Mandoline

I need to write down all the thoughts that have been going through my mind the last couple of weeks. I hope some of you may be able to share their experiences so maybe I will feel a bit better and be able to sleep again.
The thing is, I think I have PCOS. I am 30 and have never had any symptoms before. I am somewhat overweight, but I've been so since my late teens and it's not affected my fertility so far. I've had regular cycles since I was 13. I have an 8 month old son, who was conceived after just a few months. I used ovulation tests while trying to conceive and everything seemed normal. We now want to try for our second child. I got my period back only 2 months after the birth and it was regular the first 4 months. Then it stopped. My last period was in the beginning of May. I am certain that I am not pregnant, I have taken numerous pregnancy tests just to be sure. At first I wasn't worried. Once, several years ago, I skipped one period, so I thought it was just happening again. I know that healthy women can have cycles without ovulation once in a while without anything being wrong. But then I skipped the next one too, and the third....
I decided to try ovulation tests to see what was happening and I discover that they are always positive and they have been so for the past two weeks. I search online and discover that it's a sign of PCOS. My heart just sank when I read that. I am so worried that I will not have any more children.
- If I have elevated LH-levels when will I know if or when I ovulate?
- Is having elevated LH-levels worse than not having them?
- Why do I suddenly get PCOS after years of normal cycles and no other symptoms?

I have a doctor's appointment next week, but I can't stop thinking about this and wish I had some answers right now. When I see my GP, will he just say that I have to wait and try some more months before they check my hormone levels and give me some medication or other help?

I hope some of you can give me some comforting words. Do I have a good chance of having more children?

Romanticatplay

Hello Mandoline!

I'm sorry I will not be able to offer much in the way of definitive answers but I hope what I can offer is helpful in some way.


I DO know that post-pregnancy it takes quite some time for our bodies to return to normal hormone levels. I DO know that hormone fluctuations related to pregnancy can cause some life-altering changes in our bodies that go beyond the term of pregnancy itself.

I know these things because hormone changes affect our vision as well and I have many years experience in eye care... from this past experience (although much of it is unrelated to this topic) I can tell you that if you are nursing, it takes even longer for your hormones to return to normal. (Many doctors recommend waiting a year after giving birth to have your eyes checked due to the way hormones affect vision... and this is your eyes, I imagine that for most women it takes just as long before the "necessary" organs return to normal.)


You say that your son is 8mos old... perhaps your symptoms that are pointing you toward PCOS are "simply" due to your hormones not being fully balanced yet. This seems reasonable to me as our bodies are designed with some safe-guards in mind... whether or not Auntie Flo is visiting, you may not be ovulating as a protection from becoming pregnant too quickly after having given birth.

So, with all that said, I'll say that the best idea is to discuss things with your doctor. It is just as likely that you have nothing to worry about as it is that PCOS is possible.

Even so, having PCOS isn't a "death sentence" to the possibility of having children, while for many it does make things more difficult, it doesn't necessarily make it impossible.

Mandoline

Thanks for your reply romanticatplay.

Unfortunately I was not able to nurse for more than the first month, which I also think is one of the reasons my period came back after only 8 weeks.
I know that it takes time for hormone levels to return to normal after pregnancy, and I wouldn't have been worried if this had been the case since birth, but after all I've had four normal cycles before this happened. I am also concerned about the constantly positive ovulation tests. Obviously there is something wrong with my hormones, but I don't know what.
I guess all I can do is wait for my doctor's appointment and see what he says. I just hate waiting and not knowing what the future brings.

KatCarney

The information in this link will help you understand the pcos diagnostic process, if that's an avenue you and your doctor feel you need to go in...

There's a LOT of information here, but it's in your best interest to read through it. When it comes to pcos (and really any medical issue), the more you 'know', the better off you are...

QUICK LINKS: Getting a PCOS Diagnosis & Understanding Lab Results

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