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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.

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Original poster

No AF for 9 months - any kickstart ideas??

23 replies

Daisychain12 · 22/08/2013 21:51

Hey lovely ladies,

Just wondered if anyone has any advice on anything i could do to help kickstart ovulation?

No period for 9 months now since coming off the pill. Boooo. DP and I have been taking the laidback 'what will be will be' approach to TTC, but its so frustrating to know that i'm probably not even working properly at the moment :(

Been to the docs a few times, blood tests are ongoing but nothing concrete has really come of them. They don't seem to think 9 months is long enough for me to be worried/ frustrated about lack of AF, and of course i understand that its not the end of the world.... i just want to find out what is going on with my body and see if anyone is experiencing anything similar.

I've been reading about Royal Jelly, Vitamin B12, Progesterone cream, Angus Castus.....wahhh its all so confusing! Any advice / success stories would be brill. Thanks! x

OP posts:

emdottyjackson · 22/08/2013 23:40

Gosh 9 months you poor thing, I've been waiting 7wks & getting frustrated! Had one period after stopping but nothing since, never wanted a period so badly! I don't know much about supplements but just wanted to offer my support, it does feel like your 'bits' aren't working properly & I'm now regretting telling people we're trying, when I say my period hasn't arrived, they look hopeful...I have to go into the whole explanation hope it turns up soon hon x

chinadolly · 23/08/2013 07:22

Hi Daisychain12,
I'm also in the same boat as you. I came off the pill in May, had the normal withdrawal bleed and since then nada!
It is hard feeling like you don't know where you stand with your body. I too have been looking at different herbs/vitamins to try bring my period back but have decided to wait a few more weeks.
At the moment I'm trying to stay positive and thinking of ways to relax, (including staying away from these conception topics!)

AttilaTheMeerkat · 23/08/2013 07:32

Daisychain

Something fundamental has been missed here.

What blood tests were done and on which days?. This is important as measuring the hormone levels on the wrong days makes the results completely meaningless. Did they actually investigate this properly, it makes me think that they did not.

I could give you two possible causes as to why your periods have ceased; problems with the thyroid gland or a condition called polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS and that one is more likely).

You are being fobbed off if you have been advised that 9 months without a period is enough for you to be concerned about!. Honestly this practice sound hopeless and I would re-register at another one.

The general consensus as well is you should be referred to a subfertility unit after 12 months of ttc without success. As you do not have a menstrual cycle to speak of you should be referred now particularly as such appointments can take some considerable time to come through.

Tempting as it is to try something like AC I would not because this can make any underlying hormonal imbalances worse. You need a diagnosis first and foremost.

Change GPs and insist now that you are referred to a specialist rather than let a GP potentially mess around further in ignorance. This type of issue is well outside their remit.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 23/08/2013 07:34

Same advice would be for you China Dolly. You also need a diagnosis first and foremost.

OhBuggerMe · 23/08/2013 07:40

This reply has been withdrawn

This post has been withdrawn due to privacy concerns.

yorkiebilb · 23/08/2013 07:54

My DH's friends partner had the same problem and I think it was going on for a while. She was recommended to take flaxseed oil and as a result started having her period again. She has gone on to conceive twice but both mc though but the fact she has gone from no periods to be able to conceive is great and she'll just keep trying till one sticks. I know there is always that story from a friend of a friend but I have spoken to her myself about it and she was surprised it worked so well. Worth a try I say!

Original poster

Daisychain12 · 23/08/2013 08:41

Morning all, thanks so much for replies - it's good to feel justified about being worried / unhappy with the situation. Also pls excuse my writing, I'm on phone!

Attilla- there was no rhyme or reason to the dates/ times that I've been having blood tests, so straight away I understand that they must be pointless! My TSH levels are all over the place which at one point meant I'd be on meds for Thyroid prob, but then they dipped again and docs said there was nothing they would do.
I've talked to them about PCOS and brought in printed research, but they laughed me out and wouldn't send me for a scan as they said from blood tests PCOS was v unlikely.

I've got another apt this week - this time I'm standing my ground and going to ask for a referral!

ChinaDolly Ems - sucks for us, hey?? I have my fingers crossed for us all that it'll sort out soon. It's just so frustrating! Don't leave it as long as I have though lovelies, make a scene. My docs wouldn't see me about it all until it hit 6 month mark, but that must be BS....

OP posts:

Original poster

Daisychain12 · 23/08/2013 08:42

yorkie - flaxseed you say...... off for another supplement-related google sesh

OP posts:

flowersinavase · 23/08/2013 08:52

Are you a healthy weight for your height? Or over exercising?

I didn't get a period for six months after coming off the pill: as soon as I reduced my exercise levels and ate a bit more (switched from fat free milk to whole milk for example) everything got back in gear..

Original poster

Daisychain12 · 23/08/2013 09:02

Flowers - At the beginning of the year I would say I was a bit too much of a gym-bunny. But I've been concentrating on eating a more balanced diet and taking it easy exercise-wise since about April with no change :(.

OP posts:

emdottyjackson · 23/08/2013 12:15

Interesting advice, I was told not to worry about not having a period & to leave it until November before going back, I thought that'd be fine if it was taking a long time to conceive, I understand it can take over a year for some people, but not having a period means there's zero chance doesn't it? We're not ovulating? Hate the way they make you feel, like your worrying over nothing, a few months ago this same nurse who's telling me not to worry was telling me to get a wiggle on as I'm getting a bit old!!

AttilaTheMeerkat · 23/08/2013 13:48

Daisychain

Some GPs are not all that helpful unfortunately when it comes to possible thyroid issues. That would certainly cause your periods to cease as they have done.

I would tell them that you want a referral and do not take no for an answer.

You may find this link helpful as well:-
www.thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testing/interpretation_thyroid_blood_tests.html

blueamber · 23/08/2013 14:18

I waited over three months for my AF after stopping the pill. I went to the GP as well and he told me to come back when it had been six months. So your gp should have done a lot more after nine months! For instance refer you to the hospital so you can get progesterone to kick start your cycles.

I eventually got my period on my own and that kick started my cycles again, because after that I ovulated just over two weeks later.

I also have hypothyroidism but my levels are ok. If yours are borderline, make sure you get your blood test early morning as your levels are naturally higher then. That might just push you out of the normal zone. Get your results as well. Ideally your TSH would be under two when ttc.

Make sure you're a healthy weight as well, I'm not sure if you could be underweight?

blueamber · 23/08/2013 14:22

About those products... I don't think it would do anything. The progesterone cream is too weak to have an effect. If you're hypothyroid, you might have other deficiencies such as b12 and Vitamin d, but it's best not to take anything without knowing your levels.

rabbitonthemoon · 23/08/2013 15:55

Hi op. I came off the pill at 26 after being on it for ten years. It took nearly 12 months for my periods to come back. At the time I wasn't really bothered as wasn't ttc but started to wonder if they would ever come back and was about to go to the GP. After ten months I had a day of spotting, same the next month and then lo and behold they came back regular as clockwork. At the time I was underweight and had very low body fat doing excessive gymming and I was stupidly skinny. They came back when i injured my leg and gained some weight so I think the weight probably had something to do with it. Or maybe it was just the shock of coming off the pill for so long. Best get it checked out again though, don't be fobbed off if its bothering you.

woodwaj · 23/08/2013 17:50

Hi Daisy I had my first AF last month after ten months of nothing after the pill. I have been going to the docs since about 6 months. I agreed with Atilla's advice and go and see another doc, that's exactly what I did and i've got my appointment at the hospital next week, (7 week wait for that) Before that I tried Agnus Castus but it didn't seem to do anything for me! Good Luck!

Original poster

Daisychain12 · 23/08/2013 18:54

Thanks everyone. I have docs booked for Tuesday - ive requested to see a different doctor and have written notes on everything here so that im armed! Seems that my best route is to avoid all the supplements etc until I know what's going on with my crazy lady-tubes and make a bit more of a fuss with regards to being referred. Also, to carry on maintaining a healthy weight and not slip into silly diet mode

Attilla - thanks again for your help - im having a bit more of an in-depth read about hyperthyroidism right now. Definitely feel that this could be it...

So great to hear happy stories about AF returning after long periods though - makes me feel a bit more positive!

Emdottyjackson - you could still be ovulating with no period afaik... i'm just pretty convinced that im not doing either bit! And yes they have a habit of playing these things down - but like others have said, if its bothering us it should bother them too.

OP posts:

jenni200 · 23/08/2013 21:33

Hey, I have been off the pill since May and no AF, my GP has done blood tests and getting a scan as I have basically not had a period since I lost weight when I was 14 (14 years ago now!) My BMI is 20 and have stopped running/gymming for the last two years too so have no idea why it hasn't come back. Went to see a chinese herbalist last weekend and have been given some tea to drink everyday www.ginsen-london.com/contact-us/swiss-cottage/ so will report back any progress! I hope we all get AF soon so we can start TTC

Sparrowlegs248 · 23/08/2013 21:57

Hello, i'm afraid i can't really offer advice but mabe a bit of hope with my own story? I was on the depo provera jab for 7 yrs with NO periods for the whole time. Had last jab in sept 2012. Went to docs may 2013 as still no af. He sent me for prelim blood test (all ok) and advised i was a few more months (up to a year after jab) i have now had two periods and am due another at the end of the month - cycle 1 was short, 25 days, so unsure how long this one will be. I was soooo relieved to get a period!!

However, still not sure if i am actually ovulating and not sure how to find out. So really just want to say....give it a couple more months and good luck!

YouStoleMyHat · 24/08/2013 07:18

Hello just wanted to add my story in case it c

SunnyIntervals · 24/08/2013 07:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

YouStoleMyHat · 24/08/2013 07:25

Sorry dont know why that posted so soon!

Just wanted to add my story in case it could help.

I came off the pill and didn't have AF for 9 months. Also fobbed off by doctors. Had a random period then nothing again. I was finally referred to subfertility clinic after 12 months as standard (as PP said, this makes no sense since having no AF means there is literally NO chance of getting pregnant).

It turns out I had PCOS despite being skinny and having no other symptoms. Again the doctors fobbed me off before the diagnosis with 'well gain weight and you'll probably get your periods back'. Don't be fobbed off with this - I was a healthy weight and have previously and since had AF at a lower weight.

Anyway while I was waiting for treatment I looked into things which could help with PCOS. I took Agnus Castus, followed a low GI (but high calorie) diet, had acupuncture and drank raspberry leaf tea. Also did gentle exercise (walking and yoga). I can't tell you which part of this worked but something did because I got my BFP before I got AF! Luckily (??!!) I was very sick so knew to test and found out at 4 + 2. Hope that gives you some hope that things can work out well in the end, I hate that doctors just don't seem to care about this stuff! Good luck.

LostMarbles99 · 24/08/2013 09:51

I'm glad in a way to have found this thread as I'm the only person I know with really long and irregular cycles. I could go from 40-80+ days between periods.

Now dc is 7 months and I really would love #2 and the absence of periods could be a problem.

Anyway, it may be too much for some people but I've just had a treatment of reflexology and AF came 3 days later!

I also went to the GP about it and had blood tests etc but they couldn't really tell me why!

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