QuestionHello, I'm maree and I'm from Australia, Perth. I'm 25. Female, of a healthy weight. Don't drink, don't smoke or have a poor diet. I look after my self.
I had an ultrasound, which revealed small follicles, doctor says these can be indicators of cysts... But proceeded to say the ultrasound reveals no cysts.... But then said I still could have cysts. Which I found confusing, when does someone have follicles and are not going to have polycystic ovarian syndrome. The ultrasound looked to have about 6 to 8 follicles.
My period cycle duration varies from 30 to 32 days. My partner and I want to start trying for a baby in 1.5 years. I'm scared that these follicles or supposed cysts and my odd period cycle may be diminishing my chances of falling pregnant, in that case we would be wanting to try for baby sooner if my fertility is going to become unlikely.
Do you have any advice for me? I am currently getting my blood tested for hormone levels too. I'm a little worried for my fertility.
Thank you so very much for your time.
Maree
AnswerHello Maree from Australia,
Your doctor gave you the WRONG information and unnecessarily caused worry. PCO is defined as an ovarian dysfunction disorder. Although it has the word "cysts" in it, that is in fact a misnomer and was given a long time ago before they understood the disorder. This is because when the ovaries of a PCO are looked at by ultrasound or opened at surgery, there a lot of FOLLICLES. These are NOT cysts. Just having ovaries like this does not mean that you have PCO. By definition, you have to have an ovarian dysfunction, which is manifest by irregular or absent menstrual cycles. If your cycles are normal, regular and predictable, as you mentioned, you do not have PCO. Now if in fact you have ovaries that look like PCO type ovaries, that may mean that you have a potential to develop PCO in the future. Sometimes there is a threshold that has to be reached such as too much weight, or elevations of insulin. This by no means that you will absolutely have PCO or that you will have problems getting pregnant. For now, I would ignore your doctor. In terms of hormone tests, if there is an inversion of FSH/LH, the LH is 2X higher than the LH, then that is one of the signs of PCO (again you have to have irregular cycles first). But, if the hormones are normal levels, then it doesn't help in making or ruling out the diagnosis.
Good Luck,
Dr. Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
for additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com check me out on twitter with me at @montereybayivf and facebook @montereybayivf. Skype and internet comprehensive consultations now available via my website for those who want a more extensive evaluation that this site can accommodate
