TTC Cycle 12 - SMEP

[LSL0708]

Hi
I’m totally new to this but hoping to speak with people in a similar situation. I had the implant removed beginning of June 2019 and have had regular 28/29 day cycles since. But, 11 cycles in and no BFP Just read up on SMEP (Sperm Meets Egg Plan) and thought I’d give it a go this month. Is anyone else trying/tried this?

Welcome @MrsLauraM! I felt exactly the same as you in that I didn't know much at all at the beginning of this journey... then I went crazy Googling and reading I hope you manage to get you head around your cycle - I definitely think OPKs will help there.

I also tried Preseed a few times and wasn't sold, but so many people swear by it that I might give it another try.

@LSL0708 I hope you're feeling better now.
Unfortunately, no plans to get tested for endo for the moment. The only real way to tell if I have it is through keyhole surgery, and since it's under general anaesthetic it's riskier with covid, so the gynae I spoke to recommended to wait a few months. In the meantime, I'm trying to adjust my diet and see if that helps at all.

@Jh2019 how are things with you? Have you tested? I hope AF hasn't shown!

As always, fingers crossed for all of us

Welcome @MrsLauraM sounds like you’re all set to start tracking things, all the best and let us know how it goes!

@LSL0708 yeah know exactly what you mean, still not sure if I find AF or a BFN more upsetting! Remind me, when are you expecting AF this month?

@beachbum85 I’ve stuck to my plan and not tested this time, still no AF but just know it’s on its way...I do track BBT and had a big drop yesterday, and the telltale cramps this morning, so just a matter of time today I think It’s weird, my cycles do seem to be getting longer...wish AF would just arrive if it’s going to now so I can get on with next cycle!

Re Preseed, tried that a couple of times but husband not a fan so don’t bother anymore. Did try using a bit on a fertilily conception cup after DTD this month (I’m running out of new things to try lol) but looks like it probably hasn’t done the trick...

Oh that's good to hear @MrsLauraM I'm starting to think it might be worth a purchase now. Although I think I know a lot, there may still be lots I don't know. Pleased you're finding it helpful. It should definitely help you figure out your cycles, along with the OPKs.

I've perked up a little bit thanks @beachbum85 It's an emotional rollercoaster isn't it?
Ah that's not great that you can't do anything to find out at the minute. But if you focus on other things to try and help hopefully it will stop you worrying about it as much.

AF isn't due until next Friday @Jh2019 I think I'm going to hold out on testing too. I don't hold out much hope of a BFP mind.
Well done on not testing! It's so tough to resist. Not so good you feel AF on its way. But you never know. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

Thanks for the good wishes @LSL0708...unfortunately AF arrived yesterday as I suspected it would though. Hit me pretty hard as usual - was staying with parents this weekend, which was nice, but difficult to keep the emotions in check. Drowned my sorrows with a fair bit of wine, which was fun at the time but has just amplified my low mood today.

Oh well, onwards and upwards again for cycle 12! I said that this would be the one where I go to the GP if it doesn't happen, to try and get booked in for a more comprehensive set of tests, so at least I have that as a way forward in my mind. In terms of strategy for this month, I might just try being as relaxed as possible, maybe even ditching the BBT and OPKs...if I can muster up the willpower. Also going to do my best to get less stressed about work as I'm sure it's not helping my health to be worrying about all these things all the time.

Keeping my fingers crossed for all of you this month, and will be thinking of you later this week @LSL0708

Aw sorry to hear that AF arrived @Jh2019 I know exactly how you feel. I've also overdone it on the wine this weekend and have woken up in such a low mood this morning Hope you're feeling better soon!

Like you say, onwards and upwards for cycle 12. Fingers crossed this is the one. I saw the GP after my 12th cycle failed to get the ball rolling with tests etc. We have our first appointment at the fertility clinic in September. I think it helped make me feel a bit better knowing I was doing what I could. Sounds silly but I feel the pressure has been lifted a bit.

'Relaxing' is the best method. If you can manage to do it. Good luck with it. Keep us updated with how you're getting on.

Thank you. Not holding out much hope. I think I've enjoyed wine a bit too much this cycle. So tempted to test today but trying to tell myself not to.

Thanks @LSL0708, really appreciate the well wishes and so good to hear from someone in a similar position - know exactly what you mean about lifting the pressure a bit with knowing that some tests are on the horizon. All the best with your appointment in September (though of course hope that this cycle is the one for you and that you don't need it!)

Sorry to hear that you've been feeling low too, hope you are feeling a bit better this evening...try not to beat yourself up too much re the wine, it's tough enough without being hard on ourselves (definitely being a massive hypocrite here though!). Did you manage to hold out on the not testing? Good luck with it, and here's hoping this week goes nice and fast for you

Hey can I join too please

Cd9 of cycle 12, just trying smep this month for first time. I'm 41 he's 40, I've had the blood tests and I am ovulating regularly, he's finally got his SA booked next Friday (delayed due to covid)
We suspect itmight be an issue with him as he had undescended testicle as a baby that wasn't sorted till he was 2 so trying smep to see if it helps before we get referred.

Thank you @Jh2019 I think it will just be an initial chat but at least we are heading in the right direction.

I'm feeling a lot better this morning thank you. It's just a constant rollercoaster of emotions isn't it? I hope you're feeling better now, and thinking positively about your new cycle.

You're totally right about the wine. I told myself to 'relax' and just live as I normally would for a couple of cycles. So I shouldn't be hard on myself. I managed to hold off on testing too.

Thanks for your support!

Welcome @claireb707
I hope SMEP works well for you. Keep us updated on how it is going.

That's great news about ovulation and good to know you have the SA test on Friday. It's good to know things are in motion. Fingers crossed it doesn't come back with any issues.

Good luck and keep us updated.

Hey how is it going for you @LSL0708? I remember you were expecting AF yesterday...keeping my fingers crossed for you that she hasn’t shown yet x

Hi @Jh2019

Unfortunately AF arrived on queue yesterday. Had a bit of spotting on Thursday so it was expected. Trying not to dwell too much and think positively. I had my nails done and went for a few drinks last night so that helped to cheer me up a little.

How's it going for you? At what point in your cycle are you? x

Really sorry to hear that @LSL0708, well done on staying positive though good on you. Nice to be able to get back to a few normal things like nails and going to the pub, definitely helps to have distractions

I’m ok thanks, CD8 so heading into fertile window...trying not to track things this month, so no temping or OPKs for now. Though tbh it’s still as much on my mind as ever so might cave and at least check around expected ovulation time this time next week...this ‘relaxing’ strategy doesn’t come naturally to me!

Definitely nice to have things seem more 'normal' and it does help to take your mind off things a bit. Staying positive is harder some days than others, but we have to try don't we?

I'm the same @Jh2019. I'm a planner so this process being out of my control is so annoying and it's too hard to 'relax'. Hope the fertile window goes well for you whether you choose to track or not. I'll keep my fingers crossed that this is the one for you.

DP was sent his appointment for SA today. He has to hand in a sample on the 6th August. The date falls right around expected ovulation so a 48hr abstinence isn't ideal. But it will be good to see what the results are. Not sure how long it takes to receive the results mind.

Got my peak this morning so start of the 3 day marathon, partner has his sperm analysis booked for Friday so should just be right timing wise

Hope the marathon goes well @claireb707 and I hope all is ok with the sperm analysis. Keep us updated on how you get on

Glad you've got your semen analysis appointment through @LSL0708, and you too @claireb707. Hope results are all ok.

Ah annoying that it clashes with ovulation time for you @LSL0708, hopefully you'll still manage to cover some of the window though and will be worth it to find out. In terms of how long it takes to hear, we got our results the same day - because they have to analyse the sample straight away, should come back same day or day after at the latest :)

I'm sure my cheapie peak is strobner today than it was yesterday, how long do you get peaks for?

Had to do a intelligent recognition as well as a manual as my intelligent one has stopped taking the actual photo 🙄 (hence all the duplicated ones)

Thanks @Jh2019. Fingers crossed.

I know. So annoying! If it's anything like this cycle it falls right on the day of ovulation. But I'd rather have the test done than not. So I can't complain too much.

Oh really? Was it via a telephone call then? I was expecting it to be via a letter so it would mean a little bit of a wait.

@claireb707 my first cycle of using OPKs I had a peak last for about 24hours. From pm of day 14 to pm of day 15. So I'd say that's normal.

Shit 😢😢😢 last night was a fail, I should know by now that partner doesn't perform well under pressure and it's making me a bit worried for his SA on Friday.
Think I either ovulated last night or will this morning (temp hasn't risen yet) and yesterday was day 2 of 3 in a row on smep and it didn't happen and now he's upset 😢😢

Aw @claireb707 don't let it get to either of you too much. Although I know it will be hard. It can live for up to 5 days so there will still be a high chance there are some there ready for ovulation. My friend said she had the same issue so stopped telling her husband when she was ovulating. Maybe try that next cycle (if there is a next cycle) to relieve the pressure a bit.

@LSL0708 yep I don't know if it's just something that our clinic offered but they give their results via an online portal, so I rang up a few hours after we got home and the receptionist just released them online to us. Might vary between clinics, hopefully they should be able to let you know pretty quick though :)

Sorry to hear you're struggling @claireb707, my husband is the same and has had performance anxiety when it's all timed - it's really tough. We've gone with not talking about the timing and just doing roughly every other day this month to try and help, going ok so far though really I think after 11 cycles he probably knows when the key time is so we'll see how it goes...

Agree with LSL not to lose heart as there will still be some hanging around and one day is unlikely to make loads of difference. Also if it's any consolation my husband had no issue with the SA even after a pretty bad week of nerves, so fingers crossed it is the same for yours. All the best to you

Ah that's fab @Jh2019 I'll tell DP to ask when he drops the sample off. Hopefully we get a quick result too.

Hi All
How are you all getting on?

Hi @LSL0708 :) Not too bad thanks, 3 DPO now so early stages of 2WW...have failed a bit with the whole relaxation thing though, got a bit wound up about doing it on the right dates as usual and caused performance nerves for DH which I feel bad about. But I think we managed a reasonable amount, trying to put it to the back of my mind and stay focused on the fact we will be straight to the GP if it is another negative this month.

How is it going for everyone else? @LSL0708 you must be in your fertile window right, with the semen analysis later this week? Wishing you all the best for that!

I'm 9dpo today, had bad boob pain for a few days and a bit of cramping today so I'm 🤞🤞

Hi @Jh2019
I hope your 2WW isn't too bad. Let's hope for a speedy one and a BFP at the end. I felt the same on my 12th cycle, knowing I could finally see the GP and start the ball rolling with testing etc. Although I hope it doesn't come to that for you.

I'm sorry to hear about the performance nerves. Hopefully you squeezed enough in when you needed to. I'm with you on the relaxation thing. It's impossible! I said I wasn't going to do SMEP or use OPKs this month (as like you say we have the SA appointment tomorrow) but I've ended up using OPKs over the last couple of days. No + yet so I'm hoping the 2 day abstinence might not affect us too much.

Thanks for your well wishes. DP is saying he feels ok about it, but I'm worried he's keeping any concerns to himself. Just hoping he doesn't suffer from the pressure and can actually manage to do it.
I'm up and down. Have some ok days and some days where I think it will never happen and wonder how much longer I can do this for. It's hard to stay positive all of the time.

I have my fingers crossed for you @claireb707 Let us know how you get on.