I do not think that I am Ovulating...

[SweetiePie0]

According to my period diary ap, I should have ovulated yesterday but despite some EWCM and testing with ovulation sticks, i am still getting the one line....
I am 42 and worried that I have missed the boat :(

Does anyone have any ideas of how to get my body ovulating?

Have you had any tests? You need to get your day 2-5 (i.e. day 1 is day of full bleeding) FSH, LH, oestradiol and testosterone checked, ideally in addition to your AMH level (this can be done at any time of your cycle). These will indicate your ovarian reserve.

How long have you been using testing kits for? Is this your first cycle?

In terms of "making you ovulate" (if this is needed) you may need to see a specialist. Talk to your GP - they may be able to refer on the NHS.....but you're a bit of a way off from this in the first instance - first up you need to get your bloods done x

I haven't had any tests - we have been trying on and off for about 6 months, however I am sure that I was ovulating in March/April... .

I am still getting EWCM though? surely if I was not ovulating I wouldn't get this?

I wanted to avoid the whole Doctors scenario but if I have to go then thats what I will do x

EWCM? Sorry, not familiar with this acronym......

IIWY I'd get to the GP sharpish - if nothing else then to put your mind at rest. Worry can have a tendency to make conceiving more difficult (anecdotal evidence at least) so you want to minimise stress as much as you possibly can.

I'm not saying that you've missed the boat by a long shot, but fertility can decline after the age of 40 so it might be best to be checked out......

Hi Sweetie !
Have you thought about charting your temperature? Your basal body temp rises sharply after ovulation and a sustained rise in temp f 3 days usually indicates you have ovulated. There's information on the website Fertility Friend, also you could try googling a device called "Duofertility monitor" for further info.

As ohfourfoxache has said, it could be a good idea to have some blood tests done. I had my AMH levels taken to check ovarian reserve, and progesterone(often called the d21 test,assuming ovulation occurs on d14) taken 7d and 10d after ovulation to check luteal function. The AMH test isn't done on the NHS, I ordered the test online, through Cambridge fertility who do the Duofertility monitor(without any commitment to buy/use the monitor,it was actually to help make a decision as to whether it would be worth ttc).I brought the kit to my doctor's surgery,the nurse took the sample,I posted it and results were sent back to me directly, I hadn't seen my doctor at all at this point.

Also the day you ovulate can vary from cycle to cycle, when I was charting it could be between d13 and d17 so there can be natural variation,if you have EWCM you could be just building up to ovulate in the next few days.

There is a over 40s thread on the site you could join, there are lots of success stories of ladies over 40 conceiving, but also a lot of advice and support on this often difficult ttc journey!

Good luck!

Thank you for your advice guys - I will certainly pop onto the over 40's thread and look into these tests. I am currently off work with stress at the moment so maybe this is a factor too.....

Quite possibly - stress can do awful things to you. And of course the more stressed you get about this the worse you'll feel .

Have you got any RL support?

yy to charting basal body temp - if you do it right it's very good accurate. i used opk, never got a positive result, but still got preggers so either they're not very good or i did it wrong.
but also agree with pp that you should get the blood tests done. stress could well be a factor. hope you feel better soon xx

I would seek medical advice now. Gynaes generally like to see women over the age of 35 after 6 months of ttc without success. At 42 you are less likely to be ovulating regularly. Your body only has a finite supply of eggs and even though you may be fit and healthy in body your ovaries may not be as good now.

No point at all in messing around with BBTs and the like; you need definitive answers. Charting is certainly not infallible.

Stress in itself does not cause fertility problems to arise, physical problems do.