Polycystic Ovarian Synrome (PCOS)

What is PCOS and how is it treated?

Polycystic Ovarian Synrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome, otherwise known as PCOS, is a problem that affects approximately 5-10 percent of women. On each side of a woman's uterus, there are two small organs called ovaries. Both ovaries have tiny sacs with fluid that holds the eggs. These sacs are also called cysts. Every month, several eggs begin to mature and only becomes dominant. The egg grows and sac collects fluid inside of it. When the egg is matured, the sac bursts open and releases the egg. This is when ovulation occurs. However, in women with PCOS, the ovary does not make all of the hormones that the eggs need to completely mature. The eggs might begin to grow, but none of the eggs become big enough and remain as cysts. Because no egg grew large enough to be released, ovulation does not occur.

The condition affects monthly menstrual cycles, fertility, hormones, insulin production, blood vessels, appearance and the heart. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is the most common reproductive hormonal problem in women of childbearing age. Many women that experience PCOS have high levels of male hormones, which leads to increased amounts of facial hair and hair on the chest, stomach, back, thumbs and toes. Women can also experience an irregular or missed menstrual cycle and may have small cysts on their ovaries. Women that experience PCOS are likely to be infertile and are unable to get pregnant because they do not ovulate. Other symptoms of the condition are weight gain or obesity, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, skin tags, thinning hair and sleep apnea/snoring.

The causes of polycystic ovarian syndrome are unknown. Even though there is no definite link to describe the condition as genetic, sometimes women that have the condition find out that other people in their family also suffer from the condition. Many women that have PCOS are overweight and researchers continue to look into the relationship of PCOS and the inability to make insulin. Because some women with PCOS make too much insulin, it is a possibility that the ovaries react and make male hormones. Acne, excessive hair growth, weight gain and ovulation problems can all be linked to this.

When diagnosing PCOS, doctors will usually perform a thorough physical exam to see if you are producing too many male hormones. Your doctor might perform ultrasound tests, check hormone levels, measure glucose levels, check hair growth and most likely perform a vaginal exam.

There is no cure for PCOS. Treatments are based on an individual need and can include birth control pills to regulate menstrual cycles, reduce male hormone levels and clear acne. Some types of diabetes medications can help with PCOS symptoms. Fertility medications are often prescribed to allow a woman to become pregnant if she wishes to do so. Maintaining a healthy weight can help with the condition. Surgery is an alternative but should not be used as a first course of treatment.

It is possible to have a healthy pregnancy and have PCOS. However, there is a higher rate of miscarriage, gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and premature delivery. Research is ongoing about possible medications that are safe to use during pregnancy.

Comments: Polycystic Ovarian Synrome (PCOS)

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ericaluz - 57 days ago.
Getting the badiatric surgery. Because weight loss is my only hope.... Let's see how it goes.... I will get tru this! Good luck to you all.....

ericaluz - 57 days ago.
I have pcos. I'm 29 and my gyno wants to remove my uterus . I have a little boy age 6 who I call my miracle boy! Because I've gained so much weight ( 175 pounds ) I was embarrassed to go back to my doctors.... My period was on and off, 3 months with it , then 3 months without it, so on and so on... One day I got my period, and it just NEVER WENT AWAY! Ladies, I kid you not, I had it for 6 months straight! It was bad, I ended up in tue hospital, in the cardiac arrest unit, with my hemoglobin at 3---:( I had 4 units of blood transfused and a dnc, that when the doctor wanted to remove my uterus (I was 28). He said my pcos was bad... My sugar was high, hair is exteamly thin, and it was just a matter of time that, once again, I'd get my period and it wouldn't go away with out another dnc.... Well, I'm 29 and once again to ky horror, 3 weeks into my period...praying that it will stop. I just want all this to go away! People that see me now, are in shock -I don't even look close to how I look 7 years ago. This is my final draw-I'm getti

StephanieJewell - 86 days ago.
Hello. This is my first comment, and I don't know how to work this website. I have PCOS, am overweight, and have been TTC for a few years. Next month we start our first IUI round with injections. Anyone else here in the same boat?

raycheldavey - 139 days ago.
Hey ladies! I'm new to this forum. We've been TTC for over a year now, finally got the referral from my doctor to see the infertility clinic. My first appointment is January 21st! I used this site when we were TTC the first time, now we're trying for our 2nd =)

MJamison - 164 days ago.
anyone with PCOS have GD?

Moriana28 - 310 days ago.
I have PCOS and after years of trying and miscarriages....I just hit 10 weeks pregnant today and did it without fertility drugs. This is the farthest I've ever gotten and it gives me hope.

synthiaw - 326 days ago.
IM HAVING A BABY :) !!!

synthiaw - 392 days ago.
hi girls need help bad. i had a pregnyl injection on the 18th of april and i did a preg test the other day it was negative then today i was due to get blood tests done and my partner suggested doing a test so i did and it showed a very faint positive is it just the pregnyl injection or am i pregnant?

lonely-mummy - 421 days ago.
hi ladies have any of u had ur ovaries flushed?

Colleen.V. - 432 days ago.
hey is there anyone else out there?? Im pregnant and 7 weeks, AND just found out there are two babies growing!!

synthiaw - 485 days ago.
Hey girls. Can you have pcos and endemitiouses?

ItHappened **Blue** - 505 days ago.
I was diagnosed with PCOS and tried for years with my husband to conceive. We did the fertility treatments and everything. Our marriage ended, I started dating and quickly got pg. After i got pg, the baby daddy accused me of lying about not being able to get pg and thought I was trying to trick him. UGH. Trust me, I would not have chosen to have a child with him if I had known it was going to happen!

synthiaw - 519 days ago.
hey girls, i went to my gp the other day after day after yet another missed period and i have been told its time to start trying. so im looking for help on any ideas on ways and how to concieve. i have been given till the 29th of feb to try on our own and then i see my gyno and he will put me on clomid. so please help me out girls i want my miricle!!

synthiaw - 522 days ago.
I want a baby!!

Colleen.V. - 550 days ago.
Hello ladies, i was wondering if there is anyone out there ttc with pcos, im trying for my second, i already have my daughter from being on metformin for 5 months and then clomid one month. Im currently in my fourth month with clomid and up to 150mg past what i was when i conceived my daughter. My hopes are down and in the pits and im feeling VERY ALONE :(

emzaemzy - 553 days ago.
Hi everyone complety new to forums ect even tho iv got plenty of help and advice on them :O) never joined one but thought i would this time!! Im 26 now i fell pregnant first at 15!! had my beautifull daughter at 16 and was diagnosed with pcos when i was 18 ! i put on 7 stone in total an my health just seem to get worse 2 years ago i was give metformin after a while i finally had normal periods on the dot!! then i was given dianette for excess hair i had to come off them this year tho as there only short term also they helped i come off them and 2 months later i was pregnant!!!!! iv never been in so much shock i tried all them years anyways it didnt turn out good i miscarried :O( it was a missed miscarriage so i went and there was no heartbeat it destroyed us and my baby was due last month we were just starting to get over it then i found out 3 weeks ago im pregnant again!!!!! i havent had a period in 2 an half months!! but i am only 6 weeks either way i am over the moon and just so happy and hoping and praying everything goes well this time even tho i have been slightly bleeding for a week the woman who done my scan two days ago said she was very happy with what she saw i completly gave up hope the only reason i took the metformin and dianette in the end was beacause to benefit my own health and it worked miracles for me i know how hard it is i drove myself mad but when i exspected it the least it happened good luck to you all xxxx

Messenger75 - 561 days ago.
I am not pregnant, I could not get pregnant after my daughter, who is now 15, and I am 37. I have pcos and endometriosis. I would highly recommend to all women who believe in freezing their eggs to do so once they find out that they have pcos, your chances of having children may be very difficult. I've had 5 lost pregnancies, 1 when a cyst that was so large caused the egg to not have entry & it the cyst burst, 2 when I was only 2 mos along, 3 when I was 7 weeks along, 4 after the 7 weeks & it was too soon which caused another loss after only 6 -8 weeks, and a final loss after 4 or so months. The last pregnancy, I was 28 and became divorced, which I have never re-married. Please stay healthy, do not drink, smoke, use drugs, and work out eating healthy food. These will increase your chances of having children, but don't over do it, otherwise, that will hurt your opportunity too. Too much excercise will cause your uterus to shift, which happened to mine. Running can cause problems with your ovaries, sex with multiple partners can cause infertility, please be safe. Many prayers.

amabrad - 593 days ago.
I'm 24 years old, was diagnosed with PCOS about 2 years ago but have had the systems since I was 12. I was on the pill for about 6 years, met my now husband when I was 19. We started trying naturally when I was 20 for about 2 years. Tried clomid 50 mg for a little while, then gave it a break because it was getting too stressful. It started taking over my life. 4 months ago we started trying again with clomid. Twice I have started my cycle without any help of meds, the other 2 times I needed to take provera to bring it on, then I took the clomid days 3-7 and fallowed up with my dr for an internal ultrasound. 3 out of the 4 times I did show signs of ovulation, and one time I had already ovulated and it showed a collapsed follicle. So the clomid is working, just not actually making me become pregnant. We want a baby sooo bad, it hurts! Its all I think about, and I really pray to God every day to please allow us to be parents. My husband has a son from a previous relationship, and I love that little boy to death, he's 8. But it still isnt the same as 'my baby'. Keeping my fingers crossed for luck soon, and i'm not giving up hope or faith that it will happen for us. This month I am taking a little break, maybe trying naturally since my cycle started naturally, and next month (if no luck this month) I will be starting clomid 100mg, maybe that will do the trick?! So good luck to all, and know that you deffinately are not alone out there!

dawnjones81 - 606 days ago.
HI ladies. I'm hoping these will be words of hope for all the ladies that are having trouble trying to concieve. I was diagnoised with pcos 6 years ago and after 8 years of trying I found out Sunday that I am pregnant and it happen naturally.I also have never been pregnant before.So i was quite shocked I had pretty much come to terms with the fact that I was not going to have children. I think what helped me was in the last 9 months I have lost 80 pds. I did this by exercising 4 days a week and watching what i ate. So all around it has really paid off for me. But now I am so worried about M/C cause it has taken me this long to get pregnant. Oh well all I can do is hope and pray I reach that 12 week marker and then I think I will be less worried. But good luck to all and don't give up.

brownin1990 - 607 days ago.
hey i'm new here... i'm 21 yrs old and i have pcos & i'm on metformin 500mg... i really wanna have a baby but i ovulate like twice a year if so much. i'm not over weight thought cuz i'm 5'6 and i welght like a 125 so i tink thts fine. if any1 can give me any advice to increase fertility tht wud b great! Oh yea i live in jamaica!!!

dree2010 - 633 days ago.
Correction, when I retested I got a bfn, not a bfp..(Sorry)

dree2010 - 633 days ago.
Hi ladies..I'm back again!!! Ttc for baby number 2. I've been in the ttc forum for a while. I took a hpt (dollar store) and got a faint line. I decided to wait a few days and test again, and then got a bfp. Wait this week, and checked with my ob-gyn, and confirmed not prego. I've been getting all the signs of ovulation, prego, etc and nothing. My ob and I decided today, that I am going to need to do what I did last time to conceive my next baby. I'm already down, 16lbs. I started metformin today..500mg 1 time per day to start, then next week 2xs, then eventually 3xs, also, while bringing on a period using provera for about 3mths....if not pregnancy then I will use chlomid as before. So a lot going on. But as before, I'm determined to have this second baby. So I will stick this out even tho, metformin suks!

happyday07 - 633 days ago.
So my reproductiving endocrinologist prescribed me clomid earlier this month when I went back for my 6 week follow up appointment. They had originally said they wanted me to lose 20 pounds before the prescribed it. During that 6 weeks I lost a little over 6 pounds. I started provera that day! I took provera Aug. 9-15 and AF came Aug. 20-28. I took my first round of Clomid Aug 22-26. I'm scheduled to start using and ovulation predictor kit on Wednesday (31st). Has anyone had and experience with the predictor kits and if so which one? I'm hoping the one I bought will work good for me.

christinandjamie - 634 days ago.
I am only 18 and was diagnosed with PCOS shortly after I turned 16 years old. I decided since I was younger & still had a better chance, I would try to have a baby, I am still unsuccessful. Never have I EVER would've imagined that it would be this hard to have a baby! I have most of the symptoms - but i'm a little underweight, not overweight. I weigh 102, and am 5'3' so slightly underweight. On August 17th, I had my 3rd surgery. But this was not for PCOS, I also have endometriosis, another cause of infertitlity. I'm almost through recovering from this surgery, so maybe after getting all of the endometriosis out, I can try a little more before being referred to a specialist. If any of you ladies want to share similar stories with me, or your exciting news of getting pregnant, feel free to add me!

toomanyyrs - 701 days ago.
Hi ladies I have not been on here in such a long time as I have been on the ttc forum. I have an extream case of PCOS that I can go yrs without AF. Unless I take meds to bring it on. I was 15 when I found out I had PCOS and am now almost 39. I am still trying for my first. Like MegansMiracle I was also married (15 yrs) and now DIVORCED Yeah the best thing for me. I am now with my true love and we have been trying for just over 2 yrs now. I tried clomid but it did not work for me. So now I will be trying femara. My profile pg gives more info if anyone is interested and would like to add me. Thanks ladies and GL to all who are ttc.