[Jules_loves_beaches]

Hi all. I joined JM in March, but DH and I have been TTC since January. Right now I am on the TTC with my first board. I figured I would jump in on this board because to get some questions answered.

My sister was just diagnosed with PCOS after she finally went into the Dr. to check why she was so irregular, getting AF maybe 3-4 times a year. She has never been on BC and was not TTC, but had very irregular cycles. After I heard that, I got nervous and tried to read up on PCOS, but I am not sure whether I should be concerned at this point.

I have not been diagnosed and I have always been very regular, but I do have heavy periods. I think once a year I will have an irregular cycle, but AF was only delayed a day or two. I read that PCOS runs in families, but I have not been checked for it yet. I dont chart my BBT, but keep track of everything else, so I am fairly certain I O every month. I have only been TTC for 4 months, so I am not sure I should make an extra appointment wtih my OB, I will be going in June. Prior to trying, I went into my regular dr. for a physical and he did a blood work up and last May I spoke to my OB about TTC starting this year. I also went to a hematologist for a full blood work up prior to TTC as I have a blood disorder and there was no mention of PCOS.

Should I make an extra appointment with my OB to get this checked, I am seeing her late May/early June for my yearly? Thanks for all your input!!

[MamaAnna]

I'd start charting just to be sure you're O'ing and just mention it to your OB at your next appointment. Unless you already have a diagnosis or some obvious problems they generally won't even consider testing until you've been TTC without success for a year or more.

Good luck!

[fil]

Just keeping track of your CM won't tell you for sure whether you Oed. You need to see the temp pattern in conjunction with your other fertility signs to know for sure. You're right that PCOS runs in families, but considering your regular cycles, I doubt that you have it. My GYN told me that you generally won't be diagnosed unless you have at least 2 of the following:
- blood hormone levels that indicate PCOS
- cystic ovaries
- hirsutism ("excess" facial or body hair)
- irregular cycles

(Now we're all guessing which symptoms each other has... haha)

That being said, PCOS is a syndrome, so it is not cut and dry. For example, many people think of PCOS sufferers as being overweight, however some are actually underweight! So it's possible that you could have mild PCOS. The important thing is determining whether you are ovulating during your monthly cycles. If you are, then you likely have nothing at all to worry about. It's totally normal for fertile couples to take 6-12 months to conceive! Unless you have a number of the above indicators, you can probably assume you are not affected by it (although it would be a good idea to mention the family history and heavy periods at your next appointment).

[~* Natasha *~]

These ladies have given very good information!

I just wanted to add that though I am clearly a woman with PCOS, my older sister absolutely does not. She has always been very regular and got pg on her third month of being off the bcp. So our reproductive systems are very different! haha

Good luck with everything!

[Jules_loves_beaches]

Thanks for the information ladies! I know that TTC can take 6-12 months, so I haven't been too stressed about not getting pg right away, although I wish that would have happened.

I haven't been temping because I am trying not to overly stress/obsess about TTC, but I am going to start temping with my next cycle. Hopefully, I will not need to though!

[Trannyfromtheuk]

Just popping over....I have PCOS, my two sisters dont.
I beleive my mum does.

[~* Natasha *~]

You know, Emma, I believe if my Mom would have been tested back in the day, she would have had it, too!
She had all the classic signs!

[Trannyfromtheuk]

Originally Posted by ~* Natasha *~

You know, Emma, I believe if my Mom would have been tested back in the day, she would have had it, too!
She had all the classic signs!

Yeah I think the same with my mum too.

[MamaAnna]

My mom, as well. She had a lot of symptoms including difficulty conceiving.

[chen75]

I wouldn't worry too much about it, if you are regular. But if you have been trying for awhile without any luck, then go have it checked.

My older sister tried for a year to get pregnant before she did conceive. She had pcos. But with her second child, she conceived right away with no problems. As for me, I also was diagnosed with pcos because I had problem conceiving. Took me about a year or so to get pregnant. But then with my second, I was told by my OB that I didn't have pcos anymore, and I conceived within 3 mths.