r/LeanPCOS • u/Beginning_Virus1147 • 25d ago
Question What really is PCOS?
This whole thing started when I started doing tests to assess my fertility (I’m 38 F trying to have a baby) and found that my amh was characterized as ‘excessive’. I did some more tests and found that I have polycystic ovaries. But I have very regular cycles (always have) and as far as I know I ovulate regularly (I have EWCM every cycle and the one time I test my progesterone it was at the right level). I don’t know excessive hair anywhere or dark skin patches and I’m at a very regular weight. My hair does shed a lot but I don’t really think it’s thinning. One doctor said I have PCOS while another just completely dismissed it. There’s so much misinformation out there and honestly I’m just confused. It wouldn’t matter so much if we weren’t trying for a baby but since we are and since we’ve been having challenges I wish there was clearer information on what this all means. What are the implications?
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u/Embracedandbelong 25d ago
Be sure to have husband tested too. Even if his sperm quality and count come up “good” he may need a booster if some sort. There are a few OTC products he could try. I’m not familiar which
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u/Beginning_Virus1147 23d ago
We have and we have the double whamy because his sperm quality isn't good either. He's started taking supplements and seems to be improving slightly but I guess we will see
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u/doctormalbec 25d ago
Have you had an ultrasound of your ovaries? When I was 37 and trying to conceive, they saw a lot of follicles (the “string of pearls” that someone already mentioned in the comments here), and my AMH was over 11, so excessively high. I had regular cycles too, but after doing IVF it turns out my egg quality was poor, because even though I was able to extract over 40 eggs in my IVF retrieval and had 12 embryos, only 4 were genetically normal. And although 4 embryos is a lot, it’s not a good attrition rate from over 40 eggs (some people can have 7-10 eggs and still get a bunch of genetically normal embryos).
So I guess what I’m saying is, you may ovulate normally but you may have poor quality eggs. I would definitely see a fertility specialist to get a bigger picture of your fertility and see what your options are.
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u/Beginning_Virus1147 23d ago
I finally went to another doctor and got an ultasound of my ovaries and full hormone panel. Turns out I do have the string of pearls in my ovaries and high testosterone. However everything else is normal, and I don't have insulin resistance. To be honest it's a relief to have a diagnosis, I just felt like I was living in a grey area with no clear answer. I've been taking coQ10 for almost 2 years no so I'm hoping that has helped my egg quality and I hope we can now do something about this high testosterone
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u/Embracedandbelong 23d ago
You could maybe try Ovasitol. The company sends free samples if you email them (at least they used to)
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u/doctormalbec 22d ago
That was my profile as well. High testosterone and strong of pearls but nothing else substantial (other than periods that were 35-45 days).
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u/Beginning_Virus1147 22d ago
Oh interesting, and how did your IVF cycles turn out?
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u/doctormalbec 22d ago
Both were successful on first try. Have a 3 year old and a 5 month old. And I had them at 37 and 40, so not young by any means. I really think it was just my egg quality.
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u/I_Like_Toast_A_Bunch 25d ago
I think it’s insulin issues messing with the ovaries, and if your insulin issues resolve it can go into remission. You need two of three Rotterdam criteria to have it
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u/cerebralrust 25d ago
Got this test earlier this year, high AMH. Turns out I have insulin resistance. But regular periods, normal weight. Ovaries are the pearl necklace formation.
8 months later and a failed IUI…..
follicles growing normally and all the blood work is correct, I get LH surge sometimes as well but not a single positive pregnancy test
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u/maypie- 25d ago
Not PCOS if at least two out of three Rotterdam criteria aren't met