trying.....

[so_frustrated]

I am 34 years old, have pcos, and very rarely ever got my period since age 13...was on the bcp for years to regulate my period (on bcp I got my period every month like clockwork).  I am now married and trying to conceive.  We tried the natural herb supplement Fertilaid for Women which was supposed to help you ovulate and correct menstral irregularities.  It didn't do anything for us.  Now we have finished the first month of Clomid with Metformin.  I tried to use an ovulation predictor kit, which didn't seem to work for me, and the preg test was negative.  My hormonal levels FSH and LH are now normal, my estraidol levels (egg reserve) are normal, but my progesterone levels remain low as I am not ovulating.  My husband had a semen analysis done and we found out that the semianl fluid remained thickish which disrupts the sperm's motility.  I am trying to remain upbeat but am finding it so hard, as anyone else had this problem and what worked or didn't work for you?  Should we move right along to IVF like treatments?

[so_frustrated]

I also want to thank you for your comments!  It is encouraging to hear from others who are struggling with similar problems!  

[so_frustrated]

Thanks for your suggestions!  I will definitely look into acupuncture!

[Wendy80]

Thank you and I'm glad that I could help.  =)  And I do understand where you're coming from ... when we were trying for so long, it seemed like everyone under the sun was getting pregnant, and most of those people just had to think about getting pregnant and, BAM, they were pregnant just like that!  It was very frustrating, but I knew that eventually I would have my very own baby (we would just have to work harder than most, that's all).  Good luck... it'll happen soon enough!

[so_frustrated]

Thanks for your comment!  It made me feel encouraged again!  I have always wanted to be a mother, and I really want to get pregnant! It is so hard not to  be jealous of those that decide lets have a baby and then bang their pregnant. But I guess I need to be positive and patient!  Congrats to you!!!!

[Wendy80]

I agree 100% with what YogaChick says.  I'm 28 years old... I've never had a regular period except when I was on BCP (then I got it every 28 days right on schedule)... and I also have PCOS.  My RE told me the same thing that YogaChick's told her... I shouldn't even bother with the temperature checks or the ovulation predictor kits b/c they just won't work for me.  I attempted 3 rounds of Clomid with absolutely no luck.  My RE then had me try injectables and they worked like a charm (I did have to take Provera to initiate my period prior to starting the injectables).  I ovulated and produced a couple good follicles for both injectable attempts.  With the first attempt we followed it up with "regular" methods (ie: sex), and when that didn't work we tried IUI for the second one.  Although it ended in a miscarriage at 7 weeks, the second attempt DID work.  Luckily, within a month of having the miscarriage, my husband and I somehow managed to get pregnant with absolutely no treatments!  So it certainly can happen and I think most RE's will suggest IUI's prior to IVF's.  Good luck!

[YogaChick]

Hi-- you're doing all the right stuff!  I've had some similar experiences.  I was diagnosed last year with mild PCO although I suspected it for a while.  My RE told me BBT and OPK stuff won't really work for me because of the wonky PCO hormones.  You'll find working with an RE and using some of the meds will help a lot.  I'm not overweight but I recently read that PCO bodies function best at the low end of the BMI range so between fertility treatment cycles, I'm trying to drop a few more lbs too.  Clomid and Femara each got me one follie... injectables actually worked too well so I had to do an IVF cycle but my RE certainly didn't think I'd need it!  

IMHO, I'd try 2 months max on Clomid+IUI, 2-3 months on Femara+IUI if it works for you... and then you can try injectables + IUI before spending the $$ on IVF.  

Also, your RE should have you on progesterone suppositories or PIO after you O.

... and I totally agree with Tima re: acupuncture.  You can find one who specializes in fertility under the local practitioners link on Randine Lewis' website (just google her name).

Good luck!  It will happen!

[Tima]

I have pco also. I used to have periods anywhere from 35 days to 45 days. I was not using birth control, and thought I was pregnant at times. So dr diagnosed me with PCO and I was on bcp to regulate period, when it was time to start ttc, it was frustrating as I was not ovulating. I was on clomid and on the 3rd try got pg but was ectopic. Anyway, I would like to suggest seeing an acupuncturist who specializes in fertility.