[Lilyrose1]

Hey everyone! Anyone out ther with PCOS who has taken depakote in the past? Just curious since they think there is a link, and I was on it for ten years and developed PCOS in that time period. Just wandering if anyones in the same boat. Thanks!

[MomMe]

Originally Posted by Lilyrose1

Hey everyone! Anyone out ther with PCOS who has taken depakote in the past? Just curious since they think there is a link, and I was on it for ten years and developed PCOS in that time period. Just wandering if anyones in the same boat. Thanks!

Lilyrose,
I haven't taken Depakote, but I started taking Trileptal (which is very similar) in 2009, and I was just diagnosed with PCOS in April. I wonder if there is a link. I've heard the research has found some pretty strong evidence that there is a connection. Oddly enough, I've had to wean off of the Trileptal while trying to get pregnant because it may cause birth defects, and since I've stopped taking it my PCOS symptoms have decreased.

Wishing you and

[Lilyrose1]

It's just crazy that we're prescribed medications for something, and they can affect our fertility. I'm glad that you have returned to normal after stopping. That's great new!!! My experience was the same with depakote as far as stopping for a planned pregnancy, and finally having regular periods.

[blackdogmama]

Hi - I just made this connection. I was diagnosed with bipolar 4 years ago. During the first year, I suffered from severe insomnia. My psyche put me on all sorts of things to sleep - for a few months, one of them was Depakote. About a year later, having improved my mental health immensely, I went off birth control to start trying. I had no period for months and finally got in to see a RE. The ultrasound showed PC Ovaries but all I really had to show for it were some skin breakouts.

So now I have a 6 month old son after trying Clomid and Femara for ages and miscarrying once. We finally did injectables. First month on them I got pregnant with Leo.

I literally just stumbled upon the Depakote info yesterday while googling something else about PCOS. I always thought it was weird that I'm slender, have no blood sugar issues, no hair overgrowth, etc. What scares me though is that some things I've read links bipolar itself with PCOS which just seems crazy to me. My doctor is out of town but I can't wait to hear what he has to say when he gets back. Since Leo's birth I have had two spontaneous periods but I'm going to go back on the Ring with the next one. Maybe the PCOS is reversing after pregnancy and recovering from the Depakote? I don't know. What are your thoughts?