(in)Fertility Friday {PCOS}

Guys! Best news ever! (Well, not ever because when I'm prego that will be the best news but...) I have extreme PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome)! And while I realize this is a bad thing, the good news is that I finally have a diagnosis. I prayed that my doctor's appointment would give me answers and boy did it! I am so so thankful.

This post is going to have all sorts of information so if you're infertile (like me) then you will probably be interested. Otherwise, you might want to move on to another blog for today. ;)

Here's what I learned...I have had PCOS my whole life and never knew it till now. My case has gotten more extreme as I've gotten older (and more insulin resistant) and have had a baby (who depleted me of all my hormones). All these things have contributed to my struggle with getting/staying pregnant. I'm 100% not relaying this as accurately or understandably as my doctor did but here's my main issues...1) I have PCOS 2) I have thyroid issues 3) I have no progesterone (the hormone that helps you get and stay prego).

Here's the interesting part...the meds he prescribed me (and the way to take them) and not typical. My doctors at Kaiser and going to lose their noodle when they find out what I'm doing but guess what...those idiots didn't even catch that I have PCOS because I'm not your typical candidate: I'm not overweight, I don't have acne, and I don't have facial hair. Those are all top symptoms of PCOS. Apparently 50% of PCOS cases don't display outward symptoms...that's me.

The meds I will be on are bio-identical (natural, not synthetic) Progesterone and Thyroid which makes a huge difference in resulting in healthy pregnancies. I will likely be on these meds the rest of my life since people with PCOS have a 6-8 times more chance of getting uterine and breast cancer. But it's preventable! Same goes with miscarrying.

I will also be taking the drug called Metformin which helps with regulating my blood sugar levels. People with PCOS have insulin resistance and in my case it's severe. This also means that I have to be really careful about my sugar intake...as in don't do it. :( I'm pretty sure that was the worst news I heard all day. I LOVE sugar and the doctor also said that is classic PCOS symptom. The good news is that the thyroid meds will make it easier for me to lose and maintain a healthy body weight...winning!

I'm SO relieved to have answers but SO annoyed at Kaiser for not catching any of this. Come to find out they don't even test for low thyroid in the most thorough way AND they didn't ever think to test me for PCOS because they were so sure I didn't have it. Lame.

Overall I can't thank YOU all enough for all your prayers. Today went just as I had hoped in that I have a clear diagnosis and a plan for recovery. I can't wait to start my meds and keep you all updated on the way it's going. If any of you is struggling with getting/staying pregnant I highly recommend this doctor. He graduated from UCLA and is also currently an ER doctor in L.A. He's no ding dong!

If you're still reading, I commend you. :) This weekend we are headed to the beach for some major R and R and I'm stoked! Happy Valentine's Day, friends! I love you guys!