I used to have regular cycles (30-35 days) throughout my teens and early 20’s.  Was on and off the pill.  At a particularly stressful time in my life periods stopped for 5 months then resumed spontaneously.  But basically I used to have regular cycles for a year or more at a time, even when off the pill.  On another occasion I fell pregnant by accident so obviously ovulated at least some of the time. 

Was then on the pill from age 23 to 29.  Came off the pill, fell pregnant 4th cycle off pill, first attempt.  Miscarried at 10 weeks.

That was 4 months ago.  Miscarriage was very distressing emotionally.  No period and no ovulation since miscarriage. Have just been diagnosed with PCOS.  Am slim (BMI around 21.3), have had some acne problems on and off, no other symptoms. 

Really want to get pregnant again.

What are the chances, given my history, that normal ovulatory cycles will resume again as they did in the past?

I have found lots of info about ‘anovulatory’ women with PCOS, as opposed to women with ovulatory cycles - but nothing about women who like me who seem to switch between both categories at different times in their lives. 

Any help or advice very welcome.

many thanks.

2ndDestiny - 22 May 2009 07:26 AM

I used to have regular cycles (30-35 days) throughout my teens and early 20’s.  Was on and off the pill.  At a particularly stressful time in my life periods stopped for 5 months then resumed spontaneously.  But basically I used to have regular cycles for a year or more at a time, even when off the pill.  On another occasion I fell pregnant by accident so obviously ovulated at least some of the time. 

Was then on the pill from age 23 to 29.  Came off the pill, fell pregnant 4th cycle off pill, first attempt.  Miscarried at 10 weeks.

That was 4 months ago.  Miscarriage was very distressing emotionally.  No period and no ovulation since miscarriage. Have just been diagnosed with PCOS.  Am slim (BMI around 21.3), have had some acne problems on and off, no other symptoms. 

Really want to get pregnant again.

What are the chances, given my history, that normal ovulatory cycles will resume again as they did in the past?

I have found lots of info about ‘anovulatory’ women with PCOS, as opposed to women with ovulatory cycles - but nothing about women who like me who seem to switch between both categories at different times in their lives. 

Any help or advice very welcome.

many thanks.

Dear 2ndDestiny:
There is not a lot of data on this.  It is very difficult to predict what will happen.  I would recommend that you consider having blood work done once a week to see what is going on with your cycles.  If your estradiol level goes over 150 then add an ultrasound.  If there is no ovarian activity, you may want to consider ovulation induction.  You will have to weigh in on the decision making.  There is no single best answer - a lot will depend upon how agressive you want to be.  I would recommend having a thorough discussion with a reperoductive endorinologist about all your options.  The only danger is that if you do not ovulate at least once every 3 months, you increase your risk of developing endometrial hyperplasia (over growth of the lining of the uterus) and this can increase the risk for cancer.  So if your periods are not regular we would recommend 14 days of progesterone treatment every 3 months to prevent hyperplasia.
Take a look at my article on PCOS at http://www.serenachen.yourmd.com.
Best of luck,

Serena H Chen, MD
http://www.sbivf.com