Introduction

futuremrsmlb · December 2011

Hi ladies! I'm brand new to this board and am hoping to get some opinions and feedback on what DH and I should do. We have been married almost four years and are not yet actively TTC. We plan to start trying within the next few months.

A little backstory: I was very unkind to my body for a short time beginning in November 2009, and from then until late summer 2010, I became severely underweight. After receiving much physical and mental help, I have been at a healthy weight for over a year and currently weight what I did before losing anything. I am on the lower side of normal but certainly within a healthy BMI range considering my height and body frame.

The problem is that I still have not had my period since going off the pill in 2009. DH and I lived in Denver for a year (not we are back in our home state of Oklahoma), and my doc there ran some bloodwork on me about a year ago. Everything came back within a normal range. She had me do the progesterone challenge (which has never worked for me on its own), as well as the combination of estrogen for 35 days and progesterone for the last 10 (this works every time). I do that every few months to generate withdrawal bleeding.

Since returning to Oklahoma, I have seen my regular gynecologist and explained to her that we would like to start trying pretty soon. Her response to me, in no fewer words, was, "Well, everything looks pretty normal. You don't have a period, which means you're not ovulating and can't get pregnant no matter how much sex you have. I can't do anything to help you. You can either gain some weight to see if that helps or see a specialist." I was not too impressed with her bedside manner, but the message was certainly received!

I'm wondering what our steps from here should be. Should I get check out by a fertility doc before we actually start trying? Our current insurance does not cover infertility stuff at all. Should I get an ovulation monitor to see if I am somehow ovulating without menstruating? Should I have a body fat analysis done? I just don't even know where to start.

Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. TIA!!

RachH517 · December 2011

Welcome and thank you for introducing yourself. I would definitely go see a Reproductive Endocrinologist and get some testing done.

The progesterone challenge does not work for me either. I must do estrogen and progesterone to get any sort of withdrawl bleed. My diagnosis is Hypothalamic Amernorrhea. It is mostly seen among women who have struggled with an eating disorder or extreme weight loss. I have never struggled with either so we are not sure why this is my diagnosis but it is.

Basically, my brain (the hypothalamus) does not send the hormonal signals needed to stimulate ovulation and then menstruation. I have eggs, but they would just sit there on their own without outside hormonal assistance.

Because of the fact that the progesterone challenge did not work for me, my RE skipped right over Clomid (the first med- in pill form, usually taken to stimulate ovulation) because it does not work for women with HA. I went straight to Menopur (which is an injectible). We did Timed Intercourse for a few cycles but then went to IUI (interuterine insemination) which has worked for us, but unfortunately we have lost the babies.

Most insurance will cover diagnostic testing because it can be coded as gynecological even if it does not cover infertility. I do not have infertility coverage but a lot of my initial testing was covered since not ovulating is considered a medical thing as compared to getting pregnant which is seen as elective.

Feel free to send me a private message if you have any questions. If you do, just put up another post with my name in it since I don't check my PM often.

Good luck!

jillychris · December 2011

Welcome to the board, though I am sorry to hear about your struggles. I would second the rec to go see an RE. They will have a better understandinf if what testing you need and what your next steps should be. Often diagnostic testing is covered, treatment is not. I too am completely out if pocket. At first, money was a HUGE stressor for me. I am finally at a point where I am okay with it because at the end I want to be able to look back and know that we did everything possible to have a biological child. Good luck to you! Definitely ask questions here. This board is a great resource!

luvboston · December 2011

Go to an RE and make sure they check your prolactin.

futuremrsmlb · December 2011

Thanks for the responses! Now I don't feel like I'd be jumping the gun to see an RE so early. I will definitely call next week to see what my insurance may cover and to schedule a consultation. I know I'll have plenty of questions along the way and am glad that I already have a support network Smile

RachH517: I really appreciate you sharing your story with me. I would not be at all surprised if I end up with the same diagnosis. It sounds very much like how my body has responded thus far. While I'm glad you were able to conceive, I am truly sorry to hear about your losses and will be sending good vibes your way.

Introduction

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