PCOS - Confusion and Stress!

I found ovulation tests weren’t very helpful for me because I’d get a positive and then not actually ovulate. Have you looked into how to measure your basal body temperature using a sensitive thermometer? It’s the only way to really confirm you have ovulated and then know when your period is due. I used the app Natural Cycles but Fertility Friendly has a free app and chart. I ended up needing quite a bit of help to get pregnant through a fertility clinic referral. I do also think exercise and taking inositol helped too. My doctor recommend Inofolic Alpha (it’s not cheap though!)

I agree with Aimee above. BBT was the only way I could confirm definite ovulation as tests would show peaks and highs for a couple of days and sometimes multiple times throughout a cycle. Dont give up hope though. I had an early MC in Jan 23, chemical in Jan 24, early MC in Feb/march 24 and am now currently 13 weeks pregnant which is the furthest I have ever been and everything is going good so far. I did need to be put on progesterone though x

Thank you. I previously used natural cycles and it did work really well but felt like I was suffering from lots of interrupted sleep so my temperature when I first woke wasn’t as accurate. I may have to go back to this. How did you take the inositol? I have the powdered version, probably not taking correctly! Thank you x

@Amy if you have interrupted sleep cycles I would look at investing in a product called OvuSense, there are various trackers that take a BBT reading every 5 minutes overnight and calculate an average. As long as you aren’t getting up and walking around in the night you’ll be fine and your BBT shouldn’t be affected so much x

@Amy yes I had the powder and took it twice a day on an empty stomach. It’s all so stressful honestly. It was a really tough time for me. In the end I got pregnant on my 3rd IUI cycle with injectable medication.

I manage mine with blood tests, on cd21 I get blood test to check progesterone levels to confirm ovulation but I'm also taking letrozole to help mature my egg for ovulation

Thank you. I went to my GP tonight just for some guidance and it was a bit deflating. I’ve to book bloods on day 21 when I do eventually come on my next cycle. Exercise to encourage weightloss as I’ve maintained the same weight for a year now and then go back in Sept and they’ll do me and my partner further fertility checks..

I totally understand your frustration. I also have mild PCOS and struggled with ovulation tests and BBT tracking. With PCOS, it’s common to have high LH levels, so OPKs can be unreliable, and I travel frequently; hence, BBT levels are not accurate for me. A TTC friend recommended Inito which is a fertility monitor that measures hormone levels and confirms ovulation. I started using it and I learned so much more about my hormone levels and cycles. It’s been incredibly helpful. Plus, I can also add my BBT readings to the app so it gives me a complete overview. I hope this helps, and I’m here if you have any questions. Hang in there! 🫶🏼

Hi again! Following on from this, I still have not come on my period, experiencing cramps, bloating, upset tummy but no signs of an actual period! I’m so confused with the doctor telling me “you may have skipped a period” and now I feel like I have no idea where I am in my cycle and what is happening! I know this is incredibly common and something that may reoccur again. I did test again on Friday, negative. It’s so conflicting when all you want is to not receive your period and then when you don’t, you want it just the re-start and get going again!

@Amy how long is your current cycle?