New to this- please help

[DuchessofKirkcaldy]

Hi, My DH and I have decided to ttc. We are now on month 3 and nothing seems to be happening. I have always had irregular cycles (anything from 4- 6 weeks) so cant work out when ovulation is occuring (or if it is?) do OPKs work?? also iI heard of a test on day 21 what is this?

Sorry if my questions seem a bit silly but thought this would be the best place for straight answers as I dont feel comfortable talking to people about this in RL yet as I feel it may add pressure.

We were meant to be taking a "relaxed approach, if it happens it happens" but i seem to be obsessing about it.

Hi,

No questions on here are at all silly.

"Relaxed" approaches are of no benefit here; you need to discover the underlying cause of the irregular periods.

Irregular cycles are more often than not caused by hormonal imbalances; a very common culprit in this regard is a condition called polcystic ovaries. As you've always had irregular cycles this possible cause is very likely. Another possible cause is thyroid imbalance. Both can be treated but you really need blood tests done. The cause of your irregular periods needs to be established properly.

OPK's are not worth using at all if your cycles are like this because it is likely you are not ovulating regularly. Infact with PCO if it is present they are worse than useless (these kits work on the misleading principles anyway that there is only one rise in LH every month and that such a rise is followed by ovulation. Both are not true).

You need a diagnosis first and foremost and I would go all out now to establish the cause.

The GP should arrange for you to have a day 2 test done; this is done to measure and compare your LH level against that of your FSH level. Ideally these two should be the same, if there is too much LH compared to that of FSH then polycystic ovaries is possible. An internal ultrasound scan can be done as well to assess the state of your ovaries to see if they are indeed polycystic.
If your LH and FSH levels are awry then ovulation will be affected (these two hormones kickstart the ovulation process) and the level of progesterone would be too low.

A day 21 test measures progesterone; a level of 30 or more would indicate ovulation.

I would speak to the GP asap and have blood tests done - stress that you have always had irregular periods as well. This fact in itself warrants further investigation sooner rather than later, I would not wait another 3 months for instance before going to the GP.

HTH

oh, scared now!!

maybe we should have started this 5 years ago!

Will phone doctor later today

thanks

I have a good friend (30/31yrs at the time) who had very irregular periods when she came off the pill, she used Femzone (an over the counter product) to regulate her cycle, it worked a treat and her cycle was very regular within three months, conceived her DS not that long after.

However I think Femzone may not be available here, she just texted me to confirm brought online in NZ (or OZ) and had it shipped over by her Mum.

I've had friends had great success with accupuncture too.

Depends on how old you are as to if you should try some of these options first, if you are a bit older then time isnt on your side so much and trip to the Dr could be a good idea but personally I'd try the accupuncture at the same time - cant hurt??

How old are you, Duchess?

Hi Duchess - what Attila said is absolutely spot on. But I just wanted to add that when I had a confirmed diagnosis of PCOS, my (lovely) GP said - 'that's great - we can soon sort that out'. PCOS is irritating - even though I had no major symptoms until I came off the pill at 32. I couldn't get a regular cycle established. After a year I went to the doctor. They did the tests that Attila mentioned and I then had the internal scan done. The scan showed up an 'abnormality' that turned out to be my son - I was about 3 weeks pregnant. He is now a lovely big lump of 23 months. My cycle since having had him and reducing breastfeeding is much more regular. I'm ttc DC2 now, so watch this space!

I totally agree with going to your doctor to find out what the cause of the irregular periods is. But please don't be too scared by a diagnosis of PCOS. It makes conceiving more tricky but it's by no means impossible - I wasn't on any treatment other than trying to lose a bit of weight. Take care and don't worry about being obsessive - that's what mumsnet is for!!!

Hi, I am 31.
I have booked a doctors app for next week. so fingers crossed.
Will also look into accupuncture cant hurt can it.
Thanks ladies this is v appreciated xx