TTC advice for irregular cycles

[WanderCat85]

My first ever thread! I wonder if anyone could offer me any advice or tips for the following, please?

I'm turning 40 this year and have always had irregular cycles. DH and I have one lovely DC who is almost 12, and after many years of life getting in the way (studies, career progression, Covid lockdowns delaying studies, etc.), we are keen and finally ready to have another DC.

We have been TTC for a year, but it is very difficult with my cycles to know if we are timing the BDs right! Occasionally I find that I don't ovulate for up to a week after I get the static smiley face (peak fertility). I know this because I usually experience quite strong ovary cramps and EWCM, followed by sore boobs.

I have been tested for PCOS 4 times and it has always come back negative. However, I was told about 7 years ago that my ovaries were polycystic (but I don't have the syndrome).

We had no problems conceiving our DC but I was 27 then!

I would really appreciate any advice or tips (for regulating cycles and TTC) from others who have been through similar, please!

I am currently seed cycling and am undergoing acupuncture. It's too early to say yet if these have made any difference.

Many thanks :-)

I recommend a book called The Period Repair Manual by Lara Bryden

But I also recommend, at your age, quitting the acupuncture and the seed cycling and paying to see a private fertility specialist ASAP. Speaking from experience of anovulation.

Thanks @comoatoupeira for the recommendation. I've just ordered a copy :-)

I definitely have that option in mind but I'd like to do everything I can to maximise my chances of conceiving naturally in the meantime. The GP told me that I am ovulating. It is just really variable irregular cycles in my case. Thanks @comoatoupeira :-)

Hi there! I’m in a really similar situation where I have long cycles (between 30-55) days but my bloods aren’t anything like a normal PCOS profile and a private scan showed just a normal amount of follicles. So it’s always been a bit of a mystery!
I conceived my now 18 month old DS and the thing that helped me most is inositol - not just because it’s made my periods more regular (last 3 cycles have all been less than 35 days) but it gives you really good ewcm (I’m sure it’s this as I didn’t take inositol after stopping breastfeeding and during by first few cycles didn’t have ewcm) which helps you know when you’re ovulating (I think sometimes if you have high LH, the ovulation sticks don’t work) and also I think ewcm just helps you in general. I used to take just 2mg in morning but now I take 2 morning, 2 evening. This is family but hope it helps!
I did try acupuncture too but really didn’t enjoy it but loved reflexology during ttc and pregnancy

Congratulations, @Lgn90! That's wonderful! Thank you for your message.
May I ask which brand of inositol you used? And was it myo and d-chiro?
I'll look into reflexology and I think I may go for a private MOT as well :-).

I am using the FreeSoul ones just from Amazon, it’s just myo-inositol I think!

Yes, I was also recommended myoinosotol by a gynaecologist, in the end I didn’t take it because I read a few studies that had inconclusive results, and I thought it was really expensive.

I really wouldn’t trust the average GP on the ovulation question, often they know much less than you.

When I say go to a fertility specialist, I don’t mean for IVF. I mean for getting more understanding of when you are ovulating.

Thank you @Lgn90 xx

Good shout, @comoatoupeira, thank you! I'll look into getting some private tests done.