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Are there any ladies that have suffered polycystic ovaries that can offer any advice?

My girlfriend and I have noticed her mood swings and the irregularity of it all since she came off the pill. I find her moods utterly unbearable (check into a hotel) and she claims she knows it's happening but can't stop it, then gets very tearful afterwards. We are considering starting a family. I told her to get checked out. Anyways she had an ultrasound today and the imaging Dr said she could see follicles on her right ovary but was struggling to find her left one.
She has requested a blood test to confirm her findings.

How manageable is this? And if you've had children, how easy/tricky was it to conceive?

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SW-User

I was diagnosed with PCOS a little over a year ago. I don't have tons of experience, but hopefully I can help ease your mind a little bit.
It's pretty easy to manage with medication and/or the right diet. I was placed on a progesterone-based birth control (estrogen would have only made it worse) and my cycle was the most normal it's ever been. That might explain her sudden irritability.
Eating a diet without lots of carbohydrates and taking metformin to stabilize my blood sugar also helps to keep my body in check, and I've heard that a clean diet full of unprocessed foods has helped other women to conceive.
The reason it's hard for women with PCOS to conceive is mostly because they produce little to no progesterone naturally. It varies on a case by case basis. Generally, as long as her hormone levels are corrected and monitored throughout her pregnancy, there is a chance she'll have no problem carrying a child.

Davemcdave · 46-50, M

Thank you aiyana. Do you mind me asking before you were diagnosed what was your main cause for concern?

SW-User

My main cause for concern was my menstrual cycle, because I hadn't stopped bleeding for months. A lot of women with PCOS don't get periods at all, but mine were extreme. I was also worried about my mood swings and my inability to lose weight as quickly as other people, because I knew beforehand that those were associated with the disorder.

Davemcdave · 46-50, M

@aiyana: I see yes that would be very worrying, did you have to take iron as a consequence? Seems tour symptoms are similar to my misses. The irregularity and the length. She always look pale and gets ill around that time :-(

SW-User

Yes, when I got my blood results I found out I was anemic so I had to take Poly-Iron 150 Forte for three months.

Davemcdave · 46-50, M

Good lord, you ladies really do get it bad. And your on the mend now?

SW-User

Yep, I see my gynecologist every three months to see where my blood is at and get my prescription refilled.

Davemcdave · 46-50, M

Brilliant that's a lot more efficient that I thought grey would be, thank you for replying and being so open and honest.
Make sure you keep on top of taking your meds OK. Take care x

SW-User

You too! Best wishes to you and your girlfriend.