PCOS Questions...

I think this is more of a comfort post than anything.

My doctor thinks I have PCOS. I went off the pill in late January and have only had one "real" period since then, which was 46 days ago. I thought the first one was just taking its time because my body was still sorting itself out, and now that I'm on CD46 I know that something is up.

I went to the doctors last week and she thinks it's either just my body adjusting or it's PCOS. She sent me off for a bunch of blood tests, which I will get the results for next week. She also recommended I have an ultrasound, but said that it may not be nessesary just yet, in case my body decides to kick into gear, and that I should wait a few more months/cycles before that. She gave me the referral, and I have decided to wait.

My question is, will the blood tests indicate anything is up? Or will it just be the ultrasound that shows anything? She ordered all the usual pre-pregnancy tests, as well as some hormonal ones.

As far as signs/symptoms go, I haven't been getting my period and I am a little round around the middle, but not overly (I call that my I'm-in-love tubbiness :lol:). But no acne or any other indication that it may be PCOS.

I have a history of mild endometriosis and had a lap in 2009 where they removed some endo and did all the usual checks (tubes were clear). I've had no signs of that returning since.

Just feeling a bit frustrated by it all. I think I was a bit naive to think it would all happen so easily.

Hi Aimz. I have PCOS. I was diagnosed almost 20 years ago :o

To answer your question, depending on what you are having tested, blood tests will be able to determine PCOS. In fact, much better than an US because you can have polycystic ovaries but not PCOS iykwim.

BTs will test hormone levels (androgens, etc) and insulin levels and will give you an answer.
That said, an US would be good to have too because that will reveal how many cysts you have (if you have them). This is important to know if you don't have the syndrome but do have the cysts.

The pill will control all pcos symptoms so you might find the longer you are off it the more evident the symptoms become. Although, some women are asymptomatic, or only have some symptoms, not all. (eg. I have belly fat but not acne or hirsutism).
Hope this helps.
Good luck!

Not sure what bloods she has sent you for but I am assuming one to confirm if you ovulate or not - usually this is done on CD 21.... I'd get the u/s done now - don't wait particularly if you are ttc. The wait can be long for all the results to be put together and you might need to be referred on and you want all those tests done prior. Best of luck, I hope it is just your body adjusting to coming off the pill. I don;t have PCOS buty have PCO - I carry extra weight, have no acne but do have the facial hair... you can have no symptoms and still have PCOS.

Aimz, I'm sure you may have read my recent diagnosis - hopefully part of your BT will be tested for thyroid levels.
When the dr started asking me of I had any heart palpitations, hair loss, very light or scant periods, weight loss, shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue around middle of the day. I said I had all of these, but I thought they may have been 'normal' after the pregnancy. Turns out I've have a hyper thyroid.
Hypo thyroid sounds similar but weight gain, and both these conditions can effect ovulation, length and heaviness of periods.
Just ask your GP, if she hasn't done it already to check your thyroid levels.

Good luck, hopefully it's just coming off the pill!

When I was diagnosed with PCOS (about 10 years ago), I had blood tests, an ultrasound and also saw a specialist and discussed the various symptoms. While the ultrasound didn't show much (though an internal may have) the blood tests and symptoms were enough for a diagnosis.

It took DF and I about 10 months of TTC before we got our BFP. I do believe there were other factors involved in it taking as long as it did, things were very stressful as I was working interstate, my Mum was very sick and I missed DF more than words can describe, but PCOS certainly didn't help. We saw a FS just to get everything checked and make sure PCOS was the only issue. DF's sperm analysis came back really good, everything else with both of us looked ok (though we were both encouraged to lose some weight) and the only realy issue was the fact that I wasn't ovulating. Due to my BMI they wouldn't put me on clomid so we stopped activly TTC and decided to focus on getting my weight down so we could go down that avenue this year, then within a month of us getting engaged and me shifting my focus from 'baby' to 'wedding' we were expecting. It was so annoying having everyone telling me to 'just relax' but I do think it helped big time. Not just relaxing about falling pregnant, but most of the stress in general had been removed

PCOS can have a variety of symptoms and you don't have to have abnormal hormone levels to have PCOS. There are 3 main indicators.. and I think you need to have 2 out of the 3 at least to have PCOS...

1. PCO - poly cystic ovaries
2. Abnormal hormone levels (raised testosterone or other male androgen hormones, or wacky (low or high) female hormones - progesterone/oestrogen etc)
3. Irregular or absent periods (anovulation or irregular ovulation)

Also, weight and insulin resistance/diabetes has been show to affect how severe PCOS but all shapes and sizes of women get PCOS.

I hope this helps. Good luck with your results!

xoxox

Thank you all for taking the time to reply :)

The blood tests that were done definitely included the glucose test as I had to fast, and she tested testosterone levels etc. So I'm sure if anything is happening it will be evident in the results.

I think my main goal at this point is to start eating better (I'm usually pretty good, but end to indulge a little too often), and get back into a healthy weight range (I'm only just outside of it). So I have been exercising and eating well since my appointment and will continue to do this.

I will see my doctor on Friday for the results.

Thank you all once again!