Fertility & Conception

[csbeck15]

So, my husband & I are trying for our first baby.

I am looking for some advice about first steps as I am not sure what to do regarding my situation. I would also like to see if other people have been in my situation.

Let me start from the beginning. I am 31 years old and I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrom when I was 15. My periods had always been erratic, and I went for long periods, months, without having one and when it came, it would be very long, very heavy, and very painful. Even debilitating.

Over the years, my weight soared and I reached 22st 6lbs which exacerbated the situation. Then, in 2012, I had a gastric bypass and subsequently lost half of my body weight, getting down to 11st. My periods had remained erratic all this time.

During my weight loss, and after, despite the GP saying it would alleviate my problems, get only got worse. Much worse. Soon, I was bleedy heavily, often passing clots, for up to 7 months at a time with two weeks in between each period. My GP started giving me medication Norethisterone every now and then just to give me a break. I got very weak, and my blood cell count, both red and white, dropped so low I was advised to go to A&E if I so much as had the sniffles because my body wouldn't be able to cope.

Thought the years, pre and post bypass, my GP tried me on various medications, to no effect. Often, the side effects would just make it worse. Eventually, in 2016, they referred me to a gynaecologist for a historoscopy and a biopsy. They also said, they only thing left to try, aside from a hysterectomy, was a coil. I agreed and had one inserted, plus the procedures.

My results were fine. There was nothing wrong with me, aside from the cysts, on paper. Thankfully, the coil worked a miracle and my periods ceased and I had my life back. However, during a following consultation, the gynaecologist theorised, and it was just a theory, that I do not produce eggs.

Fast forward to now. I fell in love, got married and we have made the decision to try for a baby, me having my coil removed a few days ago on the 3rd of July. But what do I do? Given my history do I seek a gynae referral now or wait until we have been trying for a while? I don't know what the rules are. I am so scared.

I seem to have started a period this morning, and it is light at the moment. I know no one can advise me of what will happen, as only time and professionals can tell. But is there any out there for whom this story sounds all too familiar? I just don't know whether, given the above, I can start asking for medical help, or whether I have to wait until anyone will take me seriously. I am so scared that this period is going to last months and months and I won't even be able to try for a baby! I also have no idea how to track ovulation in these circumstances, if I do actually ovulate.

Thank you in advance.

Hi hun, I don't know about your specific situation but you will normally have to have been trying for 12 months before they will do any tests whatsoever. Personally I would download fertility friend, track your basal body temperature (bbt) and use ovulation prediction tests (OPK) to maximise your chances. Makes sure you get a decent thermometer that reads to 0.00 of a degree not a normal one the only does tenths (0.0) something like this Centigrade Digital Ovulation (Basal) Thermometer (2 decimal places) + F.O.C. Fertility Chart www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002VF5MGO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_h0piDbF5W4BY2?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

@csbeck15 sorry you've had such a hard time of it. I would have thought a referral to gynae would be a reasonable idea now, given your extensive history. Although the usual rules are for fertility investigations after 1 year of trying. But with all the problems you've had an appointment to go over things, general as well as fertility-specific would be useful. Try asking your GP.

Hi @csbeck15 my situation is similar but not the same. I'm 34 and was diagnosed with PCOS at 19. At the time, my gynaecologist told me that when the time came that I wanted to start a family, I would need to go back as I would need help. My scans showed that I do produce eggs but I don't release them (ovulate). The immature follicles stick to my ovaries and do not mature. He said I'd need Clomid which would force ovulation.

At the time, my periods were all over the place. I'd have one for 2 months in a row then nothing for 9 months, then another and nothing for 7 months. However, for the past 6 years I've had a monthly period (average 35 day cycle although has been between 29 - 44 day over the past 12 months). I was 13st 9lbs at my heaviest and lost 3.5 stone which I think kickstarted my regular(ish) cycle.

Anyway, I went to my GP last year as I was newly married and wanted to start TTC. She advised to try naturally for 6 months and if nothing happened, go back. We have been trying for 13 months now and not had a sniff of a second line so I went back to my GP and they are referring to the fertility clinic.

However, as you have been told that you are probably not producing eggs, it will be a waste of time for you to try naturally.

I'd go to your GP now, explain your history and ask for a referral for further investigation. PCOS doesn't resolve itself but things do change so it'd be good to get some further/recent tests done x

I agree with @UnapologeticallyUnsociable, OP.
My friend had PCOS and she got referred after 6 months of trying but based on what you’ve been told previously, I’d get them to refer you straight away as the 6 months is a bit arbitrary.
Good luck with your referral!