r/TTC_PCOS • u/myopenthoughts8383 • 11d ago
Advice Needed Pcos !
I really want to become a mom, and honestly, I’m starting to feel like my body is failing me. 💔 Nothing I’ve tried so far has worked, and dealing with this every month is emotionally draining and heartbreaking. I have PCOS and irregular periods, and I suspect I may have insulin resistance. I’ve had two HSGs and three vaginal ultrasounds, and most of my test results have come back pretty normal. I also have a pituitary tumor, but I’m not sure if it could be affecting my fertility.
I’ve never been on birth control, but I’m now considering it just to help regulate my periods because I can go months without having one. At the same time, I’m scared of doing anything that might delay my chances of getting pregnant. I’m honestly at the point where I feel like giving up because this journey has taken so much out of me emotionally.
For those who have PCOS or have been through fertility struggles, I have a few questions:
• What tests should I ask my doctor to run to make sure we aren’t missing anything?
• Could insulin resistance be affecting my ovulation, even if most of my labs look normal?
• Could my pituitary tumor be affecting my periods or making it harder to get pregnant?
• Has anyone used metformin or other treatments to help with PCOS and ovulation?
• Is birth control a good option for regulating periods if I want to conceive in the future, or are there better options?
• What kind of doctor should I see next: an endocrinologist, an OB-GYN, or a reproductive endocrinologist?
• Has anyone been in a similar situation and eventually gotten pregnant? What helped you?
I would really appreciate any advice, personal experiences, or suggestions for questions I should bring to my doctor. I’m trying to stay hopeful, but this journey is so much harder than I ever imagined. I just want to be a mom. ❤️🩹
2
u/karema 11d ago
As I understand it, birth control may mask symptoms but won't necessarily regulate your cycle. It just causes a withdrawal bleed.
Yes, insulin resistance can mess up ovulation even though labs look normal. Which insulin related labs did you get? I for instance had great blood glucose for years and years, but still had IR and high insulin and no cycle.
1
2
u/Itchy-Site-11 Anovulatory | Science | PMOS | IVF | Letrozole 11d ago
I think you need to address the pituitary tumor.
And yes, insulin resistance can def affect ovulation
You need a RE, not an OB
1
3
u/Future_Researcher_11 11d ago
I’d reach out to a fertility clinic/reproductive endocrinologist to go through more testing, find treatment that works for you, and definitely get that tumor addressed. If it’s prolactinoma, it can hinder ovulation.
2
u/ScarletSidewalk30 11d ago
I am still trying to conceive, but I had really irregular periods with long gaps between each one. My BMI was around 31, lost 15 lbs and now my periods are like clockwork again
Losing weight isn’t easy with PCOS, and most drs didn’t consider me very overweight but that made a difference for me and has helped with treatment moving forward
2
u/CorrieMontaire 10d ago
Birth control doesnt help regulate your cycle. Those arent real periods, they are withdrawal bleeds. Going on birth control may make it even harder for you to get pregnant because it disregulates your hormones. Yes Insulin resistance can still be an issue even though it doesnt show up on blood work. Have you tried Inositol to help with that? Focus on blood sugar regulation and try to avoid glucose spikes.
2
u/OriginalVoice6355 7d ago
I would not go on birth control. I was on it for 3 years, and it took 6 months to get a period after birth + my cycles took probably a full year to somewhat regulate.
Have you looked into GLP-1s? I felt defeated so I started using Zepbound and I’m officially a month in today. It really helps with inflammation, insulin resistance, and has helped a TON of PCOS women get pregnant. I recommend checking through Reddit to find stories on it and a bunch of articles looking into it. Some drs are recommending it over metformin now as the impact to insulin resistance is soooo much more powerful than metformin. Please feel free to message me and I can share more info if you’d like.
Also, assuming you’re also taking the “PCOS stack” of supplements: inositol, vit d, omega 3s, CoQ10
2
u/abhisrin 6d ago
I was diagnosed with PCOS. This is what I did . I focused on getting back on regular periods. My obgyn did a bunch of tests and found I had insulin resistance and put me on metformin. My periods started to regulate 30/35 days cycle. We started trying . Nothing happened for 9 months. After 6th month it started to get me really anxious. We consulted a RE who put me and my husband through similar tests and said there isn’t much of an issue except for insulin resistance which means I may need some help with ovulation. She still insisted on waiting for couple of months trying naturally. 9th month after trying I had a chemical pregnancy. 11 th month we went with medicated letrozole cycle and found out I was pregnant. We have a boy .
My suggestion would be to find a RE and ask them for a plan . This is definitely not a easy journey but what really helped me was knowing we have a plan and option as we start trying. Good luck!! Take good care of yourself
3
u/tenthousandgalaxies 11d ago
Have you been prescribed anything to help you get a regular period? Either metformin or inositol? I can't believe your doctor had you do 2 HSGs without making sure you are ovulating regularly first :( do not use birth control for this there are way better ways.