TTC & light periods. Off to Dr for bloods. Anyone else?

[TinyBarista]

Been TTC 10 months. Previously on depot injection, been off 3 years, had a year without anything, then on Ridgevidon pill until end of last year.

Cycle seemingly regular 28-32 days, but my period is nowhere like I remember. There is some bleeding, I don't fill a tampon or pad, it's just when wiping. For about 2 max 3 days. Numerous tests all BFN. Have put on weigh around tummy and boobs.

Went to dr who advised would like to do internal exam and bloods. Anyone else had this? I am unsure what it could be or what the bloods will tell the dr....

Any similar tales? Hand hold may be needed, am quite worried.

Hi Tiny & Claire, found a couple of sites over the weekend that may be worth a read:
www.momjunction.com/articles/yoga-asanas-that-boost-fertility_003039/#gref
lifeabundant-blog.com/2013/12/17/how-to-naturally-thicken-your-uterine-lining-it-really-works/
Am def going to give yoga poses a go as it can't hurt right?! Lack of good blood flow seems to be one of the main reasons for dodgy lining & I must admit to being rather sedentary recently..
Interesting to see in the 2nd article about Vit E dose - conception vitamin has 15mg compared to 400IU (about 275mg equiv I think), so a massive difference! Worth a go too I think, Holland & Barrett have a penny sale online atm. Let us know how tests go Tiny!

Hi Mouselove, welcome to the party Did you get a low prog test result? And does it tie in to light periods/short cycles for you?

Hello mouse . Thanks for sharing.

schnapps these links are really useful, will pop along to Holland & Barratt at the weekend and start having some time out for yoga poses.

Right, here's my update. It is slightly odd as after saying she would do bloods, she today said she wouldn't. I had an internal exam ("I'm just lubricating the speculum") and she pressed on my ovaries, tummy and groin, and took samples.

Everything looked healthy, she looked at my cervix and the little hole where the sperm goes up (I'm sure she said it was called the 'ask' or 'osk') and no sign of erosion.

So I am none the wiser but she said they'd do fertility tests after 12 months, which I was expecting after being on the conception board a wee while.

On another note, I should just have had my fertile window and we DTD just before and then in the middle. So keeping my fingers (not my legs) firmly crossed and trying to CHILL OUT!

@Schnapps00 thanks for the links - I'll have a look at them later.

Got AF yesterday so had day 1-3 bloods done this morning - I'll let you all know the outcome! Actually first month in ages I haven't cried on arrival of AF - I think feeling like we're doing something and having tests helps loads.

This period is again super light, also been doing lots reading about how ovulating before day 14 means the egg probably isn't mature enough. I've been ovulating between day 10 and day 14, so fingers crossed for a 14 cycle for September - feel like this gives me more chance!

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/10911579/
I was advised by care fertility to take baby aspirin. You can see the evidence on the above link.

Chunky do you know if it's known as baby aspirin here or is it called something else?
I tried drinking raspberry leaf tea and pomegranate juice and taking evening primrose oil this month and keeping my feet warm. AF started earlier but has been really slow and light, so it looks like it hasn't helped. It's only our third cycle trying so hard to know if it is a problem or not.
I'm 30 so don't think it could be age.

Hi all, hope everyone's feeling chipper! Chunky interesting to see that about baby aspirin, I had heard that before on here but think it's one to be a bit careful of if any issues with stomach ulcers/blood disorders as think it reduces clotting/thins the blood a bit. Holy I believe it just means a low-dose aspirin, slightly less than half a normal adult tablet dose according to Google..

FX for this cycle Tiny!
I had a weird thing on Tue just after last posting - after having 1.5days of v. light AF & had essentially stopped already, felt like uterus suddenly 'woke up' a bit - actually first bit of red seen for ages & actually had some mild cramps for 1st time in years, almost like it knew I was thinking about it?! Can't put it down to the yoga (uncontrollable giggles in a handstand was later that evening!) but did have quite a vigorous bike ride on Mon - maybe just going a bit mad!! CD5 here so looking forward to the weekend ;)

Holy I've got some raspberry leaf tea on order too, I imagine it may take a little time to have any effect? Thinking a bit more about the exercise link - pretty sure I remember going for a run often used to 'bring on' AF back in the day (pre OCP use), has anyone else noticed this, are you cardio/gym types..?

Yes it's called baby aspirin and is 75mg. If you ask at the pharmacy they will give you a bottle of it for not a lot of money.

I think you have to both careful with drinking RLT in the second half of your cycle as it causes the womb to contract.

Yes, last month I stopped drinking raspberry tea and taking evening primrose oil and my multivit a couple days before ovulation was due last month, swapped to peppermint tea and just folic acid, vit d and calcium until yesterday when I was back to day 1. Oh and I got slippers for work!
I am pretty crap at exercise so that's something I can certainly improve on.
Do you take the baby aspirin throughout your cycle?
I think my general circulation could be an issue, tbh.

Also Claire meant to say good luck for bloods, I got my day 21 progesterone back yest over the phone (didn't need to see the doc at either end which I was quite surprised about), all it said was that ovulation had taken place which is reassuring.

Low-dose aspirin example, you can get gastro-resistant ones too to lower ulcer risk: www.boots.com/boots-pharmaceuticals-aspirin-75mg-dispersible-tablets-100-tablets-10130285

Thanks @Schnapps00 I've had most of them back but not the sex hormones (which I'm most interested in! I'll try calling tomorrow for them).

I'm terrified that my FSH will be high (indicating premature ovarian failure - I'm 31 so unlikely I know - but my biggest fear!!!)

Interestingly my thyroid is now over replaced - which can cause light and shorter periods. So I'm going to see the doctor next week about reducing my dose of thyroxine. Hopefully that will help a bit. Hubby has sperm test in a few weeks too - nice to feel that after a year off contraception we're making a bit of progress!

@TinyBarista did your gp organise blood sin the end or just internal exam?

Just internal exam. Won't do anything more until been TTC for one year, had been hoping she would do it as that's what she said to book the appointment for.

Interested in the link for baby aspirin and mention of raspberry leaf tea. Going to vitamin up at the weekend. Anyone taking royal jelly supplements too?

I have yet to attempt any yoga but have all good intentions

Schnapps I am oddly delighted to hear about your cramps and 'return of red'... a good sign

Thanks @Tinybarista! Was oddly delighted to feel a bit crampy too Think maybe it's just forgotten its job through lack of use?! Maybe there's some cobwebs in there too..;) Weird how the docs responses differ so much, I had no suggestion of internal exam, but sperm tests mentioned at the 1yr point, next cycle is no.12 but I think DH may need a little longer than that..he's not in the slightest bit concerned there's any issue yet! Hope you guys get the bloods soon, although if you're fairly sure you're ovulating they might not tell you much. Got some more baby news yest from childhood friend, she was pretty much the only other one 'left!' :( But she has PCOS so v pleased for her & is encouraging I guess!

@Schnapps00 it's so hard to hear about other people getting pregnant - of course we're pleased for them but can't help but feel sad for ourselves too. I think that's hard to explain to be people who haven't been trying so long.

I found out yesterday my friend who is in a same sex marriage is starting IVF this month - they've had a long journey to get here so very pleased for them but also sad that even they'll be pregnant when I'm still not! #whatabitch

@tinybarista did you find a good source for royal jelly or just H&B?

Not a bitch at all Claire! Completely understandable. My friend recommended this book to read for a few fertility insights (managed to find it in the library, but avail online) there's quite a bit of Chinese 'woo' stuff in there, but I found it quite interesting: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002TZ3CKE/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

Hi ladies, wondering if any updates this month? On CD17 here after some experimenting with raspberry leaf tea, vit E, L-arginine & flaxseed, so will be interesting to see if AF is any 'better' - obvs won't be BFP! Any results from your investigations?

Hi guys.

Well conclusion on my bloods from going in about my very light periods are that my thyroid is over treated which could be a factor and my prolactin hormone is also high which could also be a factor. Rechecking both and changing my meds but not for another 6 weeks. Doctor seems to be hopeful if my thyroid normalises my period will get heavier.

She said prolactin probably due to stress - I hope so as other options are pituitary tumours.....

So I have absolutely no hope for this month and have to wait ages to check my bloods again.

Oh and someone else I know announced their pregnancy! Of course!

HI everyone, hope you don't mind me jumping onboard.
I am TTC #1, but had a mmc 6 months ago. My periods are super light now and I'm stressing myself out with the googling. I'm not too sure what my normal periods were like as was on implant for 6 years - my periods are lighter and less regular now though than when I was on contraception.
I am a big chicken when it comes to docs... but as I'm mid 30s I'm thinking maybe I should go and ask about advice for periods.... what do you think? Am i overthinking or should I get checked? Thank you all xx

Hey all! Well just to update my internal swab came back all ok but a bit high for yeast, so some mild thrush (yay me).

Last AF same short duration BUT was redder than usual and not so clotty (sorry for tmi)

smartypants go to docs and see, wish I'd have gone sooner as at least you can get things moving if needed. How long have you been off implant?

claire you seem to be getting some answers now, moving ever closer... and umm, what is an overtreated thyroid?

Hi all, just wanted to report that I spoke to my acupuncturist about my periods and she's going to have me in to see if she can help with that now I'm in a (slightly) calmer state of mind.

I've been taking the vitamins and drinking the pomegranate juice/raspberry leaf tea as per the link scapps kindly provided and also read somewhere about iron tablets helping so have been taking those. Since coming back from holiday my period seems to have increased to three days rather than the very short time it was before we went away so on the right road.

Not sure if it's hormones/any of these lotions and potions/less stress/a fluke but feeling slightly better and more hopeful.

Best of luck to everyone