PCOS, Birth Control, Metformin and TTC

polyhymnia23

Hi friends! So I'm going to be starting the BC and Metformin. I get semi-regular cycles (Cycles usually last 21-28 days, but vary in length month to month) and have been charting them since November. My question to you all is whether or not charting my temp on BC is effective? 

 Also, the idea here is for us to start TTC in July or August. If I can not chart my temp, are there other ways to know when I am ovulating that first month after ending BC? 

Does anyone have experience with this? Thank you!! 

JoySeattle

I don't believe that temp charting on birth control is helpful as the point of most pills is to prevent ovulation and the point of charting is to see the change in your body's natural hormone variation pattern. Depending on the type of bcp, most are estrogen and/or progesterone, which basically makes your body act pg and your temps would most likely be higher and/or flatter. With bbt you need to see the variation in the temps as a result of the hormone shift to see that you did in fact ovulate.

As for the first month off, I personally would temp chart as well as do opks, especially if you're doing an insem that month (unless you're having monitoring done with an RE). You won't have previous data to help with timing, but you can go on signs such as cm and opk (more risky than having a good sense of when you ovulate, but better than going by dates). If it takes more than a couple months to get a bfp, charting from the get go will give you more data to use as you make decisions on timing and other possible interventions.

polyhymnia23

Thank you both. That was very helpful information! I really appreciate it!

polyhymnia23

After doing some more research and talking with some people on the soulcysters website, I have decided to trust my gut and NOT take the bc. I am going to take metformin and chart like crazy. If, after a few months of charting, things don't look right, I'll talk to an RE. Thanks for the advice!!

 Now, on to learning about how to chart temps! I am on CD 3 right now, so hopefully I can get started now... 

hlke

Starting on day 3 is totally no big deal.  Definitely get a copy of "Taking Charge of your Fertility", it's the bible on charting and temping and we learned a ton.  I think your plan is a good one, and it will be really helpful to have the charts when you first visit the RE.  Basically you want to use the chart to see if you are ovulating and when, and how long your luteal phase is.  It's really good information to have, and starting early is a really good idea.  It took us three months to really "get" it.

I suggest Fertility Friend for the charting - it is fantastic. 

polyhymnia23

Thank you. I have a copy of TCOYF and an account on FF. I'm excited to start charting. Here's a question though: I sleep in a cold room (we don't turn the heat on in the bedroom, so we sleep better), will this have an effect on my temp in the am? 

 Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it!! 

hlke

It could affect your temperature, but it shouldn't affect the chart overall.  We keep our bedroom at 55 in the winter, and DW's temps are lower in the winter, but it's the trend that matters, not the absolute temperatures.

polyhymnia23

hlke:

It could affect your temperature, but it shouldn't affect the chart overall.  We keep our bedroom at 55 in the winter, and DW's temps are lower in the winter, but it's the trend that matters, not the absolute temperatures.

 Thank you!