PCOS and NHS Referral

[Flossy86]

Hi Ladies

I’m hoping I can use your experience.

I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2014 after I had problems post appendicitis. I always had regular periods as a teenager but have been on some form of contraception whether it be the pill or implant since I was 16 and am now 31 and am hoping this returns properly at some point now I am off the pill, but who knows.. I was diagnosed by blood tests, ultrasound and some other symptoms. I had my tubes flushed through with dye in 2015 when my gynaecologist was removing scar tissue that had stuck to everything after I had my appendix removed and they were clear. He did it even though we weren’t ready to ttc back then as he said if we do have trouble it would need to be done at some point to make sure all was ok.

My husband and I are in the early stages of our TTC journey and based on what I’ve read it says infertity is ten times greater in women with PCOS and even the nhs website says most women need medication to conceive. Based on waiting lists etc is it worth going to my GP now? Does the GP do the blood tests to confirm if ovulation is occurring or does that all start with the specialists?

Thanks in advance, I really appreciate any information to keep me grounded and realistic.

 

[phonixgirl]

Hi hun. I replied to your other thread. I was messed around by my GP and wasnt diagnosed until I got to the fertility clinic. I had no typical symptoms so was surprised when she told me during a scan that I had polycystic ovaries and blood tests confirmed PCOS. They prescribed metformin. Some women have no issues conceiving, others (like me) have lots of trouble. However, the GP can def check if you've ovulated as they did with me. I would say it's worth having a chat now as I wish I had got help sooner xx

 

[Flossy86]

Thank you ☺️ phonixgirl for this reply and the advice on my other post. I don’t know if having the internet and all this information at our fingertips is a good thing, it’s just made me anxious very early on based on the stats given. I will get myself an appointment and talk it through with my GP

 

[snowbee]

In my area criteria for referral is 12 months ttc if under 35 and with no known issues. Pcos is a known issue so therefore you should be ok for referral sooner (but all areas are different so check your local criteria), I would expect blood tests and ultrasound as a first step to see how your ovaries are looking and see if you are ovulating. Do you think you do ovulate? Do you have a regular cycle?

 

[Flossy86]

In my area criteria for referral is 12 months ttc if under 35 and with no known issues. Pcos is a known issue so therefore you should be ok for referral sooner (but all areas are different so check your local criteria), I would expect blood tests and ultrasound as a first step to see how your ovaries are looking and see if you are ovulating. Do you think you do ovulate? Do you have a regular cycle?

Hi snowbee, thanks for replying. I always used to have a 31 day cycle when I was younger and since stopping the pill it appears to have gone back to the same and I get what I thought were ovulation pains regularly, worse on my left side on alternate months and had that this month but I guess without tests I would never truely know. I am happy to try for twelve months if I know I am ovulating but it seems a wasted twelve months if I’m not so was thinking of going to the GP to ask.

 

[snowbee]

I would def go and ask, if tests show ovulation then great and they will prob say go and try for a bit and see what happens. Good luck!

 

[Flossy86]

Appointment booked for 20th so only a couple of weeks to wait. Exactly I am more than happy to try for a while like everyone else if I am ovulating I just think I would kick myself if a year down the line no joy and I’m told I’m not ovulating. Thanks for the advice and support ladies

 

[Sydney]

Appointment booked for 20th so only a couple of weeks to wait. Exactly I am more than happy to try for a while like everyone else if I am ovulating I just think I would kick myself if a year down the line no joy and I’m told I’m not ovulating. Thanks for the advice and support ladies

Hi Flossy, just wondering how you got on?

 

[Flossy86]

Hi Flossy, just wondering how you got on?

HI Sydney doctor was worse than useless but must have had some magical powers as conceived a few day later and am now 6+5 weeks pregnant but suffering from severe hyperemesis resulting in admission to hospital

 

[snowbee]

Great news! Well not about the hospital admission, I hope you are feeling better soon and can enjoy being pregnant

 

[dansmith018f]

I would most definitely probably go in and ask.