About to go into the 9th month...

[MrsL96]

A bit of background. In our early/ mid twenties. Had irregular periods since I can remember. Had various tests. Ultrasound showed ovulation one month. Partner is a chef. ( concerned could be male factor). Obviously now it's getting close to the 12 month mark we are both panicking. Worried we aren't having enough sex but due to his long hours we really can only fit around peak days (or a few highs as well). Any advice what to expect when we go to doctors for more fertility tests? When we went at the six month point the doctor was sure I had pcos and that was the reason. Has anyone had success with irregular cycles ? Usually between 29-37 days so not majorly bad.

Hey there MrsL96 Firstly, great news that you know you do ovulate! Unfortunately with irregular cycles it’s hard to know when that will happen each month! It is why it can be difficult to conceive with PCOS. Another reason it’s difficult to conceive with PCOS is that some women do not ovulate every month or at all.

There are a few things you can do to help maximise your chances at being successful though if you know you do ovulate:

1. Get to know when you are ovulating:

• Use OPKs: although these are known to be unreliable for people with PCOS as they measure LH surges and not actual ovulation, people with PCOS can often have multiple LH surges in cycles, or
• Start BBT charting: this can be time consuming but Fertility Friend app is great for helping! And getting your temping right gives you much clearer indication on when you have ovulated (there is a clear thermal shift in body temperature after you ovulate)

2. Improve your diet and exercise (I’m one to talk, I’ve been TTC for 9 cycles now and still havet bothered improving my exercising LOL)

3. DTD every 2 or 3 days: ensure you give time for sperm to replenish but also ensure there’s plenty of sperm ready to meet that egg when it’s released. It only takes one time DTD to get pregnant!

Also (as you have mentioned it might be a male factor), that at least half (some new evidence actually indicating over half) of fertility issues in couples are caused by the men. So ensure your OH is also keeping fit, having a good diet and maybe try some zinc tablets for him?

If it hits 12 month mark and Dr suspects PCOS they might stick you on Clomid (have a Google, great successes with it) if they do not find a male factor.

I have PCOS, I have really irregular periods but I also have a lovely DS! So it is possible! So many women have PCOS, it is super common.

Do not give up hope! Each cycle you only have something like 20% chance of success!

Also please feel free to join us on the Nutty fun loving TTCers [thread #2] - sometimes its good just to get out the worries to a load of people in a similar position!

link here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/3232611-Nutty-fun-loving-TTCers-thread-2

Thanks for your reply twittlebee! I had an ultrasound scan which ruled out cysts on my ovaries. But im hoping if i have blood tests, then they might make everything clearer. I do use opks every month and have attempted tracking bbt but my readings were all over the place - even temping vaginally ! I think it might have been the thermometer itself, do you have any recommendations for a good one?! So happy for you that you had a lovely baby boy! And fingers crossed we will be getting that bfp soon!

You can have no cysts but still have PCOS. Strangely enough PCOS isn't about cysts.

I just used a £10 one from boots and use fertility friend app to help record it all.

Rocky temps are common in PCOS sufferers though.

FX you have a lovely BFP soon x