An FSH of 20...no hope left

[erilou38]

I'm 38 and was told a year ago that i might be borderline after having an FSH of 20 on day 3 of my cycle. I was tested several times after and my FSH had come down. Anyway, i have been trying to conceive for 18 months and a few months ago was refered to an NHS infertility clinic. The consultant seemed to think that i may have PCOS and last month he prescribed me Clomid as my recent FSH was 11.2. He said as long as my FSH wasn't above 15 i could try the Clomid. I had blood tests on Monday as he advised before i started the Clomid ready for my next cycle. I phoned earlier and my FSH has gone back up to 20!! I suspected this as last week before my period i was having hot flushes at night. The clinic said i can't have Clomid now and they can do no more for me. I'm so sad and devastated that i'm in menopause at just 38 and that the baby dream i had been clinging onto for the past 18 months is over. Not really sure why i posted this, just helps to air my feelings i guess. Just made an appointment with my doctor to start on HRT in the New Year, i just feel so empty though.

Does anyone know if high levels of stress can cause a high FSH ? It's just that iv'e been super stressed this past few weeks about the whole infertility issue, have really got myself worked up. A year ago i had a high FSH, we were moving house at the time, which i found stressful. It seems odd that for a year my FSH came down and then bounces back up in times of high stress. My doctor says it's possible. Could there be a link, anyone had any experience ?

Just seen your post, I'm the same, FSH of 19 and I'm 30, I had had one cycle of ICSI in sept that didn't worked, started another cycle this month but my FSH had jumped from 8 to 19 so they can cancelled it, they won't accept me for ivf unless its under 10

Hope you are ok

Lauren x

Oh bless you, you are quite a bit younger than me too at only 30. That's devastating for you, with still being young. I didn't think FSH levels could jump so wildly from cycle to cycle but it seems they can. The nurse at the clinic told me that FSH levels can fluctuate alot in early menopause or perimenopause. Iv'e read about different kinds of natural medications that are supposed to bring FSH levels down and also acupuncture is meant to help. But i was told that a womans fertility is only as good as her worst
fsh. So the highest Fsh is the most accurate. Very depressing stuff. Although i did read that younger women who have a high FSH often have more success with IVF because although they have low ovarian reserves, their eggs are of a better quality than that of an older woman. I really do hope you have some luck and get your BFP soon xx Erin

I can only presume it was that cycle of ivf that tipped me into it as it had stayed steady for 2 years, I had it rechecked the day before I posted and they called that day to say its now 23, 4 weeks after it was 19. Crazy how quick its gone up, tried a few things before the second test that was supposed to help, wheatgrass etc

Even though I got 4 perfect eggs in sept which all fertilised due to my numbers I have lost my funding so can't try again, had to be less then 10, even private clinics won't touch me, my AMH is 2, what's yours? And thank you :)

Lauren xx

I haven't had my AMH tested. I'm under an NHS clinic and they don't offer AMH testing. It would have to be done privately. I can only imagine that it's very, very bad! Was going to phone a private clinic this week but i'm sure that most clinics won't want to touch me due to my high FSH. Also, i think, a big factor is my age, i'll be 39 in March so that will put a clinic off straight away even without the high FSH xxx

I thought all NHS ivf depts did AMH that's unusual, its about £40 private I think, we still have 2 funded goes left on NHS. Have you thought about Donor eggs, that's are only choice now. If you want to try with your own have you considered one of the clinics abroad like serum? They don't see ladies like us as a lost cause and they don't worry too much about age either

Lauren xx