Temping

[KylieP]

Hi, has anyone tried temping and their temperature has been quite constant (no clear temp shift) and still ovulated and conceived that month? Is that possible?

[LimeLeafLizard]

My understanding is that after you ovulate, your progesterone levels rise, and cause your temp to rise too. So if your temps aren't shifting up then that would suggest that you didn't ovulate...

I found the book 'Taking charge of your fertility very helpful', but I'm sure more helpful posters than me will advise you too!!

[KylieP]

Thanks, that's exactly what's meant to happen on a classic chart so it doesn't sound hopeful that ov took place if no temp increase, but I wondered if some people don't get that pattern due to PCOS for example? Or does that def mean the chance is gone for that cycle?

[CraftyGirly]

I've given up on temping. According to my charts, I never ovulated, so why are my periods so smack bang regular then? It was driving me crazy so I've ditched it, AFAIK I was temping correctly as well, same time every day, as soon as I woke up, before moving, etc so decided to give it a rest as I was't seeing what I wanted to see from my charts. I always get +OPKs too but apparently never OVd

[2ndDestiny]

I have PCOS and I get a clear biphasic pattern when I ovulate. When I have an annovulatory phase my charts don't show any pattern and I don't get AF.

I have heard of people occasionally getting wacky charts that look annovulatory but aren't, but that's fairly unusual. You can also just have one random annovulatory cycle.

But if your charts consistently look annovulatory, I would see your GP for blood tests to check for ovulation and find out if anything's causing you to not ovulate. Good luck.

[2ndDestiny]

ps meant to say if you're temping properly and your thermometer's working properly, that is

[CraftyGirly]

2nd destiny- so would I be correct in thinking if I dont OV my AF wouldnt be so regular? It always arrives same day every cycle

[CaveMum]

My current temping chart says I have not ovulated this cycle [currently Day 40), but I had a blood test on Day 30 which said I had ovulated. I'm currently trying to hold out a bit longer before POAS!

If you do not take your temps at a regular time, you will get varying results. Also if you are ill, even without knowing it, that will have an effect on the results.

[2ndDestiny]

Crafty as far as I know, some women (esp with PCOS) can have regular periods without ovulating. However, in my case, I have had numerous blood tests etc. which always confirmed that when I get a normal AF it means I have ovulated (and I now observe this by temp charting). I do randomly stop ovulating sometimes for up to 6 months, but then AF goes awol as well.

The best way to check for ovulation is a progesterone blood test 7 days before your expected AF (result should be above 30). If you're very regular this should be easy to do -although your Dr might only be willing if you've been ttc a long time with no success. I had mine done because I already had a known fertility problem (ie. the PCOS).

Don't let me stress you out unnecessarily though - as I say I had a PCOS diagnosis and irregular/missing AF, not just a couple of wacky charts - your situation could be quite different. Wish you all the best.

[2ndDestiny]

PS. CaveMum good luck with the POAS, if your blood test was on CD30 then surely you ov'd about a week before that and can POAS any time now?

[CaveMum]

2ndDestiny, I have PCOS and am Clomid. The last few cycles I've ov'd on Day 14/15 with a luteal phase of 15/16 days. My Day 21 blood test was negative but my Day 30 was positive but the nurses said they couldn't pinpoint ov exactly as there was no way of knowing if the progesterone was on the way up or on the way down! They advised me to wait 2 weeks from blood test and if no period POAS. Tomorrow will be 11 days after the blood test so I figure I should get an accurate result even if I ov'd right before the bloods.

[CraftyGirly]

thanks 2nd destiny - I dont have PCOS so who knows whats going on, I am trying to convince myself it was me doing something wrong/dodgy thermometer! wish we could just 'know' whats going on in there!

[HaveALittleFaithBaby]

Afaik, it's more likely that you get a chart that's all over the place with PCOS, like mountain ranges than flat charts? Where are you in your cycle? Can you link your chart?
Ps cavey POAS already!
As you were :)

[KylieP]

cavegirl have you POAS yet?

I also have PCOS 2nd destiny but only third cycle so no clomid yet or tests to confirm the PCOS for definite. I'm thinking of trying acupuncture first, in July. I can't link to my chart for some reason but it's not rocky mountains, just between 36.06 and 36.25 at highest and lowest and around 36.17 most days. I'm taking it orally though and on another thread people have said to try it vaginally to see a clearer pattern, is that what you all do?

[eurochick]

I take mine orally and get accurate enough results to see a biphasic pattern emerge.

[HaveALittleFaithBaby]

I take mine orally with satisfactory results. Somehow vaginally seemed a step too far for me!

[2ndDestiny]

Hi again Kylie

I also take mine orally and can see a clear biphasic pattern when I ovulate.
My pre-ov temp range is similar to the temp range you describe (a bit lower). When I was annovulatory my temp also stayed in the pre-ov / lower range, I never had a rocky mountains chart either.

If you have a known fertility problem you don't have to wait a year for investigations. Does your GP suspect you have PCOS? If so they should try to confirm the diagnosis and then test to see if you're ovulating regularly/at all. You might not need clomid (I conceived DS without it although I was on metformin). I've heard good things about acupuncture although not tried it myself for anything fertility related.

[KylieP]

Well my doc said my ultrasound showed cysts, so suspected PCOS, then she said it won't be confirmed until I do a blood test, but when the results came back she just said my oestrogen looks ok and that the tests don't really tell her much so I'd need to be referred to a specialist to progress things and do more tests. I did suspect she is unsure, she didn't seem sure about it. In June it will be six months so I'll go back then and insist she refers me to a specialist, am sure she will. I'll then insist on tests for ovulation. Bit worried about the time off work (they don't know I'm ttc) - do you know what the ovulation tests involve time-wise?

So taking my temp the icky vaginal way won't help that much by the sounds of it. So frustrating, why are so many of us not ovulating, what is that about-there must be a way to kick start it naturally?!