Is it worth visiting my GP or not yet?

[MeadowHay]

Hi, been TTC about 6 months, which is a lot of cycles for me as my cycles are usually between 21 and 25 days, although have had one or two longer ones. My periods are very heavy, and range from 5-10 days of bleeding. They are irregular. Both of us are mid-20s, no previous children, not history of STIs. I know that I don't have PCOS as have had recent pelvic ultrasounds due to a cyst that cleared up itself, and no other abnormlaties of the womb, fibroids nothing like that was found.

However I'm concerned about our prospects given my periods are so irregular (and always have been). But would the GP just tell me to come back in sixth months as I know usually they say not to see your GP until you've been trying for 12 months?

What contraception were you using prior to ttc? If you were on the pill for example, chances are that will still be affecting your periods for a while. For that reason alone it would be wise to wait another 6 months ime. I reckon a GP would give you similar advice.

Even after 12 months (14!) all I got was a blood test and an "it's perfectly normal".

I then went private and my consultabt suspected endometriosis but the only way to diagnose is an operation which is quite invasive and wouldn't change the treatment anyway.

I know it's tough and feels like a long long road but sometime all you can do is wait.

I'm trying the sperm meet egg plan this month which has taught me loads about my cycle so may be worth a try!

There's good evidence that surgically excising endometriosis improves fertility ickle

Chopper Yes, I understand that too - I was using dianette for a few months for acne. However, my periods started pretty much straight away once I came off it, and my current pattern is exactly what my menstruation was like before I ever went on hormonal contreceptives many years ago, and the same as what I experienced about a year ago when I was off them for about 6-8 months or so. I get that they can mess things up it's just my cycles have always been like this even before I ever went on them so that's why I don't think it's just that, iyswim. I guess it's just frustrating having to wait another 6 months when I know that nothing is going to change about my cycles and I have no idea if I'm ovulating at all.

welsh interesting. My consultant didn't want to operate to investigate it was endo unless my symptoms were life limiting (time off work,pain etc) as the surgery and recovery would further delay ttc.

Like I mentioned above I started the smep this month and I'm so glad I did as I previously thought I ovulated around day 22 (long cycles) but got a speak on day 15 so may have been poor timing until now!

OP have you tried opk's? They don't 100% confirm ovulation but they do show a spike in LH which is usually followed by ovulation

Ickle I tried OPK's for the first few months, but I never once got a properly positive colour line and that was with like daily - twice daily testing. Another reason why I wonder whether I am actually ovulating at all . I do get like the textbook pattern of cervical mucus though throughout my cycle and we tend to have sex every other day once my period has ended until I no longer have EWCM - sometimes I have an entire fortnight of EWCM .

I have been ttc for over 2 years and I'm 24. Gp referred me to fertility clinic after a year of trying with no luck. Myself and my partner had all tests done and everything came back normal. I had a laparoscopy last august to check for endometriosis, got the all clear and was back out hospital the same day. I'm now waiting to start IUI very soon after my mc in Feb. You could ask your gp for some blood tests but most would suggest waiting a year.

Too soon i think for seeing a GP.

We've been ttc for around year now and are giving it until august/September before going to see them.

Like you, I'm hoping others have some hints and tips.

I'd be tempted to go for a chat, a 21 day cycle with 10 days of bleeding doesn't leave a whole lot of time for ovulation and implantation. Do you use OPKs or take your temp?

Maisy Yes, but do you have irregular periods, with cycles that can be frequently only 21 days with the first 10 days being bleeding? Like, I totally get why people are supposed to wait 12 months, but I'm unsure whether I would still be expected to wait 12 months given my cycles are irregular and peculiar - if I had regular periods and nothing to suggest anything was wrong, I would expect to wait 12 months, I'm just wondering whether a GP would perhaps agree to start things earlier with me given my specific strange cycles?

Oyster At the moment, neither. I wasn't disciplined enough to take temps properly so gave up on that pretty much straight away. I tried OPKs for the first few cycles and never really got a strong positive reading so stopped them too.Plus I don't really want to make this into some huge stressful ritual where I have to do loads of things to try and improve my chances but at the same time if there's anything wrong then I want it investigated sooner rather than later. Like it seems a bit counter intuitive to wait 12 months when as you say, I have cycles that quite frequently wouldn't hardly even leave time for implantation .

The advice around here is still 12 months.

I go between 24 days and 28 days. Never in the middle, it's either/or. Usually I'm 28 days to the hour and then I have spells where it's 24 for no real reason. I keep meaning to get checked for PCOS.

In your case, if they've done a load of tests and ruled out things like PCOS then it might be that you just have irregular cycles.

Based on friends' experiences, even if you go after a year and you're under 30 and reasonably healthy they tend to recommend carrying on trying for a bit longer before doing much else.

The worse they can do is laugh you out of the office and humiliate you because of your worries... oh wait, hopefully that was just me after my chemical...

Ive had messed up periods like you after I stopped the pill in Jan. Had three months of no period, one month 21 days late, one month 14 days late (bleeding for over 10 days too) and this month NO period!!

I went to the drs last week and she told me it can take 18 months for the pill to get out of your system. I wanted a blood test and managed to persuade her to give me one. Got that tomorrow then have to wait a week for my results and go back and discuss the results. Luckily ive got my login details so I can see my blood test results onlin before I speak to her.

Before I stopped the pill, normal periods before and on it!

I know how annoying late or long periods are! I hope everything settles down for you!

Little I hope you get some answers soon one way or another. I know how annoying and worrying it is! I know that hormonal contraceptives can mess up your periods, but I've always had irregular periods my whole life so I think this is my 'normal', which is kind of worrying .

physics I hope you're ok love, I'm sorry to hear about your experience . I have a great GP atm who I have a good relationship with, but I'm moving away next month and worried about finding such a good GP that I get on with so well and takes me seriously (I have a number of mostly minor chronic health problems).

I guess I'm going to have to wait another few months at least then before I see GP. That's ok I guess, it's just annoying that I think there is something wrong and I feel like I'm just putting off finding out to do something about it I guess.

Hi @MeadowHay I really don't see the harm in speaking to your GP, especially as you have a good relationship with them. You might be pleasantly surprised how proactive they are. On the other hand they may ask you to return in another 6 months. You won't know unless you talk to them

If you had "normal" cycles, then yes, I can understand the advice to wait the 12 months you're supposed to. But unfortunately, your cycles don't follow that pattern. So there's a chance that there is something else going on that needs looking into.

Good luck with it, I hope you get the answers you need

Hi meadow - I agree with bows; if you have a good relationship with your GP and can set out your (understandable) concerns, I'd make an appointment. My surgery's website actually mentions timescales if you're TTC - could see if yours says anything?

Think it's totally reasonable to ask their advice - if they say you should wait a little longer, then at least you know. Hope you get some answers soon!

Thanks, had the blood test today should get the results on Wednesday.

Maybe you can take some medication to help normalise your periods. I had that when I firsty started my periods for about 4 years and then my periods were normal. It wasnt the pill it was another tablet to make my hormones normal.

Typical! The day I have a blood test to see why my period is delayed it turns up 24 days late! At least it turned up!  so my blood test results may be normal as my hormones are probably fine for it to return today.

Defo visit your GP as soon as you have or regular cycles. I waited six months and Im glad I didnt wait a whole year to get checked out.

I went back to the drs this morning. She said I have suspected PCO. And I have to have an ultra scan to rule it out as my other blood result ratios are fine.

She said the pill doesnt affect testerone levels so it cant be that.

It take a month to get an ultra scan appointment.

Also have to have blood test results done next month on day 2-5 of my period as the test I had done was on the first day of my period.