I am 32, andI was recently diagnosed with PCOS due to results of an ultrasound showing ovarian cysts. I exhibit most of the classic symptoms of PCOS such as missed periods and abnormal hair growth, and I am overweight. However, my family practitioner (whom I have only been seeing for a few months because I moved to a new city) feels I do not need a course of treatment becuase I do not intend to concieve anytime soon. When I approached her with concerns about the fact that I continuously miss my period, she replied with "Some women with PCOS can go without having a period for a year", and did not suggest any solution for regulating my cycle. Am I right to be concerned about my doctor's attitude about this, or am I just being paranoid?
It is not at all true that you can ignore PCOS until you're TTC. PCOS is an all-encompassing disorder that affects your whole body, and can put you at risk for all sorts of other health problems. Going so long without a period alone is a major problem - the uterine lining can build up and turn into cancerous tissue.
PCOS shouldn't be dx'ed by an ultrasound alone. You don't have to have polycystic ovaries to have PCOS, and many "normal" women have polycystic ovaries! Usually a dx of PCOS is made by testing your hormone levels and ruling out other problems.
General practitioners usually don't know much about PCOS. You should try to find a knowledgeable OB/GYN or endocrinologist.
Otherwise, welcome to SC!
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I had a doctor that said the same thing (I was having 1-2 periods a year if I was lucky), so I dumped her and found another... 2 actually, and both said that it is NOT good to go long lengths of time without a period. When you don't have a period, your endometrial lining builds up (because it is not shed) and that can be a cause of endometrial cancer down the line... I don't know the specifics, and it doesn't happen just after missing a period for a short amount of time, but over time it can happen. You need to have your period, that is all I got out of it. My doctor now wants me on Prometrium or Provera every 2-3 months if the Metformin doesn't do it for me. Find another doctor, as said, treating PCOS is more involved than just fertility... I'm not ttc, but I want my periods back, and want to get my system regulated, who wouldn't? Definitely get a new doc. Good luck!
I was going to say the same thing about the risk of endometrial cancer if you're going for a prolonged time without periods. You may want to ask for the report on your ultrasound, the doctor who examined it probably noted the thickness of your endometrial lining, if it is really thick your doctor may want to check it out. I think you should go to a new doctor as well, and ask them about getting your cycles regulated. More than just the health risks of going so long without a period, it's annoying to have your body so messed up!
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Find a new Dr. now! You can't wait until you are ttc to try to fix PCOS. It can get worse as time goes by so you really need to be aggressive with it regardless if you are ttc or not. Good Luck!
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DH - 44
DS - 5
DD - almost 2
BFP on Oct. 15, 2008
Nov. 17th - no heartbeat on ultrasound
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Advice Needed 
id suggest seeing a new dr, too.
