PCOS

[ThisIsMyDragName]

No I totally agree with you and I think most people in this thread would too! It’s always the same with women’s healthcare. I’m sorry you’ve had a rough time of it with your mental health, I empathise and it’s definitely important to prioritise that. Regarding losing weight, it can help but won’t necessarily lead to big improvements. I am well within my ‘healthy’ weight range but I still have excessive body hair, hair loss from my head, terrible skin, irregular cycle, all the fun stuff. Obviously everyone has their own journey, sometimes things improve and other times they don’t. Again women’s weight is something else that every GP will use as a reason for things. Of course I advocate for being the healthiest version of yourself but don’t let anyone shame you into losing weight. Do it because it’s what you want for yourself. I really wish you all the best in receiving treatment that suits you and on your TTC journey when you feel it’s the right time again.

Thank you, this was such a lovely and supportive and helpful response. I really appreciate it

 

[unfinishedsentenc]

Hi I've been prescribed provera for 3 weeks after a very long time of absent periods. I'm on day 11 and assumed I would have had a bleed by now.

A quick Google and it seems this doesn't happen until I finish my dose of provera. Is this true or am I getting confused?

I'm so nervous that I won't have a bleed at all. What's everyone's experiences of provera?

 

[knivesnflowers]

Hi I've been prescribed provera for 3 weeks after a very long time of absent periods. I'm on day 11 and assumed I would have had a bleed by now.

A quick Google and it seems this doesn't happen until I finish my dose of provera. Is this true or am I getting confused?

I'm so nervous that I won't have a bleed at all. What's everyone's experiences of provera?

yes this is true! i was on it for a few years to stop my heavy periods but it's the same drug used to delay them so you can swim on holiday etc. it's medroxyprogesterone so i'm assuming three weeks is to mimic a 'normal' cycle length after a period? could be another reason for it though

 

[ChampagneBox]

Please can someone tell me what is classed as high testosterone?

I’ve done a private blood test through hertility and it’s flagged up high testosterone at 1.97, but when I look at nhs ref ranges it’s not in the high range

however, now I’m connecting the dots on some other issues ive been having and thinking I possibly could have mild PCOS? I’m having a few dark thick hairs on my chin, been there for about a year, I did mention to the dr last year and she asked what my periods are like and they’re absolutely regular, cycle length varies plus/minus about 4 days but pretty regular, and so she wasn’t worried. Before I was on the implant for 7 yrs was a different story though..

also got high cholesterol and although blood tests show my fasting blood sugar is okay, I do often get low blood sugar symptoms at certain times of day

 

[slugella]

Please can someone tell me what is classed as high testosterone?

I’ve done a private blood test through hertility and it’s flagged up high testosterone at 1.97, but when I look at nhs ref ranges it’s not in the high range

however, now I’m connecting the dots on some other issues ive been having and thinking I possibly could have mild PCOS? I’m having a few dark thick hairs on my chin, been there for about a year, I did mention to the dr last year and she asked what my periods are like and they’re absolutely regular, cycle length varies plus/minus about 4 days but pretty regular, and so she wasn’t worried. Before I was on the implant for 7 yrs was a different story though..

also got high cholesterol and although blood tests show my fasting blood sugar is okay, I do often get low blood sugar symptoms at certain times of day

Irregular periods is only one of the signs or PCOS so you could still have it. You need to have at least two of three features to be diagnosed - irregular periods, cysts on ovaries, and/or a certain level of androgens in a blood test. May be worth asking your doctor for a blood test and scan if you suspect you could have it. GPs can be pretty useless with PCOS and some may just dismiss it if periods are regular. I think hairs on chin is pretty common though if it's just a few so doesn't necessarily mean PCOS if that's the only symptom you have.

I'm not sure about what is counted as high testosterone. I've just Googled and an NHS page says 1.8 or less for women, but I don't know enough about it to give a helpful response sorry! Sometimes the NHS do set odd benchmarks though, for example what my doctor counts as normal vitamin D levels are actually pretty low.

 

[knivesnflowers]

Please can someone tell me what is classed as high testosterone?

I’ve done a private blood test through hertility and it’s flagged up high testosterone at 1.97, but when I look at nhs ref ranges it’s not in the high range

however, now I’m connecting the dots on some other issues ive been having and thinking I possibly could have mild PCOS? I’m having a few dark thick hairs on my chin, been there for about a year, I did mention to the dr last year and she asked what my periods are like and they’re absolutely regular, cycle length varies plus/minus about 4 days but pretty regular, and so she wasn’t worried. Before I was on the implant for 7 yrs was a different story though..

also got high cholesterol and although blood tests show my fasting blood sugar is okay, I do often get low blood sugar symptoms at certain times of day

my testosterone is 1.1 on medication, but my gp range says 0.41 - 1.50. as above i think it's androgens that are the indicator, as mine are 12.2 and the upper limit is 5.29! there's no harm in asking for a blood test and ultrasound if not to just rule it out.

 

[ChampagneBox]

Thanks both! Will send a message to the drs tomorrow. If I wasn’t at the stage of life where I wanted to know what my fertility and gynae health were like it wouldnt bother me, but I want to know where I stand reproductive health wise!

 

[ThisIsMyDragName]

Please can someone tell me what is classed as high testosterone?

I’ve done a private blood test through hertility and it’s flagged up high testosterone at 1.97, but when I look at nhs ref ranges it’s not in the high range

however, now I’m connecting the dots on some other issues ive been having and thinking I possibly could have mild PCOS? I’m having a few dark thick hairs on my chin, been there for about a year, I did mention to the dr last year and she asked what my periods are like and they’re absolutely regular, cycle length varies plus/minus about 4 days but pretty regular, and so she wasn’t worried. Before I was on the implant for 7 yrs was a different story though..

also got high cholesterol and although blood tests show my fasting blood sugar is okay, I do often get low blood sugar symptoms at certain times of day

I sent my results from Hertility to my GP and they referred me for an ultrasound which confirmed cysts on my ovaries. I did have plenty of the symptoms as well, but you need two out of three of: blood tests with high AMH and/or testosterone, symptoms and presence of cysts in the ovaries for the diagnosis. You don’t need all three.

 

[ChampagneBox]

I sent my results from Hertility to my GP and they referred me for an ultrasound which confirmed cysts on my ovaries. I did have plenty of the symptoms as well, but you need two out of three of: blood tests with high AMH and/or testosterone, symptoms and presence of cysts in the ovaries for the diagnosis. You don’t need all three.

Thankyou! So your doctor took your hertility results seriously? If you don’t mind me asking did you have high testosterone too?

 

[ThisIsMyDragName]

Thankyou! So your doctor took your hertility results seriously? If you don’t mind me asking did you have high testosterone too?

Well…. he did and he didn’t. He obviously wasn’t that impressed by my results, clearly they weren’t abnormal enough for him. I don’t think my medical notes have travelled (I’ve lived in Wales, England and Scotland) so he probably didn’t have any note that I had a laser surgery for endometriosis and have had lifelong period issues, but once I reeled off all the symptoms I have and how they got worse since my mirena coil was removed, he was more prepared to listen. He was a bit of a typical man about it, but I did get my referral. Which he fluffed up and it was rejected at first due to lack of information, and took 6 weeks to be sorted and resent, so it took 6 months for the scan. I have high testosterone and very high AMH I think. Whilst high AMH is ‘good’ it also can be an indicator of PCOS, too! I’m going to try and engage with a female GP to see if they’ll give me any treatment options.

 

[ThisIsMyDragName]

Just to jump back in if it’s helpful, my testosterone at the time of my Hertility test was 1.81 and my AMH was 41.03. I was about 6 months since my Mirena was removed by the point of my test, and I don’t know if it would have done anything to suppress my results whilst it was in, or whether it would have just helped repress some of the symptoms, or both, or neither! My other results were all within normal range although there was a note that one of my thyroid results sat within a boundary where some studies show levels above a certain range are seen in women with some fertility/pregnancy issues, but in and of itself it wasn’t high enough to require any further investigation.

 

[ChampagneBox]

Just to jump back in if it’s helpful, my testosterone at the time of my Hertility test was 1.81 and my AMH was 41.03. I was about 6 months since my Mirena was removed by the point of my test, and I don’t know if it would have done anything to suppress my results whilst it was in, or whether it would have just helped repress some of the symptoms, or both, or neither! My other results were all within normal range although there was a note that one of my thyroid results sat within a boundary where some studies show levels above a certain range are seen in women with some fertility/pregnancy issues, but in and of itself it wasn’t high enough to require any further investigation.

Hmm my AMH is well within range, its only Testosterone that’s high at 1.97

 

[ThisIsMyDragName]

Hmm my AMH is well within range, its only Testosterone that’s high at 1.97

My Hertility results said high AMH can be indicative of PCOS but I don’t think that’s the kicker by itself. I think it’s testosterone that is a lot more indicative. So don’t go worrying about the AMH, especially if it’s in range!

 

[bbbbbbb123]

I would probably go to the docs and ask them to repeat the blood test and a scan, at least they’d look at the overall results and be able to give you a diagnosis xx

 

[pecan]

Does anyone have experience with using a TENS machine for pain relief? Over the weekend I had some of the worst cramping I’ve ever dealt with, it was unbearable. I really struggle to take medications due to reflux disease and I’m at my wits end being in so much pain every month.

Do they actually work?

 

[RandomAlpaca22]

Does anyone have experience with using a TENS machine for pain relief? Over the weekend I had some of the worst cramping I’ve ever dealt with, it was unbearable. I really struggle to take medications due to reflux disease and I’m at my wits end being in so much pain every month.

Do they actually work?

No but funny you mention this as I just got off the phone with my GP who suggested I try a TENS machine and I was coming here to ask before I take the plunge an order one any medication they fob me off with doesn't even touch the sides.

I do however have a friend who swears by her TENS machine she has for her migraines so I am tempted

 

[pecan]

No but funny you mention this as I just got off the phone with my GP who suggested I try a TENS machine and I was coming here to ask before I take the plunge an order one any medication they fob me off with doesn't even touch the sides.

I do however have a friend who swears by her TENS machine she has for her migraines so I am tempted

What a coincidence! I know what you mean, when I do take meds and suffer the consequences with reflux, they don’t help the pain anyway! There’s so many when I’ve had a google. Some with multiple individual pads, some wireless, some units with a heat function too marketed specifically for menstrual cramps - but I noticed those ones seem to have a higher price I think I’ll do some more research and then order something. Even if it doesn’t help with cramp I have a dodgy shoulder I could use it on haha

 

[Donald23]

Does anyone have experience with using a TENS machine for pain relief? Over the weekend I had some of the worst cramping I’ve ever dealt with, it was unbearable. I really struggle to take medications due to reflux disease and I’m at my wits end being in so much pain every month.

Do they actually work?

I have a MYOOVI, I tried it once and haven’t tried it again as it didn’t make a difference

 

[Blond3g1rl]

Have you been to the doctor and asked for some decent painkillers? I used to use mefenamic acid pills which really helped

 

[ThisIsMyDragName]

Have you been to the doctor and asked for some decent painkillers? I used to use mefenamic acid pills which really helped

Mefenamic and tranexamic acid tablets did used to help me. I think tranexamic acid can help with a heavy flow as well? But I might be making this up.