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What Causes Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?
May 6, 2010
What Causes Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is indicated by many small cysts in the ovaries. Health care professionals may also call it polycystic ovary disease, polycystic ovaries, Stein-Leventhal syndrome, or polyfollicular ovarian disease.
PCOS affects about 5 percent to 10 percent of women of childbearing age and occurs among all races and nationalities. It is the most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age and is a leading cause of infertility. It is estimated that as many as 30% of women have some characteristics of the syndrome.
The ovaries of women with PCOS produce higher than normal amounts of androgens (male hormones) which can interfere with the development and release of eggs. Normally when an egg matures, the follicle (sac within the ovary that contains eggs) releases the egg so it can travel to the uterus for fertilization. With PCOS, the eggs in these follicles may not mature or in some case egg maturation is altered. Instead of being released during the menstrual cycle, the follicles build up in the ovaries and form cysts. Because they are not ovulating and releasing an egg each month it is common for women with PCOS to have irregular or missed periods.
What Causes PCOS?
The exact cause of PCOS is unknown. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is called a syndrome rather than a disease because it has many possible causes or characteristics, rather than one known cause. Although the ovaries of women with this syndrome contain a number of small cysts, women without PCOS may also have a similar number of cysts. For this reason, researchers believe the cysts themselves may not be causing the problem.
It is believed the leading cause of PCOS could be insulin resistance. Women with PCOS are often found to have a malfunction of insulin production, formation, or action. Too much insulin signals the ovaries to release higher-than-normal levels of androgens. Elevated insulin levels are unhealthy and may eventually increase your risk not only for infertility but also for diabetes, certain cancers, and heart disease.
PCOS may also have a genetic predisposition and run in families. However, there is not yet enough scientific evidence to prove the condition is inherited.
If you have PCOS-related infertility it is probably due to the inability of the ovaries to release an egg, or the ovaries are releasing eggs that are not fully developed. However, not all women with PCOS have difficulty becoming pregnant.
Watch these videos about PCOS:
To connect with other women with PCOS, please join our PCOS Support Group.
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My 15 yr old daughter has PCOS. she has been on Necon for four months. She also has been diginosed with RSD at the same time. Her energy level, has become worse in the last several months. 11 days ago she became nauses, dizzy and tired. Then pain in her upper right side, the pain has not subsided, her other symptoms have gotten worse. Doctors just keep saying that her body needs to absorb the fluid from a ruptured cyst. She gets so weak an dizzy juust getting up to go to the bath room
Is there anyone else that has had similar issues? Looking for answers that may help. Thank you
Please e-mail karu at runtiet@comcast.net
I went in for a ultrasound and was told that I have pcos about 3yrs ago. I have had about 4 miscarages and my cycles are never on time. And when i do get one its only for about 2-3 days long. I got on birth control to regulated them and when they started to reglate I try to concieve again with no sucess. I started missing cylces again thinking that I might of been pregnant but all test have been negative. My cycles have become even more eregular over the last 4 months. I have become abnormally tired and dizzy. Is there anyone who has these symptoms?
I am in somewhat of the same situation... I am 21 years old.. i have a 5 year old son.... and I recetly found out about 2 years ago when i was trying to once again concieve ,that I had PCOs... I was never on time with my period so the dr tried putting me on Birth control... i tired the pills for about 6 months and then stopped once my periods seemed regular... i then started trying again to become pregnant with no success, but with like many stories i have read the Dr's have little help in this type of situation besides saying that bringing down the weight would help... or trying to put someone on metformin... i am guessing that losing weight is one of the major things i have seen that helps a woman to become pregnant..
it does help to lose weight, i have done that and also been put on metformin. i had my first miscarraige almost 4 years ago, i was diagnosed about 7 years ago with PCOS, and they put me on metformin about two months before i got pregnant the first time, and lost that one at 7 1/2 weeks, then i stopped going to the doc (that was a mistake) and i didnt stay on metformin, i went to the doc this past october and got back on metformin and was pregnant again, and i lost that one at 7 1/2 weeks too.. have them test your progestrone level, they found out that was really low and that is why i had my second miscarraige. now i am still on metformin, and hoping for a third try, and the min i find out im pregnant again i am to start my hormone pill. They think my lining is weak, and that is why i have lost two babies. i dont know if that will help you or not, but it has with me.
yes I have the same problem I am getting very upset because I want to have a baby really bad I am 33 years old I am allways upset an crying sometimes I get dizzy I don't know if woman with this pcos can have babies I am praying an hoping so thanks for listening.
I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2002...when I was trying so hard to become pregnant....I had a laparoscopy to get rid of some of my cysts and was put on metformin...I still take it today. I did have to take Clomid to become pregnant the first 3 times...I miscarried after my 1st son was born...today I have 3 beautiful boys! 6, 3 and 2 years old...I am sending this message to give you hope...with the right doctor(an aggressive one), prayer and without so much stress you can get pregnant.
HAVE HAD VERY IRREGULAR CYCLES FOR THE LONGEST. MY RECENT ONE I FELT REAL DIZZY LIGHT HEADED AND EVEN FELT LIKE THROWING UP. MY CYCLES USUALLY LAST UP TO 1-2MONTHS; MY LONGEST HAS LASTED 4MONTHS BEING VERY HEAVY HAVING TO CONSTANTLY CHANGE EVERY 10-15MIN. AND WITH CLOTS. ITS BEEN FRUSTRATING BECAUSE I AS WELL HAVE BEEN TRYING TO HAVE ANOTHER CHILD. WHAT EXACTLY WERE YOUR SYMPTOMS? AND IF YOU DON'T MIND ME ASKING WERE ARE YOU FROM? IM FROM HOUSTON AND JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF YOU WERE FROM THE SAME AREA BECAUSE I HAVE YET TO FIND A GOOD AND UNDERSTANDING DOCTOR. EVERY DOCTOR I HAVE GONE TO STATES ITS NORMAL!
Hi, I'm new to this site but I automatically connected to what you were saying. I would get so aggravated at the doctor and nurses telling me it was normal. One day I had had enough, i went to the office and demanded to be seen. They saw my pale complexion and immediately sent me to lab. My blood count was so low they took me to surgery that day for a D&C. it did miracles and gave me hope (needless to say I switched doctors). She put me on birthcontrol for 6 months. I begged to stay on for 8 and once off I've only had a couple of bad episodes like you were describing. I'm by no means regular and we haven't gotten pregnant yet but I know exactly what you were going through. I'm so glad I joined this group and I hope to gain further insight into this syndrome that seems to be taking control of my life (and other lives as well). I'm not from your area so I can't recommend a good doctor but if you need to vent know I'm here. Not sure how long ago your post was - just curious if you're any better or have had any luck. I hope you reply. Looking forward to hearing back from you. Thanks! Becky
I'VE HAD IRREGULAR CYCLES FOR THE PAST 5 YEARS. THE LONGEST PERIOD I'VE HAD LASTED 10 MONTHS(every single day). HAVE TO CHANGE EVERY 30-45 MINUTES AND SOMETIME IT IS SO HEAVY I HAVE TO SHOWER EVERY 30-45 MINUTES. ITS MORE CLOTS THAN BLOOD. WHEN IM IN LUCK I GO WITH NO PAIN... OTHER TIMES I HAVE TO SAY IN BED CAUSE THE PAIN FEELS LIKE SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS PULLING MY INSIDES. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO HAVE A KID FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS BUT NOTHING. TO ADD TO MY PROBLEM MY HUSBAND HAS LOW SPERM COUNT. IM IN CALIFORNIA AND MAYBE IF YOU TRY CLOMID WITH METFORMIN THATS WHAT IM ON RIGHT NOW AND MY PERIOD IS GETTING REGULAR WELL FOR THE PAST 4 MONTHS ITS BEEN REGULAR.
i am 27 years old. i have been trying to get pregnant since i was 18. At the age 18 the doctor diagnosed me with irregular bleeding and left it at that. for years i tried different men, thinking tha problem was with them, i never protected myself and never got pregnant. i would always get the symptoms of pregnacy but never the positive sign! my longest period lasted for 365 days. and there was an enormous amount of clotting. my god the money i spent for sanitary napkins. every time i go to the docs office they ask me the date of my last menstral, i can only look dumb because i dont know. i spott ocasionally but thats it. but no-one took the time to really listen to what i was saying until this monday. i have had hot flashes for the past 5 years, this is crazy! to those women who were able to conceive my heart goes out 2 you congratulations! I had the ultrasound of my ovaries last year, thats when i was diagnosed with pcos, and the doc still didnt do anything. I recently ffound out that im diabetic, high cholesterol, and high bp. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT I CAN EDUCATE MYSELF ON MY CONDITION NOW AND THE LORD IS ON ALL OF OUR SIDES! WE ARE NOT ALONE AND THAT MAKES THIS EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER A LITTLE EASIER. SO LADIES LETS PRAY UP AND CONTINUE TO SWALLOW THAT METFORMIN!
hello did you concieve your 3 children before your laparoscopy??? im just wondering i have 2 sons but i have been trying to get pregnant but pcos has prevented me from doing so i didnt stay on metformin long enough to see the effects .but i am going to get back on it and just go through the motions and hopefully i get a baby...
hello iam 39 ive wanted a baby since i was 18. my cycle has always been irregular and painful. my niece was diagnoised with pcos about 2 years ago. I went to her dr. and found that i have it also and endometriosis. he put me on metformin and i had shots that put me though early menopause (fun) I stopped the shots and continue to take my metformin. I have not had a baby yet but I started eating better.(Alot of green veg) I follow a diabetic diet. I feel so much better and have lost 35pounds. I will keep trying for my baby. try not to think about it to much just be healthy.
im 24 years old and i found out i had pcos about 2 years ago when i stopped getting my period so my doctor put me on metformin ive been taking it for about a year now with no luck getting pregnant but it has made my periods regular so my doctor started me on clomid 100mg 1 pill a day starting on the 5th day of my cycle for 5 days last month with no luck so this will be my 2nd month taking it and i took my first dose today and i'm praying it works because i really want a baby more than anything and i heard if clomids going to work it usually does with in the first 3 months and your only allowed to take it up to six months but your story gave me some hope because ive been feeling like its never going to happen but i did want to ask how many cycles did you have to take the clomid before you got pregnant
hi!, did you get pregnant with Clomid? was it succesfull?
I'm 20 years old and after I found out that I have PCOS I became upset because I know here in a year or so I gonna want a baby and now after reading up on PCOS I think that My chances are slimar than before. I also have cohrns disease and that makes me high risk of pregancy also. But what I was going to say is that I have also notice that I'm more tired and moody and I also cry alot now too and I never use to cry that much. Does anyone have any answer to why you get so upset with PCOS. Please help!
Basically your hormones are out of balance......I'm 21 and I have PCOS and i recently started taking Vitex when i had a menstrual that was on for like 10days and it stoped it in just 3days and i feel normal and i have lots of energy! its also suppose to increase fertility. what Dr's. Fail to say is that progestorone being low is the case of insulin resistance which causes weight gain and also infertility....................Try out the vitamin Vitex and see for your self..........
I am 20 yrs. old the doctor has just diagnosed me with PCOS. I have been on the other side of the menstrual cycle . For a year straight I did not have to worry about a period. And now that I started on the Metformin I have had a period for a month straight. Even though I don't want a child now. I would like to have that option in the future. I am constantly having mood swings and taking my family on a wild mood swing ride. Grr.. Glad to see everyone's experiences and hopefully after the meds, workouts, and healthy eating we will get through this and prosper.
NEVER Give UP! I am turning 36 in March and have had PCOS since I was 14 and diagnosied with it when I was 22. I suffer from all the symptoms and have been trying for a baby since my 20's. I am now married and we will continue to try. I just started the Metformin (sp?) two months ago and when I ran out this last month I admitt I got discouraged and didn't refill it. But I will refill it after reading some of the others situations and what not and want to encourage all to never give up and that we all have something we are meant to do in this world.
Hi guys, I am 22 years old and I found out when I was 19-20 that I had pcos. BUT I also have endometriosis. I was seeing my pelvic pain specialist when I discovered I had pcos. I have constant pain in my sides from it and somedays I dont even want to get out of bed. I am always tired and that really sucks. I had three surgeries within 12 months of each other. First and third were for endometriosis, but the second was for a cyst that was found one Friday when I had catscan for severe pain on my side. Anyways it grew over 4cm in 7 days. I had to have it drained and removed... The bright light in this whole story is that there is hope because even thru all my female health problems I have a beautiful little boy that will be one soon. He is the light of my life. DO NOT GIVE UP HOPE! THERE IS ALWAYS REASON FOR HOPE! I really pray that this helps women who are close to giving up to reconsider.
Hi I am 32 I have had these problems since I was 15. I got pregnant with the help of clomid when I was 20, I lost the baby at 12 weeks. I tried again at 21 and got pregnant again with clomid, I had alot of problems with the pregnancy and ended up having my daughter about 5 weeks early. Finally at about 23 they diagnosed me with pcos, I was happy because they finally told me what was wrong with me, but upset because I knew it would never go away. At 25 I wanted another baby so the doctor gave me clomid after six months I couldn't get pregnant, so he gave me metformin with the clomid and I got pregnant. I have 2 daughters and now that I am 32 I would like a little boy before my biological clock runs out, but i went to the doctor last week and he put me on metformin daily and wants to do a histerectamy. I hurt all of the time I usually don't have periods and when I do I get really sick. I am tired all of the time, I have facial hair now and I get really depressed because I love children and want more, but i don't want to be in this kind of shape any more a histerectamy could make it all go away.
I am here to say that YES, women with PCOS Can have babies, I was diagnosed in 1999 and in 2002 got pregnant with my daughter who is now 7 years old, it just takes patience and time and the right doctor.
i do have the same symptoms as you. I have had irregular period for 10 years. I have period for every six months that lasts only 2-3 days. I want children but im afraid i can't due to this. Now i havent had period for a long time. Im only twenty five and Im scare i will never have one. Is anybody has the same circumstances.
hey.. im 25 yrs also and i was diagnosed with this just yesterday.. I have had all the same symptoms as everyone..My doctor wants to put me on fertility drugs to help regulate me.. im nervous because ..im not TRYING to get pregnant but Im engaged and if it happens we'd be excited but i dont wanta rush because of this but i dont wanta wait and possibly have issues and miss out ethier... this is a scarey thing for any girl to have to deal with...
Hello Jen,
my name is melissa and i was just diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome and i two have a similar situation, my period comes and goes when it wants to i have a period once every 4 or 5 months and i am very stressed out about it because I want children too I talked to my doc about it and she told me not to worry there are things they can do for me to make me more fertile one medicine is called metphormen, this medicine is supposed to regulate your periods. I would not take the birth control unless you don't want kids but in your case you do.
I'm in the same situation... I used to have a cycle every few months, and now I don't have one at all. I went to the doctor a while back and they put me on several medications including metformin, but I would like to go a more natural route. I hate being on a lot of medicines with side effects. I'm researching and trying vitamins and horomones... Will update and let you know if anything works.
Yes, I have the same thing going on. I have a two year old son, I was told very shortly after the birth of my son that I too has PCOS. My husband and I wanted to have another child shortly after our son. I went to the doctor and they put me on birth control and gave me metformin, with is a diabetic med that is also used for women with pcos. I was on the birth control for several months and then went off in hope of getting pregnant. I too, feel tired all of the time and still have no luck on getting pregnant. GOOD LUCK TO YOU
Hello,
I too have had dizzyness, a dermoid cyst which is when I was diagnosed with PCOS due to the polycystic ovaries they found when they did the surgery to remove one of my ovaries. I was devastated, and told I would not likely have children. I have two!
Six months after I began taking metformin I became pregnant on the pill after a series of antibiotics the first time and then I was breast feeding quite a bit when I became pregnant the second time. They took me off all medications the first time and the second time left me on the metformin and switched a med to prozac because of it's long history of information and lack of complicating births as apposed to the newer drug I was on ? It may have been Effexor XR?
I do not have the typical appearance I am 5'7" 136lbs now after a ton of stress but I was also that weight when I became pregnant. The children are 7 and 9 now. I also have some weird numbness feeling on the side of my head regulary. They CAT scanned me and blood tested me and found only slightly elevated blood sugar. I do not know if it was an A1C blood sugar test that tells more than a one time prick test.
I have Marfan Syndrome too. I do not think it's related at all. I have IBS with constipation and migraines too, both more likely related to the Marfan Syndrome.
Once I passed out coming out of a bar where I drank only soda and face planted in the mud. Talk about embarrassing knowing what people must have thought. My doctor diagnosed it as a likely vaso-vagal response to change in temperatures or stnading up too quickly since I have a low blood pressure. I did have to have electrolysis for five years and more intermittentlyafter that. Now I cannot afford it. anything that remains is minor and I deal withit using electronic a very fast moving tweezer hand held thing. like a man might have a shaver but its tweezing. Yuck I know. It is very upsetting. I feel very fortunate I have the two unplanned babse I do. I was 3 1/2 months pregnant the first time with no period, and that was not unusual for me so I onlyy took a test because a dress wouldn't fit thinking there was no way. One ovary and on birth control? It's possible. If you email me make it clear you are responding to this or I will shuffle it in the spam. I will answer what ever I can.
Best of luck to all.
Karen
i was told that i have pcos last year and i am trying to have a baby. i have been put in meds to regulate my periods. i am always tired and dizzy. my priods come only 1-3 times a year and my the days that i do get it its only for 2-3 days also. How far along were you when you had your miscarages.
i found out i have pcos about 3yrs. ago. ihave a cycle once a year. i have a 14yr.old son. i had a miscarriage when he was 2. i've tried for 10yrs. now
i have a doctor but with no luck. it sucks not to be able to have another baby. my next step i guess is to get a hisdrectomi.i feel for anyone with this syndrome.
Hey there,....I too have PCOS severely. I have dizzy spells all the time like you all were mentioning. However--please feel encouraged ladies out there trying to get pregnant. I DID have a baby! What worked for me is going on birth control pills. I took them for a while to get regular, and then stopped taking them. 2 months after stopping the bc I got pregnant! It regulated my cycle so that I would ovulate and as soon as I stopped taking the bc I still ovulated for a couple of months which was long enough to get pregnant. My doctor also warned me that not doing something about it was bad. The longer you don't take bc or something the more infertile you become. So be weary of that but be encouraged you can get pregnant and have a baby.
I was diagnosed with ovarian cysts when I was 11. I have done everything from BC to Meditation. I did more research last year with the help of my sugaring lady( Sugaring being the best hair removal process) and I found that Spearmint tea lowers androgonen in both men and women. The side effect is getting used to being less horny. It did regulate my periods and I did cry like a girly girl...alot! But it was better than hormone treatments. My Sugaring lady also said you should have your Dr. remove the cysts. She said it'll be like pulling teeth to convince them to do the procedure but that she had it done and it was worth it. Whe got pregnant right after and her extra hair disapeared. I hope this helps...
31 with one kid:)
Hello,
I was just hoping you could tell me how long it took before you started seeing and feeling the results of the Spearmint tea reducing the androgonen?
Also, how much and how often did you drink the tea?
I am a 20 year old woman who just literally just learned about PCOS. And who has just learned that there is a very high possibility that I may have PCOS.
Thanks for all the questions and comments here and for sharing your advice. If others can help, please chime in!
I wanted to make sure you all saw the other information we have on FertilityAuthority regarding PCOS:
PCOS: Symptoms
PCOS: Diagnosis & Treatment
PCOS & Pregnancy
You can also read other news, blogs and feature articles that have been written about PCOS here.
karu, I'm worried about your daughter! I home you have taken her to see a doctor . . .
Laurie Gordon
Executive Editor
FertilityAuthority
I was told today that the dr thought i had pcos 6 months ago and i stil dont understand why she did not test me but it does not even matter, im nineteen and overweight and now my dr told me that there is a good chance i will never have kids, is it that badd or is she serious??
the doctor that i when to told me that i have pcos while back ago and iam trying to have kids and you help me out here.
I went for blood work a yr ago and my levels were off so i went for a sonogram and the dr said I had pcos. For the past 3 months my period had stopped out of no where. so now i have to take progestrone to enduse is since im trying to have a baby. I also tryed clomid to help me get pregnant but no luck hoping to see the endo dr for more help.anyone else in my boat? email me stefne3780@aol.com
Stefne3780, I encourage you to check out our new PCOS group here:
http://www.fertilityauthority.com/group/pcos
We're building our groups now and adding new functionality all of the time. Please check it out and join up to connect with others who know what you're going through.
:)
Claire
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Need help or have a question? Contact me!
claire@fertilityauthority.com
i also have pcos and i am 28 now i was diagnosed with it back in october and my doctor had me in for ovarian drilling that was november 2nd 2009 i have not become pregnant but my period started in january by itself. in 2009 i had my first period in january and didn't have another one until my doctor started it with meds. I am not pregnant yet but i will test in a few days to see if it worked this month. I have tried clomid which gave me double vision so i can't use that and was switched to famera which has not helped yet, but the doctor is going to have me keep using it. My husband and i have been trying for 5 years now. PCOS is when your body produces a lot of the male hormone which causes cysts to cover you ovaries so the female hormone can not get through to your eggs my eggs wouldn't grow past 2 or 3 days. Since the surgery my very painful periods since i was 12 have not been has bad in january it wasn't bad at all and they say it can take a couple of months from the surgery for you to feel less painful periods. my fingers are crossed this month.. Good luck to everyone
I TO HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH PCOS, LAST YEAR IN 09. I WAS SO DEVASTATED. BEFORE I EVEN KNEW I HAD IT PCOS GYN HAD TRIED ME ON CLOMID 100MG. NOTHING NEVER HAPPEN FOR A WHOLE YEAR. AFTER THAT I WAS REFERRED TO A SPECIALIST, WHO THEN DETERMINE THAT I HAD PCOS. I TO WAS ON METFOMIN AND FEMARA. I DIDNT STAY ON THE METFORMIN BUT THE DR. ONLY OPTION TO ME WAS TO WAIT TILL I COME ON MY PERIOD THEN SEND OFF FOR THIS SHOTS THAT COST 700. NEVER HAD THE MONEY TO AFFORD IT BUT THERE ANYONE OUT THAT CAN GIVE ME ANY INFORMATION ON THIS PLEASE DO. IM IN CINCINNATI AND I NED HELP IM GOING CRAZY OVER THIS AND I KNOW IT GOT TO BE SOME HELP OUT THERE
I TO HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH PCOS, LAST YEAR IN 09. I WAS SO DEVASTATED. BEFORE I EVEN KNEW I HAD IT PCOS GYN HAD TRIED ME ON CLOMID 100MG. NOTHING NEVER HAPPEN FOR A WHOLE YEAR. AFTER THAT I WAS REFERRED TO A SPECIALIST, WHO THEN DETERMINE THAT I HAD PCOS. I TO WAS ON METFOMIN AND FEMARA. I DIDNT STAY ON THE METFORMIN BUT THE DR. ONLY OPTION TO ME WAS TO WAIT TILL I COME ON MY PERIOD THEN SEND OFF FOR THIS SHOTS THAT COST 700. NEVER HAD THE MONEY TO AFFORD IT BUT THERE ANYONE OUT THAT CAN GIVE ME ANY INFORMATION ON THIS PLEASE DO. IM IN CINCINNATI AND I NED HELP IM GOING CRAZY OVER THIS AND I KNOW IT GOT TO BE SOME HELP OUT THERE
hi, i'm an 18 year old girl and I have had this problem of irregular periods since pretty much last year. I gained so much weight and did have abnormal hair growth in the very less common areas such as chest, stomach. Whenever I go talk to my doc, she puts me on birth control and knowing that its gonna make me gain weight just discourages me and i never take it. It worries me a lot and i'm gonna go for an ultrasound. Do any of you guys know if this thing's always gonna make me gain weight. It gets soo frustrating after a while when you're 18 and you look not fit. Also, when before I used to be athletic and fit, whereas now I fel tired and my self esteem is like buried in the ground. I feel bad for myself :(
:(
I was 20 when I started to have symptoms of PCOS. I was very athletic and played Tennis for college. I stated missing periods, gaining a bunch of weight and having sevre headaches. I went to many doctors and no one could figure out what was wrong with me! Finally I went to an eye doctor that found that I had swollen optical nerves that was caused by a fake tumor (extra water on my brain) that was caused by gaining so much weight so fast and having PCOS. I gained 75 pnds in one year!!! I felt miserable not only because I was getting fat but I had never been fat my whole life. I then went to many doctors and they put me on metaphormine and it helped me lose about 30 pnds and if I would still take it right i would probably lose more weight but it makes my stomach so upset and you have to go to the bathroom all the time and where I work I can't always get to a bathroom.
I recommend counseling! It really helped for me! I do feel better about my self and I don't let this syndrome hold me back from doing things that I enjoy! I use to be 140 pnds before my dignosis and now I weigh 270. My weight and pants size flucuates from 16 to 20. I'm now 29 and I have been trying to have children for about 3 years. It is really rough but you are young and you can exercise and eat right and that will help with the weight and it will help with the chemicals in your brain to make them feel better too! Good Luck! And just remember you are not alone! Find good support systems!!!
Please don't lose hope in yourself I know how you feel I'm 20 now and I use to also be fit ah=nd thin and now I look 4 months pregant but the said thing is that I may never get to have Kids and I really want kids. I work at the Hospital in town and I started walking on the tredmill and have notice some progress. so even though you stay tired try to work out maybe some yoga would help. I'm on the birth control pill called sprintec and i seem to do good on that and I don't seem to be gaining weight on it so you might give it a try. Just stay away from the Depo shot I t made me gain 10 pounds in one month. Well good luck hope thing work out for you. Nette
Hang in there I use to be really fit and I gained alot of weight to. I have gained more latetly. My weights constantly going up and down because my PCOS im tired of it but its so hard to regulate. Your not alone :)
*What do they look for to know if I had polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?
* Will Clomid help me ovulate?
*Is there a connection with diabetes, hormone levels and polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?
I am 38 years old and I have been trying to get pregnant for the last four years. I worked in childcare for most of my life and never imaged my life without becoming a mother to my own children. I recently bought those urine tests that you can daily keep track of your ovulation. My cycles have always been crazy, so it recommended to use the first one on day ten and just continue throughout the month until you detect the LH surge. I have gone through 5 boxes now and never detected a LH surge. Its helped me at least see why all our efforts have been fruitless all these years. I have had hormone tests and ultrasounds, but I dont remember any mention of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
Is there a connection with diabetes, hormone levels and polycystic Ovarian Syndrome? I also noticed more than one mention of a overweight ness on this site.
Is that a tenancy? I am not diabetic, but I have problems with low blood sugar levels for over twenty years. I remember that when I was on birth control pills for six months, I had a yeast infection that lasted the whole six months until I quit taking the pill. My GYN said there was not a relation between yeast infections and birth control pills, but I heard that diabetics often have yeast infections when on hormone therapy or birth control pills.
Hi Michelle--
I'm sorry that you're journey to become a mother has been such a difficult one. I encourage you to seek out a fertility specialist and have a full hormonal work-up. Unfortunately, a gynecologist may not have the expertise to diagnose the issue and might be missing some of the signs. Research shows that there is a connection to diabetes and PCOS and yes, hormone levels can be checked to help get that PCOS diagnosis.
Many women have had success with Clomid and for women with blood sugar issues, their doctors may prescribe glucophage along with Clomid. But this is why it's important to see a specialist. Clomid is sometimes called the aspirin of infertility because doctors prescribe it so readily but women need to be monitored while on it and they also should have their partners tested as well as have other diagnostic tests to be sure that ovulation is the issue and that there aren't other issues like low sperm count or blocked tubes.
You can look for an RE in your community through our search (in that box labeled "Get Started" on the right).
I wish you much luck in the new year!!
:)
Claire
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claire@fertilityauthority.com
I am not sure if anyone has answered your questions yet. So I will go ahead and try to answer them to the best of my ability. I have PCOS and from my research and from my doctors have told me PCOS symptoms are abnormal weight gain, excess growth of hair, weight is usually carried in the waist, hormone levels are abnormal and irregular or absent periods. I am not sure Clomid will help you ovulate I believe it does however, I know they don't necessarily like to prescribe Clomid because it could lead to multiple births and its main use is infertility. I believe they would prescribe metformin first but in some cases in someone wanting to conceive they might put you on metformin and clomid together. Yes, there is definitely a connection between diabetes, hormone levels and PCOS. There is an very good video on youtube that was made by a doctor that talks about the links of these things. The video was very informative to me and put in terms I could understand.
Also you mentioned whether or not being heavy is associated with PCOS yes it is definitely associated with PCOS. I believe PCOS affects your hormones which in turn doesn't let our bodies absorb insulin properly so our insulin levels are off. Because we don't produce the hormone to absorb the insulin our bodies make throwing our glucose levels and hormone levels and weight gain typically easier than it is for others.
I have had PCOS For about 7 years know...I did the Metformin thing for a year or so but got really sick...My sugar dropped so low one morning at work I was rushed to the ER...How I found out that I has PCOS I was joking with my DR. I said Look I can grow a beard and I almost never get a peroid and I'm Gay....Do you think I'm a man??? She jokingly said lets do some blood work to check your hormonies and see If your right....Later that week She called me and told me that I have PCOS....Know years later I haven't been on anything to help it....I have a grate girl friend that I don't want to have sex with....There's just no drive left...I have to shave my face evey morning....I have gained about 80 lb. in 7 years....And mood swings....I'll will tear you to peaces....What can I do to fix this????I have asked my OB to remove my ovaies and at 28 years old they can't....Any comments of help please e-mail me Diddle411@yahoo.com subject-PCOS thanks
Oh Cassidy, it can be so frustrating when you're trying to find treatment that works for YOU!! There are other treatments for PCOS like modifying your diet and going on birth control pills. But will they help you? Only you and your doctor will know for sure. I encourage you to go back to your doc and if she can't help, ask for a referral to an endocrinologist who specializes in helping people handle hormonal dysfunctions. You deserve to have a healthy, happy life -- some of us just have to fight harder for it!!
:)
Claire
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thanks for the reply Claire...Yea I have been on birth control for about 4 years now...I have gone to an endocrinologist before but she was just so nasty to me I walked out...She said to me "This isn't a weight loss program! What do you want me to do for you? " I said I have no idea I'm not the Dr. So I walked out...I have to find anyothere one by me...She was the only Dr. in an 2 hour drive from me...I have been losing weight for some reason latly 15 pounds in 2 months I thought that was a good start....Well thanks again for the reply...
Cassidy
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