Secondary infertility and now I’m 40. Anyone managed?

[Tiletiletile1]

I have been TTC for almost two years and have unexplained secondary infertility. All my numbers are “good” and scan showed nothing, and sperm sample “normal”.

I’m 40 now though, not the 38 year old I was when I started. I got a negative pregnancy test this afternoon and am feeling really despondent.

I don’t know when it would be time to give up, for the sake of my own mental health. I’ve talked about that before on here, and all these months later still haven’t been able to.

Just wondering if anyone else had secondary infertility, but still managed to conceive eventually in their 40s?

I’m not a success story but wanted to say I know what you’re going through.
I have 3 dc already and ttc my fourth (with a new partner).
I’m 38, he’s 30. My youngest dc is 6 so I was 32 when I last had a successful pregnancy.
I’ve fallen pregnant 3 times with my current partner, but sadly suffered a mc at 9 weeks, then 2 chemicals.
We’ve had all the fertility tests done, my numbers are great, scan was great, his semen analysis was great.
So basically no reason for it not happening other than most likely my age and the fact my eggs aren’t as good quality as they used to be.
We’ve been ttc now for 14 months so started when I was 37, so I already feel a year on that things are harder. I haven’t had a bfp since my last chemical in June.
I said I’d give it until I turned 40 before throwing the towel in and accepting it wasn’t to be for us but with a year of that time already passed it’s going to be hard to accept!
Wishing you all the luck xx

Thank you , Moominmiss! I said I’d give it until I was 40, but I’m still going - I haven’t been able to bring myself to stop yet. Although I am coming to terms with it not happening now (but I dream of babies! My mind is playing all sorts of tricks on me!).

Good luck to you too - I hope you get there!

I had my little boy at 39. We were subsequently told we had unexplained secondary Infertility when trying for baby number 2.
Had all the tests and decided we would just accept DS would be an only and try and move on. We withdrew from the fertility clinic just as Covid happened.

I'm now 42 and 26 weeks pregnant with a little girl. Totally unexpected and conceived in a month we only had sex once - and apparently before the "fertile week". So it can and does happen.

Had unexplained SI for five years. All tests good, ovulation regular, hormones apparently perfect. No pregnancies at all, no late periods, no other issues. Fit and healthy and early 30s.
I was given a tip and took a high dose of Vitamin D (20,000 units) Daily, prescribed by my doctor upon request, for 4 weeks. I also increased my sleep by 2 hours a night.
I was pregnant the next month. In don’t know how, whether the Vit D worked, or some magic, but we had tried for 5 years and after one jar of VitD (which is apparently a hormone in itself), it happened.
My VitD levels were tested Along with iron etc and hadn’t shown up as low though.

maryshelley that’s great news! Congratulations!

stella that’s very interesting about the vitamin d! I take it with a multi, but may get myself a high dose to try. It can’t hurt!

It’s very heartening to hear these stories. Expected after my negative pregnancy test yesterday, but AF just arrived. Another month!

Dc at 38 then tried for 6 months, turns out I had developed sub clinical hypothyroidism after DC. Treatment for 12 weeks. Pregnant first try at 41!

Livingmagicallyagain wow! Was that diagnosed via a blood test?

Yes, general blood tests. TSH was 4, officially in range. Needs to be absolute maximum 2.5.

I felt so much better once it stabilised to around 1. My AMH is very close to zero too, so getting my TSH healthy was very important. I had no time to waste!

@Tiletiletile1 as per a previous poster- we had tests done at a fertility clinic, all came back normal, except.... 'abnormally low vitamin D levels'.

I was given a mega does (four times the daily) and spent most of April and May out in the sunshine gardening. Didn't bother with sunscreen for the first time in years (am pasty and normally slap it on).

Currently 19 weeks. Age 40. Had been trying for two years, one chem and one miscarriage during this time. Earlier successful pregnancy was also conceived during a very hot summer where I spent a lot of time outdoors!

You can pay for a vit d blood test privately/ think about £70 at bupa? Maybe less.

I’m definitely trying the vitamin d! These claim to be 4x the normal strength. Would they be strong enough? I know stella you said 20,000 and these only look like 4000 so maybe not...

That's what I had does-wise, albeit a different brand

I had these ones, prescription only, they are little amber globes rather than compressed powered tablets. I only had the one bottle. They aren’t recommended for constant daily use, hence a limited course of 50 tablets as a one-off boost, doctor-sanctioned.
Failing that, some is better than one, i take 400 units during the Winter whenever i remember to. darker skins and higher weights need more Vitamin D than the average anyway.
All the best.

@Tiletiletile1 hi came across your thread and wondered if you had an any success ttc x

Hi

I have the same issue - im 41 but AMH of 28 and husband sperm normal?
I have 2 healthy girls and should be content but sad that after 3 years of trying nothing

only thing slightly high is my TSH was 3.5 now 2.8 anyone have any tips? or anything that worked for them?