question from TTGP

lifesaverz

Hello Ladies,

I'm from the TTGP board but I have a question that I'm hoping you can help with.  One of the newbies on our board posted something about it usually taking 90 days to become fertile post BCP, & many of the bumpies on there agreed with her.  However I had read in TCOYF, & also from my obgyn, that although many people will regulate in just a few months, that it can take up to a year to resume ovulation & thus become fertile after BCP.   I'm wondering what the right answer actually is?  I'm one of the few people who it's taking longer for - we're in our 7th month TTC & I'm still not ovulating yet, but I've been believing my obgyn that I shouldn't worry & it can take up to a year.  Is this accurate or have I been believing misinformation?  I appreciate your advice.

megs3084

It can take up to a year for a cycle to regulate after bcps.

MTDB

Are you getting your period or not ovulating and not getting your period? And do you know you're not ovulating because of your temps and/or lack of positive OPKs? I'm assuming that because you read TCOYF, you're probably charting. 

Although it's certainly possible to take up to a year or longer to begin ovulating, I don't really think it's "normal." Personally, I'd probably ask for some testing at this point. I don't think if I were ready to TTC, I'd have the patience to go 7 months without even having a chance of conceiving. That said, if you're okay with waiting it out, then by all means do so. My main advice would be to follow your gut. Though a lot of people live and die by the no testing until 1 year mark (and I personally did wait that long, primarily because I didn't have any obvious issues [regular period, definite ovulation every month]), I think there are exceptions to that rule and not ovulating at all would fit my definition of an exception. Whatever you decide, good luck.

lifesaverz

MTDB:

Are you getting your period or not ovulating and not getting your period? And do you know you're not ovulating because of your temps and/or lack of positive OPKs? I'm assuming that because you read TCOYF, you're probably charting. 

Although it's certainly possible to take up to a year or longer to begin ovulating, I don't really think it's "normal." Personally, I'd probably ask for some testing at this point. I don't think if I were ready to TTC, I'd have the patience to go 7 months without even having a chance of conceiving. That said, if you're okay with waiting it out, then by all means do so. My main advice would be to follow your gut. Though a lot of people live and die by the no testing until 1 year mark (and I personally did wait that long, primarily because I didn't have any obvious issues [regular period, definite ovulation every month]), I think there are exceptions to that rule and not ovulating at all would fit my definition of an exception. Whatever you decide, good luck.

hmm, thanks for the feedback, this gives me some things to think about.  I'm in my 3rd cycle post BCP, so I have had 3 "periods" (but the 1st one was just the one I normally get on the pill).  I do chart my temps/CF, but didn't start til towards the end of my 2nd cycle, unfortunately, & since then it has not shown any ovulation, so I'm suspicious that the "periods" have just been withdrawal/breakthrough bleeding, & I'm likely having anovulatory cycles.  Currently I'm on CD71 of cycle 3, but at CD68 my obgyn finally put me on provera to induce a period.  According to my chart I had not ovulated prior to starting the provera, so although right now my chart says I ovulated, it's just a rise in temp due to the provera.  I really HAD thought that this was unusual to be almost 7 months in w/out ovulating (although there's a possibility that I O'd in that first cycle & missed it cuz I wasn't temping yet), but I kept hearing it can take a year, so figured I shouldn't worry.  Maybe I SHOULD look into getting some testing done if after the Provera I don't resume ovulation next cycle.  Are you thinking the standard CD3 testing, or is there anything else I should consider?

lifesaverz

My OB does plan for me to do the CD3 testing this coming cycle, as long as Provera brings on AF, just not sure if there's anything else I should consider at this point.

Morris811

 I have heard a mix bag of reviews on pills. Some docs say 1, 3 and up to 12 months out of your system. I started IF testing at month 8 due to pain in my ovary (cysts) and one cycle that was only 15 days long (normal cycles) turns out I have lean PCOS and a High DHEA. Go with your gut on this one.

lifesaverz

Morris811:

 I have heard a mix bag of reviews on pills. Some docs say 1, 3 and up to 12 months out of your system. I started IF testing at month 8 due to pain in my ovary (cysts) and one cycle that was only 15 days long (normal cycles) turns out I have lean PCOS and a High DHEA. Go with your gut on this one.

hmm, just wondering, how did you get diagnosed with the PCOS? were they able to diagnose it through standard blood tests, or did you have to have the more invasive testing done before they were able to confirm?  I'm pretty sure my OB won't do those tests til one year.

Starbinks

I was in a similar situation and I waited the full year but I wish I hadn't. My pcos was diagnosed through CD3 b/w and ultrasound.

twohunts

megs3084:

It can take up to a year for a cycle to regulate after bcps.

twohunts

megs3084:

It can take up to a year for a cycle to regulate after bcps.

twohunts

megs3084:

It can take up to a year for a cycle to regulate after bcps.

Ugg!  Sorry, quote fail on those previous ones. I just wanted to say that I love the quote in your siggy. I heard it at the end of Marigold Hotel and started crying. Love it.

Morris811

Hi Ladies,

Oh yes, I got the full testing scope done. Cyst on ovaries via US CHECK, FSH was low (wrong in Siggy, sorry) CHECK and a high DHEA. No abnormal facial hair or obese. In fact, my first RE upon our first appt walked into the room and threw her hands up and said ?you look normal?  - NO JOKE. First and last appointment with her.

Talked to OB got new RE and had post op appt with her today and low and behold the 3 blood tests from previous RE never made it over to her. She ordered new tests.

 

 

lifesaverz

Thank you, you ladies are amazing!  seriously appreciate all your knowledge, I'm going to print this stuff out.  My OB did order CD3 bloodwork for me to have done once AF finally kicks in from the Provera.  Hopefully she ordered ALL the tests you mentioned to rule out PCOS & NCCAH, including DHEA, etc.  If the blood tests come back fine, do you think there's any reason to pursue getting an ultrasound or other tests just to be sure?  I wish I had an RE but for now I only have an OB.  And while I'm asking stuff, I'm a little worried what I should do if my next cycle goes over 60 days also...like I wonder since I'll have already done Provera once, if the next cycle should go over 60 days as well, should I just wait it out & see what happens?