Irregular Periods and Secondary Infertility -- Attila, anyone?

[Geronimo7777]

I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on my situation....

I have always had irreular periods (40-50 day cycles) but managed to conceive my daughter the first month after stopping the pill. My husband and I have been trying to conceive our second child for about a year and up until now nothing has happenned.

I was recently referred to a gynaecologist who simply asked me to pee in a cup and go back on the pill for three months and then try again. Is this standard procedure?
Should I not at the very least have had blood tests taken. Does it also not seem counterintuitive to go back on the pill when we are trying to conceive?

When I mentioned this to him he said, "I can see why you are getting anxious -- you're old!" I am only 30 by the way! I walked out feeling as though my case had been completely dismissed.

Do any of you ladies have advice?

Feeling quite sad and thinking it may never happen.....

Thanks in advance xx

Hi Geronimo I'm no expert I'm afraid but have suffered from v irregular periods for years and found it difficult ttc my son. I had cycles of up to 67 days. I had day 3 and day 21 bloods taken and PCOS was ruled out (I've since found out my mum and sisters have the same problem). I've started taking a wellwoman vitamin supplement which has worked a treat. I've now got predictable 34 day cycles but I also take my temperature every morning to monitor my ovulation too. We are currently on cycle 2 of ttc #2. Have you read taking charge of your fertility?

I think 40-50 day cycles are unusually long and I'd advise you to get the bloods done (vis your gp) to investigate the possibility of PCOS and at least that's a start.

It does seem v unusual for you to have to take the pill again - not sure I'd do that! You need to find out if you're ovulating and synthetic hormones won't help with that. Maybe someone more medical can help with that?

I wish you lots of luck, hope I've been of some help! xx

Hi geronimo,

No you are not old at 30 and yes this person should have arranged for you to have blood tests done.

I would be asking the GP to refer you to another subfertility unit or at the very least see another gynae; you were not given standard advice at all by the person you originally saw and I think you were fobbed off.

I would also try and have blood tests done and not just the day 21 either; you need a blood test done earlier in the cycle around day 2. This will measure LH and FSH levels; these two are very important as they kickstart the ovulation process. If these two levels are awry (with PCO there can be an excess of LH to FSH) then ovulation will be affected. Another thing that could be arranged for is to have an internal ultrasound scan to assess the state of your uterine cavity and ovaries (to see if there is any indicator of polycystic ovaries being present). Another possible cause is thyroid problems and this should be thoroughly checked out as well via blood tests.

With cycles as consistently long as yours (and these are probably anovulatory to boot) I would avoid the usage of both temp charts and OPK's; these are problematic to interpret at best and are certainly of no real benefit if cycles are irregular anyway.

Seek a re-referral from the GP and go all out to get answers. You need a diagnosis first and foremost and you will need to be persistant in order to get answers.

Attila and Decaf -- Thank you both very much for you advice.

I now realise that I was completely not taken seriously at my appointment and should go back to GP for another referral.

I definitely want to confirm or rule out thyroid and pcos issues. I just don't understand how some doctors can be so utterly useless -- especially after one has waited so long for an appointment!