Struggling to conceive please please help

[infertilemertyl]

Hello,

I'm really struggling to conceive. I've had a laparoscopy and hysteroscopy to remove adhesions. The surgery went successfully however I do have one completely blocked tube. Other than that my doctor says I'm good to continue ttc.

My biggest concern however is that I have spotting before my period which lasts 5-7 days. Sometimes it's quite significant - others it's barely anything. My doctor was not concerned about this at all.....

I'm really concerned and fed up of my body not working properly.

I'm wondering if this is likely to be low progesterone?

If so, is this easy to sort out? Can it be done naturally?

I should add - I suffer greatly with stress :( my life is quite stressful and I don't know how much of this could be from that too? I started having spotting 5-7 days before my period a few years after I was in a bad car accident which made me think it was stress related.

Can anyone advise please? I feel like giving up

@infertilemertyl I completely understand where you’re coming from & can relate to the same experience. I too have ‘spotting’ 5/6 days before my period starts and 3/4 days after. Although, I once read on a tracking app that it isn’t classed as spotting if there isn’t a break before your period starting. It might be old blood leaving your uterus. I’ve never looked any further into it, as I just presumed it was this.

Stress can also play a huge part. Self care is super important & making the time to clear your mind each week will help tremendously! I’m aware this is easier said than done, as I also have a stressful job.

Exploring other avenues & the recommendations people have mentioned on here might put your mind at peace. Equally, know you’re not the only one out there experiencing these worries. Ignore the keyboard warriors- they’re not worth the energy!

Best of luck in 2023. Happy New Year & here if you want to chat any further.

I use to get spotting pre period and a really short luteal phase. Took agnus castus abd used pressed or conceive plus everything dtd. I do think it was low progesterone but I never got medical help. A few months of both of above- agnus castus stopped the spotting I think- I got pregnant. Worth a try xx

You are right, I know when me and my ex husband was having problems conceiving they said if we paid for anything private it would void help via NHS. It took abit longer but via NHS we found out it was him and we didn't qualify for NHS funding for treatment anyway so started going down the private route.
I always had problems with my periods and pains like spotting (turned out to be stress or small cysts each time) so I always assumed it was me but in the end it wasn't. It would definitely be worth getting your partner checked too.

Hi OP, I used to get pre-menstrual spotting as well - usually 3/4 days but sometimes as many as 7! We were ttc at the time, following a second trimester loss and ended up being diagnosed with unexplained secondary infertility. None of the doctors seemed concerned about the spotting, it used to drive me crazy though. After a while I bought a clear blue fertility monitor and conceived not long after that. We had been ttc for well over a year at that point and fell pregnant a couple of months later. The spotting didn't return when my periods started post-partum. It's almost like my body "reset". Just wanted to reassure you that even with the spotting you can still conceive 😊 good luck 🍀

I also had exactly the same treatment for adhesions. I also have spotting the same as you.

The only reason I ever knew I was pregnant was when the spotting didn't occur those times. I asked about it before I did conceive and was told it was normal.

Trying to conceive is really stressful. We were trying for a long time too. It's understandable you'd feel like that. I really hope everything works out for you soon.

We actually did the sperm meets egg method in the end which worked quickly. X

@infertilemertyl adhesions can still be “old” endometriosis. When the disease is advanced it becomes fibrotic and inactive, so the histology will not show active endometriosis, but it doesn’t mean you don’t have endometriosis.

Having one tube isn’t a big deal, but if you also have endometriosis, potentially there is more going on.

Given you have a tubal blockage, presumably have been trying for a while and a confirmed endo diagnosis you really should be on the NHS waiting list for IVF, your surgeon should have referred you straightaway.

Handhold OP, I know how it feels when you so desperately want a baby. If you can go private, I would, check the waiting times and criteria for your local health authority, this could help you decide.

Good luck I hope you have some happy news very soon.

How many scans have you had to confirm no fluid? As far as I’m aware blockages are generally caused by swelling which is caused by fluid. I too had adhesions removed during surgery and it was at the same time I had both tubes clipped as I knew I wouldn’t qualify for IVF until those blocked tubes had been dealt with. I would get a second opinion if I were you. Remember fluid comes and goes as your body absorbs it. I recently had a scan showing a small amount of fluid although I had been clear since my surgery in may.

@GrapefruitGin

Two scans - an mri and an ultrasound.
I only had my surgery last month in which it was confirmed I had no fluid.

My tube was only going to be removed during the surgery if it contained fluid. My doctor was confident that I'd have no problems conceiving with one blocked tube as my other is healthy.

I'm worried I've done wrong now :(

@Porridgeislife

Thank you for explaining that so well.

So my doctor said the adhesions I have could have been from old endo, an old infection or congenital. All of my infection results came back clear and my biopsy results were clear too. He isn't sure why I had adhesions and apparently it is one of those things that we won't have answers for. He did say if I did have endo there is the chance it will return at a later date too. I have no symptoms of endo (I haven't had symptoms for about 3 years which is why it made sense that I had endo in the past but not now)

If I do still have endo - would he have seen this during my surgery? He is the top surgeon in my area so I thought I'd researched him properly but I'm concerned now :(

Do you think natural conception won't be as easy as he's suggesting?

@namechange143

Thank you!

Out of interest did you ever find out why you had the adhesions?

I used to follow the sperm meets egg plan but this was prior to the surgery. I'll try it again and hope for the best!

Thank you again xx

Don’t assume anything is wrong, it is still early days, definitely get your partner tested. Are you self testing for ovulation?

@NamelessTemptress01

Yes I have been self testing for ovulation. X

I think I would give it three more months of trying and with confirmation of your partners fertility, you can go back to the GP showing you have been tracking your ovulation.

I'd definitely request day 3 and day 21 bloods just to check progesterone, thyroid etc as well as a SA for your other half. Thyroid levels is a big one, ideally you want your TSH under 2.5. Unfortunately we're another couple that didn't conceive for over 2 years until we "relaxed", that's not useful I know! Conceived our second immediately though, I suspect because we were more relaxed about it, although my TSH was a lot lower this time too. I think I've read somewhere about B vitamins for spotting so might be worth a look into that too.

@LittleLottle

Thank you.

No it does help as I know none of these are the annoying 'just relax' comments! I seriously do need to relax. 😂

♥️♥️

Hello! I feel your pain, trying to conceive can be very stressful and fraught with worry. Feeling like you’re not being listened to by the health professionals is adding to your stress too. I would highly recommend the book Period Power by Maisie Hill, it will really help you understand the spotting and give very good advice around optimising your body and mind for conceiving. She also does personal consultations which sounds like it might be a super idea for you. Best of luck and I hope you conceive soon - but don’t worry you are still young, you have time but you are right to get to the bottom of this as soon as you can. I was 38 when it finally happened successfully!

@LovingTheAbbreviations

Thank you so much for your kind words - I will definitely look into the book!

I've got lots of reading to do 😊 xx

I would recommend you post on the infertility and conception boards rather than AIBU.

So you know you have some level of adhesions and a blocked tube. Your NHS consultant (not clear what service) has provided some surgical interventions for this but not removed/cleared tube. Your results now show you are ovulating.

What id say you need:
Day 3 and 21 blood tests for LH, FSH, progesterone, androstenedione, testosterone etc.
A semen analysis for your male partner.
An ultrasound scan if you haven't already to check all is normal.
AMH bloods to check approx eggs leftover.

I'd also definitely recommend at this point you are referred to assisted conception in your healthboard. This reads like your GP has directed the referral to gynaecology not assisted conception?

Family coming for lunch at 1pm
Tried almost all the tips from the hangover thread this morning and am just about there 🤣

Sorry wrong thread

Sorry I see you have had structural checks eg ultrasound and MRI. So strike that off the list.

I know this is all so stressful - took us 3 years to get to the stage we are at now (20 wks). Wishing you all the best

being 'relaxed' won't make you conceive if there is something seriously wrong. But you've had the surgery, it worked, and whilst it might seem super annoying worry and stress - even worry and stress about the fact that you would like to conceive does have a negative impact on your conception chances.

So give up, stop caring so much and focus on building a terrific life for yourselves. If kids happen they happen and that'd be cool if they don't they don't c'est la vie. Be happy have lots of sex just for the fun of it. Your body may well surprise you.

Check out Natural Solutions to Infertility by Marilyn Glenville.
I also had spotting mid cycle prior to conceiving - big hormonal Issues - nothing found on scans/tubes fine. Tried for a year and we were recommended the above book (which is basically a diet with added supplementary vits). Conceived successfully in 3 months then again 2 years later.