Question about PCOS

[ErinLea]

I have not been diagnosed with PCOS as of this time, well by a doctor any way. I really feel that this is one of the causes of my infertility. Over the last year I have really noticed some changes that I'm not happy with but I'm not sure how they are going to go away.
So my question is: does loosing weight help reverse the affects of PCOS. I know that some things like skin tags will have to be removed but will the other side affects dissapear or am I still going to have to have medical treatment for them?

[Desertthorn]

I have never had it, but there were a lot of posts on this board back in the old days when I was here a lot, that swore they got pregnant after doing Atkins.
It certainly will improve your odds.

[marvid486]

Losing weight helps your symptoms because it balances out your hormones. I read the process in a book once, and it really blinded me with science, but basically you are insulin resistent. When you eat carbs, your body responds by releasing insulin. The sequence that treats the sugar in your blood (cos that's what carbs are - sugars) is compromised and looks for more insulin. As more insulin is released, the carbs get stored as fat and the sugar high is quickly followed by a slump (when you crave more food). Insulin is the king of hormones and if it is out of sync then so are the rest of your hormones. When your insulin is under control, then so are your hormones and the best side-effect of this is weight loss. With PCOS you can be very resistant to this WOE, but you must stick in there. I have PCOS and have been on this diet for 5 days. The withdrawal headaches were HELLISH even through the 800mgs of Ibuprofen I am on for something else. But I now feel fantastic. I have loads of energy and my head is so much clearerer. I don't think I've lost much, but I just FEEL SO MUCH BETTER, I think I will stay with this WOE for life!

[Enilacaj]

Hi I have a PCOS diagnosis and have researched it a lot. I hover around 200 lbs btw, am 39 now. I was told over and over again that losing weight would help me to get pregnant with my first son. I just couldn't lose it (I hadn't tried Atkins yet) and yet, I was successful on Metformin which regulates the blood sugar to make PCOSers less pre-diabetic. I did try clomid for 3 cycles, no pregnancy, then a break (stressful time with a death in the family) and then went back in Jan 04, did 3 cycles with metformin and clomid - no pregnancy but on the 4th cycle on JUST metformin, and aboutg 10 lbs lighter, I got pregnant!!!! yay! So it is possible. Today is my son's 4th birthday (from that pregnancy) and by the way on my second pregnancy I was about 185 lbs and got pregnant on an "oopsie" (not even trying). So I really believe it's possible to help. Most importantly is not to stress about it though. HONESTLY, on both pregnancies, it was when I was out having fun and just bieng myself, not taking temperatures that it worked.

Now, (I'm not a doctor) it's always wise to get to your ideal weight before a pregnancy anyhow. I tend to be quite slim at 175lbs (doesn't sound it but I'm muscular) and my second pregnancy at 185 was very easy on me. BTW I ran a 1/2 marathon at 175... so I was fit. I think fitness is more important than weight, because some of us are just more densely built than others.

But back to you, I'd approach your GP, (don't go the fertility route if you can avoid it it's just depressing and horrible) and say, 'I want to go on a combo of clomid and metformin to help get pregnant'. Although your GP can't make a PCOS diagnosis (must be done by an endocrinologist) they CAN diagnose insulin resistence and prescribe the metformin (glucophage) to assist and they can prescribe clomid.

Now, that's all good and fine if you're NOT on Atkins - this brings up one more issue - you're on Atkins and you can't go on metformin on atkins, it screws up how the diet works. From what I can gather (and definitely get help from someone else on this) you may do well to try just clomid while being on Atkins and then, when you get pregnant change to stage 3 (can't do a pregnancy in ketosis, not healthy). I'd consult the book if I were you about Atkins and pregnancy. If you don't have periods you'll have to get a prescription to bring one on. But I'd use Atkins as an indicator. If you see on Atkins that you start to get regular (less than 35 days and greater than 21), you're probably ovulating!!! Then it's just a matter of time.

I know I'm harping on about the fertility thing but that's really your point now isn't it? You're frustrated. I've been there SOOO much I totally understand. I felt like I was inadequate and non-womanly when i couldn't get pregnant (3 years on and off of trying)Another bonus to PCOS and pregnancy (when it finally happens) - I only gained 6 lbs with my first pregnancy so when I came from the hospital I was down 20. Nice eh? I've just let it get away on me being at home and not running anymore.

Best of luck and if you have any fertility PCOS questions, I'm a good resource, of course your doctor is best.

[ErinLea]

I'm really not sure that I could get pregnant without medical assistance. I was 135lbs when we started trying. Both of us had surgery and still nothing. B/c my periods are so painful and heavy I have went back on birth control. Which I would think that the PCOS would settle down, but I'm not sure i really has. I still have problems with acne and with unwanted hair, and skin tags (I know that they just wont go away). I want those things to go away.