Polycystic appearing ovaries,not pcos?

Hi girls. Does anyone else have polycystic appearing ovaries, meaning lots of small follicles, but not have pcos? I have 20-30 follicles on each ovary, yet my glucose, insulin, testesterone and all those tests are normal. I do ovulate, but often late like day 20-30 of my cycle. I've had 3 miscarriages and am about to start clomid to ttc. Is it possible that clomid could help me have a successful pregnancy due to the fact that each time ive conceived it's been around day 30 ovulation? Any thoughts would be appreciated! Thanks.

[kimmie_n_angus]

It is possible to have PCOS and not have the high testosterone and all other normal readings. It you have late ovulations, long cycles, re-occuring miscarriages, and polycystic ovaries than you have PCOS. There are different forms of the disorder and it effects each PCOS sufferer differently. The only way to stop the miscarriages in Metformin. I had 5 before they put me on the stuff. Metformin also increases your fertility as well. If you take Clomid w/o Metformin you have a higher risk of miscarriage as both PCOS and Clomid increase the risk of loss...hence why I had 5 in the last 2 years. Once on Metformin for 3 months your risk of loss goes down to lower than a woman w.o PCOS.

Kimmie

[jennyb473]

I agree with Kimmie - you have PCOS even if you don't have every symptom.  I'm in the same boat.  I ovulate every month - only ever been more than a few days late 4 times in my life and was pg each time.  I lost each one at 5-8 weeks though.  I started on Metformin last November and started Clomid in January - had a 24 day cycle on Clomid - how's that for luck??  I did get pg the next month on my own, w/o Clomid but with the cysts it left behind and everything.  I stopped the Metformin as soon as I found out though - and made it further with that pg than any prior (8.5 weeks) but still lost it.  I will be ttc again in the next few months - as I've been working on lowering my insulin levels (they were as high as 31 last June and now are 22, still aiming for under 17 though!) and losing some of my extra weight.  Once I become pg again I will stay on the Metformin until at least 12 weeks.  I am hoping that will do it for me.....I don't think I can handle another loss.  If the next one doesn't work we will either try IVF with PGD or adoption.  Good luck to you - keep us posted.

Kimmie - where did you hear that the risk goes down that low after 3 months on Metformin??? I love hearing that!  Have you been able to maintain a pg since being on Metformin?

[ntaylor]

I know about metformin, but it makes no sense to take it if you don't have high insulin levels or testesterone levels. metformin helps with insulin resistance. If I don't have that, it doesn't do anything else. Right? I'm a nurse, I've talked a lot and read about this drug. My RE says 20% or so of women they see have polycystic appearing ovaries and that it's a healthy variation, and does not always mean pcos. I'm 135 pounds, I work out 5 times a week and eat healthy. Don't I not fit the picture of pcos? My RE wouldn't put my on metformin without a reason....I'm confused about what your saying!

[ziza]

I had the same cysts on my ovaries w/o any other indications on PCOS.  My RE put me on clomid, but that month didn't work for me.  The next month I conceived naturally, while letting my ovaries rest.  good luck to you!

[molley21]

What does PCOS mean?

[luv_babies]

I had the same thing, poly cystic ovaries, but blood tests were normal. I wasn't ovulating and my dr put me on metformin anyway. Three months later I got pregnant and have a 6 month old son. I personally would try the metformin first, and then go to the clomid. I was on met for the 1st 3 months of the pregnancy also. Good luck.

[Justine17]

I have polycystic appearing ovaries and my doc. at first thought I had PCOS and started me on Metformin.  (I was ovulated around day 30 every cycle and I had one previous miscarriage at 7 weeks) Once all my tests came back normal she discussed with an endocrinologist and decided to take me off the Metformin b/c you're right you only need Metformin if you're insulin resistant.  I started Clomid and my second round of it became pregnant.  (the first round I did not ovulate so don't get discouraged if that happens)  Now I'm 31 weeks pregnant!!  So... absolutely!! Clomid can help you.  I truly believe if I kept trying without Clomid I would have had more miscarriages b/c I ovulated so late.

[ntaylor]

Thanks so much for all your comments. I have an appointment on tuesday to get the clomid and I will be talking with my RE. I appreciate the comments. This is so hard, I want to do everything possible to make this next pregnancy last. Thanks!

[mandymayk]

im confused, i dont ovulate at all apparently and just had a laparoscopy done and was diagnosed with endometriosis in the cul de sac (he was able to remove the growths) and have "polycystic appearing ovaries"....could the endometriosis have somthing to do with me not ovulating, or could i have pcos? dont see my obgyn till april and am at my wits end!

[kristykitty]

I am going through the same thing right now too. Had an enternal ultrasound in April...doctor found "ovaries have a polycystic appearance" did blood work but everything came back normal...weird.  I have all the symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome...hard to lose weight...weight gain...acne...hair on face...extremely long cycles...I'm on day 41 with no period...last cycle before that I went 54 days before getting my period....which I guess is not even a period anyway.  I've been charting for 41 days and there was no dramatic raise in bbt...I'm around 36.2.  Yesterday my OBGYN just did a Endometrial Biopsy (waiting for results).  And I just got a referral to a fertility doctor where I live.  I'm confused as to what is exactly is wrong with me.  I'm desperate to become a mom and I'm really sad as it looks like I don't ovulate and I'm hoping that nothing else is wrong with me.