Your best tips...

[twolittlemonkeys]

Hello ladies! Am ttc #3 (one Clomid baby who is nearly 4 and one happy surprise who was born almost 2 years later - no AF in between). I have very irregular AF at the best of times (last cycle 65 days) so really have to make the most of the rare opportunities when I do OV... In addition, at the last check DH had low motility though that was a while ago.

Anyway I would love to know your best tips for ttc, how to maximise your chances etc. Are OV sticks a waste of money? What can I do to increase my chances? What has worked for you?

Thanks! :-)

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Irregular periods are often caused by hormonal imbalances. In this regard a condition called polycystic ovaries is a common culprit (and I note you took clomid previously, this is often given to women with underlying ovulatory problems like PCO).
Another possible cause is thyroid imbalance.
Both of these should be tested for through blood tests and internal ultrasound scans (to see if the ovaries appear polycystic).

With cycles as long as yours you are ovulating rarely if at all. Cycles generally and consistently over 35 days are anovualtory ones but you have proved that with irregular cycles ovulation can occur albeit infrequently.

I would go all out to get a proper diagnosis and not leave ttc to chance now because you may not conceive readily a third time at all.

Make love when you both feel like it and do not put undue pressure on yourselves. I would refrain totally from using OPK's and temp charting as these are a waste of time and effort if the menstrual cycle is consistently irregular like yours is.

Both you and your H should be tested further in tandem (no point whatsoever in only testing you) to ascertain what subfertility issues there are with potentially both of you. Fertility as well generally declines with age; with your menstrual history being as it is I would not delay seeking medical help from a gynae unduly. You as a couple ought to be referred to a subfertility unit asap.

[twolittlemonkeys]

Thanks for your thorough answer Attila. I guess because I had DS2 with no help I had been hoping my reproductive system had started functioning better after pregnancy, but I did have polycystic ovaries (though none of the other symptoms associated with PCOS) which is why I was given Clomid after 18 months of ttc DS1, which worked on the 3rd attempt.

Do you reckon they will refer me/ prescribe Clomid if needed if I already have two children though? I had thyroid imbalance tests about a year ago which came back fine.

[ilovethebeach]

I'm in a similar position to you, ttc no.3 and on cycle 8. Also have a history of PCOS. I went to the GP 3 months ago and said I'd been trying a few months longer than I had, he referred me no probs. I don't think they would comment on how many dc you already have.

At the same time, I went to a private clinic and even though I apparently don't have cysts on my ovaries any more, they were fairly happy to let me try clomid. Not sure what the NHS will say, they are giving me a hycosy first. The private clinic also gave me metformin which I am on at the moment. Good luck.

[twolittlemonkeys]

That's interesting ilovethebeach. We haven't used any contraception since DS2 was born 2 years ago. How much did it cost to go private and get clomid, if you don't mind me asking? (Waiting list for NHS fertility clinic was pretty long last time I went there) I'm fairly confident that Clomid would do the trick again though suspect I'll still have to have all the usual tests.

[ilovethebeach]

It cost £305 to go private. This included a consultation, internal scan thing for me and a semen analysis for DH (they wouldn't do a consultation without him doing this). It's not a small amount of money and they are also wanting me to pay for a couple of follicle tracking scans for the first cycle of clomid (though probably not compulsory if you don't want to). But the whole going private thing is so much more pleasant and worth it in terms of quickness and stress-saving sometimes.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Hi twolittlemonkeys,

You were given a previous dx of PCO. Its a fine line between that and PCOS.

You are right in thinking you and your DH are going to need all the tests done again; at the very least you should have up to date test results.

PCO as a condition does not go away; the cystic follicles associated with PCO do return. I would think you may be given clomid again (it can depend on how long you took it for previously) but its quite powerful stuff and you should ideally be monitored whilst on it. Unfortunately some women with PCO do become resistant to clomid so it should be used with a degree of caution anyway (hence the monitoring). There are other options that can be tried in the event that clomid is unsuccessful.

You could indeed go private but if you do so do your researches thoroughly beforehand and ask them lots of questions. Some private treatment is poor as well as expensive (hence this warning).

Would like to wish you the very best of luck, you will need to be persistant to get answers.

[twolittlemonkeys]

Thanks again for your answers. I am going to go and see the GP this week (hopefully on a day when someone can come with me to look after DS2 so I can concentrate on talking to doc...) and if they are reluctant to refer me due to already having children then I will look into private options. I would want to be monitored on Clomid for the reason you suggest, Attila. Don't want to 'waste' cycles on Clomid if it isn't actually working to make me OV. It's only the irregular AF and apparent lack of OVing that I have - fortunately I don't suffer with any other symptoms of PCOS, whether that makes me less likely to get treatment I don't know but at least I can get the ball rolling with my GP.

Will let you know how I get on. Obviously it'd be good if I can be treated on NHS but I know resources are stretched and I wouldn't be eligible for funding for ICSI etc but am hoping that doesn't extend to Clomid etc.