Polycystic ovary, amenorrhea

[tbiM20]

I had an ultrasound about 6 months ago that showed my left ovary had multiple cysts. I have another ultrasound next month for an update. In addition, I have not had a normal period in a couple years now. Actually, I had very light spotting on a few occasions (really, to elaborate, small amounts of clear mucus, sometimes with dark clots, or a tiny bit of pink, but never enough to actually get on a pad. I only noticed when I went to the bathroom) - a total of 12 days in the past 18 months, once for 8 days, once for four, in no apparent pattern.
To top it off, HRT is not an option because I'm homozygous for factor V Leiden, a genetic clotting disorder.
So...
1. If the cysts haven't diminished or have gotten worse, what are my treatment options?
2. How likely is surgery?
3. Are the cysts likely causing the menstrual problems? (even though the right ovary is fine)
4. Can I still be ovulating if I'm not having periods?
5. My doctor recommended a whole foods & gluten free diet for weight loss & to see if it  returns my cycles. (removing genetically modified grains, and processed foods). Can it help the cysts too?

My medical info:
Age 23, 5'4", 170 lb
Taking aspirin, multivitamin, fish oil
Negative for endometriosis (ultrasound 6mo. ago)
Negative for PCOS (labs 6mo. ago, but slightly high testosterone, slightly elevated bad cholesterol)
Homozygous Factor V Leiden, but no history of clots
Family history of heart disease, diabetes, blood clots, and stroke

[Carrie Coleman, M.D.]

I'm sorry to hear your troubles.  It sounds like you do have PCOS to me--especially with infrequent light periods and and elevated testosterone and bad cholesterol, if even slightly, also if you do have multiple small cysts on 1 ovary--then this is another thing that would give you a diagnosis.  Often women are treated with the birth control pill with estrogen and progesterone to help this out, however with your hx of homozygous FVL, your physician may advise you against this.  But you still have options for treatment with what we call a 'progesterone only pill or minipill' or a Mirena IUD.  Also, women with pcos if they are overweight and have elevated cholesterol, they need to really work on diet and exercise and lose weight and often that can help resolve this too.  I would recommend you continue your follow up or see a gynecologist to review as it really sounds like pcos to me, but sometimes it can take a while to tease things out.  If women don't have a very large ovarian cyst and aren't having severe pain, and if have pcos, then surgery is not recommended and the birth control pill with diet/exercise is recommended.   good luck to you.  

[BrookeMM22]

Im having very similar issues!!
i too have Factor V lieden!! I found out after gentic testing after my aunt had multiple miscarriages. and was tested positive. my mother had 5 children only 1 miscarriage.
Ive had 3 children. 1st one was still born at 29 weeks. my other 2 children were both born using heprain (blood thinner) and i had many many comlications thru all 3 pregnancies.
my 3rd child was born january 2012 at just 4lbs. he is a thriving 7mth old now weighing 30+ lbs :)
I breastfed (not exclusively) becuase he was so small i supplemented with formula after i breasfed. i choose to stop breasfeeding in march, an choose to exclusively formula feed. therefor in april 2012 i recieved my 1st period after birth, then like clock work i recived my 2nd period (5 days late) in may 2012. i havent had a period since (now 14 weeks) but i have had 1 week of spotting, not even enough to use a pad. same as above. mucuos, pinkish. more clots then anything. just small clots (not reportable (the size of a twoonie)) ive been to the doctor 2 times. who treat me like i should b glad i dont have a period. Im 29 yrs of age and have been having reg period my whole life. ive been very irritable, emotional, unstable, dizzy, lightheaded, confused, headaches, just general not feeling well. the 1st visit the doc thought i had strep throat an sent me off with antibiotic only to find the test results were neg for strep. blood work claims my hormones are normal, my INR lvl is .9 so my blood is good. i go for an ultrasound in 3 weeks. im very concerned. an am wondering if factor v leiden is the cause of amenorrhea. is my missed periods because my blood is not good, do i have an aneurysm??

[Colline]

I think we are likely having the same situation. 5 months ago, I consulted a doctor about the irregularities of my menstruation from the start. She required me to have an ultrasound of my reproductive system. After the operation, I found out I have polycystic ovaries and my endometric lining is only 0.5 cm, which caused my menstrual problem. My first period delayed for 5 months and I gave off for more than 7 days, sometimes half-day or 1 day, 3 days...2 months later I got married and at the moment I'm in trouble about getting pregnant. I think I can't do so.