9 months+ trying to conceive, still losing hope, still trying

[BritInNZ]

Continuing the earlier thread ladies before we run out of room... will tag in who I remember but feel free to tag others I may have missed. And newbies always welcome!

@Aubyone - pregnant! Adding in case she wants to keep in the loop 😊
@kmbegs
@FlyOnTheWall89
@Hopefullywaiting01234
@Tinkerbell098
@LucyAnne34
@MaryTeenOfScots

@Tinkerbell098 I completely understand. I just don't care about work at the moment, plus with the move happening so soon I just don't have the mental capacity to give a crap about anything. I feel terrible but I hate socialising, doing work, just doing anything really! Sorry to hear Saturday was tough for you. Is your partner aware of how hard you're finding it? I cried all over my husband when AF arrived like a big snotty mess 😂

That's so annoying that you can't chat to the GP today! I hate waiting for stuff like that.

I'm not an expert so not sure I can help much. But the anteverted is pretty normal I believe, as everyone's uterus tilts one way or the other. Mine is anteverted too 😊 I guess the bulky and irregular outline might be more of a concern though? My friend had a bulky part and they think she has adenomyosis. But if you're not having painful periods I doubt it would be that. Again, not sure about fibroids but I think if they're in an awkward position it can affect conception, which is why people have them removed? Let us know what your GP says.

I had an external and internal ultrasound in September and was told I have a septate uterus which was listed as normal variant, so fertility doctor said it wasn't anything to worry about. But I had a referral to gynaecology anyway and finally got the letter through this week - appointment not until 30 March!!! So guess I will know more then but I'm hoping it's nothing major to worry about. For reference, this is what mine said:

Uterus: Anteverted, normal size, 63 x 30 x 43mm, volume 43cc. Mobile and non-tender.
Myometrium: Homogeneous. Uterus is has a septate configuration.
Endometrium: Normal; secretory. No focal abnormality or abnormal vascularity. Thickness: 9mm.
Cervix: Normal. Nabothian cysts.
Right ovary: 27 x 25 x 17mm, volume 6cc. Normal appearance and size. Single dominant follicle.
Left ovary: 40 x 15 x 42mm, volume 13cc. Normal appearance and size.
No adnexal abnormality or free fluid.

Hi 👋! Do you mind if I join? One year ttc, but only 5 cycles due to irregular periods! Last cycle was 90 days, this one seems more around 30 (I think). I have had my first bloods, have a scan next week and DH has had his SA showing low morphology but everything else pretty fine! I’m currently in TWW (I think) I sometimes have a few weeks, so continuing to DTD but only every few days, just because it gets so much in 90 day cycles doing it every other day! I think I’m currently 7DPO based on ovulation symptoms and OPK! Good luck everyone!

@Peonies94 sorry to see you join this thread but welcome 😊 with cycles like that, are you sure you don't have PCOS or something? They are hugely irregular and I should hope your GP would be concerned about that straight from the off!

Welcome @Peonies94, we have met on the other thread 😊. I don't know how you cope with such long cycles, that would be mentally so challenging for me. How worried was the doc re morphology and what was % if you don't mind me asking. Was he told to take any particular supplement? We are currently on a morphology mission 😂. Today I bought pine bark...............🤯, but apparently it helps. Will be adding it to the box of other pills.

My thread about increasing DH's morphology - @FlyOnTheWall89 - it may help?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/4462432-How-we-increased-DHs-morphology-and-sperm-count-with-supplements

@FlyOnTheWall89 Oops I see you already found it! Sorry, so many threads I do get confused, I hope the supplements help

@Decaffe I'm sure I've nearly read all threads that relate to poor morphology 😂. But thank you! Sometimes it is really nice to have confirmation we are doing this right things!

Hi

May I join also. Been ttc since June 2021 so 9 months. On Cycle 10 but got a BFN today at 12dpo. So soon to be into Cycle 11..😩

I contacted GP this month and have had progesterone bloods. They called me today and receptionist confirmed they came back “normal” but couldn’t give me level. I have to wait to speak to my Dr next Friday about that and next step referral process.
DH has been for SA. Awaiting results on those. Altho may be a few weeks as yet once they come in and then GP has to speak to him over phone.

So that’s as far as we’re at really. Already have a DD who is 4 in a few days! We’ve conceived twice before. Straight away 1st cycle which I mc at 13 weeks. And then conceived my now DD on cycle 7. (Which felt like an age at the time and now realise I was actually quite lucky) meh! Although I was 5 years younger! We both were obv. 26 first pregnancy. 27 second one and 28 when DD born. Now 32..😏

Anyway..if anything beyond stage 2 investigations is needed like IVF we will obviously have to privately fund.

So I’m praying and hoping we get there. But unsure why it’s taking so long.

Hopping on to get insight into the next tests and steps.

I have been reading and following. And keep hoping there is good new in here ☺️

Xxx

@FlyOnTheWall89 the gp gave them but said your results are here to collect and then literally handed a piece of paper over, well the receptionist did and the morphology was highlighted as low, yes it is difficult it’s not knowing what week to focus on and only getting 4/5 chances a year! His is 3% currently taking the well man and I’m taking the women following advice from someone on here!

@BritInNZ I did think PCOS! I have a scan coming up!

@Peonies94 yes it does sound possible! Let us know what you find out from the scan? The good news is if it is that, they can get a plan of action in place 😊

@Indianna2006 I think we've spoken on another thread but welcome! Sorry to hear it's taking a while for you too. Good news that you've started investigations already. You've still got a while until the year mark, so chances are it's just taking longer than before.

As well as bloods I had an internal and external ultrasound and a HSG. I haven't had any children or ever been pregnant though, so it was mainly to check tubal patency but everything came back fine, so we have been diagnosed with unexplained infertility. We don't really have any options now, just keep trying as we won't be able to access publicly funded IVF for another 4 years sadly.

@BritInNZ yes definitely! My bloods come back normal so they said they didn’t think so, but I’ve always had really long irregular periods, I was just put on the pill to mask it! Sometimes I’d be on 3 weeks off one week and then back on, and now obviously I’m having really long cycles, so there’s always been an issue! I just regret not having it investigated earlier! Thank you though! Hope your well!

@Peonies94 pretty standard aye - there's a problem so let's shove them on the pill! I was the same as a teen - really heavy and painful periods and put on the pill at 15 to deal with it. I hope they're not doing that anymore, it's terrible.

@BritInNZ yes literslly the same for me I was on the pill 13-26 non stop so masked a lot!!

@BritInNZ thanks so much for taking the time to look at my US results and sharing yours with me. I had an appointment this morning with the GP who was very vague about it and said I'll need to wait for my fertility clinic referral to come through as she is not an expert. Yes, the bulky uterus does concern me, and since I've never had any implantation, I've always thought there's something wrong with that part of TTC as I know I ovulate and no issues with my cycles. The thickness of my endometrium is also concerning as it was only 4.2mm, and from research I've done yesterday, ideally this should be more for that time of the cycle. My ovaries are fine though. Hope they'll be able to pin point the problem although I'm not sure what treatment there is.

@Peonies94 welcome, but sorry you've found us here. I remember you from other threads. We are a lovely supportive bunch so hope you find it helpful talking to us and sharing your journey with us. Sorry your cycles are all over the place. Hope the ultrasound sheds some light and they will know how to best manage it.

@Indianna2006 welcome :) I think the first steps are the bloods to check if you're ovulating, then I had ultrasound just last week. I'm also booking in an HSG later on in the month as well as an AMH test (to check your egg reserve) privately as I've already waited 6 months to get seen by the NHS, and per my GP, it maybe another 6 month wait. Good luck this cycle. What CD are you?

@Tinkerbell098 thank you. I’m awaiting my period to then start cycle 11. 🙄😩

What CD did you have your scan on? Was it near ovulation or start of your cycle? Think the lining would only be thicker near ovulation or in your 2ww whilst it waits for your egg to implant.

I believe a bulky uterus appearance can be from having fibroids. An they mentioned one on your scan so perhaps that. Hopefully the fertility clinic can explain more for you.

@Indianna2006 The scan was on CD16 and I had my LH peak that morning, so I was about to ovulate and the lady said she can see a big follicle about to pop. So I must have ovulated later that day or the next day. So in my opinion the lining should have been thicker than that. Not sure what I can do to make the lining thicker, I take so many supplements already. Hope the bulky uterus is due to the fibroid and nothing else.

@Tinkerbell098 ah okay sorry. So your lining was only 4.8 on CD16 which is around when you ovulate.
Yes that is quite low then. Minimum is about 7mm I believe. But most clinics would like 8 for IVF.

I have always had quite light periods and worried about my lining and had a scan when trying for my DD to assess lining on CD14 but mine was 16mm and funnily enough I fell pregnant that cycle.

I have done a bit of research of improving lining as blood flow to uterus.
I believe things which can contribute is below:
High dose vitamin E - 400iu from period to dat of ovulation
L-arginine - 1000mg or more as helps promote blood flow.
Using caster oil packs from end of your period to ovulation

Those are a few things I came across when I looked into it. So those things are worth a go for now. The lining issue could be possible due to the fibroid etc tho or bulky uterus so may not alter until they can access if that is an issue.
I’m certain clinic will help and explain once you get there. But above things can’t hurt to try whilst you wait or do a bit more a Google see what else there is. Those are just things I know of ☺️

@Indianna2006 thanks for that. Yes I have light periods and am also thinking if there's any problem with my lining. I'm already taking 200mg Vitamin E (not sure how it compares to 400iu) and 500 mg L-Arginine (so I could increase it). I'll look into caster oil as well. Honestly, I'm spending god knows how much on supplements a month, and it's getting a little bit frustrating as I feel like I'm not getting the right support and guidance at the moment. GP referred me back in Aug 21, and nothing from the clinic yet, which is why we decided to go private. Hoping to book in another private consultation after the HSG to discuss all the results and go from there. I'm dreading having to go through IVF route, and would probably wait until we are past the 2 year mark if we want to do that. We are on month 15 at the moment and I'm 36.

Hi Ladies

Hope you don't mind me joining in, i commented a few weeks back about issues with my thyroid i am on medication now so hopefully its all kicking in, we are awaiting hubby SA analysis back i just called the hospital
As been waiting over 2 weeks and they said they should be ready today i am so nervous. I am 9dpo and the dreaded sadness is creeping in as i prepare for AF to show up, isnt it just so depressing?? I get on such a downer on the run up to AF!

@BritInNZ - sending you lots of love i totally relate to how your feeling, i too feel on the edge of tears and i am normally a bubble positive person but lately i am just so lethargic, irritable and moody!

@Tinkerbell098 -since stopping my pill my periods have been so light! I was concerned and started taking 800iui Vit E, tried accupunture and also had an US last week which luckily showed everything to be normal. Have you heard of seed cycling? I have started this month its supposed to help with balancing hormones.

I agree it costs a fortune!! I feel like i am spending lots of money on scans/private appointments/supplements

@NatW2021 welcome to the thread, good to have you here. Hope OH's SA comes back normal. How long have you been TTC? Yes, waiting for AF is the worst ever. TTC is all I think about at the minute, and am planning to change that as it's taken a toll on my mental health. There have been so many trips/holidays/activities I've put off thinking "surely, I'll be pregnant by then/ have a newborn by then." Have your period flow increased since starting vit E/ acupuncture? I had three acupuncture sessions last month and continuing every four to five weeks from now on. I have heard of seed cycling, but never had a go. How are you finding it? TTC shouldn't be this hard! It's depressing to know that you struggle with something that you're designed to do! Just feel like such a failure.

Hello everyone, no news here. AF due tomorrow :-/
Regarding spotting I actually read somewhere about vit c (one of those fizzy dissolvable tablets) every day can help with spotting but I haven't found any scientific proof yet other than couple of articles. I have been doing that this month tho and haven't had spotting yet so maybe its doing something? Usually have brown or pale pink cm on the few days lead up to AF. I actually hate spotting despite being told (by professionals) that it doesn't effect anything, I just don't believe it!
Anyway RANT over, hope everyone else is going ok today. Take care 💖

@Tinkerbell098 - to be honest i have not noticed any difference in terms of flow however my lining was 9.8mm on day 12 so looks normal so i am not so worried about the light periods since having the scan. I have been TTC for 9 months, although it feels like forever each month they do fly by when you look back. I do totally agree about putting things on hold i do this too but need to stop.

We just had OH results and all looks normal - one less thing to worry about

@NatW2021 yey! pleased that OH results are normal. I've booked another follow up appointment with the private gynaecologist we saw last week so I will bring up my thin lining at that appointment and see what she suggests. I'm hoping to have some sort of a diagnosis, at least then I'll know if something's wrong. I have a feeling it's the fibroid that's possibly causing a thin lining, so hoping that it can be managed. Last year has just been too frustrating with waiting around for tests on the NHS, so we've bitten the bullet and gone private to get some answers.

@Tinkerbell098 - i know we are relived but then you do start wondering why isn't it happening??? I think we had all the checks possible at the moment the only thing flagged for me is my TSH/low vit D/low end b12 so i am now working on these!

Dont blame you going private, i had to go private to see an endocrinologist as my GP was fobbing me off, glad i did as now on medication and also taking higher dosage of vit d and b12.

Sounds like you have a plan and hopefully it will be easily sorted. I would rather know where i stand than worry as i overthink everything!

Does anyone have any knowledge on FSH? Mine was 8.9 on day 2 i have seen under 10 is normal but then should be under 7.8 for my age im 34. I am just worrying its going to keep increasing and my chances will dwindle as i approach 35

Hi @NatW2021 - re FSH, have you had your AMH (ovarian reserve) tested? And what is your LH test result? X