Help interpretting GP's advice

[Confuzzled09]

So went to the GP after not getting back to a proper cycle since coming off the pill in June. I thought I was back to proper periods, then had another one 2 weeks later & temps/CM show no ovulation GRRR.

GP's 'perscribed' the following:

Start doing OPK - how bloomin expensive are these things?!!!!

Go for pelvic scan to check for PCOS

Have smear test

Have blood test d21 (could be interesting trying to predict that) for prolactin and progesterone

take norethisterone tablets to kick start periods - is this a good idea given just had one even though was anovulatory??

You can get cheap ovulation stick tests on ebay - would that be a possibility for you? They seem okay - honestly you can get 20 of them for a couple of quid I'd take her up on the tests though, just to put your mind at rest.

I was having problems a few months ago which I think seem to be ironing out now, and GP wanted to think about the tablets for me too, but also said try to avoid if you are ttc, which we are. So maybe go for all of the above and leave that one!

THanks ManchesterMummy.

That's where my head was going too - don't want to mess things up.

Keeping everything crossed that at the least I have a longer cycle than 2 weeks so that I can get the tests done

confuzzled,

Caveat re OPK's. OPK's are of no use at all if the menstrual cycle is irregular. Would avoid using these in your particular circs, it will be a waste of both your time and money.

An internal ultrasound scan is usually done to check for polycystic ovaries. If PCO is present this is yet another good reason not to use OPK's.

OPK's measure LH - many women with PCO have an excess level of LH to start with so the kit measures that reading and gives you a false positive result.

If the menstrual cycle is irregular blood tests can be done according to calendar days. You can have your day 21 done on or around the 21st of February.

You should actually have a day 2 test done as well to check and compare your LH and FSH levels. I am surprised this has not been asked for as LH and FSH kickstart the ovualtion process. If these two hormone levels are awry (and I would put money on it that they are due to your irregular periods) then ovulation will be affected.

Northisterone tablets may be of some use but again this only address the symptom and not the cause.

If you continue to bleed every two weeks this should be checked out properly as this is not likely to be menstrual bleeding. Fibroids or polyps can be causes of bleeding; you should be checked out further by a gynae.

You will need to be persistant in order to get answers. I'd be now looking at GP to refer you to the subfertility unit at hospital.