren't the be all and end all of PCOS. OK, I get that - that's what science and technology is all about I suppose. But I just feel like I've been given a broad-sweep-of-the-hand diagnosis. Sure, obviously my hormones aren't doing the right thing. But ... does that automatically mean PCOS. I'm not sure and am doubtful.

Wannabemum ... I'm a BIG believer in alternative therapy and have spruiked the benefits of chinese herbs and acupuncture on BB many times. (ETA: I used herbs/acup when pg with boys, not when trying to conceive.) Which may sound totally hypocritcal that I haven't gone down that path now. Simply put, I've decided to consult a medical professional first and try Clomid again, and if that gets me nowhere, I'll go back to the herbs ... in which case I will KICK MYSELF that I just didn't do that in the first place.

[brogeybear]

It pees me off to hear of people being diagnosed with PCOS without so much as a full hormonal blood work up at various points in the cycle, let alone no US. PCOS is a whole syndrome, it is not a matter of one thing such as PCOs meaning PCOS, or late ovulation meaning PCOS. I would be really unimpressed with your doctor. You cannot make a diagnosis on blanket assumptions, it isn't right and it isn't fair to whack a label around when they haven't done any testing!

If it were me, I wouldn't be going back to see that person again. I hope the clomid works for you. But a question, do you ovulate regularly, despite your long cycles? Or are you cycles often anovulatory, do you know? I really wouldn't give the "diagnosis" a second thought, considering there was no real basis to make it!

[AndiE]

Brogeybear, I "think" I don't ovulate every month. I've only had 3 AFs since January (stopped BFing in Feb). I bought a stack of OPKs and only in Jan did I have a really strong positive line come up. Despite testing whenever I've had a significant increase in EWCM the OPKs don't really indicate anything is happening. I'm hoping the EWCM is a good sign something is going on though.

I'm unlikely to go back to the ObGyn. If clomid doesn't do the trick then I'll utilise alternative therapies. As we have two small children we won't be going further to have another child, and for that same reason I'm not going to drive myself totally batty trying to conceive. Great - terrific - if we can. Bit disappointed if we can't, but just means I'll hug my two boys more.