High FSH/Birth Control Correlation

emilykubalaWed177202

I am a healthy 29yo career-woman, happily married for going on 2 years.  Our plan was to wait 5 years or so to have children.  I have been on BC for the last 12 years (Nuvaring for the last 5).  Over the last year I started feeling sluggish, having some night sweats, was unable to lose weight, having some sexual changes, etc.  Susupected my horomones were off and went to a new OBGYN to get checked (blood test).  Turns out my estrogen/ progesterone/ testosterone levels were all dreadfully low.  The doc seemed much more concerned however, that my FSH was 15 (coincidentally, checked on day 3 of my cycle).  He ordered me off BC and scheduled testing for 1.5 months later.  Since then, I have have my first, unmedicated cycle (I'm charting) lasting 23 days, ovulating on day 12 with an 11 day luteal phase, and a b**ch of a period. 

All online FSH research that I have done online has really gotten me (and the hubby) frightened and sad. 

My question is this.  I am obviously ovulating on my own now.  I am off BC.  What are the chances that now that my horomones are doing their own thing, that my FSH drops to an acceptable level to concieve.  When faced with the possibility of not being able to have our own, the hubby and I have decided that we'd better not waste any more opportunities.   

leolyns

Hi - I'd probably ask your OBGYN about that. I was on BCP for 7 years and then stopped around July of last year. I had my bloodwork done this past May and my FSH read 20.3 (and I'm almost 33 yrs old and am active w/exercise and eating fairly healthy).

STL34

It is my understanding that BCPs typically calm things so your FSH should be lower on it than off of it. 

I got the dreaded high FSH result when I was 31.  I had been off BCPs for a year at that point and had been officially TTC for almost a year.  Since then, my FSH has usually been lower.  However, the thing with FSH is that you are supposed to rely on your highest reading.  It can mean that your ovarian reserve has declined or it can signal that it will in the future,, or there could be another reason for it.  My RE likes to test four things before making any determination.  These are FSH, Estradiol, AMH and an antral follicle count. 

I would recommend seeing an RE to get some further reserve testing completed.  You could also go over possible options for fertility preservation if you still are not ready to TTC. 

Good luck!

Jackie2200

A high FSH reading can be a scary and sad thing.  DOn't give up hope though.  My highest FSH before I got pregnant with my IVF twins was 12 but a friend of mine with FSH of 15.5 just had her baby in March (without IVF).  My sister, with FSH of 15, is just about to have her IVF baby. 

Since losing my twins, I'm trying again and my most recent FSH was 23.7.  I work with a High-FSH friendly RE and he thinks it's fine and that there is still a good chance that my eggs will work out. 

The one thing I would say is to be aggressive.  If you have insurance or cash, go to IVF if you really want a baby.  You may get lucky and get some frozen embroys so if your FSH continues to rise, you'd at least be able to have a stock pile to fall back on.  

We have 5 frozen embroys that I'm saving for later.  FOr now, we're doing as many fresh IVFs as we have insurance coverage for so that we can rely on frozen ones for siblings. 

Ps...I'm 33 so I'm young too. 

Good luck

 

jb2rn

****warning, ticker**** I was on BCP's for 15 years prior to TTC. I took two short breaks (4mos and 6 mos). My periods returned to normal after stopping BCP's but I had lots of spotting in my LP with short-ish LP's so I pushed for testing at the six cycle mark. I was 34 at the time. My grandmother had her fifth child at age 40 and my mom her third at 34 so I never suspected a fertility issue. Labs from Jan 2011 are in my siggy. We stared to see an RE and the plan was for IVF. I was searching for a High FSH friendly one when i got pregnant. I agree with the others, get to the RE now and re test your blood after a few cycles off hormones. Best of luck.