Are Fertility doctors my only hope?

brooklynn9 · 05-01-2008, 05:13 AM

When I was diagnosed with PCOS by my OB all she pretty much said was ok you have PCOS stay on the pill to keep your period regular.

Everything I learned about PCOS I had to read on the internet.

My husband and I are still on the fence about having children but knowing I have this condition I was thinking a fertility doctor was the way to go.

He did confirm my PCOS and he perscribed me the metformin but now I am being told I have a less then %1 chance to conceive naturally and have been made to feel that the only way I will be able to have a child is with Invetro.

Are there other doctors out there that deal with PCOS as PCOS and not just a fertility issue?

restfulhaven · 05-01-2008, 09:26 AM

The best thing I can tell you is to find a Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE), who specilizes in PCOS. PCOS is an endocrine issue and most REs know how to work with you and your PCOS issues. I have an RE even though I'm not TTC (single), but more due to my age (conceiving age...lol) and he is wonderful in helping to manage my PCOS. Best of luck to you and hubby!

PBLayzod · 05-01-2008, 10:24 AM

Is there any reason other than PCOS that would cause you problems with fertility? If not, I wouldn't stress about it too much. I did the whole range of fertility treatment, but ended up conceiving on Metformin alone. Some women with PCOS conceive in the 1st couple of months coming of bcp. Others conceive with just Clomid. Unless you or DH have some other medical issues, a 1% chance of conception is just ridiculous.

kelly jeanie · 05-01-2008, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PBLayzod

Unless you or DH have some other medical issues, a 1% chance of conception is just ridiculous.

I totally agree. I also agree with restfulhaven, an RE hopefully will be able to help you and give you all your options. If PCOS is your only problem, in vitro is not your only option.

Good luck!

brooklynn9 · 05-01-2008, 09:52 PM

Thank you all very much!

I was a bit disappointed in the doctor with the options I had received from him. I have read lots of places that women with PCOS that have taken the Metformin and other meds have been able to conveive. We are not actively TTC at this point we really just want to get my PCOS under control so to say and then take it from there.
We are also thinking about seeking a second opinion.
Would the RE be more focused on the controling of the PCOS and not as focused on Invetro as an option?

kelly jeanie · 05-01-2008, 11:06 PM

I think it depends on what you want to do. If you just want to control your PCOS, I think an RE is a good place to start. If you want to get pregnant, the RE would be aware of all of your options, and in vitro (IVF) is usually the last resort.

neetu26 · 05-08-2008, 02:53 AM

I don't think that if you have pcos, IVF is your only hope however, my dr. told my husband and I that it holds a higher success rate. I have PCOS and my DH has low sperm count, that is why we are in the process of IVF. If your insurance covers it, maybe you should think about it.

brooklynn9 · 05-12-2008, 03:16 AM

Insurance covers a portion but I have already spent most of that with testing.
I am currently weighing my options on a new RE.
The hubby is also going to get everything checked out on his end.

I just feel that there should be more options and the doctor I was seenig made me feel like there was no hope.

05-01-2008, 05:13 AM	#1 (permalink)
brooklynn9 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 11 My Mood: Points: 696.39 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 696.39 Donate	Are Fertility doctors my only hope? When I was diagnosed with PCOS by my OB all she pretty much said was ok you have PCOS stay on the pill to keep your period regular. Everything I learned about PCOS I had to read on the internet. My husband and I are still on the fence about having children but knowing I have this condition I was thinking a fertility doctor was the way to go. He did confirm my PCOS and he perscribed me the metformin but now I am being told I have a less then %1 chance to conceive naturally and have been made to feel that the only way I will be able to have a child is with Invetro. Are there other doctors out there that deal with PCOS as PCOS and not just a fertility issue?

05-01-2008, 09:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
restfulhaven A Work In Progress Join Date: May 2006 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 236 My Mood: Points: 6,988.02 Bank: 7,799.41 Total Points: 14,787.43 Donate	The best thing I can tell you is to find a Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE), who specilizes in PCOS. PCOS is an endocrine issue and most REs know how to work with you and your PCOS issues. I have an RE even though I'm not TTC (single), but more due to my age (conceiving age...lol) and he is wonderful in helping to manage my PCOS. Best of luck to you and hubby! __________________ All you need is a pinch and a kiss. A pinch to know you are alive, and kiss to know you are loved.

05-01-2008, 10:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
PBLayzod Librariless librarian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,329 My Mood: Points: 70,775.23 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 70,775.23 Donate	Is there any reason other than PCOS that would cause you problems with fertility? If not, I wouldn't stress about it too much. I did the whole range of fertility treatment, but ended up conceiving on Metformin alone. Some women with PCOS conceive in the 1st couple of months coming of bcp. Others conceive with just Clomid. Unless you or DH have some other medical issues, a 1% chance of conception is just ridiculous. __________________ Pam (32) Rob (35) Otis the Doberman (2) TTC #1 since 01/03 2003- Clomid - HSG - SA 2004- Lap - Gonal-f 2005- Break 2006- Met - BFP 10/06 Kate arrived July 16, 2007 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

05-01-2008, 11:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
kelly jeanie Pure Dork Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,633 My Mood: Points: 18,963.36 Bank: 511,330.63 Total Points: 530,293.98 Donate	I think it depends on what you want to do. If you just want to control your PCOS, I think an RE is a good place to start. If you want to get pregnant, the RE would be aware of all of your options, and in vitro (IVF) is usually the last resort. __________________ Kelly (33) DH Corey (34) To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. DS Owen (3) Pregnant with #2! Thank you Jesus! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

05-08-2008, 02:53 AM	#7 (permalink)
neetu26 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Queens, New York Posts: 10 My Mood: Points: 317.36 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 317.36 Donate	I don't think that if you have pcos, IVF is your only hope however, my dr. told my husband and I that it holds a higher success rate. I have PCOS and my DH has low sperm count, that is why we are in the process of IVF. If your insurance covers it, maybe you should think about it. __________________ *(Me) 26 Dx'd w/ PCOS 2/2008* *(DH) 35* *TTC since 6/2006* *3/08 Hysterosalpingogram* *4/08 Sonohysteogram* *5/05 Hysteroscopy* *-Currently staring IVF Process 5/08* *Current Meds:* *Metformin 1500 mg* *Prenatals* *Furbaby -Kibbles 4 (American Cocker Spaniel)*

05-01-2008, 09:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
brooklynn9 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 11 My Mood: Points: 696.39 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 696.39 Donate	Thank you all very much! I was a bit disappointed in the doctor with the options I had received from him. I have read lots of places that women with PCOS that have taken the Metformin and other meds have been able to conveive. We are not actively TTC at this point we really just want to get my PCOS under control so to say and then take it from there. We are also thinking about seeking a second opinion. Would the RE be more focused on the controling of the PCOS and not as focused on Invetro as an option?

05-12-2008, 03:16 AM	#8 (permalink)
brooklynn9 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 11 My Mood: Points: 696.39 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 696.39 Donate	Insurance covers a portion but I have already spent most of that with testing. I am currently weighing my options on a new RE. The hubby is also going to get everything checked out on his end. I just feel that there should be more options and the doctor I was seenig made me feel like there was no hope.

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