High FSH

I am 41 years old and my husband is about to turn 42. We have been TTC for over a year and a half with 1 miscarriage in May 2010. The baby did not grow past 7 weeks although I didn't find out until about 10.5 weeks and had to have a D&C. I had to go on progesterone at about 9 weeks after the D&C to start my period and since then my cycles have not been normal. I do show signs of ovulation each month and my luteral phase is mostly around 14 days long. I had my FSH tested last month and it showed that it was elevated at 15 on CD3 and 17 on CD10 after taking 25mg Clomid from day 3-7. My doctor told me I probably wouldn't get pregnant on my own but had me take Clomid for the last 2 months to boost my ovulation. We still have had no luck even with getting pregnant naturally last year. I am wondering if my miscarriage could be causing my cycles to be abmormal or if I have any chances of getting pregnant again. This month was a Clomid cycle but I have not had a period yet and I estimated that I ovulated 17 or 18 days ago. I did have some heavy spotting one day and a day of heavy brown spotting (not enough to fill a pad, mostly just when I wiped with spots on a pad). Can you give me any advice or what may be going on with my body? I don't know why my cycles just keeps getting worse and if I should be worried about this cycle. I have been told IVF probably wouldn't be succussful for me without donor eggs. I'm not sure I could afford it anyway. I've recently started having acupunture and started yoga as well as taking wheat grass.
Thank you so much for your help.

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
Unfortunately your age is against you, and there is no way to turn back the clock.  Your miscarriage was most likely caused by a genetic abnormality in the fetus (most are).
You are on the right track with accupuncture.  Clomid may NOT be a good idea as it may produce cysts -- in fact that may be why you haven't had your period this time.  If you were my patient, I would check an ultrasound.
There are some fertility clinics that specialize in older women (sorry about that!) you may want to check with one in your area.
Good luck!
Dr B