PCOS or Endometriosis or Thyroid...or all of the above

[wantbabynow09]

My husband (34) and I (32) have been trying to conceive for almost 2 years.  Below is my med. history and tests that have been done.  What is my next step/request?

Age 17:  began taking birth control (Ortho 777) due to VERY heavy, long, and irregular periods.
Age 29:  Went off birth control.  Continued to have very regular periods (29-31 days), felt some minor ovulation pain, was confident pregnacy would happen quickly.
Age 30:  Continued to have very regular periods and ovulation signs.  Started having sharp pains in ovaries, visited family doctor who told me if it didn't go away to come back in 3 months.  It did not go away so he sent me for ultrasound which showed cysts.  He told me they may go away on their own and to come back in 3 months for another ultrasound, which showed that in fact they were gone.  Two months later lower abdominal pain came back and I asked for a referal to GYN.  Started taking Materna (prenatal/multivitamin) on my own. I started charting bbt (for 6 months) which showed a shorter than normal luteal phase (8 days).
Age 31:  Continued to have very regular periods and ovulation signs.  GYN diagnosed PCOS due to obesity, facial hair, and acne.  He did not want to see my BBT charts.  Put me on Metformin and ordered hormone test.  When hormone test came back he said "it wasn't too bad."  Sent husband for sperm test which showed slightly below normal count (53) with excellent mobility.  He put me on Clomid and said I would probably get pregnant quickly.  After 4 months of no conception he sent me for HSG (dye test) which showed both tubes were clear.  He was confident this test would help fertility.  I see him monthly on cycle day 12 when he checks internally for ovulation.  Says everything is excellent...treatment is working; yet still no pregnancy.
Age 32:  Continued to have very regular periods and ovulation signs.  Every now and then (every 5-6 months) a period comes quite early with spotting for 4-5 days and a light flow of 1-2 days.  Still no pregnancy.

Began having other symptoms after metformin/clomid:  dizzy, anxiousness, lighter periods, gained 45 pounds in last 5 years (most in the last 3 years), pain during intercourse (left ovary/cervical pain), discomfort after orgasm, can no longer wear tampons (very painful/won't stay in), cannot have sex from behind (doggy style) as penis will not go in, have always had diahrea during periods, have a lot of bowel movements (2-3 times per day), frequent headaches and fatigue, severe PMS (moody, headache, abdominal pain, flu-like symptoms).  I just don't feel good!!!

I believe I have PCOS, but could I also have endometriosis or a thyroid problem?  What is my next step?  What is going on, and will I ever conceive?

[wantbabynow09]

So I decided to stop taking Clomid and didn't tell the doc.  I suppose I was trying to test him in a way.  I see him on Day 12 of every cycle to test for ovulation.  This month he was amazed at my progress and said I couldn't ask for better signs of ovulation...my cervical mucus was perfect (better than perfect).  Okay...so what' up with that?  He's been telling me the same thing for 10 months now.  I'm thinking the Clomid hurt me more than helped me and I'm feeling like I wasted 7 months.  I am feeling like myself again since stopping Clomid.

On a brighter note, I demanded more hormone tests and he sent both my husband and I for more testing.  Me for progesterone, and hubby for FSH, LH, prolactin, and antisperm antibodies.  Keep your fingers crossed for me that either the tests show something, or that we're pregnant sooner than later.

[tbeards]

IMHO, I would forgo your gyn and go to either an Endocrinologist or an RE to get proper diagnosis of any hormonal/uterine/ovulation problems. Your gyn shouldn't have diagnosed PCOS solely based on your weight and excessive hair growth, although those are symptoms. They need to look at your ovarian function as well as your bloodwork. Also, is it possible you may have pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)? Your symptoms sound very painful. I am not sure of endo so maybe those symptoms are similar to PID also.

[April_Baby]

I understand everything that you are going through. I was diagnose w/PCOS and Amenorrhea (no cycle at all). My doctor put me on provera to have a cycle then we tried clomid in 2001, nothing happened. Then in 2007, we tried IUI, nothing. And now 2009, I just finished my first IVF cycle. (Waiting for results). I believe you have a shot of having children. Anything is possible. I started putting all my trust in God hands and believe everything will work out for the good. All I can say, if your family means a great deal to you, keep trying! Don't let anything hold you back. One person at my job told me,  after everything is gone, the job, business, and etc...the one thing you will have is your family! Keep trying......And keep us posted........................Good Luck and God Bless!!!


April_Baby

[bny807]

so sorry to hear what you've been through.. thats good that they have at least identified the pcos.. if they haven't already, then yes they should defintely check your thyroid as well....some dr's prefer to do an exploratory lap to see if you have endo, however others say if you don't have any endometriosis cysts on your ovaries viewed by ultrasound the surgery might not help anyways.. sounds like IUI, possibly with injectables would be a good next step, many people don't get preg until they combine IUI and injectables.. GOOD LUCK i hope you get some answers and a BFP very soon! : )