What am I missing?!

[HelloBrass]

I'm hoping to get the magic answer, or at least something for me to try! Here's the background;

I'm 35 and TTC#1 for almost a year. My cycles are 31-33 days on average. LP is 15 days. I track ov with OPKs. DTD at the right times. DH SA was fine.

I don't drink but my diet could be better. BMI is 26 so I could do with shifting a little weight but I have zero discipline - thanks to comfort eating and anxiety about exercising in case I "shake the embryo out". 🙄

I have spotting before my period, indicating low progesterone/progesterone dropping early. CD21 came back at 26 then 36, indicating I may not always ovulate. Haven't had CD2 test yet.

First appointment with fertility clinic in July & I have one more shot at a BFP before then.

What am I missing?! Any short or long term tips? I had a meltdown last week & really need a boost. Thanks! 🙏

I have spotting before my period, indicating low progesterone/progesterone dropping early.

Could you explain why this is?

What cycle day was your cd 21 test taken? With a longer cycle than the 'standard' 28, I wouldn't expect a reading above 30 for you on cd 21. It should be taken 7 days before af is expected... so may have just been taken on the wrong day for you? A level of 26 is pretty indicative of ovulation, but perhaps not 7 days before the test... no ovulation would give a level much closer to zero.

Try and have sex every other day, but for sure tests with the fertility clinic will narrow down the issues if there is one. Xx

@chanderl that jumped out at me too. Never heard that before.....

Have you tried taking supplements and getting your oh to too? Coq10 is a great supplement to take, vit c, zinc, vit b not sure for the man, but there is supplements recommended for them too.

You're definitely not going to "shake the embryo out". Try some gentle exercise like swimming and make sure your diet is full of healthy, fresh food. It might not be the silver bullet but it can't hurt.

I also swear by BBT-ing just so you know exactly what's going on in each cycle. Good luck!

There are some indications that a low carb diet can help with fertility so maybe worth trying that out. I can't remember what exactly but it decreases inflammation.

Google it, lots of experts recommend it can increase your chances.

Using Preseed and having sex everyday in fertile week worked for me.

@physicskate I was wondering about day 21 tests as my luteal phase is 12 days so I wasn’t sure if I’m meant to go 7 days after ov or 7 days before af is due

Following up from my last comment

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5372867/

this is a meta study that shows significant improvements in various fertility markers when reducing carbohydrate intake. this includes improving hormone imbalance and reliability of ovulation resulting in an improved pregnancy rate. This will likely be the case during any fertility treatment as well so worth considering beyond this cycle.

Quote from the study,
This review found that reducing carbohydrate load can reduce circulating insulin levels, improve hormonal imbalance and resume ovulation to improve pregnancy rates compared to usual diet. However, there has been a lack of research on the benefit of low carbohydrate diets for non-PCOS related infertile women.

@Popsiclewopsicle it shouldn't matter by a day or two. It would definitely matter if off by 5 or more days though! You could 'split the difference'?

You will know you've ovulated because the source of progesterone in our bodies comes from ovulating (the corpus luteum). So if you haven't ovulated, your numbers should be very low indeed.

Research is mixed about luteal phase defect and low progesterone (as in are they really hindrances to pregnancy or not).

@chanderl @squirrelnutkins1

The period starts when progesterone levels drop, which triggers the womb lining to start to shred. If an embryo implants, progesterone levels stay high to cushion and protect it, which is why a missed period is the first obvious sign of pregnancy.

Spotting before a period indicates that the progesterone levels drop early, which is why the lining is starting to shred before the full period arrives. The worry is the progesterone levels start to drop before implantation has the chance to occur, which means the ability to get and stay pregnant is reduced.

This is what my acupuncturist said anyway!

When you say before period do you mean the fees days before period, or mid-cycle?

@physicskate

First test was 7DPO/8 days before AF and the next month the test was 8DP0/7 days before AF. So spot on in terms of timing I think. GP said a result of 26 indicated I didn't ovulate that month, and from what I've read 36 isn't that great either. Apparently 50 or so is ideal.

I know your name from these boards and you always give such measured and calm advice. How are you getting on? I often wonder and hope things are all ok.

@chanderl I can start spotting as much as 7 days before my period is due, but usually it's about 4 days before. It's definitely spotting and not a full flow, so I'm not confusing it with a period. My LP is always spot on 15 days so I know when it's coming if I've been tracking ov.

7 days before my period is 8DPO so if my progesterone levels are dropping that early, implantation may be frustrated.

@ChicaXS I would love to have the time and energy for that!! Mine and DHs work schedules mean we have to focus our efforts during the fertility window, but I do think you have a great point. I think we need to concentrate on DTD more regularly throughout the month.

I'm just worried about the delay in getting all the tests done. I was disappointed that my GP was unwilling to order the CD2 tests. It feels like such a waste of time.

@jpclarke I'm finding the world of supplements such a minefield! I have been taking folic acid and an iron supplement that has Coq-10, but I'm a bit inconsistent with that as it tastes vile.

Can any one recommend a good all rounder supplement? My acupuncturist mentioned one although I can't remember it's name, and I saw another one recommended on the hints and tips thread.

It's hard to know exactly what may help! I will look into this more.

@BaweB I know I'm completely irrational on that front! I think it's a bit of excuse making too. I just feel like I want to hibernate in the TWW. You're right though - gentle exercise would be good for a whole host of reasons.

I've resisted tracking bbt because it feels so full on - such a daily reminder, with no respite at all. I also feel like I've wasted a year of good "data" and don't want to think in three months time or so, that I'm still trying.

@Iamnotacerealkiller That's really interesting, thank you. I think for lots of reasons, looking at my diet is a good thing. I will feel so much better if I shifted a bit of weight. Need to find a comforting replacement for chocolate!

I will look into low carb.

@RudyRoo Already been using Preseed and Conceive Plus, but thank you!

@physicskate Yes, I've read similarly on the debate about low progesterone and LP defect, but my acupuncturist was so concerned about it, I just can't shake the worry of it.

My prog level at 21 days was 27.9 (taken on cd20) and both go and gynaecologist said that's indicative of ovulation. My day 21 was on a weekend which is why done a day early.

@HelloBrass - thanks! I try! I just read everything I could get my hands on during my years of ttc. I now have my little one after our first cycle of ivf. I still pinch myself...

@HelloBrass

There is an ongoing low carb bootcamp at the moment run by BIWI, its over on the weight loss threads but lots of people do it for other health reasons as its helps for lots of things. Im sure if you throw yourself on their mercy everyone would love to help.

All the advice is laid out there too. I recommend doing it with the help from a forum it massively helps success. I have stepped back from the thread myself as ive just found out im pregnant although i intend to stay lower carb anyway. Good luck!

Linky for you

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/low_carb_bootcamp/3602482-Week-4-May-Low-Carb-Bootcamp-time-to-KOKO