How do you know?

Question

How do you know if you have PCOS or endo? Or can you have both? As I continue my fertility journey I’m starting to wonder more about endo than PCOS or if they are intertwined. I have had a persistent cyst on left ovary, largest at 5.5 cm, but never multiple cysts. I’m ovulating based on blood work and nothing. No blocked tubes from doing an hsg and no scarring either. Could this be the cause?

Answer

I’m wondering the same thing. Start with your OB. I got diagnosed years ago with PCOS and then later they told me I don’t have it. Since we are starting to try for baby #3, i went back to my OB. She ran my labs and said everything looks normal (no PCOS). But something is obviously wrong. So I scheduled an appointment with a fertility specialist to look into endometriosis. Something is definitely off and I’m having a hard time finding a doctor that is willing to look into it.

Answer

Been struggling getting pregnant and wonky (but monthly) periods for over a year. Finally went to the doctor last week. They did blood work and everything came back “normal” I too found out I have a cyst on my left ovary. Doc said it was nothing to worry about but didn’t give me an official diagnosis for PCOS either. She’s referring me to a fertility specialist. But basically they test a bunch of hormones to look at PCOS

Answer

You can have both, but you need to find a doctor asap. I was diagnosed with both August 2023 and it’s absolutely the worst. But I just had surgery to remove my stage 4 endometriosis.Endo is different for everyone. I have painful periods( having to stay in bed) taking prescribed pain pills. Pain with and after sex making it impossible to enjoy sex with my husband, blood clots sizes of baseballs, bleeding so heavy I go through super plus tampons and a pad within just 30 minutes.

Answer

I have both PCOS and Endometriosis. I had surgery to remedy both of them and was formally diagnosed with Endo during that laparascopy. I was completely anovulatory though. I underwent years of fertility treatment and IVF to finally conceive. My endo never affected the uterus though so all of my biopsies were negative. Adenomyosis can be diagnosed via US (it is not Endometriosis but mirrors a lot of the symptoms). If you have endometriomas theyll tie that to Endometriosis (seen on US). Some docs are doing MRIs to diagnose now as a less invasive approach. Gold standard is a laparoscopy though. Are you seeing an RE?

Answer

Cysts are actually normal and don't necessarily mean PCOS. Have you had your partner tested for low sperm count or low motility?

Answer

PCOS can be diagnosed through bloodwork and ultrasound but you can also have PCOS without cysts. These like 4-5 different types of PCOS. Endo would be diagnosed through surgery if I remember correctly - I could be wrong.

How do you know?

The Top Baby Tracker App: Embrace New Beginnings with Tender Care

The Top Fertility Tracker App: Your Path to Achieving Pregnancy

The Top Pregnancy App: Nurturing Your Journey to Motherhood

The Top Period Tracker for Empowering Your Menstrual Health Journey