How important is an ultrasound?

mrssummitcounty · 01-19-2006, 06:04 AM

I was DX in 1/03, and just married in 5-05... We're not TTC yet...

I had blood tests that confirm that I'm PCOS and live fairly symptom-free (, thin, no acne unless of BCP, no excess hair... just no AF). I had irregular periods until I went on BCP (age 16), then I went off for less than a year when I was about 20, only had one period, then went back on. Went off again in '02, didn't have AF for 6 mos, that's when I was diagnosed.

I haven't had an ultrasound... is that really an indication of what damage has been done? DH and I aren't ready to have kids just yet, but I constantly worry about what damage may have been done and what kinds of struggles we'll face ahead.

I feel like I'm waiting in limbo. I'm 26 now.

Anyone else feel this way? Is an ultrasound a good indication of what we'll face?

maroon22 · 01-19-2006, 02:52 PM

hmm well i had an ultrasound external..before i was dx and they didnt catch my englarged ovaries..they said it was prolly cuz i was getting ready for a period..only when i started ttc did i have a internal u/s that showed all the cysts. i have them every month now to moniter my follies. i would say that it wouldnt hurt to have one..just to see where u are at..but i dont think its that critical if u are on bcp at the moment cuz those tend to minimize cysts.

Bran · 01-19-2006, 04:27 PM

If you are taking birth control, then i wouldn't worry about getting an ultrasound but before you get off the birth control to TTC i would have an ultrasound to see if there are cyst. And i would also recommend getting put on Metformin, I wouldn't wait a long time after getting off the BCP to do this because then it might take longer for you to get pregnant because you could start to build up cyst. Sometimes i wish, that i would have known that i had PCOS before hand (In a way i knew something but i wasn't sure what) so that as soon as i got off my BCP i would have been taking Metformin and then maybe be pregnant.

lissadell · 01-19-2006, 11:56 PM

It's really not vital to get an u/s of your ovaries. You can have PCOS without having ovarian cysts. Plus, BCPs help prevent and shrink cysts. So having an u/s while you're on them won't really be meaningful.

I second the advice to get on metformin. I say do it now while you're on BCPs. The BCPs will help keep your hormones in check, and when you go off them to TTC, the metformin will help keep them in check.

Don't stress too much about TTC. It's a little harder for us PCOSers (usually), but with patience, a good doc, and the right treatment, you have an excellent chance of having a baby.

Best of luck to you!

maroon22 · 01-20-2006, 05:06 PM

i was on birth control and metformin a while back..just so when i go off my b control pills i would just carry on the metformin.a.nd it takes a while to build up to the right dose..u migt think of doing that

strawberriprincess · 02-06-2006, 05:19 PM

heya i went in for an internal ultrasound 2day and was then diagnosed with this pcos i dont no much about it but the doc was able to point out the cysts on my ovaries which is quite overwellming bt i say theres no harm in geting one as they can also check for other things linked with pcos. xx