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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

POF (Premature Ovarian Failure / Premature Menopause) - looking for info/people to talk to............

40 replies

looneytune · 31/08/2007 11:12

Hi

For those who haven't seen me on other threads, I'm 31 and on 2nd cycle of ttc dc2.

I had blood test done yesterday to see if I've started the menopause as I have a family history of this (mum was 29, her mum was in 30's and so was her sister). Ds is now 4.5 and with dh being 46, we really want to conceive asap (like everyone does once they decide! ) so I'm looking ahead at options IF I'm not able to conceive myself.

I must say I've been very emotional about all this. We're all desperate for another baby in the family (incl. ds) and it's not helped by the fact I'm a childminder who has babies every day and the 2 I have at the moment started so young (7 weeks and 8 weeks, now 8 months and 6 months) and you really bond but at weekends it's back to just the 3 of us - ds is desperate for a little brother or sister.

I thought that if the result came back that I'm ok, then I'd be fine as thought it sort of could predict if you're likely to go through it in the near future. Well, Dr let me know yesterday that if I'm clear, I need to try and get pg ASAP as it could happen at any time and there is no warning from the blood tests.

At this stage, I can only think the route I'd want to take (if I had to) is IVF with donor eggs. Then I get all tearful about the thought that the baby wouldn't have my genetics etc. I know there must be lots of people who've had donor eggs and love their child to bits regardless and that's great, it's just so hard to think about it right now as this is all new and a bit of a shock.

I don't really know why I started this thread? Suppose I just want as much info as I can get, talk to people who know about this stuff, that sort of thing.

Anyone out there?

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Dool · 05/06/2009 14:39

I just came across this link are there stil people with high fsh out there?? if so please help!!

dizzy36 · 14/10/2007 20:20

any of you ladies know what your oestradiol levels were on day 2. I keep hearing about the importance of fsh and lh but not oestradial, is it not that important. Just had new tests done. FSH down to 9.3 (not bad) lh - 4 and oestradiol - 86 which I've been told by my gp that is a bit low and could increase chance of abnormalities. my gynae tells me anything over 180 is not good, who is right.

all this time been told that high fsh indicates reduced ovarian reserve and quality of eggs and now I'm being told that oestradiol is also a major factor

anyone have any more information

dizzy36 · 19/09/2007 11:12

sounds like dr was trying to establish if you ovulate by doing mid cycle test. I had one done and works best if have regular cycles as can pin point when 'surge' occurs to indicate that ovulation takes place. My dr took 2 blood samples (can't remember exactly which days) but the idea was to see if I ovulated. The 1st blood sample was invalid due to hospital cock up so couldn't give me an guarantee that I ovulated, but the second blood sample showed a rise in hormone levels indicating that I had most probably ovulated.

Day 2/3 checks are to check your FSH, LH and oestradiol to basically see how fertilie you are I suppose. I ovulate most months but my high FSH indicates that my eggs are not at their best.

hope this helps and I haven't confused you too much

Original poster
looneytune · 17/09/2007 17:08

think I need to speak to the Dr then. Well, that prog. test I had at day 23 (usually done on day 21 but i had 32 day cycle last month) was probably done on the wrong day as I've just got AF on CD26 - I'm right aren't i, it was done too late?

OP posts:
dizzy36 · 17/09/2007 09:37

looneytune -my understanding was that fsh, lh and oestradial should be done on day 2 (day 3 at some hospitals). If FSH was around 4 on day 2/3 then this is very good, am not sure what that level means on day 8 as levels start to decrease as approach ovulation

Original poster
looneytune · 14/09/2007 19:25

One quick question......the tests I had done that were fine were done on CD8 and I know that they should have been done between CD? and CD7 - do you think 1 day difference matters?

OP posts:
Original poster
looneytune · 14/09/2007 19:22

Sorry, had no idea all these messages had been posted, came on to update the thread and just noticed. Haven't got the time to read through it all now plus I feel ready to drop (tiring day) but I promise to come back

I had my day 21 test today (well, it's day 23 for me today but my last cycle was 32 days so believe this is about the right time to take the blood???). I asked the nurse what my FSH result was as I'd only been told all was fine. It's 4.2 so presuming this is very normal? Hope so. I was so worried about all this at the start and am feeling more positive although I'd feel better if I had some EWCM around ovulation time as I'm yet to be sure about ovulation. Anyway, it's early days so I should stop worrying!!

OP posts:
Sassib · 13/09/2007 20:22

Hi
I just joined mumsnet and saw this post, hope you dont mind me crashing. I have surgical menopause, due to ovarian cancer and therefore had to have egg donation. I had my little girl in may this year.

I went thru all the emotions about her not looking like me etc, but those all melted away as soon as I saw her. As far as I am concerned she is mine.

I did a whole host of alternative therapy inc acupuncture and massages and am sure they contributed to my healthy PG.

Good luck on your journey to getting pregnant.

xx

NappyValley · 11/09/2007 13:26

HIJACK sorry Blueberry79 if you are watching this thread. Went to see the consultant today for more check out Temp Buddies thread

Popi70 · 10/09/2007 22:01

Dizzy36,
I was dx very quickly and even though FSH was around 60-ish I had no symptoms other than no period for 4 months. I had acupuncture, tried to eat as healthily as possible, I don't like alcohol anyway, and I had already given up smoking more than 3 years ago. I read a lot to understand what was happening to me, kept taking my BBT every morning, bought a fertility monitor as soon as my period had returned to make sure that if and when I ovulated I would take advantage of it, had lots of sex and was taking my pregnancy vitamins. Luck was also on my side.

Pruners · 10/09/2007 14:12

Message withdrawn

dizzy36 · 10/09/2007 13:56

hi. DH and I are now considering further fertility treatment. Its been a year since consultant told me I had zero chance of conceiving as I was in perimenopause stage of my life. First stage is to get my day 2 hormone levels checked (oestradiol and LH levels are an important factor as well as FSH).

Can I ask what information anyone else has had about fertility treatment. I know fsh should be under 10 before will allow ivf but I have read different theories. I know success rates are reduced. I am 39 with elevated FSH...not sure what my chances are!! am also concerned about impact ivf medication would have on my ovaries if they are struggling anyway to produce eggs.

PUPUCE and POPI70 - can i ask what other changes you made to lifestyle to help you conceive. I have been having acupuncture for a couple of years, for the last 12 months have improved my diet drastically but am wondering what else I could do...am willing to try anything! trying reflexology tomorrow.

thanks

pupuce · 06/09/2007 18:25

I also at the same time started to drink more nettle and dandelion teas ... I discovered (later) this was good for fertility issues... and also started making my own bread with sunflower and pumpkin seeds... those are good too I think!
So without actively trying to improve my diet I know I had started eating more things which are considered helpful.

FeeMac · 06/09/2007 15:40

Hi Pupuce, how's it going? Thanks so much for clearing up that misunderstanding, I'm relieved as Hilary sounded like such a top woman on the phone, just what I need. Plus it's a big old drive for me to get to her.
Your story is ace, I hope you're really proud of yourself with your lovely little one. I think my diagnosis has just made me even more determined to get pregnant if anything. I devoured the Inconceivable book by Julia Indichova and feel totally empowered - even drank beetroot juice this morning & going to search out an Iyenga yoga class and some wheatgrass juice! I'll post to say how I get on with my Maya Womb Massage.

pupuce · 06/09/2007 11:54

Feemac... I used ... not sued ... sorry for the typo! That's really a bad one to make !!
Hilary is excellent!

BTW my FSH readings were 89!

Popi70 · 05/09/2007 15:31

oops! forgot to mention that for five months prior to getting pregnant I had acupuncture weekly initially and then every fortnight. It cost me £40 per session.

FeeMac · 05/09/2007 14:01

Dear Pupuce
I've been following this thread from afar and just joined Mumsnet! Please can you clarify if you meant the lady whose email address you put down is who you sued? I thought you were recommending her and have just booked for a Maya Womb massage, but having just re-read over what you wrote I'm wondering if I should cancel.
I was told I have 'occult premature ovulation failure' last Friday due to high FSH readings - my last was 16.1 but they do fluctuate back down to as low as 2. My turn for IVF on the NHS has just come up but I'm not allowed treatment unless FSH goes down below 10... I'm guessing I shouldn't have waited for the NHS for the last two and half years!
I had a m/c at 12 weeks in 2004 then nothing since.
Now doing some serious detoxing & eating organic, no sweeties, no caffeine & no booze! I'm determined to prove them wrong and that I can still conceive.
I've just ordered that Unconceivable book too.

Popi70 · 04/09/2007 17:31

looneytune,
this is excellent news. i am expecting a little girl at the moment and I would hate to think that she would have no choice but to have POF as well.
popi

Original poster
looneytune · 04/09/2007 14:59

Blood tests, not results (on 14th)

OP posts:
Original poster
looneytune · 04/09/2007 14:54

Thanks everyone, no time to reply to each individual as got 2 mindees sleeping upstairs and need to help ds clear some mess before getting them up. Just wanted to say I phoned the Dr's and have been told my results are ok. I don't know what they are as the receptionist didn't understand them enough to know what to tell me and I didn't know what to ask for. I'll see if the nurse can tell me when I go for the other blood test results on 14th.

Anyway, very relieved and trying not to think about the fact the Dr still told me I don't have time on my side. At the end of the day, I've heard enough positive story and heard about alternative therapies so I'm just going to continue having lots of sex and fingers crossed I won't need any help

Thanks so much for you all taking the time to help me, I will try and get on later and reply to each of you seperately

OP posts:
pupuce · 04/09/2007 09:44

Dizzy, I lost my periods for a long time but after the massages they came back but were quite light and every 21 days... then they "went again for several months and I ahd another 3 massages and this time they were much heavoer (normal) and were every 21 days.

dizzy36 · 03/09/2007 20:42

Sorry if I sounded confusing looney tunes. When in perimenopause/early menopause/POF it means we're running out of eggs and there is nothing we can do about that. We can however do something to improve the quality of those eggs, or so I have read in numerous books, Julia indichova being one of them. By changing diet and lifestyle (quite dramatically by the sound of things) it is possible to improve the quality of the remaining eggs.

My second pregnancy ended at 5 months in Jan 2004 due my baby having Downs Syndrome.That and my high FSH tells me my egg quality is not good. I could still have plenty of eggs but they're all just crap! I'm doing lots of research to find out how can improve their quality.

Popi70 · 03/09/2007 19:08

Looneytune,

I got pregnant on my own - well with a lot of help from dh, 'daily and persistent help' I must say . If it's of any help, I think that the following link explains nicely what POF is: www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/pubs/pof/upload/premature_ovarian_failure.pdf

When I was dx, I was then offered more blood tests to see whether it was due to antibodies working against my ovaries. Autoimmune disorders are linked with POF. The good thing about finding that there is a cause like this is that at least with the right medication one may hope that things may improve. Unfortunately mine was sort of unexplained so there was nothing I could do other than try and hope. We had also started looking into domestic adoption. I guess that when you are first dx you think it is the end of the world - if you want children, that is - but gradually you come to terms and realise that there are more than one ways to make a family.

popi

Original poster
looneytune · 02/09/2007 08:31

Blueberry - thanks so much. I must say that I've been very up and down with it looking really bleak (as you said) and then seeing these different methods which I'm very interested in hearing about

A lot for me is the not knowing. I COULD be fine and have made a big fuss about nothing BUT because the Dr said even if this result is ok, I could soon have a totally different result, I wanted to research in advance!!

I'm hoping to have my results on Tuesday/Wednesday so will come back and share them so I can get to understand them (as my experience of Dr's is that they never really go into details but I like to know everything!)

OP posts:
blueberry79 · 02/09/2007 07:55

Hello there. I too have v high FSH. There is a lot of bleak info out there in the medical world but I have found lots of hope elsewhere. I am trying acupunture and TCM - it needs to be someone who is well-reknowned and a fertility specialist and knows exactly what they are doing as herbs can be unhelpful if inappropriately used. I am seeing a lady in London - look up www.zhaiclinic.co.uk. She gets incredible results by changing the conditions and balance inside your body and redirecting blood flow to the ovaries and uterus to improve egg quality and reduce fsh. (ignorantly described by my doc as mumbo jumbo!). She has helped countless women conceive naturally where IVF etc has failed for them - one of my friends saw her after 2 years of ttc and was pregnant in the third month of treatment - in that time her temperatures normalised and her EWCM icreased dramatically. A lady in the States called Randine Lewis who does a simiilar thing has written a book called The Infertility Cure which I absolutely recommend and has a website called The Infertile Soul (google it). I also recommend a book by Julia Indichova called Inconceivable - look on Amazon - it's very inspirational. I believe there is plenty you can do to increase your chances....