Prolactin & irregular periods

[callypally]

Hi everyone!
I'm quite new on here!
I suffer with irregular periods (always have done really but never thought much of them before), my husband and I have been trying to conceive for just over 6 months now but unfortunately no luck so far.
I had a doctors appointment regarding my irregular periods (my last period was 2 and a half months ago now), and my results came back with borderline levels of prolactin.
I'm having another blood test done in early jan to see if the levels are stress related or my "normal".
Has anyone been in this position too? Any words of advice would be highly appreciated 😊
It's my first time trying to conceive, so it's all quite confusing and worrying that this is happening. It's also really disappointing keep taking pregnancy tests and for them to be negative, especially as I have no idea when my period will be!!
I'm 30 next month, so trying to keep my calm about it!
Anyone who is or was in the same boat, then it would be great to chat!

@callypally good luck with your hycosy let us know how it goes. Hope it’s not too painful. I spoke to my GP different one to last time she was just straight to the point and referred me to fertility clinic and my appointment has come through for 2 weeks time so happy not long to wait. I feel a weight off my mind as be good to have a fertility consultant explain my blood test results and a good step forward. Starting to feel positive again, last few months been so anxious and down. So just going to keep myself occupied with the nice weather and keep trying each month and see what happens

@callypally Thank you. Great news that you're getting the hycosy. Hope it goes well. Things like that can be nerve-wracking, but I hope you manage to stay calm.
I think taking a break from TTC can be quite relaxing, from experience. When is your next gynae appointment? Hopefully once you're on ovulation meds it won't take too long for you!

I've had a tough week with quite bad anxiety about losing this pregnancy. I took another test this morning because I'd completely convinced myself that the pregnancy had stopped growing and the progesterone pessaries were just masking a MC. BUT the test was still positive. In fact the test line was darker than the control line, so I'm feeling better (for now). I need to focus on relaxing and stopping the anxiety taking over.

@callypally hope the hycosy went well today! Have heard great things about them. And also think it's great to take some time out from actively ttc... easy to say harder to do I know!

@Explorers10 great that you got such a quick referral!

@KnitKitty sorry to hear you are finding this initial period tough. If it helps at all, I've been exactly the same. I basically have used private scans to get me through it! If you can afford it it's worth the money as it really helps to reassure.

I had my 12w scan today, baby measuring slightly bigger so was measured at 12w and 5 days and due date brought forward to 5 December. Only a few extra days but it helped a lot as it made me feel more out of the woods!! Also had the harmony test done privately today. Results in a week or so. Given my age I thought it was worthwhile. Again not cheap though.

We haven't told our families and I haven't told work yet so planning to do all that over the next 3 weeks or so. Visiting my mam back in Ireland the weekend after next so that will be the big reveal...

@agteacht That's fantastic news about the scan! Really glad it went well. Almost in your second trimester now!

@callypally I hope the hycosy went well. How are you?

Hi girls! My hycosy went okay yesterday thanks, it was a pretty uncomfortable scan though, people compare it to really bad period cramps, but I suppose as I don't particularly have natural periods it hit me harder than it would someone who is used to it! Jeez I had to lie down after it and they had to fetch me a sick bowl just in case.. god knows what I'll be like when it actually comes to giving birth when I do get pregnant!!

But the results were good though 😊 no blockages in my tubes, so that's good and something not to worry about!

She's booked me in an appointment in July to discuss the results of my scans and blood tests, but basically she said she will be giving me medication to help me to ovulate. She did say I have a thin lining and a low progesterone level, so she needs to take that into consideration when we gives me the medication. I can't actually remember what it is that she thought she'd give me, it wasn't the usual clomid though. Hopefully it won't feel like too long until July!

That's great you don't have to wait long at all for your appointment @Explorers10! The waiting list in my area is a good 6-8 weeks to get an appointment, shame that it takes so long! You'll have to let us know how you get along! I know what you mean about it making you feel down and anxious, hang on in there though, it'll happen eventually!

Sorry to hear you're not feeling great with it @KnitKitty 😔 must be so difficult to remain calm and not be anxious about it. Glad to hear the line is strong though and the little one is okay! Hopefully it won't be long til your scan and it can put your mind at ease!

Great to hear your scan went well @agteacht what is a harmony scan?
Oohhh how exciting! You have managed to keep that secret well!! Hope you have a fab time revealing it to everyone! I'm sure everyone will be so excited and happy for you, especially your mum, it's even nicer that you're going over to tell her in person too!

@agteacht im pleased your 12 week scan went well and how good of you to have not told anyone yet! I think once you told your family you will feel a lot better and that’s it’s real and nothing is wrong! Bless you having all the extra scans, it’s worth it for peace of mind. You must let us know how everyone reacts, they will be so pleased for you especially your mum. I know it is so quick getting to see someone soon. Just hope they can help me and explain my results. Really hope it’s not too late to have another baby.

@callypally glad the scan went well as in no blockage. Sorry you felt queasy, good you had a lie down, your so brave having it done. I’ve heard they are painful. Are you in any pain today or is it literally just painful while having the scan done and then afterwards there’s no pain? You can try take it easy this month and take a month off TTC and July will come round as soon as you know it. I think the other alternative to clomid is gonadotropins? Maybe it was that? I know I’m pleased I don’t have too long to wait, I was considering maybe going private but seems the nhs wait in my area is not long at all. Will keep you updated how it goes

@callypally so glad the hycosy went well. I have heard stories of it kick-starting peoples systems so wait and see!! It definitely sounds like you are getting the right treatment and they are really trying to support you.

Looking forward to hearing how your appointment goes too @Explorers10

The harmony test is to check for chromosomal disorders like Edwards syndrome, Downs Syndrome etc.
it's a private test, the NHS do a version of it but they basically work out a risk factor based on your DNA (via blood sample) and your age, ethnicity etc, as well as scan measurements of fluid around the baby's neck (I think!). Anyway because I'm 36 I was worried I would more naturally be high risk so I opted for the harmony test (not cheap though...) which (also via blood sample) assesses the baby's DNA. As I've understood it, the harmony test is 99% accurate so it should either really highlight a problem or give peace of mind. It will be interesting to compare to the NHS results. Should have both in about a week.

Am looking forward to telling my family and wider group of friends. Both my and DH's mothers are widowed so it will be lovely but sad without our dads to celebrate. If my dad was still alive I would definitely have told him by now. But at least when I do tell my mam I can do so knowing everything should be okay with the baby ❤️

I'm sure it's not too late @Explorers10 - my sister was born when my mam was 42! I'm hoping to have at least one more after this fingers crossed so I'll be going on 40 too... now that's a terrifying thing to write down!!!
How old are you now?

Thank you @agteacht for saying it’s not too late. I’m petrified I guess and need to try and be positive. I think it’s because when I got pregnant with my 1st it happened straight away 1st cycle and I was just so naive thinking it would be the same 2nd time round that I held off trying. I think it’s has caused me great anxiety that something is wrong. I know I’m lucky to have 1 child, I just wanted another one now I’m ready. Just feel I should have started trying earlier, just didn’t realise it would take this long.

Really sorry to hear about your dad, he be so proud. It’s so tough isn’t it, my dad also passed away last year and it’s been a difficult year. Good luck with your harmony results I’m sure everything with the baby will be fine

Thank you @Explorers10 sorry you are having a tough time of it.

It's almost never too late, that's my view

Really sorry about your Dad too. It's so difficult to cope with and I massively regret not having had a child earlier but had no idea we would lose him, he was only 60. But yes he would be proud as I'm sure your Dad is too x

Hi ladies,

Just thought I'd give you a quick update. I had my second early scan at the Early Pregnancy Unit yesterday. According to LMP I'm 9 weeks today. Yesterday at the scan I was measuring 9+1. Baby is doing well, heartbeat visible and it gave us a little wiggle. Arm and leg buds visible too.
This pregnancy is doing so well compared with the ones I lost last year. I'm 3 weeks ahead of where I ever managed to get before and it's starting to sink in.

How are you all doing?
@callypally It's nearly July! When is your appointment? Hopefully it'll get the ball rolling again for you. Fingers firmly crossed for you.

Hi @KnitKitty that's wonderful news, so glad to hear that the pregnancy is going well and the baby is lovely and healthy! Hope it has helped to put your mind at ease and helping it to sink in! Have you got another scan lined up in a few weeks?

How is everything going with your pregnancy @agteacht ? How did it go telling all of your family? Bet they were super excited!!

Thanks @Explorers10 , I must admit the hycosy wasn't the most pleasant experience!! I had a little bleeding a week or so later, but everything is fine now thankfully! How did your first appointment go? What did they say?

I've got my next appointment next week, it will be good to hear what the next stages will be, hopefully will get some tablets for ovulation and I'll be on my way! I keep having up and down days, it hit a year of trying for a baby at the beginning of June, so that was a bit of a down time. Trying to keep on the positive though and hopefully it'll all run smoothly after my next appointment! I'll let you know how it goes and what I'll be given!

Hope everything is good with you girls!

Hi girls!
Hope you are all okay!
Thought I'd give you a quick update, I had my gynaecologist appointment yesterday to discuss next steps and she has given me 4 months of letrozole to take to try and start ovulation!
In the first month I'll have 3 scans throughout the cycle to see if the follicles have grown and to see if im going to ovulate. Then it'll be day 21 blood tests for the remaining 3 months after that (if I haven't got pregnant by then of course!)
Really hoping this will work for me, having a bit of a down day today about it. I was googling it (never a good idea eh!) and the success rate of pregnancy was only 27% in five cycles, which I feel is really low 😔
Just worried that it won't work for me, but need to stop getting ahead of myself and go with the flow! Hopefully I'll be lucky and my body reacts well to it!
She didn't want to give me clomid due to my lining level, but it looks like letrozole has a good/similar effective rate, so we'll see I guess!
Hope everything is going well with all of you!

@callypally sorry I never saw your previous message! I have my '12 week' scan booked in two weeks tomorrow, when I'll actually be turning 13 weeks. There was a slight delay so that I could be seen by a specialist so I'm happy to wait a bit.

I'm really glad your appointment went well. Hitting that one year mark is tough. I started TTC in Dec 17 and started taking a break from TTC for the RMC investigations in Nov 18; knowing I was about to hit that one year mark and that it would be a few months at least until it happened for me. But hopefully a year from now you'll be looking back thinking how much has changed in a few short months. I really, really hope so.

Regarding the meds you've been given: the problem with statistics is you don't know which percentage you will belong to, and there's no way of knowing that! There's every reason it should work for you! I have a good feeling for you and I'm so pleased that you have some treatment under way now. I'll be sending all the baby dust/good luck/best wishes your way.
Keep us up to date with how you're getting on and if your body reacts well to the new meds. Fingers still firmly crossed...

Hi @KnitKitty how's everything going with your pregnancy? Hope the 12 week scan went okay!

Thanks so much for your kind words, that's true above the percentages, it's good to remember that and to keep that in mind when I'm feeling down about it!

I've finished the first cycle of letrozole, unfortunately I've had a negative pregnancy test on day 30 and on day 43, my period still hasn't come, so I'll need to take my provera to bring a period on. As my period hasn't naturally started, I'm assuming I didn't ovulate, although to be honest I don't really know how long these letrozole meds take to "work" and get my ovulation started.. but Im ready for round two of the letrozole and I've got 4 cycles total of it.. so fingers crossed the first cycle was just kicking my body into doing something!

This cycle coming should be the one where I have the follicular scans throughout, so I'll be able to see if and how the eggs are growing!

I had a day 21 blood test for progesterone, but haven't got the results, ive called my doc surgery a couple of times for them but the hospital hadn't shared it with them yet, but I'm wondering whether it's not worth actually getting them really, might be better to not know!

Keep your fingers crossed for me over the next few months 😊

Hope everything is good with you!

How is your pregnancy going @agteacht ?

Hi,
I have already got 2 children, but ttc baby number 3, i have never had regular periods, i don't know how i managed to conceive my last 2 as i didn't have a period around that time, had my implant taken out. Been having periods every month since, 35 day cycle, my last period was 12 days late.
Any advice on how to conceive, when my periods are all over, all the fertility trackers come up with different days to concieve. X

@callypally Good to hear from you. Sorry this cycle didn't go exactly as you hoped; but as you said, hopefully it's kick-started something. Is there any way you can contact the hospital directly for your results if they haven't shared them with your GP? I know what you mean about possibly feeling better about not knowing either way... You don't have to find out if you'd prefer not to...

Thanks for asking after me; things are going really well. The dating scan went perfectly; due date given for 29th January. I've got my 20-week scan next week and will hopefully find out the sex of the baby!
I'm under consultant care so having to have scans with the doctor every 2 weeks to check my cervix and growth; but I also get to see baby at these scans so it's quite a bonus really; and so far everything is looking fine.

I really hope this next cycle works out better... I hope you pop a really nice healthy egg and get lucky. I'm rooting for you!
As ever, keep us updated!

Hi @Miajean07 I'm afraid I won't be much help, I don't have any children and have been ttc over a year now.
Sorry to hear you're having trouble with it, although it's a good sign you have two already, so maybe something that will just take a little time!
I went months without having periods, so I wasn't ovulating at all and later was diagnosed with pcos.
It might be worth using opk sticks to see if you are ovulating, also if you've been trying for around a year then definitely pop down to the docs with your partner to get checked out and they'll be able to help 😊
I'm currently on medication to make me ovulate and also medication to bring on a period each month.
My consultant also recommends to have sex every 2 days through out the month, then it should happen!
Sorry I can't be of much help, but hopefully we will both get there!

Heyy @KnitKitty glad to hear everything is going well! That's good that you are under consultant care throughout it 😊 lovely that you get to see the baby too! How exciting about finding out the sex too!!! You'll have to let me know whether a boy or girl!

Thank you, feeling positive about the next few sets of the letrozole! I've read a few bits that it can take a few cycles of it to get results, so that's positive! And I should be able to see the development of the eggs this month around too, so that will nice not to be in the dark!!

Hmm yes I could call them to find out, although my consultant did say to me that those blood test results are for her only.. I'm guessing she doesn't like the patient to read too much into them! I'm not sure! I'll see if the consultant is in the scans when I have them done and ask I think 😊

Thanks for your kind words! Hoping that the next few months will work out nicely! I'll let you know how I get along 😊

Hope your sexing scan goes well!!

Hey @callypally thanks for checking in. I'm sorry to read you are still trying, I know how hard that is. But it sounds like you are in good hands and getting good help so really, as disheartening as it can be, it's only a matter of time ❤️

@KnitKitty really glad to read everything is going well for you, that's really exciting to have the 20w scan next week

Things are on track for me after a rough first trimester. 28 weeks tomorrow 😮
Getting real now... lots of kicking!!! Starting to get prepared for its arrival xx

It's a girl!
And all looking healthy and measurements bang on.

@agteacht Great to hear you're doing well! Best of luck with the coming weeks!

Awww @KnitKitty that's amazing!!! Congratulations 😊 that must be exciting to find out you're having a girl!
Glad to hear everything is going well with your pregnancy @agteacht! It won't be too much longer and your little one will be here! You must be so excited! Will you be finding out the sex of the baby? Or keeping as a surprise?
Thanks, I'm feeling a lot more positive now, hopefully over the next few months I will get my bfp!
I've started my second round of letrozole and I have my first follicle scanning on Wednesday, so fingers crossed they grow nicely over this cycle and they work! Xx