Same sex TTC with possible PCOS

[Gingeydoo]

I have irregular periods which range between 40 and 28 days. I have used OPKS to track ovulation but find I get multiple or no clear negative in each cycle. I have also used just about every clearblue product but it seems to tell you the result based on what CD it is rather than what is actually happening (have compared to OPK tests and now don't trust anything). Obviously it makes it impossible to know when I'm ovulating as I have no clue. I've tried the whole checking cervix thing but can't find the damn thing Haha!! Also I try and track CM but don't seem to produce much of it and not being able to find my cervix doesn't help that.

So I've had bloods done to check for PCOS all were normal except testosterone was a bit higher than normal. I've got acne, can't lose weight and am cold all the time. So GP is arranging a scan to check for PCOS and bloods once I've finished my next period.

I wish that was all the issues I have unfortunately I'm using a sperm donor as I'm in a same sex relationship so this makes things harder without a regular supply of sperm. We only manage to get maybe 2 donations per cycle and I've no idea if I'm using them at the right time anyway.

Anyone offer any help or advice? I'm just about defeated.

I have PCOS and I read that OPKs aren't recommended for people with PCOS. I successfully used tracking your temperature as you wake up to find wheb your ovulating. Fertility friend has a great app website which will give you more information.
Good luck.. It only took me one cycle to get the idea of when I was ovulating.

I was going to suggest temperature too. In fact I'd track bloody everything. Moods, sleep, temperature, CM, CP, weight, physical things like bloating, headaches. Try for a couple of months and see if you notice anything. I use the Glow app and it keeps track of all these things

If you can afford it, I'd suggest maybe seeing a private fertility specialist to get your PCOS as controlled as possible as soon as possible. It definitely takes a few months to see proper changes in cycles. Depends if age is on your side NHS waits wise.

Cervical mucus wise (apologies if TMI) but I saw a definite physiological change in amounts and consistency after a few months on metformin. Loads of really obvious egg white consistency fluid around ovulation time that I had never really experienced before and my cycles became more regular.

I read an amazing book called 'it starts with the egg' when I was TTC. It has a good evidence based chapter on PCOS.

Thanks for your replies.

I use Ovia app to track cycles and everything from moods to CM and any cramps and acne etc already. Thought I had figured out my last ovulation bang on but hard to say if I'm not even releasing an egg with this possible PCOS. I've been taking some vitamins and folic acid aswell. If I do seem to have problems with my pcos I'm hoping some medication will help me conceive. If not does anyone know if NHS will help fund ivf or IUI etc? I'm almost 27.

If you are having this much trouble, is there any reason why your wife couldn't carry the baby instead?

My partner is a lot heavier than I am so we would be concerned with complications happening from that. And I want to carry a child i don't want to give up

Weight issues and feeling cold can also indicate an underactive thyroid which often goes alongside PCOS and which can cause problems conceiving. I would ask your GP to test for that too. TSH Levels should be under 2 if TTC although many GPs consider 4 or under to be OK.

I have PCOS and an underactive thyroid and have 2 DC conceived via IVF, but with male factor issues too.

One thing I would recommend to help regulate your cycles is acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine with a practitioner specialising in fertility. I had it alongside IVF and it did improvements be my cycles.!

Dietary changes are also important to help keep blood sugar stable and regulate your hormones. There is a US website called PCOS Diva which has lots of good advice.

Personally I also struggled with checking my cervix and CM - I found it far too subjective to offer any helpful insight. I agree that temperature tracking may help though.

As for ovulation sticks, as a PP has said, they generally don’t work with PCOS as you either don’t ovulate at all or only sometimes and often your body attempts to ovulate several times in a cycle but not quite manage.

I hope that helps!

@chloechloe thank you

I had my thyroid levels checked when I had a load of bloods done to check hormone levels and follicles and diabetes etc. All were within range except my testosterone levels were 2.5 I think she said so slightly over normal. Dr said she was only ordering the scan based on that 1 reading being abnormal and because of my symptoms.

Part of me hopes it is PCOS just so I know what it is and how to treat it and get on with TTC. Then part of me is hoping there's nothing wrong so i can crack on but them I'm like my periods are all out of whack and the whole OPK thing.

So yeah if I'm not ovulating then pretty much pointless trying to track when it's happening. It's getting me down!

So glad to find an active same sex TTC'er here. I don't what to suggest about tracking except taking your temp, that way you are relying on something other than hormones alone to give you a clue.

You have had some great replies here, but perhaps this post might be better moved to Conception? You'd get answers from other TTC'ers there.
The only part of your question I can reply to is the NHS one really, you need to check what's available in your area. If you get a diagnosis you might get more free treatment, but without a diagnosed fertility problem it is a postcode lottery for same-sex couples. We would have had to pay for 6 cycles of IUI before receiving NHS treatment in our area for example. But we did get blood tests and an ultrasound done on the NHS.
Good luck on your journey - I'm also in a same-sex relationship and pregnant so I'm rooting for you.