Pregnant at last

by Ciara

I would just like to tell you a "success story" that may give other women hope. Here goes.

I have not had a natural period since 1996 when I was 21. After 8 years of Diannette, I came off and my periods hadn’t returned even after a year.

I already knew I had PCOS as I had had an ultrasound in 1996. In 2004 I had blood tests and a transvaginal ultrasound. The results were predictable—elevated androgens, testosterone, and LH, and hormones were all over the place.

My gynecologist put me on Glucophage/Metformin, but despite months of this, I had no period and blood tests showed very little improvement.

In the meantime I had self-medicated with various herbs such as agnus castus and saw palmetto, but again, no periods and my symptoms were all there.

My gynecologist then gave me Provera to bring on a period and put me on 5 mg. of Clomid from day 3 to day 8 of my cycle. I got a period, not a natural one, but nevertheless a period which I was grateful for! Then I tried the Clomid, and blood tests revealed that I had ovulated! There was hope, at least, even if I hadn’t conceived.

Several Clomid cycles followed, I think 8 or 9 in total, but I didn’t conceive. I came off Clomid, my gynecologist said my periods might return, but no such thing happened even after 3 months.

I had more blood tests which showed I had hypothyroidism as well as PCOS. At this stage I was despairing of ever being “normal” or becoming a mother. Still no sign of a period.

When my breasts began to ache I took a pregnancy test. You guessed it, I was pregnant! Now I am 37 weeks pregnant, and it was completely natural.

Somewhere along the line, my hormones had decided to regulate themselves. So please tell other women out there that there is hope!