[gagesmommy]

ok I have PCOS also. For our condition we need to have the hormones. Also the easiest time for us to get preggers is right after we get off the pill. And most pills will help you lose weight because the hormones are helping to control the PCOS. Also, I don't know if you are taking Metformin but that will help control it also and thats how I got preggers. It took 7 months because I didn't know that the BC was helping with the PCOS so I got off it when I met DH and thats the time they were saying if you've been on it for awhile you might have problems conceiving so off I went. Not so for our condition.
HTH

[lilacii]

I'm surprized that no one has mentioned natural family planning. It's highly effective, inexpensive, and requires no pill or procedure. It might be worth looking into...

(We've used it for 3 years! I do not like taking medication for something my body regulates naturally

[aidan&logansmommy]

I agree with everyone who has recommended Mirena. I have had 2 Mirenas and I love it! I first got the Mirena after DS4 was born. I had it for 2 1/2 years with absolutely no problems and no periods! I had it taken out when we decided to start trying to conceive again. It took me 3 months to get pregnant after it was removed, but my doctor said that it could happen as soon as one day after the removal. I got another one after my second child last May, and like the first, no problems and no periods! I love it!!! It is cheap (my insurance paid for it), it lasts 5 years, and it is completely reversible. Someone mentioned risk of sterilization, but I have never heard any concerns about that with Mirena (some of the older IUDS did cause problems). Anyway, I highly recommend it!

[grace.maddie]

Originally Posted by gagesmommy

ok I have PCOS also. For our condition we need to have the hormones. Also the easiest time for us to get preggers is right after we get off the pill. And most pills will help you lose weight because the hormones are helping to control the PCOS. Also, I don't know if you are taking Metformin but that will help control it also and thats how I got preggers. It took 7 months because I didn't know that the BC was helping with the PCOS so I got off it when I met DH and thats the time they were saying if you've been on it for awhile you might have problems conceiving so off I went. Not so for our condition.
HTH

yes i have metformin, i also take synthroid for pcos. i also have problems with low progestrone, so i didn't know if that would affect the pill or not.

[grace.maddie]

Originally Posted by lilacii

I'm surprized that no one has mentioned natural family planning. It's highly effective, inexpensive, and requires no pill or procedure. It might be worth looking into...

(We've used it for 3 years! I do not like taking medication for something my body regulates naturally

i would love to do the rythem method, however i don't ovoulate on a regular enough basis. i also don't have periods, so it won't work for me. i did use natureal family planning when we were trying to concive thats how i first discovered i do not ovulate (just once in a three year span).
i wish i could do this, life would be easier, thanks anyway.

[gagesmommy]

Can I ask what the synthroid helps with?

[grace.maddie]

lots of pcos patients have low thyriod levals, adding to the weigth gain most of them have. my fertility dr was the first to put me on thyroid and diabetes meds in order for me to get pregnant ths first time.

[sweetmom]

Originally Posted by NoahsMomma

I'm going to get the NuvaRing, once I get my new insurance card.

here's a link to all fda approved forms of BC

Birth Control Guide

I used it once but felt very unconfortable and went pack to the patches for awhile but my OB does not prescribe it anymore (I kinda brough them from Mexico, ya know no presc. needed plus is cheaper). Have a new IUD for almost a month now but I've been on my "period" (heavy too) for 3 weeks and counting. Did anyone else had the same problem? I am concerned about it but OB just prescribed antibotic and to call her if by next week my period is not over.

[aidan&logansmommy]

Sweetmom-
When I got the Mirena (both times), the first month there was a lot of on again/off again bleeding. It did go away after the first month or so and my ob said it was completely normal, that it just took a while for your body to adjust to it. At first, I was sort of freaked out about it and wondering if I had made the wrong choice, but I was really glad that I stuck with it.

However, as someone else mentioned, everyone's body is different and their reactions to Mirena may be too. I had a friend who had to have hers taken out, but the majority of friends that have it, are very pleased.

[BStroh]

Does anyone know of a good website with natural family planning advice/how to's?
Thanks!

[lizmolik]

I have PCOS and have been on the Nuva Ring every since I had my child (a year and a 1/2 ago). I have never had any problems with it, and I have not gotten prego. My doctor said that if I ever did want to get prego again, she would take me off of it,and give me another medicine to help out! Nuva ring for me is the best, and I would tell the whole world how good it is if I could!

I do have a question for those with PCOS though...What medicines do you take and what are they supposed to help with. I was diagnosed but the only thing my doctor told me was to stay on the birth control to help with my hormones! What else is out there to help with the symptoms? Maybe I could mention them to my doctor!

[lizmolik]

Originally Posted by BStroh

Does anyone know of a good website with natural family planning advice/how to's?
Thanks!

I dont know any websites, but I am sure that you should have Health Departments where you live at that you can go and get brochures on Family planning? HTH!

[grace.maddie]

Originally Posted by BStroh

Does anyone know of a good website with natural family planning advice/how to's?
Thanks!

i got a book called "taking charge of your fertility" by Toni Weschler. this was a long time ago before we got on the internet, but i bet if you google that you will come up with a good site.
i will warn you, her method includes daily temp. plotting your fertility signs, which are easy, but also checking your crevical fluids...which some women get grossed out by. i never had a problem doing it, but i have heard a lot of ladies get grossed out by the idea.
if you have average fertility, her book is awsome!!!

[kandikid82]

Originally Posted by BStroh

Does anyone know of a good website with natural family planning advice/how to's?
Thanks!

Go to Ovulation Calendar and Ovulation Chart - FertilityFriend.com

It's a tracking website. It takes a month or so to learn, but they have tutorials, ebooks, message boards, courses and FAQ

It's free to track, but you will need to pay to access all of the info to get you going. If you sign up for about 3 months then you will get the hang of it and only need the free charting.

If you want more detailed info about nautral family planning please PM me. I can explain all of it. I've been tracking for over two years on this site.

Oh and I completely agree with getting "Taking Charge of Your Fertility". I own this book and it is full of great info.

[lesliec]

Originally Posted by kandikid82

We were TTC, but then I had to have surgery so I wasn't allowed to get pregnant. Since mine was a temporary situation (6 months) I didn't want to have to get on BC only to get off of it in 6 month. My doctor also said that when you get off of BC you generally have to wait a few months in order to get everything back to normal to get preggers (not true for everyone, but true for me). We also have fertility issues so the likelihood of me getting preggers was slim to begin with. I decided to use OTC spermicidal film. We also use OTC lube (which kills like 75% of sperm). I track my periods and ovulation in order to use natural family planning, which I guess would be hard with PCOS. I know that I ovulate between day 14-16 every month so we avoid the week around that time. Between tracking ovulation and using the film I think we have it covered. I wouldn't recommend this method for anyone who is very fertile!

also, be aware if you have never used a spermicide though. I am allergic and I can tell you it is not pleasant. The pain is worse than the absolute worst yeast infection...

[kandikid82]

Originally Posted by lesliec

also, be aware if you have never used a spermicide though. I am allergic and I can tell you it is not pleasant. The pain is worse than the absolute worst yeast infection...

Good point! There is always the risk of being allergic to condoms, lubes or spermicides.

[amos311]

I've been on bc pills for a LONG time. I started having bad cramps when I was about 15 and the found out I had endometriosis. They tried several different pills and the depo shot. I had a very adverse reaction to depo, by the 3rd month when the hormones were wearing off and it was time to get my next shot, I was very depressed to the point where I was suicidal. Come to find out, severe mood swings are not too uncommon. They have me on a pill now that is working well. It's called Mircete (kariva generic). Unlike other pills that are 3 weeks of hormone and then 1 of iron placebo pills, this one is 3 weeks, then 2 days of placebo and 5 days of low dose estrogen. I was getting headaches w/o the hormones, so my doctor gave me this pill and it works like a charm!

Incedentally, I also have PCOS and thyroid problems. I actually have Hashimoto's disease where your immune system attacks your thyroid gland. My endocrineologist has me on aldactone (spirolactone) for the PCOS and sythroid and armour thyroid for the Hasimoto's. I am a walking glossary when it comes to thyroid conditions!

[vgleason]

Sorry I can't be of help but I wanted to say good luck. My solution was a hysterectomy followed by a divorce....

[katjim00]

So I started looking into the Mirena for myself after reading this and came across this on their website. Not too bad if you have to foot the bill:

PAYMENT PLAN PAYMENT TOTAL COST
SINGLE PAYMENT $585.89 $585.89

4 MONTHLY PAYMENTS

1st payment $234.36
3 additional payments $117.18 $585.89

12 MONTHLY PAYMENTS $50.77 $609.24

And I can't seem to get it spaces right so I hope you can read it

[ctsunshine]

Originally Posted by grace.maddie

i got a book called "taking charge of your fertility" by Toni Weschler. this was a long time ago before we got on the internet, but i bet if you google that you will come up with a good site.
i will warn you, her method includes daily temp. plotting your fertility signs, which are easy, but also checking your crevical fluids...which some women get grossed out by. i never had a problem doing it, but i have heard a lot of ladies get grossed out by the idea.
if you have average fertility, her book is awsome!!!

I've used this book and method, I highly recommend it.

CTSunshine

[kandikid82]

Originally Posted by grace.maddie

i got a book called "taking charge of your fertility" by Toni Weschler. this was a long time ago before we got on the internet, but i bet if you google that you will come up with a good site.
i will warn you, her method includes daily temp. plotting your fertility signs, which are easy, but also checking your crevical fluids...which some women get grossed out by. i never had a problem doing it, but i have heard a lot of ladies get grossed out by the idea.
if you have average fertility, her book is awsome!!!

I agree with getting grossed out. You have to analysis the cervic position and your cervical fluid texture. Wasn't really a big deal to me. I do it when I take my shower. Also I ad to use a BBT in my who-who to track temps b/c I'm a mouth breather at night and it gave me bad temps (you have to take your temp te second you wake)

So if putting things in you who-who bothers you don't do this plan.

[aimeejo]

I wanted to get my tubes tied after DD but the Doctors wouldn't do it so I opted to get the Mirena. I am so glad I did. I haven't had a period in so long and no weird side effects. This is the best birth control I have ever used.

As OP stated it took us 10 years to conceive my son w/ the help of Clomid and DD just happened 2 years after DS was born. It's weird going from no BC to BC w/i a few years.

I'm hoping to keep this one the 5 years then get another untill after I think I hit menopause. I'm hoping to be able to skip it entirely.

If u do opt for the IUD make sure they cut the strings short enough or Hubby will get poked.

[susan_t6]

[quote=
If u do opt for the IUD make sure they cut the strings short enough or Hubby will get poked.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, that happens. Forgot about that. Talked to my Dr. about that and she said at least you know it is still in place. You have to check to see if it is in place every month.

[grace.maddie]

[quote=amos311;373354]I've been on bc pills for a LONG time. I started having bad cramps when I was about 15 and the found out I had endometriosis. They tried several different pills and the depo shot. I had a very adverse reaction to depo, by the 3rd month when the hormones were wearing off and it was time to get my next shot, I was very depressed to the point where I was suicidal. Come to find out, severe mood swings are not too uncommon. They have me on a pill now that is working well. It's called Mircete (kariva generic). Unlike other pills that are 3 weeks of hormone and then 1 of iron placebo pills, this one is 3 weeks, then 2 days of placebo and 5 days of low dose estrogen. I was getting headaches w/o the hormones, so my doctor gave me this pill and it works like a charm!

Incedentally, I also have PCOS and thyroid problems. I actually have Hashimoto's disease where your immune system attacks your thyroid gland. My endocrineologist has me on aldactone (spirolactone) for the PCOS and sythroid and armour thyroid for the Hasimoto's. I am a walking glossary when it comes to thyroid condition

my dr prescribed spirolactone for me when i complained about the excessive hair growth from the pcos. what is its exact function? is that all its prescribe for is the hair growth or is that just a side effect of it?
i am still being treated by the perinatoligist that tokk care of me during all my pregnancies. maybe i should make and appt with an endocrineologist????

[amos311]

Originally Posted by grace.maddie

my dr prescribed spirolactone for me when i complained about the excessive hair growth from the pcos. what is its exact function? is that all its prescribe for is the hair growth or is that just a side effect of it?
i am still being treated by the perinatoligist that tokk care of me during all my pregnancies. maybe i should make and appt with an endocrineologist????

Spirolactone actually is a testosterone blocker, which women with PCOS will have elevated levels of from the disease. That is what is causing the excess hair growth. Spirolactone is also a diuretic, it is prescribed for people with chronic swelling as well.