considering clomid in the future

Gompers, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2005

Do you know if your cycles are abnormal because of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome? I just ask because they estimate that 10% of all women have this disorder and the vast majority are undiagnosed. Quite a few women never actually have cysts, just hormone imbalances that cause infertility. If you haven't been tested, ask your OB/GYN to refer you to a reproductive endocrinologist. My family doctor "tested" me for PCOS and said everything was "within normal range" but the endocrinologist interpreted the results completely differently and said it was a textbook case.

I just ask because many women are having success conceiving WITHOUT Clomid and the risk of multiples. They are now prescribing Glucophage (a diabetic medication) to PCOS sufferers with great results. Not only does it regulate many women's cycles, but it's also helping them conceive! If you do indeed have this disorder, many docs reccommend staying on the medication for at least the first trimester to prevent early miscarriage.

lifeLONGstudent · Jun 22, 2005

"do you know if your cycles are abnormal because of polycystic ovarian syndrome?" -

no, i don't know the reason why. i have a cycle for a day or two about every 6-10 weeks. obgyn gave me medroxyprogesterone (with 10 refills) to induce a mensus and that is when she mentioned clomid. i don't think she was too concerned about it since i am not wanting to get preg. right now.

" just hormone imbalances that cause infertility. if you haven't been tested, ask your ob/gyn to refer you to a reproductive endocrinologist."

when the time comes, will do.

i just ask because many women are having success conceiving without clomid and the risk of multiples. they are now prescribing glucophage (a diabetic medication) to pcos sufferers with great results. not only does it regulate many women's cycles, but it's also helping them conceive! if you do indeed have this disorder, many docs reccommend staying on the medication for at least the first trimester to prevent early miscarriage.

that sounds encouraging. i will see a reproductive specialist when the timing is right. as far as clomid goes, i don't think i want to try it due to the risk of multiple births. (and i have some other pregnancy risk factors that concern me - i will have "advanced maternal age" by the time we start trying to get pregnant and i had pih with my first baby. it turned into eclampsia and i seized after delivery.:uhoh21: )

[color=#4b0082]thanks for the info,

[color=#4b0082]lifelongstudent

leslieanne · Jun 22, 2005

I too would be interested in hearing about this. I am also dx with PCOS. I'm wondering if ayone knows anything about dealing with symptoms of PCOS. I'll only to it admit here as we are anonymous, I've been experiences abnormal hair growth (whiskers under my chin) and my hair has been getting thinner here lately. I feel really selfconcious about it.

My doctor said that if I tried to get pregnant while taking Clomid before I turned 30, it would be relatively easy to succeed. He said that after 30 it would be more problematic. Well, I'm 30 now and not yet ready to do it. I'd like to wait another 1½-2 yrs. This has all got me pretty worried. What if I miss the boat?

I'd love to hear from anyone who knows about this subject.

thanks Leslie

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 22, 2005

A useful website for those dealing with PCOS:

http://www.pcosupport.org/

good luck!

Gompers, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2005

That sounds encouraging. I will see a reproductive specialist when the timing is right. As far as clomid goes, I don't think I want to try it due to the risk of multiple births. (and I have some other pregnancy risk factors that concern me - I will have "advanced maternal age" by the time we start trying to get pregnant and I had PIH with my first baby. It turned into eclampsia and I seized after delivery.:uhoh21:

If you think you might have PCOS, don't wait until you're ready to concieve to see a specialist. It can take quite awhile to change your horomone balance using medications, it's a very slow process over time. I started Glucophage last year and don't plan on trying for a baby for 2 more years. I'm not saying that you DO have PCOS, but if it's a possibility, get treated sooner than later in order to increase your chance for success.

The overall symptoms of PCOS...irregular or absent menstral periods, tendency to gain weight, hard time losing weight, acne, and of course, excessive hair growth on the body with thinning hair on the head. It's all because there is a decrease in female hormones and an increase in testosterone.

Good luck!

Gompers, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2005

I too would be interested in hearing about this. I am also dx with PCOS. I'm wondering if ayone knows anything about dealing with symptoms of PCOS. I'll only to it admit here as we are anonymous, I've been experiences abnormal hair growth (whiskers under my chin) and my hair has been getting thinner here lately. I feel really selfconcious about it.

Are you on Glucophage and Spironolactone? If not, get thee to a reproductive endocrinologist ASAP! My regular doctor had no CLUE about any of these medications and how they were being used to treat PCOS. As I said in the above post, the Glucophage helps to regulate your menstral cycle because it regulates your endocrine system and therefore helps regulate your hormones. It basically is a diabetic medication, but since women with PCOS tend to have insulin resistance, it helps regulate the production of insulin. Basically, we have HIGH insulin levels and therefore CRAVE carbs...if we don't GET those carbs, our livers produce more glucose to combat all the insulin so we don't go hypoglycemic...either way, it means tons more sugar in our systems than we need, which explains the trouble with weight gain. The medication helps you metabolize glucose properly and stops your pancreas from making too much insulin...over time, if your pancreas is working too hard, it kind of fizzles out, stops producing insulin...and then you've got diabetes. So it's a good idea to start this med NOW not only to regulate your hormones, but to also prevent early diabetes.

Now, Spironolactone is a diuretic that has a funny side effect - it decreases testosterone levels. Sucks for a guy, great for a girl with PCOS. Over time - and I mean like almost a year or two - it will slowly decrease that testosterone level and you should see less body hair and thicker hair on your head. You do have to stop taking it when you want to concieve, it's not good to use it in pregnancy.

Forgive me if any of my posts didn't make sense - I'm just rambling on about everything I've learned in the past few years, so hopefully the info is accurate and readable!

BTW, I went to an Indian salon and had my arms and face THREADED the other day - WOW what a difference! Of course, you have to go back every couple of weeks, but they don't rip off a layer of your skin everytime they do like with waxing. Still hurt, but boy does it look nice.

zambezi, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2005

On the Clomid note- does anyone know anything about a link between taking clomid and cervical cancer...I have read some studies saying that there is a link and others saying that there is not...just curious. thanks.

lifeLONGstudent · Jun 23, 2005

Gompers - I am so glad that you replied! I am reviewing the symptoms you listed:

Yes, I PLUCK facial hair.....arrrrr. Hubby told me to just shave it - I explained THAT type of thinking delineates women from men. I will NOT shave my face :chuckle .

loosing hair on my head.... getting thin up there.

Gain weight -- I got that down! and I just thought it was stress from nursing school (well, it is an accelerated program). Hard time losing weight --only when I am off the amhetamines (KIDDING). Seriously, I have heard that polycystic disease is BECAUSE I am fat, not that it makes you fat - which came first (chicken or the egg)???? Somewhere I read that if you "just loose weight" the ovulation problem will magically disappear also... if it were only that easy.

Crave the carbs - every day. Crunchy/salty as well as the soft/sugary - it's all good.

irregular cycles -- yep, got that one. That is actually what sent me to the OBGYN in the first place.

I did not know that it could take that long to get things straightened out. Didn't know that I needed to go to the specialist NOW.

Thanks for the info!

LifeLONGstudent

Gompers, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2005

I did not know that it could take that long to get things straightened out. Didn't know that I needed to go to the specialist NOW.

Glad I could help. It couldn't hurt seeing the specialist ASAP. I've heard too that losing weight will decrease the symptoms of PCOS, but I agree it's a chicken/egg thing.

Good luck!

Burnt Out, ASN, RN · Jun 23, 2005

I, too, suffer from PCOS. I was on Glucophage throughout my last pregnancy to help decrease the risk of miscarriage and help stave off gestational diabetes.

I encourage you to go ahead and talk with your ob/gyn or get a referral to an RE and be tested for PCOS. Those of us with PCOS run a higher risk of having diabetes and heart disease on down the line.

My doctor has told me that if a woman who has PCOS is able to lose weight, a lot of the time, your body will resume ovulation on its own-without the help of fertility drugs.

Another good website about PCOS is: INCIID

austin heart, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2005

I would like to post a link to one of my good friend's blog. She is a self made expert on fertility. She has done 9 rounds of Clomid, 3 rounds of injectables, and 6 IUIs (3 with Clomid and 3 with injectables) and is moving on to IVF next month. Her Blog is a wealth of information and she tells her story with a little bit of humor. I don't know how she does it. She is a great woman and I am glad that she has the courage to share her story with others.

Life in The Stirrups