Newbie - PCOS, ttc and Cambridge Diet

Hi everyone,

Thought I'd introduce myself here in the hope of making a few friends to spur me along in trying to control my PCOS symptoms through weight loss!

A few weeks ago my boyf and I decided we wanted to start trying for a baby. As those of you without regular periods know this is a terrifying prospect and I'm so scared I would let him down. I get pretty much all of the PCOS symptoms - irregular periods, overweight, TERRIBLE period pains when they do come, mood swings and dark hair in weird places which is even more cringey as I am naturally very fair!

I've tried so many times to lose weight and it's always taken so long I lose motivation. I'm trying out the Cambridge diet as a friend with PCOS said it eased her symptoms a lot. Have any of you tried it? Does it make a difference or am I mad? I'm losing weight already (only on day 3), and figure that seeing as that's what my doctor is always telling me to do it can't be bad. Has anybody on this forum had any success conceiving with PCOS through diet alone?

Sorry this is long - I'd love to hear from any of you!

xx

I haven't a diagnosis of pcos but many of the symptoms except my periods have always been regular. I was 17 went down to 12.7 and got pregnant immediately. Put iweight back on when pregnant and battling weight ever since. Have heard from several people that losing the weight boosted the fertility. A girl conceived the same time I did 5 years ago. Had 1 of her own, gave up trying for another, adopted, then fell preggars after losing several stone. Good luck xx

That's really encouraging! Thank you so much!

I was ttc for a few years. I have PCOS & endometriosis. I lost two stone to start fertility investigations, had a laparoscopy and fell pregnant within weeks. My little boy was born on New Years Eve. Before I had him my periods were very irregular, sometimes only one a year, but since I had him 10.5 months ago I've had 5. I weigh slightly less now than when I got pregnant and still got a couple of stone to lose but just wanted to let you know there is hope xx

Wow SarahLou - I can't tell you how much hope that gives me! I have to lose 4 stone to get within a BMI for fertility treatments but I'm hoping it wont come to that. Congrats on being a mum - I bet you're delighted! xxx

cstattygirl said:

Wow SarahLou - I can't tell you how much hope that gives me! I have to lose 4 stone to get within a BMI for fertility treatments but I'm hoping it wont come to that. Congrats on being a mum - I bet you're delighted! xxx

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I had to get to BMI 30. I had the laparoscopy then was on the waiting list for an op to remove my endometriosis before starting clomid but didn't need it. Fingers crossed for you. After a long wait it's definitely worth it xxx

Hi ladies. I just joined Slimming World. I have a BMI of 38 and got turned down for clomid on the NHS by a consultant this week. After 2 years of trying and 1 year of waiting for the appointment it was pretty devastating!

I need to lose 4 stone to get to a BMI of under 30 to qualify, but I'd like to end up with a BMI of under 25 which is a 7 stone loss! Gulp!

I don't know if I have PCOS (the specialist wouldn't do anything including a scan till I lose weight) but I'm not ovulating and pretty sure I do having read up on the symptoms.

Anyway it's lovely to have a place to chat to like minded ladies! Good luck everyone xxx

bearette said:

Hi ladies. I just joined Slimming World. I have a BMI of 38 and got turned down for clomid on the NHS by a consultant this week. After 2 years of trying and 1 year of waiting for the appointment it was pretty devastating! I need to lose 4 stone to get to a BMI of under 30 to qualify, but I'd like to end up with a BMI of under 25 which is a 7 stone loss! Gulp! I don't know if I have PCOS (the specialist wouldn't do anything including a scan till I lose weight) but I'm not ovulating and pretty sure I do having read up on the symptoms. Anyway it's lovely to have a place to chat to like minded ladies! Good luck everyone xxx

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I'd push for it too. I had scans, both internal and ultrasound, before I lost weight, I was probably about 18 stone. The consultant did say I couldn't have any fertility treatment until my BMI was 30 (which I already knew) but they would do all the investigations in the meantime and I could keep losing the weight. I got to BMI 30 around the same time I had my laparoscopy (they booked me in for it not knowing my BMI) and fell pregnant not long after. Good luck xx

bearette said:

Hi ladies. I just joined Slimming World. I have a BMI of 38 and got turned down for clomid on the NHS by a consultant this week. After 2 years of trying and 1 year of waiting for the appointment it was pretty devastating!

I need to lose 4 stone to get to a BMI of under 30 to qualify, but I'd like to end up with a BMI of under 25 which is a 7 stone loss! Gulp!

I don't know if I have PCOS (the specialist wouldn't do anything including a scan till I lose weight) but I'm not ovulating and pretty sure I do having read up on the symptoms.

Anyway it's lovely to have a place to chat to like minded ladies! Good luck everyone xxx

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Oh my god -that is TERRIBLE! I can't believe they refused you a diagnosis due to your weight. that can't be right surely - you must be able to complain? I think a diagnosis is SO important mentally - at least you know it's not your fault for being overweight or hairy etc - it made such a difference to my mindset. Well I'm on day 13 of my diet - lost 6lbs last week - hoping to lose 2lbs per week from then on. A long way to go yet seeing as I have 4-5 stone to lose to get within a weight range where doctors will actually treat me. Brumlass - fingers crossed it regulated my periods like yours did!

brumlass said:

I'm sure that it will!!! My body didn't know what hit it. The metformin helps to reduce the hunger spikes/cravings. However it takes about a year to really get working from my experience. The slow release pill is best, don't get fobbed off with the cheap stuff.

What diet are you on? That's a great weight loss. My main issue now is the hair...I tried electrolysis for 6 months but it didn't work and now I have dark patches on my face. I have darker skin so bleaching doesn't work hmpf!

Brumlass x

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I'm doing the Cambridge diet but one of the higher steps so I can still eat food but from a prescibed list. To be honest I think giving up food completely would be a bad idea! I've tried WW before and failed because I could eat WHATEVER I wanted. I get my excess hair waxed. I hate it but I try to remember that there are FAR worse things to worry about - even though it doesnt feel like it sometimes!

If it's a big issue to you then it is a big issue. At the risk of sounding smug, with the hair thing, my advice would be try try to get out there and meet men - you may be surprised! When I met my boyfriend it dawned on me that most men really don't care about hairiness! It's us that do. I know I'd give anything to not have to have my tash waxed or for my legs to grow to a normal amount of hair but sadly this is what we are stuck with. And sadly PCOS still seems to be a bit of a taboo despite one in ten women having it! If it wasn't, and people actually spoke openly about it, I'm sure we wouldn't feel so crap about our hairy bodies!

brumlass said:

Yeah once I'm on conventional food again I'll get back on meeting people!

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yeah I know - its so hard - your social life takes such a hit!! I feel so boring these days!