Trying to conceive during peri - advice please

[EmberR]

Been TTC for 8 months now and nothing happened - I am 42 so understand it’s less likely / harder at this age.

Over these last 12 months I have had 3 months where I haven’t had a period at all. Felt all the PMS symptoms but never bled. I know this means I didn’t ovulate that cycle. Doctors tests (scan and bloods) all came back normal and I have no other Peri symptoms.

Anyone had experience of this and is it game over for me now in terms of trying anymore?

thank you

Oh I feel for you. This doesn't sound brilliant - it's often very hard to conceive even before peri and irregular periods. I think it depends on how you're coping mentally - it might easier to stop trying and accept that it's not happening and not use protection on the off chance there's a viable egg there somewhere than to keep officially trying, but that's a very personal decision. X

I’ve been using the OPKs to try and catch it if I am ovulating. But obviously this is driving me bonkers…. And my poor husband also. I just always read stories of people over 40 where it’s all ok? I conceived my son the second cycle we tried (I was 37) and honestly I think I was naive thinking it would be ok

Well for some people it is, but for the majority of people fertility falls of a cliff after 40. The reason people mention it is because it's unusual to be that fertile after ~40, so it's worth mentioning...but it skews the narrative as it makes it sound like it's achievable for most people and that people who struggle at this age are the odd ones out rather than the norm 😢