High testosterone

[littletwix]

It does seem to reduce testosterone

http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199904293401703

The serum free testosterone concentration in these 22 women decreased from 1.1±0.8 to 0.5±0.5 ng per deciliter (38±28 to 17±17 pmol per liter) (P=0.006 for the comparison with the change in the placebo group)

 

[Sugarpop]

Testosterone isn't high because of someone being overweight. It's high because your body doesn't use insulin correctly which then forces your body to produce hormones at levels which aren't correct.

Most ladies with PCOS have high testosterone. It just goes hand in hand. If you find something to combat the insulin issue all your hormones will regulate to a more 'average' level. That's why metformin has a decent success rate.

 

[littletwix]

That's right sugarpop, that's why metformin and inositol are great - they help regulate insulin which has a positive effect on testosterone levels.

 

[kittykitchn]

Testosterone isn't high because of someone being overweight. It's high because your body doesn't use insulin correctly which then forces your body to produce hormones at levels which aren't correct.

Most ladies with PCOS have high testosterone. It just goes hand in hand.

Have you heard about the egg quality thing sugarpop?

Im going to take soy isoflavones this month alongside inositol - is that ok? Should I expect ovulation at a normal time? My cycles weren't terrible before, but up to 50 days or so

 

[Sugarpop]

Testosterone isn't high because of someone being overweight. It's high because your body doesn't use insulin correctly which then forces your body to produce hormones at levels which aren't correct.

Most ladies with PCOS have high testosterone. It just goes hand in hand.

Have you heard about the egg quality thing sugarpop?

Im going to take soy isoflavones this month alongside inositol - is that ok? Should I expect ovulation at a normal time? My cycles weren't terrible before, but up to 50 days or so

I have heard the egg thing and I think its true. It makes sense. For your body to produce an egg your hormones have to be just right. If your hormones are off by the tiniest bit how could it produce a good quality egg?

My cycles 'normally' are around 40-55 days. Which for PCOS is bloody good going considering it used to be every 3 or 4 months.

Every so often I get a heavy 'bleed' which doesn't stop on its own. I've come to a conclusion that its not a normal heavy period that there is a different cause. A chemical? A burst cyst? I don't know. The doctors assume its just a heavy period but if I was so prone to them it would be the same every time. Not once a blue moon.

I took Soy and it made my cycle at christmas longer than what they had been. I had about 6 months of 45 days ish. I took soy and it went missing for over 60.

 

[phonixgirl]

I used to have periods of heavy, prolonged bleeding that sometimes went on for a month. I still don't know what they were. My cycles are actually short - 24 days. If I wasn't going on holiday very soon then I would buy inositol this minute (I start metformin when I get back and will then go on to have IVF). Do you know if metformin does anything for the egg quality? A lot of people seem to get pregnant on it. X

 

[kittykitchn]

Gosh now I don't know what to do for the best. I thought as I responded so well on clomid soy would work well too. I don't want to mess things up even more.

The egg thing certainly makes sense. But why isn't it common knowledge, why haven't I been told this by any doctor or specialist? Of course fertility drugs aren't going to work if that's the case!

 

[phonixgirl]

I haven't been told it either. I don't know, maybe they just aren't PCOS specialists. But it is sooo soooo common, people need to know. I am going to bring this up at my next appointment. X

 

[phonixgirl]

Ok so yes metformin does help egg quality x

 

[littletwix]

As far as I know metformin improves egg quality as well, when insulin levels are managed the knock on effect is better egg quality. If pure being put on met that's great, you won't need inositol but if you're can't afford fertility treatments or your dr won't put you on met inositol is an equally good alternative

Hardly any drs know about inositol. My consultant also specialises in sub fertility and I don't think she knew about it when I mentioned I'd be taking it. It seems to be pretty breakthrough stuff

 

[kittykitchn]

As far as I know metformin improves egg quality as well, when insulin levels are managed the knock on effect is better egg quality. If pure being put on met that's great, you won't need inositol but if you're can't afford fertility treatments or your dr won't put you on met inositol is an equally good alternative

Hardly any drs know about inositol. My consultant also specialises in sub fertility and I don't think she knew about it when I mentioned I'd be taking it. It seems to be pretty breakthrough stuff

My consultant is head fertility consultant in the hospital, I'll be interested to hear what he says. I will be asking for Metformin tomorrow - though I have my doubts I'll get it. I wish I'd been prescribed it before.

There's really not even much online about it affecting egg quality either

 

[phonixgirl]

Keep us updated chick x

 

[phonixgirl]

Not sure if this is of any use, just stumbled upon it http://www.lifeextension.com/protocols/female-reproductive/polycystic-ovary-syndrome/page-02