PCOS post baby

I am not sure where to put this... PCOS, Breastfeeding, Implanon or Body Issues Post-Natal so I thought I would start here because I think my issues are mostly PCOS related and the other items have a secondary effect.

I was diagnosed with PCOS in October 2008 after having an Implanon removed in August 2008, AF returned 10 weeks after implanon was removed, and 2 weeks after starting Metformin for the PCOS.

I ovulated once after AF returned and was lucky enough to concieve DD during that cycle. I had 2 cycles between AF returning and getting the BFP. DD was born in August 2009 - the bleeding was normal after her birth though very strong after pains from the syntocin because I was induced.

AF hasn't been seen since DDs birth - I know a lot of that is due to breastfeeding but I am also concerned that my PCOS is not helping the situation.

DP and I are not using any contraception as we aren't fussed if we concieve again but at the same time we both feel that unless I am on Metformin I am not likely to ovulate so we kind of feel safe.

Argh - I am just not sure what to do and need some support from other PCOSers - what was your experience of PCOS post baby? Will AF ever return on her own?

I didnt BF so I can't relate there...my doctor recommended i go back on Metformin i think when DD1 was about 5 or 6 months old because we wanted to concive reasonably close and it worked :lol: DD's are 17months apart.
could you have a chat to your doctor?

I have PCOS with severe insulin resistence. I BF my second baby but not my first.

With my first I conceived 2 months post partum with metformin - followed on with 4 consecutive losses until I conceived my daughter on metformin (and remained throughout the pregnancy)

I am BF'ing my DD and have had 2 PP periods - not on metformin though.

I wanted to add that after my son I stopped taking metformin and conceived - even though I needed it to conceive him IYKWIM? But interestingly enough - all of my MC's were not taking Metformin - my 2 keepers were dedicated Metformin

Metformin has been cleared OK to take while BF'ing AND I would strongly recommend you stay on it to avoid MC at least until the end of the first trimester (however I took it throughout the whole of both pregnancies and never got GD)

I used metformin to conceive DS, and like you fell really quickly once a cycle was established. My cycle returned at 3 months after DS was born (even tho we fed round the clock for many many months!) and it was like clockwork (never had clockwork cycles before). We started trying for DD and fell 2nd try.

My cycle returned 5 months after DD was born, and again was clockwork.. until she was about 18 months old and my cycles started getting erratic again. We've been trying for #3 since June last year with no luck. I don't want to use metformin again, so have been using chinese medicine to regulate my cycles instead (have had beautiful cycles on this). We did fall pg last month, but it didn't work out.

Sorry... probably none of that really helps or means anything.. but that's my experience. Pregnancy & breastfeeding were my friends when it came to normal, regular cycles. But yeah.. it's all been going backwards again this last year and have needed help with my cycles.

I fell pg on metformin with PCOS and remained on it throughout my pregnancy until about 7mths, when I weaned myself off. AF arrived when DD was 12 weeks old, and has been basically regular since (either 27-29 days cycles). I'm still not on metformin now, although am considering it, as it did help with weight loss to start with, but am b/feeding and wasn't sure how that would work out. My m/c happened when I stopped taking metformin (although I don't know if that was just co-incidence)

We have decided to have no more kids (although if one sneaks in, I wouldn't mind)

While i havent had my baby yet. I am curious to know if the condition was better or worse post baby?

Before i fell pregnant my cycles were very irregular would go 3-4 months between AF, the PMS symptoms were awful i would have terrible terrible cramps days leading up (sometimes so bad i couldnt walk), my boobs would be so sore i couldnt touch them and i would be that nauseas i would throw up.

So im a bit nervous to see what ill be like. I will be going on some form of contraceptives as another baby is not on the cards for atleast 2-3 years.

1stTimeMumma - it's possible that your symptoms aren't necessarily PCOS related as I know of many women with PCOS who don't experience anything like you have described. I have also heard of many women without PCOS who do.

I'm not sure that my experience helps all that much as I wasn't able to BF, and due to the seriously bad arthritis medication I need to take my doctors insisted that I go straight on the pill 7 weeks PP, despite both me and DH being essentially infertile.

But... I do have severe insulin resistance, and when Sam was just over 12 months old, I started to have symptoms again... my GP sent me for another GTT and while my results still fall into the "bloody awful" category, they were better than before Sam, even being on metformin already when I had the first GTT done. I have been put back onto metformin again, and will likely be on it until we get to about half way through any subsequent pregnancy we are fortunate enough to achieve when we return to IVF.

Like some others have mentioned - my first miscarriage coincided with a reduction in dosage of metformin, and I'm not even taking a chance at going back there again! I stayed on it with Sam until 17 weeks when I was feeling movement regularly enough and strong enough to be confident that things were ok.

BW