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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

PCOS, regular periods but not ovulating...don't want clomid yet!

66 replies

monkey2010 · 08/08/2011 11:09

Hi all,
After two years without periods I now have regular bleeding but I never ovulate. I have successfully conceived using clomid with my first son but would like to try and OVULATE using other methods (due to cost of follicle tracking and the side effects). Has anyone SUCCESSFULLY ovulated using any more natural methods???? Would love to hear other people's experiences....

OP posts:
LIG1979 · 08/08/2011 15:45

Hi Monkey,
Sorry I cannot answer your question but I have a few questions for you. I have PCOS and have very long cycles (I think) but it seems I do ovulate as got pregnant once (miscarried) and then after the ERPC I had a positive OPK and temperature rise and I am hoping this month on CD40 that I should get a temp rise soon after a positive opk yesterday Grin. However, this does not happen often. I was hoping when I return to see the specialist in September (NHS) that they would prescribe me clomid. Do you have to pay on the NHS for follicle tracking? How much is it? Also, what side effects are there on clomid?

Hope you get some answers to your question. Will be reading with interest! x

CleanSheetsAndSmoothLegs · 08/08/2011 16:47

What do you mean by "more natural" methods? Do you mean just not clomid, or do you mean diet/acupuncture type stuff? No idea on the latter. I'm a PCOS-er too, and have just had ovarian drilling as an alternative to clomid. It's still a medical intervention though. I shall just lurk alongside LIG1979, in case anyone comes up with anything more helpful.

Original poster
monkey2010 · 08/08/2011 20:16

Hi there,
LIG1979 - You should get follicle tracking free with your first child (if not, i think you can demand it!). I didn't, but have now been told I was entitled to it. Otherwise, it's about £400 per cycle plus all the blood test & private consultations. The side effects of clomid are not that bad (especially if it means you get pregnant!!). I got wierd visual disturbance in the evening and my hormones were all over the place (spot outbreaks, hot flushes).
Clean sheets: yes, I was thinking herbal & alternative medicine. Acupuncture didn't work for me the first time. How come you went for drilling rather than clomid? Has it worked?

OP posts:
Original poster
monkey2010 · 08/08/2011 20:18

Oh, also, do you know about 'Verity' the PCOS charity. They also have a good website with a forum - worth a look.

OP posts:
CleanSheetsAndSmoothLegs · 09/08/2011 07:14

I dont know yet, monkey - I only had it a couple of weeks ago. Hopefully...

My consultant wanted to try it first because clomid has a risk of multiple births (not that I really care about that) and because as part of her diagnostic investigations she wanted to go in and look around anyway, so she might as well just drill while she is there.

KenDoddsDadsDog · 09/08/2011 07:32

Have you tried Agnus Castus? I was desperate to conceive without Clomid, have PCOS. Either it worked or was a coincidence!

littlejesamiah · 09/08/2011 08:42

Hi all just had an appointment with consultant and told me I'm not ovulating so go back on 1st sept hopefully for chlomid fx! What are the side effects and what is the success rate?
Xx

Kyrie · 09/08/2011 10:26

You could try Soy Isoflavones, I have heard them been called 'Natures Clomid' -I think you take it CD 2 - 6 but worth reading up on it yourself.

I haven't done this myself as I do ovulate, am trying acupuncture as don't know why it is taking so long for me.

Original poster
monkey2010 · 09/08/2011 10:26

Hiya littejesamiah,
Clomid worked for me on third cycle 50mg but I know it can take a few goes to get the dose right. I imagine the side effects vary from person to person. Multiple births is a risk (one that I don't want as my son was very prem and more chance of this with twins). But if you have follicle tracking they can see how many eggs you are releasing on clomid which reduces the risk of twins as they can adjust the dose accordingly.
My hormones went a bit crazy on clomid, lots of spots, hot flushes. i also got a wierd visual disturbance but only bothered me at night so wasn't really a problem. I don't think clomid works for everyone but it's obviously easy enough to see if you've ovulated. I think you can only be on clomid for 6 months becasue of other risks which does put quite a lot of pressure on (I found, anyway).
KenDodds - I tried agnus castus a while back and it didn't work but maybe I should give it another go. Thxs.

OP posts:
Original poster
monkey2010 · 09/08/2011 10:28

Hi Kyrie,
Thanks, I will have a look into Soy Isoflavones x

OP posts:
NoMoreWasabi · 09/08/2011 10:38

There are other drugs that can be used including Letrzole and gonadotropins that can be used so you should ask about them. In particular Letrozole generally produces 1 follicle (so less multiples risk) and has less side effects such as womb lining thinning. They might not be done on the NHS but worth asking.

NoMoreWasabi · 09/08/2011 10:38

Letrozole

taytotayto · 10/08/2011 17:15

god i hope no one thinks im thick but can i ask how is it possible to have a period and not ovulate, as i thought a period was a result of not fertilizing an egg. also monkey how do you know your not ovulating? i have pcos and im not ovulating but not having periods either. monkey dont give up as you are sure to ovulate some time and you will be lucky to catch on. x

SlightlyBabyCrazed · 10/08/2011 21:13

Hi, I'm a PCOSer, have had regular AF for years, but due to high prolactin levels was not showing up the LH surge, as prolactin acts as a natural contraceptive! I have seen an endocrinologist and am now on cabergoline - this has resulted in obvious ovulation around day 12-14. Am also just starting metformin, but not seeing any benefits to this yet, other than reducing my sugary cravings (am not overweight, just suffer the insulin issue side effect of PCOS).
Have you had blood tests to see if there are any out of whack? If you know then you may be able to address with herbal or alternative methods.
I have never been given clomid, don't think there are any plans for me to have it either.

Aworryingtrend · 11/08/2011 10:38

Hi Monkey

Im in a similar position to you- have 40 day cycles and am not ovulating, TTC for 10 months now. Like you I am reluctant to take Clomid due to the risk of multiple births. I have ordered some Soy Isoflavones off Amazon and will be taking them from day 2-6 of my next cycle. AF is due next Monday so I'll keep you posted if you like? I am going to take (I think) 120mg the first day, then 80mg, 80mg, 80mg, then 40mg (my tablets are 40mg).

This (US) site has a lot of info on SI:

www.babyandbump.com/trying-to-conceive/266351-article-get-pregnant-using-soy-isoflavones.html

LIG1979 · 11/08/2011 11:23

Yes - do keep up posted aworryingtrend. Finally ovulated day 42 so assuming I don't pregnant this month I am willing to try anything to get myself to ovulate sooner.

Thanks Monkey for telling me about the follicle tracking costs. So hoping it doesn't come to that but trying to at least look into the options and costs in case I need to start forking out.

Went to accupuncture last night and she reccomended less dairy (I've been upping my dairy to keep my carbs down as part of my GI diet) and trying maca. Has anyone heard of this?

Aworryingtrend · 11/08/2011 11:41

No never heard of maca, what is it? I have heard about diary though- I can't remember the rationale behind it- I had acupuncture briefly (stopped due to cost Sad) and she was very keen on me not eating 'cold' foods which dairy are.

RIBS · 11/08/2011 13:41

Can I join in? Im a bit lost.
Was diagnosed 4yrs ago with PCOS, had a hysteroscopy and conceived without really trying. Have been off the pill since Jan and have been at it like rabbits this last 2 months, but nothing happend yet. I am actually having periods every 5-8 weeks, which I wasnt Prior to having DD1. So I thought that this was gonna be easy peasy!

Are me and taytotayto a bit dim? I thought you had to ovulate to actually get a period!!???? Blush

Please enlighten me.

Aworryingtrend · 11/08/2011 13:55

It is possible to have a period without ovulating, it is technically called an 'anovulatory bleed' and will typically be lighter/shorter than a normal period. I have had these since coming off the pill 10 months ago. If you want to check that you are ovulating you can take your temperature and check for egg-white cervical mucus (lubrication with the consistency of egg-white which becomes more noticeable around the time of ovulation).

You can also use ovulation kits but from what I have read on here loads of people don't seem to get a positive even when they know they have ovulated.

I would recommend reading Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler. I was so clueless before reading this about ovulation and conception but this book made it so easy to understand.

LIG1979 · 11/08/2011 14:01

From the fertility friend charts for people monitoring body temperature - it looks like there people do get annovulatory cycles. In these ones they don't usually get a detected LH surge or get a temperature rise but still get an AF as normal. I personally only get an AF after I have ovulated - but my ovulation is much later than the normal population.

LIG1979 · 11/08/2011 14:02

Crossed posts with aworryingtrend - your explanation was much better!

RIBS · 11/08/2011 15:04

OMG!! So does this mean we've just been doing it for no good reason!! Wine

Periods very light n no mucus. I think I may have to nip to dr's to get clomid'd up or whatever they need to do.

Thanks.

BTW if anyone is wondering about a hysteroscopy it really did wonders for me. Fell pregnant within 6 weeks. Wonder if can get them done on regular basis?

Aworryingtrend · 11/08/2011 15:36

Grin at doing it for no reason! Better not let your DH hear that!

What is a hysteroscopy please RIBS? Why did get you pregnant when other things hadn't worked? How long had you been trying?

Sorry for the barrage of questions!

RIBS · 12/08/2011 11:52

Sorry for late reply. Been off pill for 2 years, had 3 periods. Have always been irregular. I knew I had pcos. But because I wasnt overweight (I lived in the gym) they didnt think it was. A scan showed possible cysts but werent sure.
Gyno said lets have a look about and do a hysteroscopy & see what happens. He said cleaned everything out and afterwards said it should help periods but may have to have medical intervention to have children. Preggers 6 wks later!!
TBH wasnt trying actively trying for kids, but was of the attitude if it happened it did, plus I was getting on a bit at 28 (34) Blush - had only been with DP for 4 months!! Bit of a shock but defo worked out for the best.
Was just hoping that it'd just happen this time but its not working out that way.

Has you gp/gyno not discussed hysteroscopy options with you?

Spananah · 12/08/2011 12:35

LIG, I'm currently trying Maca - it tastes pretty vile in powder form but apparently has been used for years to enhance fertility in Peru... Of course. No noticeable difference yet, and my gp has played it as I have thyroid issues. Apparently it can be a bit intense though and it pays to build up to a full dose, iyswim