r/TTC_PCOS

Has anyone here with PCOS had normal HbA1c and fasting glucose but still turned out to have insulin resistance?

I’ve been TTC for 1 year, have PCOS and absent periods since coming off the pill. My HbA1c has come back normal and I’ve just had a fasting glucose result that is also normal but I keep reading that these don’t always tell the full picture with PCOS.

Did anyone go on to have fasting insulin / HOMA-IR / OGTT testing? Did it change anything treatment-wise (e.g. metformin, weight loss approach, ovulation returning etc.)? I’ve been advised by both my GP and fertility consultant that metformin wouldn’t be an option as these two results are normal but I’m still struggling to lose weight so I still think something is wrong.

Just interested in others’ experiences. Especially those via the NHS route/West Yorkshire area.

We have been trying to conceive for 5 years now. We tried 3 rounds of letrzole/ clomid with timed intercourse and no luck. We also did a IUI cycle but nothing. Doctor said we should just do IVF. Any advice? How long did it take you to conceive? Feeling down would love some advice!

I (21F) have been on 5 monitored cycles of letrozole (2.5mg) with TI. I ovulated on all of them successfully and all ended in failures. Each cycles ovulation timing and cycle length varied slightly, but were all somewhat regular. Husband's SA is normal as well.

My age doesn't help me, as many doctors don't take me seriously due to it. I suggested doing an HSG in the 4th cycle, but my doc said I didn't probably need it and we could try by the 6th if needed. I guess that's what's warranted me to make this post.

1. Does so many failed cycles at my age indicate some kind of issue/abnormality?

2. What other procedures/things should I try other than the HSG to improve my chances?

3. Please share your own success stories if you've experienced something similar! Feeling really hopeless as of now.

What supplements helped you thicken your uterine lining? I have lean PCOS and endo. I’ve had two miscarriages due to chromosomal abnormalities (both mine and my husbands genetic testing came back normal) and am now struggling to get pregnant again after two failed letrozole and trigger shot cycles. My doctor thinks it’s bc my lining has been super thin (less than 4.5 mm). I just finished a month of estrogen to “re prime” my uterus and the lining still only got to 5 mm. I’ve been looking at a bunch of things…vitamin e, L-arginine, myo inositol, COQ10, Ritual fertility support drink powder. What helped you?

I recently finished my first round of Letrozole. I was ovulating prior to, but late in my cycle and my cycles were a bit long (35-40 days). I was prescribed Letrozole to “improve ovulation” and have it happen sooner. I’m 8 days out from my last dose but worried I won’t ovulate. I know it says most ovulate 5-10 days later, and I’m just wondering what other’s have experienced and when they ovulated on Letrozole.

I’m worried Letrozole is having no effect on me. I am doing unmedicated cycles on the nhs (as per their prescription).

I first took Letrozole 2.5mg 1-6 may and unfortunately came back on my period on 12th may after no ovulation. I only made it to CD 12 before starting my next cycle.

My gynae advised I start letrozole 5mg immediately on 13 - 17 may which I have now completed. I realise it’s extremely early I’m still cycle day 9 but my LH tests are so faint there’s barely even a second line there and I think the exact same thing is going to happen again. I just feel so sad.

id like to know if anyone has experienced something similar but later found that their body finally started to respond? I tried to research for other people who got their period half way through their letrozole cycle but couldn’t find anything I just feel really alone.

I’ve also been on Metformin and various other supplements for 2 years (no ovulation). My egg reserve is extremely high due to PCOS.

I’m 23 and have PCOS. I just had my first iui and had three follicles on the smaller side ranging from 12-15 mm on cd 13. The clinic told me to trigger that day and had iui scheduled 20 hours later. I was feeling very strong ovulation signs before the trigger and once I did it the symptoms went away for the most part. My husband’s numbers were 4 million and 38% motility. It’s been 40 hours since the trigger and worry that I may have released premature eggs. Any success stories on these numbers?

I got off a glp1 this past month as I’m TTC, and I’m already starting to feel the inflammation and water weight come back on. My period this month was more of a breakthrough bleed since it seems I likely didn’t ovulate. So overall just a mess.

I’ve lost 20lbs and feels like I’m going by to gain it all back before I even see a pregnancy test. It feels like my best cycles have all been when I was on my glp1, and I have no clue what cycles are gonna be like now. The first and only pregnancy I’ve had was ON Tirzepatide and I got off as soon as I found out. It unfortunately was ectopic, so it was non viable. My OB doesn’t believe it was due to the glp1. Curious if anyone has decided to stay on a glp1 until they see a positive test?

I know most doctors will err on the side of caution since the studies are not clear on early pregnancy and glp1s. I just feel like I’m taking 30 steps back!

I was really hopeful for this 2nd IUI. Raised my letrozole to 10mg, got growth. On CD12 I had a 16mm 17mm on left and a 21mm on the right. We triggered the next day, then IUI on CD 14. My doctor called it playing the lotto with those two left follicles, considering we could have twins. I just really do not understand why it’s not working. Why are we not having success?

Should I just start IVF? Am I not doing something that’s going to help it work? My husband and I are just so heartbroken.

EDIT FOR THOSE ASKING: I’m 27, my HSG test was good, husbands SA was fabulous off the charts results. I’m not with an RE. I’m thinking at this point to switch over to an actual clinic.

Trying to figure out if I should try naturally or go to OB for letrozole or just go straight back to RE. Background story is that I have lean PCOS and hashimotos. Age 31. When I got off birth control before #1, I had 2 45+ day cycles (2nd cycle resulted in CP/early miscarriage bc unknown DPO). Afterwards it took me 90+ days to have a period (did ovulate that cycle but did not get pregnant). Then next cycle was long so OB prescribed provera. Did 3 cycles of letrozole (2 successful ovulation, and 1 not (maybe due to extra stress?). We did have sex during ovulation times but nothing stuck. Then went to RE, everything was good except PCOS and thyroid. First cycle of 5.0 mg letrozole, dexamethasone, and a trigger shot (unsure why we did this bc I was told that we would not do it and then it was ordered at the pharmacy when I ovulated), and that cycle was successful. Overall this was over a span of a little over a year. As we know with PCOS, we get less chances than the typical female because of irregular cycles. I am still nursing my almost 2 year olds and have one period since then. I did recently catch ovulation on CD35, but I don’t think it was successful. Trying to figure out if I need to just wean them and start letrozole, or should I wait it out etc. I know everyone has different thresholds but I do feel like I often hear ppl wish they went to an RE sooner. I have started inositol as wishful thinking that maybe it’ll be a miracle pill for me. Another reason I would like to not immediately go to an RE is bc we had twins (probably due to the aggressive protocol) and that nearly killed me, so we can’t do that again since I will be high risk again.

I’m worried Letrozole is having no effect on me. I am doing unmedicated cycles on the nhs (as per their prescription).

I first took Letrozole 2.5mg 1-6 may and unfortunately came back on my period on 12th may after no ovulation. I only made it to CD 12 before starting my next cycle.

My gynae advised I start letrozole 5mg immediately on 13 - 17 may which I have now completed. I realise it’s extremely early I’m still cycle day 9 but my LH tests are so faint there’s barely even a second line there and I think the exact same thing is going to happen again. I just feel so sad.

id like to know if anyone has experienced something similar but later found that their body finally started to respond?

I tried to research for other people who got their period half way through their letrozole cycle but couldn’t find anything I just feel really alone.

I’ve also been on Metformin and various other supplements for 2 years (no ovulation). My egg reserve is extremely high due to PCOS.

Newly diagnosed with PCOS and I’m 30.

TTC and literally having the hardest time because of anovulation (it seems) and periods coming and going. I’m starting a pill to help me ovulate.

But I could use some tips on TTC with PCOS. Been trying almost a year now and having no luck.

Currently taking Medroxyprogesterone to have a period and then I’ll be starting Femara (Letrozole) 2.5 mg to help ovulate but not sure if it’s gonna help.

I am trying to conceive and have gone off birth control 9 months postpartum. I stopped the pill, had a withdrawal bleed and two weeks later had some brown spotting. I am not taking LH strips because I didnt want to waste a whole bunch when I don’t know if I’ll get a period for awhile. I have started walking daily and increased my inositol with some other supplements recommended by a naturopath.

Now for the question, I have a lot of egg white discharge and a high open cervix. When your body tries to ovulate and isn’t successful, have you had these symptoms as well? I have anovulatory PCOS and havent successfully ovulated on my own since high school (lots of years of BC and then saw an RE when I didn’t get a cycle back)

TTC for a year and a half now, just completed my fourth round of Letrozole with trigger. For reference, I had 8 periods in 2025 and of the two cycles that were monitored, ovulation was indicated both times. No cycle was the same length. I just finished my fourth unsuccessful Letrozole round (ovulated each time, just no implantation) and am hitting a breaking point. I am considering taking a break- no medicine, no monitoring. Just enjoying time with my husband and NOT checking my temp every morning and counting my caffeine intake and peeing on sticks half the month and squeezing in blood draws and ultrasounds and phone calls from doctors, etc. However, the silver lining of taking Letrozole was that I was FINALLY pretty regular- cycles within 28-34 days each time.

I’m afraid taking a break will result in another random 2-3 month cycle that will result in even more stress. Has anyone with irregular cycles taken Letrozole for a few months, then taken a break? What happened? Were you regular or back to normal (as in, abnormal, unpredictable cycles)? Any insight appreciated. I’m not currently striking a good balance between giving TTC all I have while protecting my sanity.

Sitting at clinic with many pregnant women, a pregnant nurse too. One of the pregnant woman just found out she's having TWINS.

TWINS. And I can't even have one. This sucks. 😭

Hi I'm 25f and my boyfriend 37m are planning to start trying for a baby soon. I was diagnosed with PCOS at 20 so five years ago. I have been seeing an endocrinologist for two years now and she has been amazing and helped me stabilize my PCOS and I now get natural cycles every month i ovulate regularly and lost a lot of weight. Endocrinologist cleared me to get pregnant. That's not the problem the problem is i lost a lot of weight I'm talking I went from 191 to 140 which is great. The problem is i don't have any muscle and my body is on the lose side. I'm trying to gain muscle right now but the reality is muscle takes time to grow and we want to start trying before the year is over. My boyfriend is telling me I need to gain muscle because I have no muscle because I barely have muscle which is fine. The problem is I'm almost pretty sure I'm not going to have extreme enough muscle growth before trying at the end of the year. I feel really overwhelmed right now because I feel like this is an unrealistic goal. Am i overthinking things??? I really need some advice is growing muscle really necessary before pregnancy??? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hi everyone!

My doctor is going to have me start with injections (gonal, cetrorelix and ovadril) for an IUI and I’m looking for some success stories! Questions are below, too.

Back story-I have lean pcos. I have so many follicles on my ultrasounds, every time someone does one they have a reaction to it lol. My AMH results came back “>23” I tried letrozole twice, and follicles never got past 12mm. I tried clomid and ended up with 3 huge cysts. That’s why he’s starting me with gonal. I have not ovulated or had a period since I went off of birth control 10 months ago.

My question is, if you did not respond to letrozole and clomid, did injections work? Also was IUI successful and did you end up with twins? (Would really prefer no multiples but I do just want babies so whatever happens, I’ll be okay with) but would like input to see how likely this is.

THANK YOU!

Hello all ! Just looking for some guidance.
I had my follow up with my RE this morning.
After 3 failed 5mg Letrozole, Ovidrel, and 600mg progesterone supp cycles they are recommending I move to IUI. The medications/doses/protocol will remain the same for all 3 IUI cycles. They also added me to the IVF list. My RE stated that if I fail 3 cycles of the IUI they recommend I move to IVF.

Background 35, high AMH, lean PCOS and anovulation.
Clear saline HSG, clear SA. Regular monthly bleed despite anovulation. Normal BMI.

Have began naturally ovulating again as of last cycle according to mira tracking, blood work, and BBT.

Ac1 in 2025 was 5.5 now in 2026 it’s 5.8 RE said to try changing my diet. That’s it.. no mention of metformin or anything else?

So I guess I’m wondering does it make sense to go straight to IVF after 6 failed cycles? (3 timed sex + 3 IUI).

I am responding well, 1 dom follicle on the 5mg of letrozole but Cycles 1-3 my lining had been getting thinner each cycle, but they don’t seem to be concerned about that right now?

I guess I’m wondering if I should be asking about other options or anything else rather than just doing the same protocol and moving to Ivf if things fail again.

In general I do like my RE and don’t necessarily feel like she’s just trying to push me to IVF asap but i guess the lack of suggestions or trying anything else like metformin has me questioning things.

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks! 😊

We’ve been ttc for about a year now, only just recently finding out I have pcos and that’s why it’s been unsuccessful. Still waiting. Still trying. And then my bestie tells me she’s pregnant. Again. With child #5. Because she forgot one day of birth control. (Don’t even get me started on the logic of that because it’s exactly how she got pregnant with #4)

Of course I’m not mad at her. Am I jealous that she has it that easy? For sure.

I’m also at the end of the tww and started taking tests early, AND I had a dream this morning I started my period. I’m just. Really. 😒 REALLY? 🙃

Has anyone tried push health for progesterone and/or
Letrozole for the script itself? Comparing cost this would be a cheaper route as I would have to travel 3 hours to a fertility specialist and understanding the risk associated.

Any advice would be must appreciated as I feel as if I’m at a dead end.