[Amy8888]

I'm wondering if I might have a mild form of it because it seems I have some of the symptoms but these don't seem to be as bad as what I've read about PCOS online. So if you can share your experiences with these things I would appreciate it so much! I'm working up the nerve to talk to a doctor but I'm not there yet.

So, I've had two babies without a problem: my girl just turned 3 and my boy turns 2 on Saturday! But I know infertility is a major problem with PCOS. I've been reading up on it though, and it seems that women sometimes do get an initial diagnosis after having kids, and this seems to occur about 3 years after giving birth.

I've always had a menstrual cycle like clockwork. But in the past several months I've noticed sometimes that I've had mid-cycle bleeding. The last time this occurred, it lasted a few days and got almost as heavy as a period. I think this is happening about every other month, so I'm tracking that. This would seem to indicate a problem with one ovary, right? Is that even possible with PCOS? And the fact that I still have a monthly cycle makes me think this is not a typical PCOS symptom. What do you think about that?

I have gained a lot of weight. I got the nerve to get on the scale and found I gained 10 pounds since May, probably 20-25 pounds in the past year (I stopped going to Weight Watchers around then). I've been on a diet for a few weeks and I really wish I weighed myself before starting, but I was too afraid. But I will now track my weight loss KNOWING that I'm following a diet and exercising. So, is this the kind of weight gain to be concerned about, or is it usually more dramatic/less dramatic for a diagnosis of PCOS? Oh, and I've noticed terrible stretchmarks on my lower belly. I don't think they were this bad when I was pregnant even.

And the hirsutism...my issue is that I tend to get a few chin hairs on my jawline, almost always the left side. Not beardlike at all, but I have to pull out my tweezers a few times a week and catch those little dark hairs. And I do get acne along my jawline and chin quite frequently. And I have a line of hairs on my lower belly. So does anyone know if this would count as the excess hair indicative of PCOS, or just normal getting older type stuff?

Those are my main issues right now. It seems that something isn't right, but like I said, I'm not sure that it all adds up to something being wrong either. I also think my sister has PCOS. We haven't talked about it and I'm afraid to bring it up with her, but she did have a lot of fertility problems and would go for years at a time without menstruating, etc. I know it's more common within families.

I guess I'm just looking for input on whether I should bring this up with a doctor or if I'm just reading too much stuff on the Internet. Thanks so much!

[beerab]

The only reason why I don't think it's PCOS is because you basically have PCOS your whole life- I was hairy from a child, I NEVER had a regular period, even with birth control my period is virtually non-existant. I have had cysts on and off for years, and so on. And when I say hairy it's definitely more than a few hairs- it's enough to where I need to wax my chin and everything.

I do however think something is up- maybe not PCOS but the world isn't made up of people who are healthy and then those who have PCOS. I mean if you have sudden gain without change in diet and periods are stopping you might want to check into it being something else like thyroid or heck even menopause- did your mom happen to have menopause early?

[witchyonadiet]

Hmmm - well I COMPLETELY disagree that you "basically have PCOS your whole life". I started menstruating at 16 and had VERY regular cycles until my mid twenties or so. I started every 28 1/2 days - literally could wait until lunchtime or so on the 28 1/2th day to get some type of "protection". As far as anything else goes - there are so many symptoms that can be indicative of MANY illnesses or diseases - that is why the goddess created doctors If you have things that are concerning you then make a list and see a doctor. That is THE ONLY way to find out for sure what is going on with your body. That being said - doctors are NOT gods and you know your body best so if you get an answer you don't agree with or don't get an answer then you need to seek additional help.

[Amy8888]

Thank you for the responses! It's sort of in line with what I've been reading, conflicting opinions and all. Yeah, I am working up the nerve to see a doctor, I just wanted some input until I get to that point.

[anastasia]

i have an issue with hairs on my chin too that started when i started the pill at 17 and i've wondered recently if it's PCOS but with no other symptoms and from what you guys say i don think it is.

i agree though, best to get it checked out.

[sws19]

i think the range of experiences are incredibly diverse, so the only way to really know is to get tested by a specialist.
for example, i don't have any of the hairiness, hairlessness, or acne problems. but i have never had regular periods, and my androgen levels are ridiculously high...plus, you know, the whole inability to lose weight thing plagued me my whole life until i started pcos treatment.

[beerab]

That's just the experience that me and my friends who have PCOS went through- we all never ever had a regular period from the day we started getting cycles. I'm probably the most "regular" out of all my friends.

Oh I don't have all the symptoms btw- my hair isn't thinning and I don't really have an acne problem either- but every other symptom I have.

[Mollz]

Originally Posted by Amy8888

Thank you for the responses! It's sort of in line with what I've been reading, conflicting opinions and all. Yeah, I am working up the nerve to see a doctor, I just wanted some input until I get to that point.

Hi Amy.

I was diagnosed at 15 and re-diagnosed at 24 when I moved to New Zealand. I have no periods unless I'm on birth control, and up until recently, had "flare ups" of the cysts on my ovaries that had me bedridden for a few days at a time. My ob/gyn in the US told me once that my ovaries looked like the Hawaiian Island chain. My androgen and testosterone levels are sky high. Weirdly enough, I'm the only one in my entire family with PCOS.

I think with the spot bleeding there is definitely something there to talk to the ob/gyn or GP about. That's generally not normal, especially if you're taking the pill like you're supposed to. I get asked if I spot when I get my smear done every year. It's not really a problem with one ovary, I don't think, but who knows-- I'm not a doctor!

In my family we have what we call the "Nix Family Hairs": on every woman on my mother's side of the family has at least one hair on the chin and one on the cheek. It just happens. Hair on the belly- lots of women have it, just like they have hair on their toes. While I didn't have excessive hair, it was dark. Birth control lightened them up right away. And I had no problems with acne, even as a teen, but I've been fat my whole life and have problems taking it off.

A friend of mine at uni had it and she was thin as a rake, but had acne, hair and period problems

I think with PCOS signs and symptoms, YMMV.

Cheers
Mollz

[Jodi Foster]

I have PCOS and through research and seeing 3 specialist have come to realize that it is hereditary. Have some Dr. notes that I will post later!