To test or not to test? Am going a bit nuts this week . . .

[Honeybee79]

I have PCOS and so ovulate infrequently or not at all. I could go for up to 5 months without a period so not sure how long my cycle is. However, I had similar issues with DC1, ovulated on clomid at around day 18, conceived on the second cycle. This time around, I was referred to Kings ACU before Xmas and have just finished a cycle of clomid. Today is day 36 of my cycle and no period. I promised myself that I wouldn't test until Friday (day 39). I think by then I can safely say that either the clomid hasn't worked and I didn't ovulate or there is a v good chance I am pregnant.

But I am going nuts! Have no idea how I am going to make it to Friday. Cannot concentrate at work at all.

Am considering testing tonight but maybe that's just silly and I should wait . . . Would I be mad to test now?

This is the conception forum dear, where POAS addicts come to die.

So OBVIOUSLY YES, you should POAS!!! Preferably within next twenty mins, and post pic. Why wait til Friday? Honest question, it seems slightly arbitrary. Anyway, yes, POAS, I have no idea why you wouldn't and good luck!!

Friday is my day off work, so I can either run around the house screaming with excitement or I can console myself at home and then have a big glass of wine in the evening.

But I guess the main reason for waiting is that I don't know how long my cycle is so I don't want to test too soon.

Have you been monitored on this particular cycle; if not you should have been as a matter of course. No monitoring is unacceptable as you then have no idea whether clomid is doing the job or not.

I would test now and would not wait until Friday.

If it has not worked then I would speak to them further about clomid generally.

No, they didn't monitor me. They said they wouldn't for the first couple of cycles unless I requested it and I didn't because I am self-funding as have one DC already.

You are right though Attila, I am going to request that they scan me next time to monitor my response.

Honeybee,

That's awful of them not to monitor you because nobody then knows whether clomid is doing its job or not. Clomid's main job is to make the ovaries work harder.

Ideally you should be monitored via both blood tests (see below) and internal ultrasound scans each month you are on clomid and it should only be used for a max of six months.

As clomid is actually quite powerful stuff it should also be given with a degree of caution to all PCOS patients as it can increase LH levels markedly. As many PCOS patients have an excess of this hormone to start with, yet more LH being produced is not needed.

Keep us updated.

Thanks Attila. At the back of my mind I knew about the risk of overstimulating the ovaries but I was just relieved when they said no need to scan as it meant no extra cost. I have said I definitely want to be scanned for the next cycle though or we could just be wasting our time with this dose.

Tested. BFN. .