Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome

aviator411, RN · Jun 27, 2006

Polycystic ovary syndrome is not a disease of the ovaries and as such should have little if any affect upon the fetus.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a symptom of an endocrine problem which results in overproduction of insulin which results in overproduction of FSH, ovulation w excessive frequency....usually accompanied by insulin resistance causing fat accumulation......

I'm not an expert, not even a female. Just know what I read.

mitchsmom · Jun 27, 2006

I don't know much about it, have only really heard about it as it relates to breastfeeding, but if you're interested here's more on that:

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/pcos.html

URO-RN · Jun 27, 2006

good websites.

why is "skin tags" listed as possible symptoms?

I understand about the darkened skin on neck, thighs, arms etc, but not clear on why these develop.

anyone know?

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Jun 27, 2006

I thought most PCOS pts take glucophage? Also, if you chart your cycles, PCOS is pretty obvious to see without having to run a bunch of tests. Never heard of it causing birth defect, though.

TXNurse2B · Jun 28, 2006

I also have PCOS, and have 2 beautiful and healthy children. My daughter was conceived at age 27 and I had no problems getting pregnant. 4 years later I started trying for my son and it took 4 years and lots of work to get him here. You're welcome to PM me too if you would like to talk more about it.

RN112 · Jun 29, 2006

Thanks everyone. By looking at these responses and your stories it gives me hope and to be positive. I was so so so depressed about it . You know how it feels being a woman and seeing all these pregnant ladies and babies aroun you. I hope you know what I mean.

So as of now, my lab results were actually okay and it wasn't so bad. The thing now is I have to lose weight (they say least 10%) and take progesterone for 14 days for three months. Hopefully my periods come back naturally. I did wanted a baby now since my husband and I had our one year wedding anniversary and being together for a total of eight years! When this PCOS was happening I just figured the baby planning can wait a little while. So I joined Jenny Craig. I just started today too. So far I like it since I need that structure and also my doctor recommended to exercise everyday. I'm doing step aerobics class 3x week (45 or one hour) and pilates 4x week (one hour or 20 min).

Thanks again and I'm happy that I have people to talk to about this. Esp. knowing how other nurses out there have this diagnosis. :lol2:

Gompers, BSN, RN · Jun 29, 2006

RN112 - are you seeing a reproductive endocrinologist? If not, that is who you'll want to make an appointment with. These docs are your best bet for the most up-to-date treatment of PCOS. Most patients are on Glucophage (metformin is the generic name) to control glucose metabolism and to regulate insulin prodution. This, in turn, regulates your endocrine system, which, in turn, regulates your reproductive hormones. Some PCOS women are getting pregnant just using this med, while others need Clomid as well. In vitro fertilization is the most invasive option, but most reproductive endocrinologists do this procedure so that's another reason to get hooked up with one of these docs ASAP. It's best to begin treatment of the PCOS before you want to conceive, so start now!

I had very irregular cycles as a teenager so I was put on birth control. I took various types of birth control from the time I was 19 until I was 30 - I never stopped, always stayed on so that I had regular 28-day cycles. When I turned 30 I stopped the birth control and was pleased to have a normal period 28 days later. I got pregnant two weeks after that!!! I wasn't even on Glucophage, which shocked my endocrinologist.

I got really lucky. I had been on Glucophage for about a year but stopped it a year ago because it has some GI side effects (gas, cramping, diarrhea) that I was tired of dealing with. I had lost 20 pounds or so on the med, but I was a wimp and just stopped taking it.

I didn't even think I was pregnant - when I missed my second period off birth control, I figured it was just my hormones acting up again and that I'd just be irregular like I was as a teenager. Nope - found out I was pregnant at 4 weeks and saw my endocrinologist at 5 weeks. I've been back on the Glucophage since that day, because there are studies that are showing that women with PCOS tend to have more miscarriages because of hormone imbalances, and being on Glucophage seems to regulate things and the statistics are showing that it drastically reduces the risk of first trimester miscarriages in PCOS patients. I've also been on progesterone since 6 weeks.

I'm supposed to stop the progesterone now that I'm 13 weeks, but I only have a few days' supply left so I think I'm just going to finish them off. The Glucophage is another issue - some docs keep their patients on it for the whole pregnancy and others stop it at 13 weeks. The reason for staying on it include continued hormone regulation and a possible decrease in the risk for gestational diabetes, something which women with PCOS are at an especially high risk for given their "challenged" endocrine system. The reason for stopping at 13 weeks is that there has been no long-term research to see if there are any side effects from doing this. It's a category C drug because of the lack of studies out there. So the feeling is - use it for the first trimester since it definitely helps prevent miscarriage there - but after that, it might be too risky to stay on it.

Get yourself to a reproductive endocrinologist ASAP! Good luck!

Empress · Jun 29, 2006

I have some questions about PCOS?

Is fertility always affected? I have had no problem with getting pregnant, but have had issues with low progesterone with both (viable) pregnancies. I have always had irregular periods, have gained a lot of weight in my abdomen, facial, hair, some acne, etc.

Also, if you have no interest in ever being pregnant again would you go to a RE anyways for diagnosis and treatment? Thank you.

Gompers, BSN, RN · Jun 29, 2006

I have some questions about PCOS?
Is fertility always affected? I have had no problem with getting pregnant, but have had issues with low progesterone with both (viable) pregnancies. I have always had irregular periods, have gained a lot of weight in my abdomen, facial, hair, some acne, etc.
Also, if you have no interest in ever being pregnant again would you go to a RE anyways for diagnosis and treatment? Thank you.

Fertility seems to worsen as women with PCOS age and gain weight. There are also mild cases with little hormone imbalance. The belief is that it happens a lot more often (10% as another poster pointed out) than most people realize, probably because some women are so mildly affected that they don't ever get diagnosed.

Most reproductive endocrinologists will see patients regardless of their desire to concieve. There are medications out there that can help with weight loss, prevention of PCOS-induced diabetes, facial hair, acne, etc.

Best advice is to see a doctor.

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Jun 30, 2006

Also, make an appt witht he doctor now, because RE's tend to have waiting lists as long as 12 weeks.

buddiage · Jun 30, 2006

RN112 - are you seeing a reproductive endocrinologist? If not, that is who you'll want to make an appointment with. These docs are your best bet for the most up-to-date treatment of PCOS. Most patients are on Glucophage (metformin is the generic name) to control glucose metabolism and to regulate insulin prodution. This, in turn, regulates your endocrine system, which, in turn, regulates your reproductive hormones. Some PCOS women are getting pregnant just using this med, while others need Clomid as well. In vitro fertilization is the most invasive option, but most reproductive endocrinologists do this procedure so that's another reason to get hooked up with one of these docs ASAP. It's best to begin treatment of the PCOS before you want to conceive, so start now!
I had very irregular cycles as a teenager so I was put on birth control. I took various types of birth control from the time I was 19 until I was 30 - I never stopped, always stayed on so that I had regular 28-day cycles. When I turned 30 I stopped the birth control and was pleased to have a normal period 28 days later. I got pregnant two weeks after that!!! I wasn't even on Glucophage, which shocked my endocrinologist.
I got really lucky. I had been on Glucophage for about a year but stopped it a year ago because it has some GI side effects (gas, cramping, diarrhea) that I was tired of dealing with. I had lost 20 pounds or so on the med, but I was a wimp and just stopped taking it.
I didn't even think I was pregnant - when I missed my second period off birth control, I figured it was just my hormones acting up again and that I'd just be irregular like I was as a teenager. Nope - found out I was pregnant at 4 weeks and saw my endocrinologist at 5 weeks. I've been back on the Glucophage since that day, because there are studies that are showing that women with PCOS tend to have more miscarriages because of hormone imbalances, and being on Glucophage seems to regulate things and the statistics are showing that it drastically reduces the risk of first trimester miscarriages in PCOS patients. I've also been on progesterone since 6 weeks.
I'm supposed to stop the progesterone now that I'm 13 weeks, but I only have a few days' supply left so I think I'm just going to finish them off. The Glucophage is another issue - some docs keep their patients on it for the whole pregnancy and others stop it at 13 weeks. The reason for staying on it include continued hormone regulation and a possible decrease in the risk for gestational diabetes, something which women with PCOS are at an especially high risk for given their "challenged" endocrine system. The reason for stopping at 13 weeks is that there has been no long-term research to see if there are any side effects from doing this. It's a category C drug because of the lack of studies out there. So the feeling is - use it for the first trimester since it definitely helps prevent miscarriage there - but after that, it might be too risky to stay on it.
Get yourself to a reproductive endocrinologist ASAP! Good luck!

I am taking glucophage too, originally 500 mg 3X a day. Bumped it down to 2X day because of GI issues. I believe I have irritable bowel which makes things much more fun, obviously. Now I'm getting to a point where I don't want to take it unless I can permenantly take an anti-diarrhea something permenantly. I lost 15 pounds, and that was a great feeling, but PCOS unfortunately loves weight gain. Never had a problem with this until late 20's. Now I'm 32. Urgh...

Gompers, BSN, RN · Jun 30, 2006

I am taking glucophage too, originally 500 mg 3X a day. Bumped it down to 2X day because of GI issues. I believe I have irritable bowel which makes things much more fun, obviously. Now I'm getting to a point where I don't want to take it unless I can permenantly take an anti-diarrhea something permenantly. I lost 15 pounds, and that was a great feeling, but PCOS unfortunately loves weight gain. Never had a problem with this until late 20's. Now I'm 32. Urgh...

Are you taking the extended release version? It does help quite a bit with the GI side effects. The best thing to do, I found, was to buy the name brand Glucophage extended release formula even though it cost more than the generic metformin, which is also available in extended release.