sporadic periods and ovulation

I have been diagnosed with PCOS. I tried clomid but it did not work. I have gained about 50 pounds in the last 5 years. I have read that losing weight can trigger women to start ovulating again so i changed my dieting and started exercising. Since then i have been getting my period on my own but sporadically. I went 11 wks, 8 weeks, 5 weeks, 8 weeks, and most recently 5 weeks. My question.. Does getting my period mean i am ovulating or not necessarily? Can i get a period without ovulating? I'd like to believe that the weight loss is helping but it seems to easy. Thanks!!

[Forum-M.D.-SP]

It is hard to know for certain if you are ovulating, since your bleeding episodes are irregular. You can have irregular bleeding without ovulating. If you are ovulating, your ovaries produce a hormone called progesterone in the two weeks after ovulation. One way to tell if you are ovulating is to have a progesterone blood test three weeks after your last period. If it is above 3, you know you are ovulating. If it is less than three, you could repeat it weekly for 2 or 3 weeks in a row and if you are ovulating the level will go to > 3. Dieting does work though! Very modest weight loss often results in the return of ovulation, and hopefully that is happening for you. Finally, if you have lost weight you may find clomid is a little more helpful in regulating your ovulation. If you are ovulating now, it sounds like you have had 5 ovulations in the past few months. If you are not pregnant within another 2-3 period cycles, it might not be a bad idea to revisit your infertility physician.

If I had to guess, my guess is that you are ovulating a little more regularly then before, and dieting and exercise is paying off. Great work!

[Elisa0407]

hey..i have PCOS too i was just dx back in Nov. i get my period every month..but no you dont ovulate every month even dough you get ur period..i know you said you tried clomid...did they have you tried metformin yet? the first thing my doc. gaved me was met. to help me lose weight and to hopefully help me ovulate..but since it dint work i just did clomid this month..and im waiting till May 11 to get my BFP..they usually like to combine met. with clomid..so i would defenetly talk to you doctor...and good job on the weight lost..keep it up!