PCOS and Hello I'm new :)

[Saratoo]

Hi all...I'm new here.

I have PCOS - diagnosed about 5 years ago, went on the pill for the irregular periods and other symptoms, etc.

Started trying to conceive about 3 months ago - went off the pill about 4 months ago - am on Metformin XR 2000 mgs a day - been on Metformin 1000 mgs up until last month when doctor upped the dosage to 2000 mgs a day to help fertility...

Anyhow, went and got an ultrasound 2 times this week - once on Monday then again on Weds - I have 3 follicles on the left ovary and they are about 10 to 12 cm's and didn't grow any between Monday to Weds - they said my lining was perfect thought.

They also said if my follicles don't grow at least 2 cm's a day that it's not a good cycle to get pregnant on....I am new to this and never heard of it - can anyone clarify or back that up for me? Do you indeed need to have your follicles grow that much per day?

I have done Ovulation testing past 2 months and did get positives after testing for about 5 days.

I am wondering if the doctor hasn't given the Metformin increase enough time?

Also, I am 39, going to be 40 in February and it seems like everyone is rusing me to get pregnant asap! and that stress isn't so nice...like 40 is a magic number or something - me and hubby of course know it's harder that I'm older but still...

Also, we are waiting to see how hubby's sperm count/motility is - should know by Tuesday...we are hoping he's OK.

I do have a cyst on my right ovary, but dr said that was 'normal' and that it would probably drain during a period...

Anyone have any help to offer me?

Thanks in advance

[ChattyCat]

Metformin takes about 2 months to kick in and see results. You didn't say how long you'd been on the increased dosage, so I'm not sure if your dr has given it enough time or not.

Follicles *should* grow 2 mm a day, if they're healthy.

I have PCOS, and don't ovulate at all on my own. Metformin wasn't enough for me to ovulate either. I had to take clomid or other fertility drugs to produce follicles. I remember having lots of monitoring u/s, and they were definitely looking for growth. I had two failed cycles, on low doses of clomid, where the follicles didn't grow at 2mm/day rate, and I never ovulated. The cycles just crashed so to speak. I don't know if it's possible to ovulate when they're growing more slowly, but I imagine it would be less likely.

With your age and that you already know you have PCOS, I wouldn't really waste time to seek treatment. Obviously, it's up to you, but a woman's fertility starts to decline around 30. When you have PCOS too, you're typically starting with impaired fertility, making it even more difficult. Of course, at the same time stress isn't good. Turning 40 is not a magic number where your fertility decreases. For all practical purposes, you'll be as fertile in 6 months as you are now. Can you join a mind/body program or find a yoga relaxation class? I found both of those to be very helpful when we were trying to conceive our first.

Good luck. PCOS can be so frustrating!

[Saratoo]

I've been on Metformin 1000 mgs for about 4 years...just raised to 1500 then 2000 XR for about 4 weeks - just one cycle on the max dose - but Metformin has been in my system for at least 4 years.

What did you mean you wouldn't waste any time? do you mean hurry? or give up? not sure what you meant there

The dr is mentioning a drug called Femara instead of clomid - apparently they give it to women after breast cancer surgery to help produce estrogen - and estrogen increases the growth of follicles - so that's why they give it to women trying to conceive - he said it's a relatively new concept.

As far as stress, I try and work it out with excercise...I'm just getting irritated at the whole thing - I would love to just be with my husband and not worry about it....ugh

[AdinaL]

I took Femara as well as Clomid. It depends on which is better for your body. Femara for me had less of an effect, and less reilable results. CLomid for me was like clockwork. So it really depends on the person. Femara is not approved for fertility use as of yet, though docs are using it for that to see if it works.

[ChattyCat]

Oh, I didn't mean to give up. I just meant that I though you should move at as quick a pace as you're comfortable with, because of your age. But, at the same time try to avoid the stress of ttc.

I'm not sure how much Femara would help. I'm not familiar with it, but most PCOS ladies don't have low estrogen. It's usually on the high side, because some of the excess testosterone gets converted to estrogen. Maybe someone else has more info.

[Saratoo]

I'm not your typical PCOS profile - I've been told by both my Endo and my Fertility doctor - I have normal testosterone levels actually - although I have enough extra hair in places I'd like to transfer to my scalp if I could lol - I don't have the baldness either (thank God)..but I am heavy in the middle, have hair where I shouldn't, have irregular periods, and cysts on my ovaries ocassionally and I am Insulin Resistant - which is the biggest part of the diagnosis.

So, I know that I do indeed ovulate - at least the tests show that I do - and I know I can feel it when the egg drops - but I am assuming that the eggs aren't ever big enough....

This particular doctor has told me they have had good results with Femera in patients like me - for those of you that took Femara - did you have any side effects? If so, what were they?

Thanks for both of your help!

[kittywitty]

I just posted about the wonders of aspirin with PCOS on another thread here. Maybe ask your doc about taking a baby aspirin to help? Always helped my patients. I also have cysts on my ovaries, and I took a baby aspirin every morning before I got pregnant with my last dd.

[Saratoo]

What does the baby aspirin do to help?

[kittywitty]

It was common procedure in the infertility office that I worked in for those with PCOS and those with other ovarian problems to take one baby aspirin a day. It is also recommended for those with cardiovascular risk. It increases blood flow and all of the doctors and nurse practitioners always told me that it is one of the best treatment for those with PCOS. I would certainly ask your own doc/nurse first, though. It is contraindicated for people with some conditions, and you should be monitored. I took one every day for 3 months before I got pregnant with dd (I have ovarian cysts) and I stopped taking it as soon as I knew that I was pregnant.

[Saratoo]

thanks, I will definitely bring it up to the doctor next week!

[Pookietooth]

It sounds like you are responding to the metformin, great they are monitoring you. I'm surprized they didn't test your dh first, though, since that can be an issues. +++++ thoughts!

[Saratoo]

Hubby was tested last week and he came back fine - thank goodness yay!

We go to see the dr tomorrow...we'll see about the Femera and other questions I have - I just got the Taking Charge of your Fertility book and from what I've read so far I'd like to give it a couple more months before we go to other meds...

I'm not a typical PCOS'er - I don't have a lot of testosterone - but I am Insulin Resistant...and I do get cysts on the ovaries once in awhile...

hmmmmm