PCOS or something else?

by Olga Moroz
(Netherlands)

Hi everyone. I have never had problems with my cycle. It was regular since I was 15 years old.

At 22 I got pregnant but had a miscarriage. After that started taking BC for a year, than made a stop, the cycles return normally after 5 months. I started on BC again and stopped again in October 2007 because me and my fiance were TTC. My period started irregularly and within 12 months I had around 6 periods, last was in August 2008.

After 6 months of irregular period I went to the doctor and was told that it is normal and I have to wait at least for a year before getting concerned. I insisted on tests and hormone levels were all fine.

The ultrasound revealed polycystic ovaries and immediately the doctor diagnosed PCOS.

I find it strange that PCOS had developed out of nowhere and especially after stopping BC. I have no one in my family with PCOS and no other symptoms, my weight is always 55-56 Kg and I have no other common signs of PCOS.

My doctor advised to use Clomid, but first go back on BC to jump start the bleeding. I decided to hold on medication and try again later. Doctor said that there is no evidence that BC can cause PCOS. I find it hard to believe.

I had my last period in the end of August and since then have been feeling strange, my breasts are getting larger and the belly feels heavy, I had nausea several times and was eating more than normal. I took several HPT, all came out negative. I am going for ultrasound again soon to see if I am pregnant.

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Editor's comments:

Hi Olga, you can have polycystic ovaries without having PCOS. However, nearly all women with PCOS will have polycystic ovaries. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is the name given to a metabolic condition in which a woman will have polycystic ovaries, along with a certain pattern of other symptoms that reflect imbalances in reproductive and other hormones.

Click here for more information.

Secondly, PCOS does not come from nowhere. If you have it, it might have started before you were born. However, it doesn't usually begin to manifest itself until the teen years.