1. Community
  2. Women's health
  3. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Is there light at the end of the tunnel?

Posted , 6 users are following.

amy85031
amy85031

Hi there,

I’m in absolute desperation, and need to know I’m not alone. I’m 24 (and yes it is young in ages, however in my mind I’m much older). I started my periods when I was 10, I was regular for a short while. Then once I reached secondary school things when to pot. My periods were irregular and erratic, sometimes light but most heavy.. then at the age of 15 I went on the pill.

I have always carried more weight than expected however still remain very active. Once at secondary school i put more weight on as the issues with my periods became worse. When on the pill i ballooned even further becoming quiet obese. To the point I had to come off the pill at 16.

Since then my periods have been awful, I tried the implant but had a period for 6 months constantly. I went to the GP and referred to the gynecology team. They performed blood test and had an internal ultrasound. Of which they were unable to get a view of one ovary. From what they saw, they diagnosed me with PCOS. :-(

My treatment has been shocking to say the least. I was put on metformin then stopped. All along the way my weight has been a big issue and always blamed. Over the past nearly 3 years I have lost just under 8 stone, I have improved my lifestyle and still my periods are erratic. I have even tried to regulate them with a 6 month course of northisterone as advised by the gynecology doc’s.

In all this we have been trying for 5 years to conceive.. Always being told it will happen.. You’re only young. They say loose weight and improve lifestyle which I have. But still unable to gain help with ovulation. My doctors have said I need to have a bmi of 30 before I can get help. I am still quite far away from reaching that BMI.

Is anyone else in this situation?> I’m so depressed, and desperate to be a mum, I’m ready in a stable home, loving relationship and we want to complete our family with a bundle of joy.

Any advice and stories are welcome.

Sorry for going on and on.

 

Amy x

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • masha17
    masha17 amy85031

    Posted

    Dear Amy,

    Sorry to hear about your troubles. This trial and error approach to therapy is criminal.

    I've posted recently about a herbal tea that I use from time to time which gives good results - mix equal parts of nettle, yarrow and marigold, take one spoon of the mix and pout it in one cup of boiling water. Drink a couple of cups during the day. When you get your period, stop and then continnue. 

    When I'm disciplined enough I see good results. My cysts diminish and some even disappear. I've read a lot of good posts from women whom this herbal tea has helped regulate menstrual cycles and eventuallu they got pregnant.

    I'm not looking to get pregnant, so I can only tell you that in my experience it helps with the cysts, regulates the cycle, lessens the PMS.

    I don't kknow if it has any effect on weight and other problems PCOS brings.

    Unfortunately there's no cure that is convenient for all. Weight loss plays an important roll, but there are cases of underweight women who have problems. 

    Hang in there.

    • ingping1
      ingping1 masha17

      Posted

      Hello Masha17, just reading your post and very interested in your tea.  where do you buy nettle, yarrow & marigold from? do you buy it already dried as tea leaves?  Does this tea boost the ovulation rate? i find im not ovulating each month sad  .... thanks x
    • masha17
      masha17 ingping1

      Posted

      Dear Ingping1,

      I buy it already dried and then I mix all three plants together. For nettle dried leaves, for marigold dried flowers and for yarrow dried flowering tops (I'm having troubles translating "sommité" from French).

      I live in France, so I buy the herbs in their organic stores. The most difficult to find is always yarrow. Very often they say they have never heard of it.

      As far as I understood it helps regulating the function of the ovaries which leads to diminishing (some women even say a complete disappearance) of the (bad) cysts and healthy ovulation. 

      The first thing you should notice are milder PMS symptomes. It takes time for the body to find balance again.

      Please note that this is not a cure-all. If you have some other problems (e.g. endometriosis, blocked Fallopian tubes etc.) they should be treated as well.

      I have read so many positive experiences, you just need to be persistent and think happy thoughts smile

      And btw thanx for reminding me... My period finished two days ago and I forgot to start drinking it again. 

      You can start whenever you want to, but it's better to stop drinking it during your periods. Nettle can influence your menstrual flow. It's beneficial for those who suffer frm the excessive flow, but I'm not sure it's good for those who have normal/low flow.

      Good luck! 

       

  • Carlee.
    Carlee. amy85031

    Posted

    My story is quite similar to yours. However I was given Clomid whilst my BMI was over 30. I took 12 cycles which is a lot more than average too but unfortunately it didn't work for me. In hindsight I wish I'd waited to tale it until my weight was lower.

    i did eventually get my weight down low enough to go the IVF route but decided it wasn't for me. Unfortunately my weight has now crept up again. For various other health reason we have now decided to adopt. 

    However I do know many women in our situation who have successfully had children with or without treatment. The best advice I can offer you is never loose hope. Continue with the weight loss and pester your doctors for referrals to a fertility specialist. They will tell you to loose weight but they could still put you on the waiting list for treatment or maybe offer Clomid. 

  • Dotcon
    Dotcon amy85031

    Posted

    Hello Amy. Yes,I would say there is light at the end of the tunnel. I have PCOS(I,m 63) and was only diagnosed when my 24 year old daughter was diagnosed about 8 years ago. Looking back my mum,gran and several aunties must have had it although never diagnosed. However I was married for 5 years before I had my son. Then I went another 12 years before I had my daughter. All gynaecologists would say is "You're not ovulating" I was overweight (not obese) and my periods were normal. However I lost weight at that time and became pregnant. So by the time of my diagnosis I was past conceiving. However, I asked GP if I could see an endocrinologist. He confirmed it,but there was very little he could offer.But, I think if I had been younger and wanting to conceive it would be an endocrinologist I'd want to see before a gynaecologist. I've found doctors (especially GPs) woefully ignorant about PCOS. Losing 8 stone is a marvellous achievement and should make some difference.Having  PCOS makes it harder to lose weight. Carlee's advice is good.Never (sometimes impossible,I know) lose hope,continue with your weight loss and pester your doctor to see (I would say) an endocrinologist.I really wish you well. Dorothy
  • georginafaye
    georginafaye amy85031

    Posted

    I have recently been diagnosed and im just at the stage where i have just had my bloods done, i have always had a period but sometimes its been a month or two late then id get two light ones a week apart etc. Ive struggled with my weight and they keep blaming that. but i have a bmi of 35 so it needs to drop im 5'7 and weigh 16 stone i know some needs to go and im working on that.

    I had the implant and had the same issue exccept my doctors did nothing but tell me to keep it in and it will regulate. it never did. and since its removal 14 months ago my periods are even worse. ive been on courses of the pill to try regualte them and that doesnt help. I worry pregnancy wont happen, im struggling to cope with the news esp knowing the extra risks, i think id miscarry on stress and depression alone. 

    Im 20 so your a similar age, please keep me updated. 

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.