learningtofly

My OB/GYN suggested a likely diagnosis of PCOS based on history/symptoms and suggested a 3 month trial of metformin, 2000 mg/day. Asked a lot of questions at the time, but after doing research on my own I have a lot more questions. Isn't that always the way?

My big question is this: I've been poking around PCOS sites and read a couple of books about PCOS and don't really see myself or my symptoms in it. How common is it to have few symptoms of PCOS but to have the underlying hormonal/endocrine issues?

The symptoms and history that led her to this suggestion were: acne, weight gain & difficulty losing weight, and erratic menstrual cycles (tried for 15 cycles [some anovulatory, ranging from 14-45 days in length] to conceive before conceiving naturally).

No hair issues, no darkening of the skin, and am not an apple shape. Normal blood pressure, slightly elevated cholesterol. Narrowly passed the 1-hour glucose challenge while pregnant (OB was looking for <130 and my 1-hour reading was 126), and did not take the 2- or 3-hour GTT. No family history of diabetes or fertlity problems.

I keep reading these books and sites about people fighting to get a diagnosis because they know something is wrong with them... me, I could go through life like this and be pretty much fine, excepting the erratic menstrual cycle.

I don't want to assume that all is well because I'm aware that some of the potential long term ramifications of untreated IR/PCOS are pretty nasty. Diabetes, heart disease, etc.

I have an appointment with my family practice coming up and am trying to make a list of questions and to understand what tests we should do to understand what's going on with my body. I'm having a hard time unraveling the issues.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts you might have.

Carolina5070

PCOS can vary in each woman and while there are common symptoms, you can fall in a range on the spectrum of the various symptoms and how much they impact you. You may want to ask your doctor about blood tests and an ultrasound...as well as tests to rule out any other possibilities.

PCOS should be at top of list in women with erratic menstrual cycles

Article: It's difficult to predict which PCOS cases will follow the classic patterns

cajungirl

Hi, I'm new here too, and from what I read the symtom differ greatly for lots of women. I have no hair issues, normal cholestoral, no dark skin, nor am I apple shape. I have no family history of diabetes or fertility problems. On my 2nd child I to just skinned by the l hour test, for 3rd I barely failed. I have the weight gain/can't lose, some pain, mild acne, and before my uterus was removed horribly long and heavy periods. When I was trying to conceive my kids blood work showed I had low progestorone and I wasn't ovulating every month, but I did end up concieving natrually. I had a few ultrasounds and I did show cystes. My symtoms are not nearly as bad as some of these women. The weight part is the worst for me, I was never really over weight until the last few years. Like you I worry about the long term of pcos??? I have 3 great kids, the smallest only 3, so I know I need to take good care of myself so I can be around for a long time. I'm trying to figure that out, but this is all so overwhelming though and hard to sort through. I figure it out though. Good luck to you I hope you find your answers.