Struggling to keep going

[Flashinthepan]

I'm sorry to post here as I'm not sure I really fall under the umbrella of infertility. I had an ectopic last March, tube removed in May, haven't fallen pregnant since starting TTC again in December (7 months but about 11 cycles as my cycles we're only about 23 days after my ectopic). The problem is I have constant luteal phase bleeding. It starts from the day I ovulate until my next period. I've had scans and the doctor assures me everything looks healthy. The gp won't do hormone blood tests as she says if my cycles are regular there's nothing wrong. I'm reaching the end of my tether with the almost constant bleeding, I literally only have one week per cycle with no spotting/AF. Both gps and the gynae I've seen said the bleeding won't hinder conception and I temp, and my temps rise and stay high so I assume progesterone isn't an issue. Has anyone been through anything like this? Sorry for the long post.

Let me guess this straight, with one tube and literal phase bleeding - so bleeding in between periods - there trying to tell you that you won't have any problems conceiving?!
Total bonkers. I'd go back and there and demand to be referred to a specialist as they clearly have no clue on what there talking about. I find GPs are useless when it comes infertility, they know the very basics if that. If they don't refer you, inform them you'll be taking it further and going through the complaints department or the ombudsmen. Don't give take no for answer

Hi OP,

Sorry you find yourself here.

I just wanted to respond to the above post.

I'd go back there and demand to be referred to a specialist as they clearly have no clue on what there talking about. I find GPs are useless when it comes infertility, they know the very basics if that. If they don't refer you, inform them you'll be taking it further and going through the complaints department or the ombudsmen. Don't give take no for answer

This is very OTT especially as the OP specifically says she's seen gynae (i.e. A specialist) re the luteal phase bleeding and they've told her it won't hinder conception. The OP must have been referred by someone to see gynae in order to have an opinion from them, so suggesting complaints/ombudsman if her GP doesn't refer her is unwarranted. I don't think your post is at all helpful and I'm not sure why you think you're better qualified to advise the poster than a gynaecologist who has had years of medical training and access to the OPs medical record and investigation results.

Thank you both. I don't believe that spotting for 10/12 days before my period can be normal, although I know that our bodies can do strange things that have no harmful cause. As this spotting started since my ectopic, it does concern me that my gp and the gynae are reluctant to investigate a possible connection. Although I am satisfied that they have ruled out any life threatening causes, as they haven't done any hormone testing etc I'm not sure they've fully investigated in terms of my fertility.

Both of them said 'get pregnant and the spotting will stop' unfortunately it's not that easy.

Also noone seems to be willing to acknowledge the toll it takes emotionally and physically to only have one week a month with no bleeding. Which I do find frustrating even apart from the struggle to conceive.

Thanks for responding to me.

Hi flash, I remember you from another thread. So sorry to hear you've been going through all of this. I'm in a similar situation: TTC 16 months, one miscarriage, one ectopic, and one tube removed in that time. It's absolute rubbish that we find ourselves in this situation.

I'm not an expert but I wouldn't rely on an elevated temperature to indicate that progesterone is staying at the right level in the LP. I also can't imagine how removing a tube would affect your luteal phase if your ovaries are both intact.

I take it if you were pregnant in March, you've been trying for over one year? In that case, you should be able to be referred for fertility evaluations. They will usually repeat some of your bloods as well as book an HSG, which may see others issues with the womb, cervix or ovaries. They will also do a semen analysis for your partner.

Not sure how old you are, but I would return to your GP and press for a referral for fertility investigations given your bleeding and the length of time you've been trying.

xx

Hi meadow. Yes I remember you too. So sorry to hear you are in a similar boat. Have you had investigations yet?

Unfortunately, I don't know if that's the right word, we couldn't face trying again straight away so we didn't start again until December. So only been trying again for 7 months, but have had at least 10 cycles in that time as they are quite short. The gynae said he would write in his letter to the gp that he recommended I be referred for investigations in October. But not sure if the gp will go with that as she keeps saying how young I am, just to keep trying. I am only 28 which is a good thing. I know I just have to wait it out but I feel deep down that things aren't working as they should and in just wasting time. Sorry, I know some people here have been going through worse and for longer.

Hi flash. Sorry to see you here, too! I can definitely understand wanting to get things going as soon as possible. Most (all?) of my friends were pregnant within one or two months of trying and timed their second babies perfectly, whilst we're still struggling for number one. I suppose it is somewhat reassuring that you are 28, though when your heart wants a baby, that doesn't help much, especially if you've got a feeling things aren't quite right. When did you last see your GP? In light of the continued bleeding, perhaps you can press for another gynae referral?

We've had our investigations and found my right tube was probably blocked, but it's now gone as that's where the ectopic was. DH also had a somewhat low sperm count so we were put forward for IVF/ICSI. As we were already in the queue prior to the ectopic, we can begin whenever we feel ready, though honestly I'm not sure that day will ever come. I am hopeful that we will fall again without IVF but as I've lost a tube, it's unlikely.
x

Hi Flash, I had exactly the same thing for nearly 2 years, spotting from just after ovulation to period. Any time I went to doc they said nothing was wrong. One doc said it could potentially be down to stress as we were struggling with infertility (still are, but it was the beginning and really tough back then) - this is due to my DH having a vasectomy rather than issues with me but i was worried this was going to be a factor, they said it wasn't affecting my fertility at all, but it's so frustrating and upsetting isn't it? I got poked and prodded a lot by various different docs and they all just came up with a blank. I ended up trying Angus Castus for a few months after reading up about it and it pretty much stopped straight away. It felt a bit like magic. I'm still a bit sceptical it was definitely that, and stopped taking it a couple of months ago as we're doing IVF now, but it might be worth a shot if you haven't tried it? You can buy it in Holland & Barratt - it's a plant extract that's marketed to help PMS symptoms. Although if you're TTC you might want to check it's ok as you're not supposed to take it if pregnant. When I first bought it the lady in the shop told me to be careful as it makes you more fertile, now that would be magic! Just my experience but I totally sympathise.

Thank you mynameis. It's so reassuring to find someone else who understands what an exhausting frustrating thing it is. And worrying! Can I ask how you took the Agnus castus? Did you take it all.month or just before ovulation? I'd be happy to put TTC on hold for a month or two to take it if needs be.

I have just bought 60 x 1000 mg tabs. My mum takes them.apparently to help with the menopause! She was recommended them by her gp.

Hey that's great! Hope they work. I just took them all the way through but some websites recommend stopping for a few days round your period. Because they helped straight away I don't know which approach is better. I was a bit scared to stop them before we started ivf but I came off them about a month before and the spotting didn't come back. Maybe you just need a wee boost to even things out a bit. Good luck!

I should have said as well, the woman in the shop did recommend taking them for 2-3 months as sometimes they take that long to have a effect. Although she wasn't a medical or herbal professional and it was buy one get one half price so might have been a sales pitch!

That sounds right, I read online that you need to give it time to kick in. Well af is due on Sunday, so assuming it arrives on time I will start the Agnus castus on the final day of af. I'll keep you posted on how it goes!

Really hope you both get your bfps soon meadow and mynameis.

@mynameisscott

Just wanted to say I started Agnus Castus after AF finished, I'm now 6 dpo and have had no spotting whatsoever, just normal CM! I'm thrilled and amazed. Now to hope for a BFP soon.

Thanks so much for sharing your experience.

Wishing you and meadowlark luck with the quest for a BFP too.

Hey Flash that's amazing! So pleased for you. Good luck with everything. X