AF came to visit!!!

[annRN]

OK, I know this is going to be a weird post to some, but there have to be other PCOSers out there with the same problem as me... I usually only get my period three or four times per year. I got my period this month (after being on Atkins about three weeks) without any fertility drugs! This is a huge deal. I haven't gotten my period without help since June of 2006! I am taking Fertility Blend supplements along with Fortamet and of course my lovely Atkins diet. I have been on Metformin (Fortamet) for almost a year and a half, so I know it isn't that. Don't know if it is the FB or Atkins or the combination, but I am so excited! Woo hoo! If I have my period, that means I actually have a chance of ovulating! Yay for me!

[heatherm422]

That's awesome!!!

[possysmith]

Hi Ann

That is great news. My periods seem to come on time with the low carb diet. What part of Atkins are you doing? Are you in ketosis? I wonder if I have to be in ketosis to get a regular 28-35 day period or if it just needs to be low carb. I have however noticed that my beard is thinning out. I was told that it wasn't the testosterone that causes excess hairiness in pcos women. I think it may somehow be insulin that cases the hairiness. I'm not sure of how insulin could make hair grow more?
Sue

[biogeek]

Congrats Ann!!!!!

Sue, excess insulin can cause androgen, i.e. testosterone, levels to rise. The hair follicles are sensitive to this increase in androgenic hormones, so more hair and also excess weight and acne increase. So that's the connection between insulin and excess/unwanted hair. Let me know if you wish to have more detailed info.

[britt997]

Congrats on AF coming. I have pcos also. AF usually runs for me 45++ days and sometimes not for months and months (which I actually enjoy) but having been on Atkins AF actually came 29 days after the start of my last one. .

[possysmith]

Hi Biogeek

I was taking some herbs from a very well respected naturopathic doctor in Australia (Ruth Trickey). My testosterone dropped from about 2.8 or 3 something to 0.78 something. I had not change dmy diet or lost weight or taken Metformin. My reproductive endocrinologist at The Royal Women's Hospitals endocrinic unit Kate Stern was bewildered at my drop in testosterone without a change in SHBG or anything else. I told her about the herbs. She said that they have found that women with PCOS don't lose their unwanted hair necassarily when their testosterone or SBHG levels drop to normal. She said that they were doing research into what other mechanism could cause hirituism in the absence of excess testosterone levels or insufficient SHBG. Somehow the severe reduction in insulin has for me decreased my hirituism. There is something about insulin reduction in isolation to everything else that has reduced my hair growth. I might contact Kate and see where they are at with the research in to hirituism.
Sue

[annRN]

Sue

I have hirsutism, too, and my testosterone levels are normal as well. My only abnormal labs are my FSH to LH ratio. I agree that the hyperinsulinemia must have a direct result on the hirsutism, it can't only be related to testosterone blood levels.

I am in week four of Atkins. Yes, I am in ketosis. I have moved on to OWL, and I am getting less than 30 grams of carbs per day, on average, though I occasionally go over that.

Thanks for all of your kind words, everyone. I guess the true test will be in May. If I get another period, then I will be ecstatic. I have been TTC for 2.5 years with multiple failed treatments, so getting my period on my own is a big step in the right direction...

Ann

[biogeek]

Sue, that is very interesting!! If Kate tells you what journal that research was published in, I can look it up here (I work at a university) and will read more about it.

[jsj0305]

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have always dreaded when TOM comes to visit, but I had no idea something so frustrating for me could be something so wonderful for you!!! I am SOP happy for you!!

This definately makes me want to stop my TOM posts where all I did was complain. I never knew.

I hope this is the start of many great things for you

~Stephanie

[possysmith]

Hi Biogeek

The research isn't complete I don't think. She just mentioned that they were doing some research into it. I got pregnant shortly after I saw her and haven't seen her since. I was thinking of emailing her to tell her about my reduced hirituism and ketosis. Not sure if I will. I'll let you know if I get any info.
Sue