Can you help me understand what's going on down there?
I am 31 and have had regular periods up until 18 months ago. At that time I started breakthough bleeding at around day 15 of my cycle. The spotting is dark and had the consistency of motor oil. It would typically start around the 15th day and last until my period began. My periods themselves began getting shorter than usual with more clotting. I have never had painful periods, nor pain during sex, have never been pregnant, and have been on the pill for only short stints since menarchy at age 16. Typically my PMS symptoms start mid-cycle and last all the way untill menstruation.... they include pretty nasty bloating, occasional migraines, and definite mood swings (my boyfriends have been angels for puttng up with my monthly pms.)
After a year of this abnormal cycle, I saw two ob/gyns. The first performed an ultrasound which indicated polycystic ovaries. I am, however, not a typical candidate for PCOS (slender (5'2"/100lbs, exercise around 2-3 times a week - running, yoga, cross-country skiing), no hirsuitism, small waisted, with normal periods until now). As I recall, the lab workup showed, slightly lower estrogen levels, lower progesterone (no mid-cycle spike) and no sign of perimenopausal hormone balance, no thyroid issues (I wrote lab readouts down somewhere and can get more specific). Ovaries and uterus are normal size. The first said he thought I had PCOS, and that I was stuck in the follicular phase of my cycle. The second said he did NOT think I had PCOS (since labs didn't support the diagnosis).
My mother is 60 (skinny, 5'3") and just had a hysterectomy: she has had severe uterian bleeding for the past 2 years with sever cramping. Her physician put her on estrogen replacement therapy 15 years ago. The hysterecomy indicated severe endometriosis of one ovary. I do not yet know what the they found with regards to her uteran tissue condition. I know that family history makes me 6-10 times more likely to have endometriosis; however, I wonder whether her endometriosis was induced by prolonged hormone therapy replacement with estrogen. My grand mother was diabetic (Type II and also overweight). My mother, grandmother and I all are prone to yeast infections (and grandma also got thrush once) and my mother and I seem to have a sort of weaker immune system. My grandmother had trouble getting pregnant the second time, but mom didn't have problems (although she had kids at age 22 and 26). I am worried that I will not be able to have children and would like to start regularly ovulating. If anyone can help me sort through this, I would appreciate this.
It has been confusing because when I read about endometriosis, suggestions focus on ways to reduce estrogen levels. Mine are already on the low side. When I read about PCOS, things focus on weight loss -- I'm already skinny. If you have any thoughts as to what I might have, suggestions for things to try/dietwise etc... I'd really appreciate your help.
Thanks a million,
tiny
Welcome to SC! Please check out the Trying to Conceive board. There is a lot of good info on there. Many ladies on this site have had ovulation problems, but did conceive.
You DO NOT have to be overweight to have PCOS by no means. Half of all cysters are thin cysters. There is a separate section on SC for Thin Cysters you may want to check out, they may have some more specific info for you.
As for me....I have ALWAYS for my entire life, had regular periods...I have no excess hair growth, I had a child in 1997 and only got tested because my hair starting falling out and I couldnt concieve. Well, I wasnt "trying" per se, but we weren't "not trying" either. After 5 years of this, you would think I would turn up pg, but I never did. So they only reason they diagnosed me with PCOS was strictly on my hormone levels. I had a very hard time believing it as well since I am not the typical candidate for PCOS. They are actually several types.......I went for a second opinion at a RE and I was expecting him to tell me that my regular doctor was wrong. But he said I have it.
After being diagnosed and getting my hormone levels back where they needed to be, I easily conceived Olivia, who is due March 22nd after only 3 months of trying.
HTH....Please check out that Thin Cysters thread!!!
__________________ PCOS DX: 2/2005 Insulin Resistant Met: 1000 Mg a day
Mommy to:
Morgan Allison 4/02/97
Olivia Christine 3/22/07
Andrew Paul 4/10/08
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Can you help me understand what's going on down there? 
