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

[AndiE]

Not sure what to make of the "diagnosis" of PCOS, but after a 20 minute consult with an Ob/Gyn - no ultrasound or blood tests etc, that was the "diagnosis". It's based purely on the fact that since January (first AF after DS2) my cycles are long - 6-7 weeks.

I don't know what to make of the PCOS diagnosis and am a little baffled. What I "thought" were "classic indicators" apparently are not. For instance, I'm in the healthy BMI range and pretty well always have been. And the other "indicators" I've read about (excessive hairiness, insulin resistant, high blood pressure) I don't fit either. It's just that I have long cycles.

Is PCOS becoming a convenient diagnosis these days? I'm just curious for opinions.

The Ob/Gyn sent me off for a Day21 progesterone blood test, also checking a couple of other levels. Even then, would that REALLY suggest PCOS?

Upshot is, it looks like I'll be taking Clomid if/when AF visits. Trying for lucky last bub #3.

I needed Clomid for DS1 - no mention of PCOS back then, and my cycles were whacky then too. DS2 was conceived naturally - an "oopsie".

If it is PCOS, what can I do naturally? Do I lose some weight (I'm a healthy BMI but losing 6-7kg would still be a healthy weight). Any suggestions?

[Party-of-five]

Maybe a second opinion?

I was diagnosed after an internal ultrasound as well as having most of the other indicators

[AndiE]

Thanks Po5, if I wasn't already a mumma I might get a second opinion. I'm fine with taking the clomid that's been suggested - been there, done that. I'm just a bit confuddled by the ease of diagnosis given I don't seem to have any other indicators (to my knowledge, anyway).
ETA: I should add, DH and I are heading towards a third bub as a "three times blessed" scenario, but as we have two toddlers we feel pretty blessed already. That's why I'm not likely to seek a second opinion, if it really is PCOS then we'll try Clomid and see what happens. It can't be all bad ... DS2 is proof I can conceive naturally.

[WannabeMum]

I have PCOS - but I have PCOs, weight gain, difficulty losing weight, some excess hair (but not much), irregular, long cycles. Doesn't sound like you've got the classic symptoms, but certainly a long cycle can affect you getting pregnant.

A day 21 progesterone is meant to measure your progesterone 7 days after ovulation (on a 28 day cycle). If your cycle is longer than this, they'll say "you don't ovulate" but in fact it's probably way to early to determine a CD21 prog (better to have the "day 21" 7 days post ovulation, whenever that is). They did this to my friend, put her on clomid, all of it unnecessary (she got pregnant the first cycle she saw my naturopath).

After 4 clomid cycles ttc #1, I went to a naturopath over the clinc's christmas break to try to get my body right, and got pregnant with her herbs, it's worth exploring your options. I went back to the naturopath after DS was 13 months to have AF induced and we got pg straight away. After a m/c, she put me on herbs to shorten my cycle - I o'd on CD19 (earliest EVER) and we got pg again - so all in all, with the FS, 4 clomid cycles, no pg. With naturopath 4 cycles, 3 pg! Obviously clomid works for some people, but if you're not sure of your diagnosis, it's worth looking around IMHO.

Oh, on naturopaths - some of them are quacks, mine is a nurse who worked in the IVF area before starting her own practice so she was supportive of us moving towards IUI (but we didn't get there, happily!).

All of the above is absolutely my opinion though, I have nothing against clomid, or fertility specialists, I had no side effects, I did ovulate, we just didn't get pg.

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

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?

[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.

[Janie71]

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?

I totally agree with Keike. You need a full hormonal work up. I understand what the Ob/gyn is saying about there being a broader definition of PCOS now, but you still need to fit within certain parameters. In my instance I am of a healthy to slightly under BMI, I have no facial hair, my testosterone is in normal range. That being said I have PCO on transvaginal ultrasound (quite severe about 35 on one and 30 on the other), my LH and FSH are out of whack and I had very irregular cycles at diagnosis (although giving birth to my DD seems to have fixed that side of things as for the first time in my life I have regular cycles between 28 and 35 days).

Sounds a little suss to me.

Janie xxx