Not ovulating but period regular as clockwork / supplements

[Tilly177]

I have been trying to conceive for around 5 years now. I always have regular periods but after some blood tests I am not releasing an egg. I think this may have been due to my LH and FSH hormone being low. I have a BMI of 32 so am working at lowering this however I am confused as my periods are very regular and all articles I read seem to indicate where there is no ovulation periods become irregular/ missed. Does anyone else have the same issue or know what my issue may be called/ how to help treat this?
I am looking into natural supplements and have read the following may help:
Folic acid (high dose) and CoQ10
Vitex
Inositol
Does anyone have any any experience of what supplements may have helped them conceive or know what can help stimulate egg release?
I conceive with my first child 10 years ago using Chlomid (worked first cycle) but was given this as my husband has a low sperm motility rate (as I have a BMI over 30 now the GP will not prescribe it). He still does but its improved from 12% to 30% now. Still feels like everything is against us with me now not ovulating. However I know we are so so lucky to have our son and feel guilty for wanting another when I know others can’t have any children.
Any help or suggestions of your experience would be welcome.

Hi Tilly, if clomid worked for you, have you looked into soy isoflavones? It’s meant to be natures clomid, and you take it in the same way (Cd 2-6, 3-7 etc). I’m on my second month, last month I didn’t get pregnant but I had positive ovulation tests and temping with ovulation at CD14. Previously it’d been late ovulation or no clear ovulation, my cycles are a bit messed up this year. There’s a lot of research you could read if you were interested into looking into soy further.

Hi @Tilly177

If you used Clomid last time, it is highly probable you will have to use again and should asap given you are 10 years on since your first one.

Given your periods are regular, you may only need Clomid to help boosting your hormones.

I would be more concerned about your DH previous low motility as that points to some underlining cause significantly affecting his sperm. It's great he's got it back up to 30% though, that's good news.

If you don't have any success after 6 months of Clomid, I would recommend IUI for laboratory assistance to concentrate his sperm quality.

Regarding supplements, nothing (incl soy isoflavones) can replace Clomid which I suspect is all you need. Other than Folic acid, just keep eating super healthy and do some fun / regular exercise.

Myo-insotol is a highly effective supplement however it should only be taken at the direction of a Specialist after they review your tests results. It's great for women with PCOS however it may not have the right effect on you.

I beleive as long as your DH keeps doing whatever is working for him, and you get back onto Clomid, you 2 should have a nice surprise sometime soon.

Thank you both so much for the advice @A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 and @Iszzy. I will defiantly do some research on soy isoflavones as anything that gives even a remote chance at this point I am willing to try. Obviously though don’t want to take anything that may cause other issues. unfortunately the Consultant won’t prescribe Clomid until my BMI has come down. I know I am in the larger side but as a size 18 top and 16 pants don’t think I am not normal which is how I was made to feel by the consultant. I have just ordered a treadmill to use at home after work as a means to get more exercise in (hate gyms and how judged you can feel there at times). Will keep trying to chip away at the weight in the hope to get Clomid prescribed one day soon. I think my husbands sperm motility may have been effected by stress at work. I was sceptical when the GP years ago said stress can cause it but he changed his job to one he was enjoying and it went up. He is having another stressful time at work again so don’t think that is helping at the moment either but hasn’t been tested again in the last 12 months. He is very much at ease and believes in fait (it will happen when it happens kind of thing) as am I. But I realise that sometimes nature may need a helping hand. I just don’t know why I have regular periods but am not ovulating as all conditions I have read seem to point out the symptoms with irregular periods. I thought maybe if I knew this I would be able to narrow down my searching and possible treatment. Hope you are successful this month @A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 !

Natural medicine that works is called medicine.

Good luck. Don't let the scammers prey on you.

@Tilly177 that sounds stressful, and its great you've ordered a treadmill etc - hopefully you'll get prescribed the clomid soon 🤞

Ubiquinol (CoQ10 but the more bioavailable one) is for egg quality, so I don't know if you'll need this. I take it but because I am 36. I'm following the It Starts With the Egg supplements - basically a conception multi vit (one with methyl folate), extra vitamin C (750mg) extra B vitamins, iron, and ubiquinol (200 - 300 mg). I'd be worried to take myo inositol without PCOS because it can mess things up. There's plenty of info on the supplements on the website if you don't want to read the book. There's loads of reviews on Amazon for it also.

Personally the soy is working for me, but I did a ton of research, and it won't work for everyone. Just give me an earlier and stronger ovulation though so far.

But agree with the others, these might be stop gaps until you can get clomid, as its likely clomid will be what you'll need again. So don't waste too much money. ie soy is quite cheap, vit C is cheap, but ubiquinol is about £35 a month

Is there any animal study trials on Ubiquinol?

I had a proper look for soy isoflavones and the closest I could find was clomid + phytoestrogen 'cimifuga racemosa', which had similar effects to clomid + estradiol valerate.

www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwitv-3_94zwAhWKyDgGHXbYD10QFjADegQIBRAD&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.smartscitech.com%2Findex.php%2FUO%2Farticle%2Fdownload%2F508%2F491%2F&usg=AOvVaw1ruoMJKHRTDtOQGKlW1UQ4

However soy isoflavone is also weaker than cimifuga racemosa....

clinphytoscience.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40816-015-0013-0

@murbblurb

Correct. Randomized placebo controlled trials is the gold standard.

@Tilly177

If you're really keen to try anything, I would suggest intermittent fasting, specifically just reducing the window of time that you eat breakfast, lunch and dinner, down to 8 hours daily, to improve your overall health and help you loose the weight a bit faster.

@Iszzy god I hope not, I hate animal testing! Especially as there are so many alternatives now to testing on animals. In the book the studies (mostly on people from recollection) are all listed. I think some of them might be on the website also.

Yes to intermittent fasting, Mediterranean diet, wholefoods etc. Good luck OP!

Hi @A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 I'm interested to know did you conceive while using the soy isoflavones?

I actually got pregnant a couple of weeks after this thread, but I did the supplements plus acupuncture plus SMEP so who knows!

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 oh wow thats fantastic congratulations 🎊 how long were you trying? I've just tired the soy isoflavones definitely got a strong ovulation but on the 11th day of my cycle, so fingers crossed 🤞

I got pregnant easily, then had a miscarriage and my cycles and hormones were all over the place after this. It took me 6 months after my miscarriage to get pregnant again.