After TTC for One Year...

jefraney · June 2010

Hubby and I have been TTC since last June. I am 24, he is 25, and we have been married for almost 2 years. I had my annual appointment today with the Gyno, and I expressed my concern about possible infertility. My period fluctuates 28-45 days each month, which makes it difficult to track ovulation. Also, for the past three months I've been taking the ovulation tests, and last month, according the test, I did not ovulate.

The doc suggested that my husband undergo a sperm analysis, and I have my appointment at the end of the month, on day 21 of my cycle, for blood work to check out my progesterone level. The next step would be to go on a medication (I forget the name) that would regulate my periods and increase my hormones during ovulation.

Does anyone else have experience with these circumstances? I'm hesitant to take hormonal drugs because of the side effects, and I'm not sure if I need to because we are young and don't have any medical reasons (that I know of so far...) Should we just keep trying naturally? It's so frustrating. I'm afraid that I am never going to get pregnant. Month after month, I am so disappointed. I'm worried that I'll be even more disappointed if I take the medication and it still doesn't help.

XXXXX222 · June 2010

First of all, sorry you've been TTC for so long.

*hugs* Those are decisions that you and your hubs have to make. One thing that many girls here would suggest to you is to chart your waking temps. That will tell you if and when you are ovulating. Go to fertilityfriend.com and read up. Good luck!

mdluv21 · June 2010

Have you been charting your cycles with temps? This would be a key first step.

Plus, the test at CD21 you mentioned is not going to do you any good at all unless you know for sure you ovulate on CD14. You really need to have it done the 7th day past ovulation and the only way you will know when that is if you chart.

You can click on the link on any of our signatures to start charting with fertility friend.

Mr. & Mrs. Woodtick · June 2010

I think both of the other posters have given you great advice so far. I just wanted to say that I'm sorry that you are going through this and to wish you good luck.

CEBrock · June 2010

I hear your pain. I went off bcp in September and had 3 periods between then and February.

I am on my first cycle with 50 mg of Clomid right now. I took Provera (two times) to induce bleeding (not a period) because I was not having periods at all.

Were you ever on bcp? I never had bad issues with hormones (bcp) before so I wasn't super worried about it with Provera or Clomid. The worst part about Provera was that it made me extremely tired. Just going to bed earlier fixed that. Clomid wasn't too awful either. I had my moments and hours of being a little extra emotional but nothing too bad either. I took mine at night so that I could sleep through most of the side effects.

I would definitely recommend an SA for your hubs. Wouldn't hurt to know how that is anyways.

Also, look into seeing an RE... they are really good at getting to the root of the problem a little quicker than an OB/GYN.

wordslikeswords · June 2010

mdluv21:

Have you been charting your cycles with temps? This would be a key first step.

Plus, the test at CD21 you mentioned is not going to do you any good at all unless you know for sure you ovulate on CD14. You really need to have it done the 7th day past ovulation and the only way you will know when that is if you chart.

You can click on the link on any of our signatures to start charting with fertility friend.

This! If your periods are so irregular there's little chance you're ovulating on CD14 every month. And if you get the results and it says no you're not ovulating, it'll be very distressing but it's completely inaccurate. Like the other ladies said - try FF. It's incredibly eye-opening. Unfortunately OPKs don't work for everyone so it doesn't mean you didn't ovulate if you didn't get a +. Charting is the best way to tell because the progesterone released by the corpus luteum is what raises your temp, and that only happens if you ovulate! Of course various things can affect temp, but FF is really good (I think) about picking out a shift.

jefraney · June 2010

I was on bcp for 6 years, so if the side effects are similar, I can deal with that! What is an RE? Sorry, I'm new to the boards and still learning the lingo.

I have heard several success stories on the boards with charting. I'll be sure to look into it. Thanks so much for the support!

jefraney · June 2010

Could you tell me a little more about how to chart? Do I need a special thermometer? Can I start charting mid-cycle?

XXXXX222 · June 2010

An RE is a reproductive endocrinologist. It's a fancy name for an infertility doctor.

You don't need any special thermometer at all to chart, but a digital one at least will make it easier. Your temperature needs to be taken at the same time every morning, after at least three hours of uninterrupted sleep, if you can manage it. This means, on days that you don't have to get up early for work or whatever, you still need to set your alarm so you can temp at a consistent time. Don't even get up or move around too much before you pop the thermometer in your mouth. Your chart may look weird at first, but after a while you will make sense of it. Basically, the temps before ovulation will be a little lower and the temps after ovulation will be a little higher. You will also input what sort of cervical mucus you have each day. We can answer any specific questions you might have, but the Fertility Friend tutorials are great and very detailed.

mdluv21 · June 2010

jefraney:
I was on bcp for 6 years, so if the side effects are similar, I can deal with that! What is an RE? Sorry, I'm new to the boards and still learning the lingo.
I have heard several success stories on the boards with charting. I'll be sure to look into it. Thanks so much for the support!

An RE is a reproductive endocrinologist ( a fertility doctor.)

You should use a basal temperature thermometer. You can buy one at any drugstore. Basically it just goes to the hundredth so it is a little more accurate than a normal thermometer.

Charting mid-cycle may not end up being helpful but it would be good to start getting into the rabbit. It key that you take your temperature at the same time every day and after 4 hours of sleep. It can take a bit to get into the swing of it but then it is pretty simple to do daily.

The tutorials you sign up for with fertility friend will tell you everything you need to know. You can also read a copy of Taking Charge of Your Fertility. It is a very helpful book but much of the same information is covered in the free tutorials from fertility friend.

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