https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 01 May 2026 19:18:24 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-treatment-questions#post-2129790 Wed, 01 Apr 2015 19:03:58 +0000 DesertDreams88 2129790@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SKIPPER2010, @MRS. JUMP ROPE, @SUNSHINE1810, @MADISON43, @SHOOTINGSTAR, @HOTCHILDINTHECITY, @TRAVELGIRL1, @MRSCOBEE, @HOOTS:</p> <p>I was diagnosed today. I posted an update with a couple more questions in a new thread: <a href="http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-now-diagnosed-treatment-questions#post-2129718" rel="nofollow">http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-now-diagnosed-treatment-questions#post-2129718</a></p> <p>Basically, we're trying metformin and progesterone, both of which I'm totally on board with, but also unmonitored clomid, which I'm concerned about. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-treatment-questions#post-2122138 Thu, 26 Mar 2015 08:38:42 +0000 skipper2010 2122138@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: True. There are so many different factors. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-treatment-questions#post-2122128 Thu, 26 Mar 2015 08:29:50 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 2122128@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In the end, I think it boils down to personal preference, finances, and what you're comfortable with.</p> <p>I personally didn't explore the route of seeing an OB for fertility because they couldn't offer me the same options that an RE could. </p> <p>My OBs office had regular business hours which meant they were closed after 4:30pm, weekends and holidays. My REs office was open 7 days a week, on all major holidays except Christmas and thanksgiving, and open from 6am-8pm.<br /> The monitoring was particularly crucial to my treatment - I had borderline OHSS one month, more than one follicle a handful of times, required the trigger shot more than once, and had several Saturday and Sunday morning appointments -- all things that my OB never would have caught had they not been closely monitoring me or been open after hours or on weekends. To me, that is precious wasted time and money. </p> <p>My RE had a strict six lifetime clinic policy, too, so I also wouldn't want to "waste" taking clomid unmonitored - especially given my history when taking it!</p> <p>Just some food for thought. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-treatment-questions#post-2122122 Thu, 26 Mar 2015 08:25:45 +0000 Sunshine1810 2122122@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My OB was okay but I definitely needed an RE. OB started me on Metformin which got me ovulating again, but then I had to go to an RE because I still wasn't getting pregnant. My PCOS definitely affects my egg quality so I really needed more intervention.</p> <p>It never hurts to see an RE early. In my experience they will run all of the tests even if it's less than 12 months. My RE made me wait 12 months for more intervention, but did the full work up and tweaked my Metformin in the meantime.</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-treatment-questions#post-2122119 Thu, 26 Mar 2015 08:21:43 +0000 Madison43 2122119@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: I think the 12 month mark only applies to folks without a diagnosis. I was diagnosed a few months after going off the pill through bloodwork and an ultrasound by an OB and was immediately referred to an RE. We started diagnostics right away and Clomid/ IUI immediately afterward. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-treatment-questions#post-2122111 Thu, 26 Mar 2015 08:15:37 +0000 ShootingStar 2122111@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skipper2010: I think whether an OB can be helpful depends on if you already ovulate. If you do, then getting some clomid without monitoring may do the trick. If you're like me and don't ovulate on your own and it takes a ton of trial and error with meds and doses just to ovulate once, then any time spent with the OB is a waste. Age and patience can be a factor too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-treatment-questions#post-2122071 Thu, 26 Mar 2015 07:28:58 +0000 skipper2010 2122071@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: When I was diagnosed my OB sent DH for an SA because she said she doesn't want to prescribe me drugs to induce ovulation if the sperm is the issue. Once that came back clear she told me we could try clomid. I was hesitant to start on fertility drugs, and I ended up getting pregnant on my own the next cycle (possibly with the help of pregnitude), so we didn't end up going that route. I do agree with PP that a RE is the expert, but there's also no harm in staying with your OB for a while and seeing if what he has to offer works out for you. Best of luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-treatment-questions#post-2122070 Thu, 26 Mar 2015 07:28:02 +0000 hotchildinthecity 2122070@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: same. My OB was totally worthless when it came to my PCOS. She instantly went to metformin and when it wasn't working (AND made me feel like shit) she wanted me to just give it more of a chance. My RE did the whole workup and everything and gave me the options of IUI and IVF which i ended up declining.</p> <p>After I gave up on the pregnancy thing, I went to an endocrinologist who has helped somewhat but I'm interested in other options at this point. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-treatment-questions#post-2122059 Thu, 26 Mar 2015 07:19:37 +0000 travelgirl1 2122059@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would try see a fertility doctor and get a full work up, then you know what you are dealing with. I should add my fertility doc initially wanted me to go down a route my DH wasn't yet comfortable trying and I was very lucky in that acupuncture worked for me (no cycles at all to regular cycles) and that combined with the monitoring at the clinic worked for us. But I guess my point is that we knew exactly what we were dealing with from the outset. If I hadn't known PCOS was our only issue, we may have been more aggressive initially. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-treatment-questions#post-2121966 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 22:34:37 +0000 mrscobee 2121966@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: SA is justified. It is easy enough and can rule out any potential problems. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-treatment-questions#post-2121940 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 21:51:55 +0000 DesertDreams88 2121940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LaughLines: Thank you for your input! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-treatment-questions#post-2121938 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 21:48:08 +0000 DesertDreams88 2121938@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar &amp; @Hoots: Thanks for the feedback! I will probably stick with my ob for at least a little while. He specializes in infertility, which is initially why I picked him. He is also very proactive about tests &amp; treatment ideas, and very emotionally supportive. </p> <p>So you both think the other bloodwork and the SA is justified with a PCOS diagnosis, even though we haven't reached the 12 month mark? That's what I was hoping, to get more tests done, but I don't want to be overreacting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-treatment-questions#post-2121933 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 21:45:16 +0000 LaughLines 2121933@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had the opposite experience and my ob was fantastic. I was diagnosed from ultrasound, did metformin for three months and Clomid for one and got pregnant that cycle, all through my ob. I did opks to see that I ovulated (first time that I'm aware of) so we would have good timing and didn't do any other monitoring... may be more hands off than you want... but monitoring isn't what gets you pregnant, it just helps you know your chances that month. </p> <p>I guess what I'm saying is all the tests/monitoring may our may not be helpful or change anything about your treatment.... but if they mentally make you feel better and more in control of the situation then you should do them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-treatment-questions#post-2121897 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 20:52:12 +0000 Hoots 2121897@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with @ShootingStar: -- My OB was was worthless. The RE was worth it because at least she knows which tests to order, how to interpret them, and can set down a game plan.</p> <p>We did the initial testing with the OB, which luckily was pretty thorough. OB also ordered the SA for DH, but I'd be careful with that. We were lucky that the SA was done by an actual fertility lab, but from what I understand that's not always the case and could mean a repeat with an RE. Ultimately, I didn't realize how much my OB was winging it until I sat down with someone who knew what they were doing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-treatment-questions#post-2121795 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 19:48:32 +0000 ShootingStar 2121795@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You should go see an RE if at all possible. I have PCOS and it's pretty much worthless for an OB to give you some Clomid (which btw, isn't hormones) and send you on your way. You may or may not respond to it and only an RE will properly monitor you with ultrasounds and bloodwork. An RE will also do CD3 blood work and likely recommend and SA. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-treatment-questions#post-2121777 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 19:37:35 +0000 DesertDreams88 2121777@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi all. I hope/think this is the best board for this question? A short background: 9 months TTC, 6 cycles, pregnant in Sept but loss in Oct. Long, irregular cycles ever since. I did bloodwork for LH, FSH, prolactin, and thyroid on CD36, right before AF showed. Doctor is now thinking PCOS but not sure until ultrasound results are reviewed at my appt next Wednesday. </p> <p>I'm wondering where to go from here, if/when PCOS diagnosis is made. I'm unsure of trying any treatments (clomid, femara, metaformin, etc) before doing a basic infertility workup, to see all of what we are up against. Like, what if we do medications for months unsuccessfully, then find out I have twisted tubes or a uterine septum or DH has MF? From what I understand, there is a limit to how many cycles you can use clomid for? I'd just like more information before deciding on the best course of action, but that's my natural disposition - information junkie, here!</p> <p>I'm thinking that if I am diagnosed with PCOS, I would like to do CD3 and 6DPO bloodwork, an HSG, and a SA. Is that unreasonable, you think? </p> <p>And for the SA, how does that happen.... should DH go to a general doctor, explain, and get a referral? Or should I get a referral/clinic name from my obgyn? </p> <p>Thanks in advance for any and all information. </p>