<p>My sister told me that she was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome a couple months ago, and that the doctors said she’s infertile. I heard that PCOS can run in the family, and the chances that a mother or sister has it is 50%…I don’t even know where to begin about this, because I think I have some of its symptoms–I haven’t had my period since April, hair on my back and stomach/arms, etc., being a bit overweight and I think I’m beginning to have hypertension (gahh!). This sucks. I’m kinda scared that I might not be able to have a baby either, and I’m scared about being unhealthy, especially since I’m starting ROTC this semester (which should help with weight loss and stuff). Advice, anyone?</p>
<p>See a doctor, and take with a grain of salt the info that will be posted here. See a GYN, or a GYN reproductive endocrinologist. They will review a complete history, do a complete physical exam, order a battery of laboratory test, order a pelvic/transvaginal ultrasound, and will provide you with the information you need.</p>
<p>Women with PCOS can get pregnant and have families. There is treatment. Achieving pregnancy can be more challenging, but it is not impossible. See a doctor and get the info YOU need based on YOUR situation. Only a health care professional can answer the questions as the pertain to YOU.</p>
<p>What you are describing (no period since April, etc.) sounds alarming and should have sent you running into your doctor’s office pronto. Do what sunnyflorida says, please go see a professional ASAP. It could be PCOS, or it could be something else. Only a doctor will be able to tell you.</p>
<p>I’ve known women with PCOS who needed help with a first pregnancy and then got pregnant without help – sometimes a few times – after the first baby. You have to see a doctor. They can run tests to make a determination and you can get real information about PCOS. Your sister should talk to a doctor who specializes in infertility.</p>
<p>I agree it’s good to see a doctor, and not rely on CC, but this is probably not an ASAP issue. Unless you might be pregnant.</p>
<p>As long as you have a good ob/gyn, I wouldn’t worry about it.
I haven’t technically been diagnosed with PCOS, but I do have irregular periods- seem to have one sided ovulation and in my early 20’s I had an ovarian cyst the size of a grapefruit .
Unfortunately it wasn’t diagnosed right away , even though I kept going to the dr with all the symptoms because for some reason they just gave me a pregnancy test & when it was negative sent me to a shrink.
:rolleyes:</p>
<p>Good advice- see your OB/GYN as soon as you can. If you must check out web sites and we all do, go to ones like WebMD or the Mayo Clinic sites for the most reliable information presented in a factual manner. Good luck and if you can, please let us know how your MD visit goes.</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure I’m not pregnant. I’ve been having irregular periods for about 5 years now–I remember one year I went almost half a year without getting my period–and now I know that this is not just because I’m still young. My doctor is still my pediatrician, and I don’t know, I just feel a bit awkward and embarrassed to go to him…I also told my mom about it and she thinks there’s nothing wrong with me and doesn’t want to bring me to an ob/gyn. Do you think Planned Parenthood would help?</p>
<p>Edited to Add: Thanks for your advice, everyone. I really appreciate it, even if it’s CC and not a medical professional! ;)</p>
<p>Pediatrician or not, your doctor is a doctor, and you should not be ashamed or feel awkward to ask him/her ANY questions related to your health and wellness. Your doctor will be able to refer you to a specialist, and you can ask him/her to talk to your mom to convince her to take you to a specialist.</p>
<p>Regarding the “pretty sure” bit about pregnancy- abstinence is the only sure way to know (unless you lack the parts needed)- there’s even a current cable show (on Discovery Health) titled “I didn’t Know I Was Pregnant”, not everyone is obese on that show. Trust poster #2- an expert. I doubt Planned Parenthood would do the entire workup you should get, but they may be the starting point in getting your mom to let you switch to a physician for the adult you have become.</p>
<p>kjcastillo -
Forget your pediatrician - he will probably refer you out anyway. You should see a gyn and I think you know this. Don’t go to a physician you are not comfortable with.
Check with your school’s student health center, there may be a gyn there that you can see. Otherwise - look for a gyn who specializes in adolescents, some advertise this.</p>
<p>You are starting ROTC - did you have your physical yet? If not then be prepared for a gyn questionairre. There may be some issues that you will have to resolve.
Finally - having PCOS doesn’t mean you can never have children.
Good Luck</p>
<p>Developed the classic PCOS symptoms in my teens (very irregular or absent periods). GP doc treated with birth control pills. After marrying, did get pregnant but miscarried first time. Wasn’t diagnosed with PCOS until consulting a fertility doctor to try and get pregnant again. With the help of a fertility drug, son was born. Got pregnant with next child, a daughter pretty quickly without assistance…and four years later also had another D without fertility drugs…so there is hope.</p>
<p>There is much research and new data developed on this condition since I was diagnosed (1981) and as others advise, see your doctor, he/she will be your best source of information.</p>
<p>Here is a good place to start:
[Polycystic</a> Ovary Syndrome << Frequently Asked Questions << womenshealth.gov](<a href=“http://womenshealth.gov/faq/polycystic-ovary-syndrome.cfm]Polycystic”>http://womenshealth.gov/faq/polycystic-ovary-syndrome.cfm)</p>
<p>I have PCOS. I, too, was diagnosed when trying to get pregnant. I have 3 boys, all conceived through low level fertility drugs. It has not had a major impact on my life other than the fact that I didn’t get periods very often and when I did, they were unpredictable. After my last child was born, they became more regular.</p>