My doctor won't test me for PCOS, does it sound like I have it?

[Sunshine4me]

I have many signs of PCOS, the only thing is, I have my period every month. I am also in my lower 20s and never missed a period expect once this past December and it started a couple days later in January. My cycle ranges from 29 to 34 days. I was wondering if any of you had any input. I still break out, around my chin and under my cheeks as well as chest sometimes. TMI idk but I grow hair around my nipples, a little bit of blonde hair on my upper neck ( since I was young) on my hand and fingers as well as feet and toes. Under my belly button too. I am noticing fuzz on my face but nothing to noticeable since its blonde. I am a bit over weight in the stomach area only. I am 5'10 and weigh 195. I mentioned to my doctor that I feel like I may have it because of my symptoms but he says I don't need a test. I am kind of mad because my husband and I are TTC and have been trying for 10 months. I feel like I have PCOS but he kept saying since my period are regular for the most part that I don't have it. Ugh this is so frustrating. I am taking a Prenatal, Vitex, royal jelly in capsule form.  I have been on the Vitex for two months and the royal jelly I just started. I am about to add in fish oil too.  I want to do this naturally without Clomid if I can. What do you ladies think about my symptoms.  My doctor said since it doesn't run in my families and since I have regular periods from 29 to 34 days that I am fine. That is all he has said.

Thanks ladies!

[Kinza]

I'd find a new doctor.  I have PCOS, and I always ovulated on my own (albeit delayed sometimes), but for the last several years have had cycles between 30-45 days.  You can have PCOS and still cycle!  I don't know if you have it or not, but checking hormone levels, blood glucose levels, and insulin levels are about all you need to do.  Ultrasounds also show if you have lots of cysts on your ovaries, but bear in mind that not all PCOS people have multiple cysts.  Good luck!

[monkeyscience]

I second the "get an new doctor" vote. My OB/GYN wouldn't test me because I wasn't overweight and didn't have excessive body hair. Got a new OB/GYN and she ran my hormone levels. I have elevated testosterone and LH (and my LH/FSH ratio isn't where it should be). Later ultrasounds also showed the polycystic ovaries. PCOS presents in so many different ways that you can't just take someone's history and decide she does/doesn't have it. You need bloodwork done for sure, and possibly and ultrasound.

This is a super long article, but very useful: PCOS - Required Reading. Oh, and you might want to see if there's a doc in your area that specializes in PCOS.

[goldfinches]

That doesn't sound like PCOS.  That said, there are so many symptoms, I'm sure you have some, which is all you need to have, right?

I have unexplained infertility.  It's annoying.  Wish I had answers.

I didn't know there was a test for PCOS.  I thought docs just diagnosed through symptoms.  Thanks for the info.

(I have many symptoms that have increased over the years and suspect that's what I have.)

[Sunshine4me]

Do you mean it sounds like PCOS due to my symptoms? Were you able to conceive yet? It is so frustrating.

good luck!

[Rainy229]

Sunshine,

I agree with the PPs - get a new doc - regardless of your doc's opinion of your PCOS status, ordering a 3 hour GTT w/insulin levels is not risky - I mean, you fast and drink the nasty orange stuff and get your blood drawn a few times... "worst" case scenario - you have perfectly normal blood sugar and insulin levels - other possible results: insulin resistance (a key feature in PCOS - treatable) or other blood sugar or insulin issues (which could then be treated!).  

I don't want to diminish your symptoms, but just share what I've noticed: the difference between PCOS hair growth and "fuzz" is the difference between the typical hair on the typical girls arm and a man's chest hair - it's normal to have some fuzz in the places you mentioned, but to have that man-type hair in those places is what is meant when describing PCOS.  Another symptom that you didn't mention is dark velvety patches of skin, also skin tags can be a symptom of PCOS too...

Do you chart?  Just because you have a period fairly regularly doesn't mean you ovulate regularly.  

Best of luck finding out what's going on!  Hopefully your little one is just being picky :-P

--Rainy

[Sunshine4me]

Thanks for your reply everyone!

Rainy229,

Thanks a bunch for your post.  I am going to get a new doctor right away but this time I am going to ask around for a good one first! lol. 

Alittle bit more on my symptoms, the only place that I have fuzz, is on my face. Everywhere else, it is eyebrow like hair.  it is certainly not as much hair as my eyebrows but that is what the hair looks like. It is dark.  My arm hair isn't too bad, its long but not enough.  I also hear that some women with PCOS grow hair on their chest. Is that common? I don't have that either nor do I have a or any skin tags or dark spots.  My only concern symptoms wise is the acne, hair on feet and toes, hand, fingers, nipples and under belly button. UGH! lol. If you don't mind me asking Rainy, has any herbs worked for you? I am taking everything in capsule form.  The Vitex doesn't seem to be doing much.  I took 1500 MG the first month and about 1000 the second, The first month on it, my cycle was 32 days, this month today, I am on my 32 cycle length today and haven't started ( even though I feel it coming) I just thought it would of worked better.  Not sure if you have tried Vitex. Have you been able to conceive?

Thanks for your help, good luck to you as well!

[Rainy229]

Sunshine,

Yes, she-chest hair is fairly common - esp. between the girls.  What has worked for me is acupuncture, Chinese herbs (mixed by my acupuncturist), and metformin.  I think stress was a big thing for me too - too much stress = no ovulation.  While you're doc-shopping, I'd look into charting - a $10 bbt thermometer and signing up for fertility friend (or keeping track on paper) go a long way.  Another thought is the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility by  Toni Weschler.  

On the bright side - a friend of mine was TTC for about 18 mos; she'd had all sorts of work-ups and spent lots of $$ on ovulation predictor stuff, etc.  The day before her husband was going in for a SA, she got a BFP.  Baby is adorable and growing like a weed now!

--Rainy

[herent]

Yes definately find a different doctor.  I know 2 friends who had doctors that were adamant they didn't have PCOS and went to seek second opinion and sure enough both have PCOS.  I also have PCOS and was diagnosed by blood tests LH and FSH imbalance, insulin resistence and elevated testosterone, as well as ultrasound showing string of pearl cysts.  I didn't think I had  PCOS because I have always had regular cycles 32 days.  I was also using OPKs and they were coming up showing ovulation as well as temp charting was showing clear ovulation patterns but progesterone levels showed no O.  So just goes to show ya things may look normal and you can still have PCOS.

[AdinaL]

Get a new doctor.

That being said - be aware that a lot of docs won't do testing until you have been trying for 12 months to get pregnant with no success.  Especially if you are cycling regularly.  I would use the next couple of months to chart/use OPKs and really know your cycle. :)

[eyevet05]

I would get a new doctor that listens to you. Regardless of whether you have PCOS, you have been trying for long enough that basic baseline blood testing and an ultrasound would be warranted...esp if you are charting.  You should only need to try for 6 months if you are charting.  I recommend reading Taking Charge of Your Fertility for more info on charting and PCOS

if you aren't already doing it.  Take it with you to your OB/Gyn to help her/him determine which tests are right for you.