PCOS "to ask" list.

[io2012.livejournal.com]

Hello everyone!

I'm in need of some advice. Posted on here before under another username, but then decided to make a separate account for all my "community" posts.

Recap: I've never had regular menses. They came on early (age 10/11?) but within a few years began to be eratic....once every two months, twice a month, etc. At age 16 they started thinning out even more - I would often not get a period for several months. At age 18 I started running, and they disappeared completely until age 21. At that point I went on Yasmin HBC because my doctor was worried about bone density. Fast forward 2 years, I'm married, and we decided we definitely don't want any kids for a long time. Between that and decreased sex drive on HBC, we decided to go for a Paragard IUD. I assumed that I would go back to having no periods, which I didn't mind as long as my bone density was ok.

It's been 6 months since the insertion. I had the normal post-insertion bleeding, but then it has continued almost continuously since then. A few times I had a "break" for about 5-7 days but mostly it's been steady, light-medium bleeding. My primary care doctor tried a progesterone course, which did give me a stronger withdrawl bleed, but after a couple of weeks I started bleeding sporadically again. I also did not tolerate the progesterone well, so I can't take it again.

I've been checked for pregnancy, UTI, BV, anemia etc - all negative, and I had an ultrasound showing my endometrium is of normal thickness, the IUD is in ideal placement, and there are no structural problems with my uterus....however, it did show my left ovary being 4.1cmx4.7cmx2.9cm and filled with a number of small follicles.

So it would seem the likely diagnosis is polycystic ovary syndrome . Tomorrow I'm going to see the OBGYN - what should I ask? I love how I feel with the IUD except for the prolonged bleeding. Do you think there's anything I could ask for that would help regulate me so that I could keep the Paragard without long term HBC? Fertility is not a concern.

Thanks!

Comments

[geminigirl]

Many PCOSers find that Metformin or similar insulin regulating medications help regulate the cycle. Some doctors are reluctant to prescribe it without insulin resistance, but it's actually good for both those with and without IR-it helps interrupt the cycle of estrogen and testosterone that can cause numerous health issues, including the menstrual irregularities, but also some of the other concerns like cardiovascular issues.

If you do decide to have children at a later date, Metformin is often used to help people with PCOS get pregnant, to reduce the risk of first trimester miscarriage (which is increased in PCOSers) and to reduce the risk of gestational diabetes. It's also useful for helping some PCOSers breastfeed, since PCOS puts us at higher risk for milk supply issues.

Best of luck.

[kimie-catclaw.livejournal.com]

OMG I /love/ your icon!

[geminigirl]

Thank you. One of my friends made it when I was trying to get pregnant with the baby that turned out to be my older daughter. I was frustrated and convinced it was never going to happen, and she cheered me up with the icon, which has been useful on many occasions, for commenting on posts like this, and for posting when we were trying to conceive our second baby (who turns one in just a few days!)

[kimie-catclaw.livejournal.com]

My husband and I are coming up on just shy of a year TTC, so I totally relate. It's much more complicated than I expected!

[geminigirl]

I understand completely. I conceived a baby in January of 2006, lost that baby in April of 2006, was diagnosed with PCOS in September of 2006, and a bad thyroid in February 2007, found out my husband has fertility issues as well early in 2007 and finally conceived my daughter Naomi in July of 2007. She was born in April of 2008. Once we hit the right combination of medications though, things happened very quickly-it took only two cycles to get pregnant with Naomi after that. And when we decided to try for a second baby, despite the fact that I expected it to take a little longer, it took two cycles again, and my daughter Miriam was born in December of 2009. She turns 1 on Monday.

I'm happy to listen if you need an ear about the ttc thing...I know how I must have talked the ears of friends who just didn't get it off, and how much of a relief it was to find people who did understand.

[io2012.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the advice! I guess I should add that I'm HWP and eat a pretty healthy diet, so that's never been something I can "work on" to regulate my cycle. Actually, at once point my doctor seemed to think I might not be eating enough and that was why I lost my cycle, however I now only exercise what I would consider a "moderate" amount (3-5 days/week 30min/day at 75% intensity), have gained a bit of weight, and still have the irregular cycle.

So maybe Metforamin is a good idea - I'll ask!

[archangelbeth]

Also check your thyroid, as thyroid issues can play silly games with your periods as well.

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