Well, who knows if I have PCOS. I got some test results back from a vaginal ultrasound (ordered due to irregular bleeding in mid-cycle last month - never happened before) - 2 "very small" fibroids and "a number of small cysts" on both ovaries.
So...cysts on ovaries = PCOS, by definition? Right? Wrong? My GP didn't bring it up, I did, and after I answered "yes" to the "do you want to conceive soon" question she gave me a referral to a gynecologist.
I've read about PCOS and know about it through a friend who was diagnosed 2 years ago. I have 2 symptoms: I am overweight and I am hairy. The hairy could be genetic (as my GP pointed out) as both my parents, esp Dad, resemble sasquatches. Or, it could be hormonal. I am overweight because I eat too much. I lose weight when I try. I gain it when I pig out on potato chips. It's never seemed to be related to anything other than my caloric intake, and I wasn't fat until I was about 22 or so (I am 29 now). I am not diabetic or glucose intolerant/resistant. My thyroid measured on the high end of normal.
I have menstruated regularly (every month, cycles are 36-31 days in length, generally) since I was 13. Periods last 5-6 days and are only painful for the first 48 hours or so, and Advil handles it.
I am confused about menstruating regularly and a possible PCOS diagnoses. Is it possible to have PCOS and menstruate regularly? What would the diagnoses of PCOS indicate about my fertility? I would like to start TTC in the early new year time. I have never tried before, and have never been on the pill (barrier methods only).
This is pretty damn scary and stressful. I've wanted kids since I knew where babies come from.
Other info: I have no hair loss (not that I notice anyway) - my hair is actually quite thick and annoying. I have a *lot* of facial hair, though, embarassingly. My sister, who is not overweight, is also very hairy. She is fertile and has also always menstruated regularly. I have been hairy my whole life, even before puberty, when it was just blonde, but still there, and in disturbing amounts. My mother did not have fertility problems.
Sorry this is so disjointed. I apologize. I hope to find some good information and people here. Thank god for the internet, because I'd definitely be mindf***ing this 10x times as badly as i am if there weren't such a thing.
I have menstruated regularly (every month, cycles are 36-31 days in length, generally) since I was 13. Periods last 5-6 days and are only painful for the first 48 hours or so, and Advil handles it.
I am confused about menstruating regularly and a possible PCOS diagnoses. Is it possible to have PCOS and menstruate regularly?
Prior to my diagnosis and treatment I had a cycle like yours. My doctor explained that this was 'not' a 'normal' cycle, and I was not ovlulating.
Hey - Another freaked out newbie! 
