Trying to conceive first child with PCO/PCOS or irregular long cycles

[Catconfusion]

Hi there,

I'm currently on my 3rd cycle ttc my first child and I suffer with irregular cycles due to PCO. I conceived first cycle but it was a missed miscarriage at 10 weeks. My second cycle was a chemical pregnancy. I'm now on my 3rd and it's day 34 with no ovulation yet. I'm using Ovusense to temp which helps to show when I've ovulated. I can't help but worry it was a fluke to fall quickly like I did. Just wondering if there's anyone else in a similar situation struggling with long cycles as I'm finding it really frustrating. Looking forward to chatting to some of you! x

@CatConfusion I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!
I feel like ovulation sticks are a waste of money for people with long and irregular cycles. Because you never know when it's close to happening so you don't know when to start testing.
If I had tested every day my last cycle I would have used over 50 sticks!

I am going to try sex every other day this cycle too. We started to last cycle but like you say.. it gets extremely exhausting!

@EssJayyCee yes they definitely are expensive and can take a long time to get a result. I bought a 25 pack so feasibly they will pick it up as day 36 last cycle so hopefully earlier now I'm further away from my losses. Before it generally happened day 20-30. I might use up the box I have out of interest. The digital Opk didn't pick up my failed ovulation but I got a positive on a cheapy. Maybe the digital will only pick up a real one. In which case they might be worth doing to get some warning before. I don't think it's worth it for cycles where ovulation happens beyond day 30ish.

Sex every other day is a good plan. It is exhausting but unfortunately the only way to catch with longer unpredictable cycles. Hopefully you'll get an ovulation this cycle. I hope you're not waiting too long! Xx

@CatConfusion Yeah maybe just carry on as you are.

I hope I have an ovulatory cycle this time too.

If I end up having a short cycle (they tend to be 16-18 days long) I'm going to be on for my sisters wedding which will be so annoying. But I am hoping for a "normal" cycle. If this next cycle isn't normal or ovulatory I am going to the doctors for some help.

@EssJayyCee the short ones sound very confusing. Hope it doesn't coincide with the wedding. Good plan about the doctors. Xx

How are you all doing? X

Hey @EssJayyCee urgh pretty frustrated with my chart at the moment but thanks for asking. How are you getting on? I'm now on my second failed ovulation. It's so frustrating! Xx

Hi All,

I'm very new to this and have only this week started TTC.

I am 34 (will be 35 in Oct) and was diagnosed with PCOS at 19. Absent periods, scan showed multiple 'cysts', etc. At the time, my consultant said I would need Clomid in order to have a family. However, for the past 6 years I've had 'regular' periods (average cycle length 36 days).

I recently had blood taken which confirmed that my hormones were still way out of whack but the GP said to try and conceive naturally.

I have been taking Folic acid for 6 weeks and charting my periods on Ovia for 8 months and was feeling quite positive but now feel that, although Ovia predicts a fertile window, I may not even be ovulating (despite the 5/6 day bleed I have each month).

I used OPKs each day during my predicted fertile window but they are always negative. I have ordered a thermometer so will start checking that way.

Just wanted to get involved really as I am a complete novice and appreciate the info and support this group provides x

Hey @xELENx and welcome to the thread. It's so frustrating not knowing if you're ovulating or not. Are you seeing a sustained rise in temperature?

My problem is my cycles are very long and irregular. I do ovulate but it's hard to work out when. Last cycle was day 36. I also have a long luteal phase of 17 days so there is loads of waiting and it's quite disheartening. I use Ovusense which is great at pinpointing ovulation. I'd thoroughly recommend it.

I started this thread because pcos/pco or irregular periods makes ttc so much more stressful. I hope you find it helpful! Xx

Hi @Catconfusion thanks so much for your message. I haven't received my thermometer yet but it's on order so as soon as it arrives I'll start charting 👍 according to Ovia, my average luteal phase lasts 13 days (not really sure what that means in real terms, so much more research to do 🙈). I haven't heard of Ovusense but will definitely look into it! This thread is great, I've had a read through and it's really good to see the support and advice that everyone shares. I'm sure I'll be a regular! Thanks again and best of luck on your journey to motherhood, It'll happen ☺️ x

Hi OP, I have PCOS and conceived late 30s. I found that myoinositol really helped - I took this along with the seven seas trying to conceive vitamins and my cycles shortened. I can't say they were totally regular but far more regular than they were. It took a few months to see the difference (maybe 3-4 cycles?) Combined with charting it all worked out really well. Good luck with it all :-)

Thanks @xELENx Ovia will predict a LP but the only way to know is through temping. Ovusense shows exactly what's going on in your body. A good quality thermometer should be enough though to get a sense of if you're ovulating. I didn't think I was but I've managed it every cycle since August when I started Ovusense. I also fell pregnant the first cycle we didn't use contraception. Sadly a missed miscarriage at 12 weeks. I then had another very early loss straight after. I really hope you get good news soon! Xx

Thanks @LemonyLion I'm taking Inositol but only for the last two months so might not be working yet. Also had two mcs so likely I'm still recovering to some extent. Xx

@Catconfusion I'm so sorry for your loss! I think I'll knock Ovia on the head (or at least not put so much weight on it's predictions) and start charting my temp and tracking my periods manually. Thanks for your advice, its much appreciated x

Hello ladies

I would join to. I am 36 and diagnosed with PCOS. My cycles are out of whack (around 40 days!) had cycled less then 20 a couple of times too: I am starting inofolic medicine which was recommended by a private fertility clinic which helps regulate periods and conceive. I am also registered with the NHS for IVF next year (the waiting list is over a year!) so do try and get NHS support if you cannot support to go private. For those on private healthcare with work, diagnosis of fertility and PCOS is covered (ie axa) so take advantage. Most and foremost believe you can get pregnant, there has been incredible stories where women just relax (easier said then done!!) and fall pregnant due to subconscious stress!

Love hearing your inspiring stories x

Welcome @ChicaXS great news about your nhs ivf. I've been told since I ovulate on my own and have got pregnant very easily despite the miscarriages ivf wouldn't be a good option. I've also been told because of my age (nearly 40) I have limited access to nhs support. My cycles have been 50 ish days since my miscarriages a few months ago. My body always gets there but it takes time. It's so frustrating waiting for that temp rise with failed ovulations in the meantime. Hopefully we'll get some luck soon! Xx

Hi @CatConfusion. Oh no that's so annoying! Hopefully you will get a successful Ovulation soon!

I am doing okay, currently CD15..
Today I have had a slight extremely thin streak of blood in CM so not sure if I am having a super short cycle and AF is on her way or something else...
I'm hoping AF isn't coming because it's my sister wedding this weekend and I don't want to feel groggy and uncomfortable for that!

Welcome to everyone xx

That'll be AF then 😑
15 day cycle.

Back to CD1 then... hopefully this cycle will be a normal one

Thanks @EssJayyCee it's so frustrating.

I'm so sorry about your short cycle. It sounds to me like it definitely needs looking into with a gynaecologist referral. If there is a hormone imbalance causing this you need to know. If you were to get pregnant you want the best outcome possible so figuring out what's going on is important. I'm sorry it coincides with your sisters wedding. Try and make the best of it. I was just about to get a period at my own wedding and was really bloated so my dress was tight. I was gutted and wish now I'd relaxed a bit and tried to ignore it more. Hopefully once this is out the way you can get on with a normal cycle! Xx

@essjayycee - sorry to hear this! Have you tried using inofolic? It has meant to help so many of us! I’m starting on my next CD1.

@ChicaXS I really want to but I can't really afford to spend £30+ on it every month. I really do feel like a lost cause some times!

@EssJayyCee it is expensive. The Zita West one is cheaper. I pay about £16 plus the postage. You're not a lost cause. You just need some support from your GP! Lots of ladies need help to conceive. Xx

Yes I know it’s annoying, I forked out to pay for a 3 months supply (just for the discount) at 80 quid but it’s worth it. Means raking it in on things like takeouts and coffees in the morning but worth it if it’s going to get me a kid (we’ll help otherwise) a lot of doctors recommended this to help your cycles get back on track . I’ll let you lovely ladies know if it’s worth it in the end but so far the reviews have been incredible.

@ChicaXS I'm in my second cycle taking it and my cycle is just as long and frustrating. Hopefully next cycle will show some benefit. Xx

Hi everyone, how are you all doing? Long cycles suck. I’m now cd 34 and no ovulation as yet.

I saw the doctor today and she was really good.

We now have a fertility referral in the next few months. She’s still confident I might just conceive naturally as I do ovulate albeit late but at least we have a backup plan.

My blood test results were apparently very good. There’s no sign of Peri menopause (I’m nearly 40) or hormonal issues. I probably have very low level pcos that’s not showing in my blood or on ultrasounds. Sometimes an irregular cycle is the only sign.

She’s recommended a low carb diet which I’m pretty much doing anyway.

DH is happy, apparently he has super sperm. His motility was double the normal amount so they are speedy little buggers. He is a runner after all.

I talked to her about my moods being very up and down. She thinks this is a reactive depression due to my two miscarriages and part of my mind coming to terms with it. The hormones make it feel worse but nothing wrong with them as such. She just reassured me it will get better, especially with a new healthy pregnancy.

All in all I’m feeling much better! I hope you’re all ok! Xx

Hi @Catconfusion It sounds like you have had some good news! That's so good to hear!

What is the latest you have ovulated in previous cycles?

I am currently on CD9.
My temps seems to be a bit more normal for pre-ovulation ranging between 36.2 and 36.5 whereas the last couple of cycles they were quite high ranging between 36.4 and 36.7 so I'm hoping that it's a good sign for a "normal" cycle. touch wood and hopefully I will ovulate!

I am going to sit this cycle out and hope for the best and if no sign of ovulation or a BFP I am going to book a doctors appointment.

When I book the appointment do you think it's worth me asking for someone who is clued up on fertility or should any GP be able to answer questions and advise?

I spoke to my mum about my struggles the other day (I don't usually talk to people about things I generally Bottle it up) and I think that helped me distress a little bit.

She is trained in energy healing Reiki and has said she is going to do it on me to hopefully help..
I'm not sure I believe in it all 100% but anything is worth a go!

My diet and exercise regime has gone out the window lately so I need to get myself back into that as well and I need to cut out carbs a bit.
With your low carb diet what do you replace the carbs with? I don't get full if I don't have carbs.

I hope everyone is okay! Xx