Help with BBT chart!

[LaurenN23]

Hi everyone, I'm after just a little bit of guidance and help as I don't believe in the year since I came off the pill I have ever ovulated. My cycles have ranged from 43 - 150 days (the 150 day cycle was my most recent cycle, my last bleed was brought on by Provera)

I have charted my temperature every month and haven't yet seen one like I've attached which is this months so far. I'm on cycle day 29 after provera and have had some unusual symptoms so far this month like VERY sore boobs and nipples and spotting (both last week).

I am never sure on CM unfortunately, it's so confusing but I don't think I've had EWCM.

The reason the chart shows I 'should' be ovulating is because my average cycle length in the app is 45 days, I don't ever rely on this.

Would be grateful for any guidance!

[physicskate]

Looks like cd 19 is a strong possibility.

[LaurenN23]

@physicskate oh really?! Oh god I'm so annoyed that we hardly DTD around that time! 😩 I'm so used to not ovulating that I didn't time it well. Do you think if I took a test tomorrow it would tell me given it was 10 days ago?

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Have you as yet been referred to a subfertility unit?. I ask because who prescribed the provera?. If the GP did this you should be referred onto the specialists. With such irregular cycles you should be referred to a hospital subfertility unit as it is likely you are not ovulating regularly. Such problems are often caused by hormonal imbalances, in this respect a condition called polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common culprit.

You need a diagnosis first and foremost. If you also needed provera to bring on a bleed then I do not think you ovulated anyway.

Temp charting is not helpful if the menstrual cycle is consistently irregular because you indeed end up with a chart that is nigh on impossible to determine with any degree of accuracy. Many charts do look akin to an outline of the Rocky Mountains if the cycle is irregular. I would refrain altogether from temp charting now and delete the app; its not helping and its not making you feel any better.

[physicskate]

I mostly agree with Attila. I said possibility, not guaranteed. I wouldn't test, no.

Bbt is not infallible, particularly with super irregular anovulatory cycles. You may get your period in a few days, in which case the ovulation was slightly more likely than not, but you may not get it in a few days and still not be pregnant. I know that's not terribly helpful and hugely frustrating.

The medics should be referring you on and running tests.

[LaurenN23]

@AttilaTheMeerkat yes I've been referred to a specialist - my first appt with the infertility dept at the hospital is on Wednesday! I've been diagnosed with PCOS so I know that's the cause of all of this but this cycle is different to anything I've had before, I'm guessing that's because of the Provera.

I'm hoping to be put on clomid soon but I think I'm going to be referred for a HSG first. I hate all of this waiting, it's so hard 😞😞

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Good luck Wednesday. Both of you should attend this appointment and you can both ask questions. Write down anything you want to ask them well ahead of time too (no question is daft).

PCOS are temp charting are very uneasy bedfellows; I would stop the charting as of now because its really of no benefit to you at all (and the hospital won't take any real note of it either). The provera indeed brought the bleed on and it is possible to have a bleed without ovulating.

HSG is not normally the first procedure but it is a useful test to have done. My guess is that they will try clomid first if they feel you are suitable to take it (I have PCOS and I was not a candidate for clomid). If you are given clomid you need to ensure that you are monitored each month you are on this with preferably both blood tests and internal ultrasound scans. Clomid resistance is a known issue. With regards to fertility tests you need to ensure you fully understand why they are being done, an obvious point but one that is not always told.

[LaurenN23]

@AttilaTheMeerkat ah okay! From everyone I have spoken to, they don't give you clomid until they've checked that your tubes aren't blocked?

Do you mind me asking why they didn't try you on clomid?

Yes both me and my husband are going on Wednesday and I have a few questions ready, although I'm not really sure what to ask. I just want to beg for them to start me on something ASAP because I'm getting really depressed while waiting!

[physicskate]

I didn't have an hsg. I did 6 months of clomid (useless as I already ovulate and only slightly irregular cycles (28-39 days).

[LaurenN23]

@physicskate ah that's interesting, I guess it all comes down to area and the actual consultant too. It would be an absolute dream to get prescribed it on Wednesday, but I'm not holding out hope.

I wonder why they gave it to you if you were ovulating regularly anyway?

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

The fertility consultant did not give me clomid because of my already elevated levels of LH because of PCOS. Clomid can further increase LH levels so they said it would not help me at all.

Do tell them about the PCOS diagnosis in terms of who made this and when. The initial appointment usually consists of the staff asking both of you about your medical history and additionally your menstrual history. They should also arrange for you to have more blood tests/semen analyses done.

I had a HSG test done during the course of my fertility treatment.

[LaurenN23]

@AttilaTheMeerkat I see! It's mad how different everyone's journeys are. Looks yet more tests await me! I feel like I've had more blood tests in the last 6 months than I've had in my entire life!

Are you still going through treatment?

[physicskate]

To kill time. It was an utter waste of time. But it did get me over the 'two year' mark so we could move on to ivf.

It was a shame that clomid caused me to grow a fibroid...

I was prescribed it on my third? consultation...

I was (and still am) unexplained infertile. But our ivf worked. We have no idea why or if we should use contraception going forward or if we could get pregnant the next time we have sex (if we ever have sex again!).

[LaurenN23]

@physicskate the thought of having to wait for another 2 consultations fills me with dread, I've waiting nearly 3 months for the first one.

That's so frustrating that you had to wait so long, are you pregnant now or do you have a baby?

And about the sex thing...oh no! Ttc really does take it out of you, and to be honest I can't really be arsed anyway, just going through the motions!!

[physicskate]

My first round of ivf was successful. I still can't believe I have a (nearly) 6 month old...

[LaurenN23]

@physicskate congratulations! I hope one day I can say the same! X

[physicskate]

I hope so too.

The only advice I can give has already been given - ensure you know what tests are being done and why. Ensure you fully understand the results, their implications and the next steps.

Good luck!