PCOS

On Friday the 13th, I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). (I know, ironic, huh?!) I had been seeing a fertility specialist and had all the fun tests done in California, and finally this is the conclusion which my doctor here in Texas came to. It makes perfect sense to me, and I have thought this might be the case for awhile now. Some of you have been wondering what PCOS actually is and means, so here's a rundown from Google Health:

"Polycystic ovary disease is a condition in which there are many small cysts in the ovaries, which can affect a woman's ability to get pregnant. In polycystic ovary disease, there are many poorly developed follicles in the ovaries. The eggs in these follicles do not mature and, therefore, cannot be released from the ovaries. Instead, they form cysts in the ovary. This can contribute to infertility.

The immature follicles and the inability to release an egg (ovulate) are likely caused by low levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and higher than normal levels of male hormones (androgens) produced in the ovary. Women who have this condition can get pregnant with the right surgical or medical treatments. Pregnancies are usually normal.

Medications used to treat the symptoms of polycystic ovary disease include:

Birth control pills
Clomiphene citrate
Flutamide
Spironolactone
Treatment with clomiphene citrate causes the pituitary gland to produce more FSH. This causes the egg to mature and be released. Sometimes women need stronger fertility drugs to get pregnant.

In women with polycystic ovary disease who also have insulin resistance, glucophage (Metformin), a medication that makes cells more sensitive to insulin, has been shown to make ovulation normal.

Losing weight (which can be difficult) may help to reduce the high insulin levels in the blood. For women with this condition who are overweight, weight loss can reduce insulin resistance, stimulate ovulation, and improve fertility rates."

So there you have it. This is our general consensus on me having PCOS:




So I'm taking glucophage, which is supposed to regulate everything, not necessarily anything to do with my insulin levels, though, which are normal. But my doctor says he has 50 babies that have come from patients he's given it to. So I'm hoping it is worth the upset stomach I've been going through the last week... Plus I'm supposed to stay completely off of carbs/grains, so that's fun too. All in all, I know we're supposed to have more kids, so I'm trying to be patient and do all I can do to help the process along. Your prayers are greatly appreciated!