DH cycles about 14 miles a day - am i being dense or is this a big no-no when ttc?

[totalmisfit]

Since we moved to the country in Sept he's been cycling to and from work which is a round trip of about 14 miles. We don't drive or have a car. buses and trains are non-existant to unreliable at best so he doesn't really have many other options.

We've been ttc #2 for about a month and a half. AF arrived today and it suddenly occurred to me that if we are less fertile than we were when DD was concieved in 2006 then [lightbulb emoticon] this could be a big factor.

Having subsequently conducted a few google searches it seems the experts reckon it could affect erectile function (not a problem for us!) and other things but not necessarily sperm count.

I'm confused and clutching at straws i suppose. Cos dd was concieved straight away we were hoping it might happen again...

then again it could be me... but I know i'm ovulating as have sharp ovulation pain in the middle of each cycle. Luteal phase about 13 days.

the only other thing i can think is that i had my appendix out in Sept 2007 and haven't felt 'quite right' down there ever since. I know in medical terms the appendix and the ovaries are nowhere near each other but i can't help wondering if perhaps it was slightly botched in some way and this 'not right' feeling has been my only symptom.

Feel free to tell me i'm crazy

[totalmisfit]

We're both in our late 20's btw, if that helps...

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Hi totalmisfit,

First off welcome

Second do not google search!!!.

Fertility does generally decline with age. It can take longer for the second child to be conceived. Six weeks is really not much time at all in the scheme of things.

Would not worry unduly about your H cycling.
Other factors like smoking and drinking are more deleterious to sperm.

What are your periods like - if they are heavy and or very painful during or leading up to the period this should be checked out further. You are more likely to be ovulating regularly if your periods are regular, less so if periods are irregular. However, even normally fertile women have the occasional anovulatory cycle.

Would not necessarily assume ovulation is happening even if you get sharp pains. The surest way of knowing if ovulation is happening is to have blood tests done. Do not also get too hung up on luteal phase - its a very controversial area amongst gynaes with some of them saying its a problem whilst others do not.

Generally speaking gynaes like to see couples after a year of ttc without success but if your periods were irregular, heavy and or v painful you should be seen earlier by such a person.

Re your other point:-
"the only other thing i can think is that i had my appendix out in Sept 2007 and haven't felt 'quite right' down there ever since. I know in medical terms the appendix and the ovaries are nowhere near each other but i can't help wondering if perhaps it was slightly botched in some way and this 'not right' feeling has been my only symptom"

Any abdominal surgery carries with it the risk of adhesions following surgery - these are sticky strands that tether organs together. If you ever had to see a gynae, one of the questions you would be asked at the first appt is whether you've had previous abdominal surgery. The above reason is why they ask that.

HTH, do not be unduly worried at this early stage but if the nature of your periods change seek medical advice asap.

[totalmisfit]

Attila- thank you

very comprehensive answer to my convoluted question (s)!

you're right it's far too early to get myself too worried.

my periods are very regular atm. about 31 days and not very heavy or painful since i had dd.

i did consider the age thing... it has been nearly 4 years since we last concieved, after all. (although it doesn't feel like it)

very interesting point about the adhesions... i had never even heard of these before! Good to know i'm not just making wild stabs in the dark that have no bearing in reality, anyway.