My diagnosis

     Starting in my mid to late 20s, I had a time where I stopped having a menstrual cycle. This first time it lasted about 9 months. I just waited to address the issue until my yearly because I was moving and it takes forever to book an appointment in our town! So when my yearly visit rolled around, I expressed my concern but she thought it might be due to a small weight gain (I have always been a big girl though.). They gave me a prescription that I took for a number of days to force my body into menstruating and then made me a follow up appointment to place me on birth control to possibly correct the issue. So I started my birth control and stayed on it from there on out. I resumed what seemed to be a normal cycle for a some time but then stopped again.

     At another yearly, I voiced my concerned and explained additional symptoms such as the darkening skin in the mustache region, the hot flashes, etc. I told people all the time I thought I had hit menopause. I asked if they were in any way related to each other and if my hormones were all messed up. My doctor said that it could be from the birth control or something else and we would only be able to find out by me getting off of birth control for a while and then get some testing done.  She also said that if I was okay with not having a cycle then she was too. Considering it was about two weeks before my wedding, I was okay with it and thought it might be my luck that it was the birth control and I was not wanting a honeymoon baby.

     About 7 months into our marriage,  we had casually chatted about babies and when we might want one. So that January, knowing that I might have some trouble, I took my last round of birth control. We wanted to see if it was possibly birth control causing it and if we happened to get pregnant then we would just be parents that much sooner. Well, February came and so did my cycle so relief came over me. Maybe nothing was wrong. It didn't last long though. It went on hiatus again. As it was getting closer to another yearly check up, I decided that I needed to change my doctor. I would be ready for children soon and wanted to start working toward that goal. I called and made my first appointment with a doctor near us that is "known" by lots of my friends to help those that struggle having children.

     That first appointment was a year ago this month and by that time I had been without a cycle for almost two years. After reviewing my medical history, answering multiple questions, blood test, and sonograms of my uterus and ovaries. I was diagnosed the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) with insulin resistance. I can't remember how many follicles were in both ovaries but I know I had 31 in just one of them. I had high triglycerides, high LDL cholesterol. I needed to watch my blood pressure and sugar levels. I left the doctor's office with numerous copies of articles he reviewed with me, a note to take so many units of vitamin D and folic acid daily, a prescription for Metformin, and my next appointment for October.

     As my appointment was approaching, I was hopeful for a good report considering the nasty side effects I had been living with from the Metformin. The good news came. My ovaries were no longer full of follicles! Now I would come back for a sonogram on day 12 of my cycle to see if I had produced a follicle to ovulate. I had only lost six pounds though and he increased my Metformin to 3 times daily. On day 12, I had another sonogram and had produced a follicle to ovulate. We were sent home with instructions to try for the next few days and make sure to elevate my butt for 15 to 20 after each try. 

    The only thing I changed in November, was the addition of Chlomid to help me ovulate. This is still what I am following till now. I did take a break during December and January due to Jeremy's diagnosis and have continued every month since February(2012). We also started Interuterine Insemination (IUI) then as well and have done it 6 times. We will find out in about another week or so if the 6th time is the charm!