High FSH & secondary infertility

[erin95]

My husband & I had no problems conceiving our DD when both of us were 37 (only 3 months of TTC).  I am now 40 (DH is 39) and we've been TTC for 8 months & I've had 2 chemical pregnancies during that time.  I just did a first round of fertility tests - prolactin, thyroid & E2 were normal, FSH was 15.3!  (Guess that explains the chemical pregnancies.)  I have an appointment with an RE (Dr. Preston Sacks @ Columbia Fertility Associates) next month but am craving information now about whether only only option is a donor egg, or if anyone has had positive experiences with IVF at similar ages & FSH levels.

[bluebutterfli]

Erin-Stacy is right you can get your FSH down naturally.
I read two great books by Julia Indichova that have given me a lot of hope. The first book is called Inconceivable and the follow up book is called The Fertile Female. Both books explain the mind/body connection in a way that really made sense to me. I've always wondered why people ttc for years and years, try IVF multiple times, try donor eggs, or adopt and suddenly wind up pregnant, naturally after years and years of struggle. You will find many success stories on the website, Fertile Heart.com, many of the woman with FSH's higher than yours. I went to her workshop in Woodstock, NY (I live in OH) and found it to be a changing event for me. I then joined the phone circles.  They are really affordable and help to keep me sane. It's been really helpful for me to hear voices of others going through similar struggles.  Also, I think the fact that you are getting chemical pregnancy's is very good news.

http://www.fertileheart.com/the-fertile-heart-way-of-decoding-recurrent-miscarriage-causes/

http://www.fertileheart.com/ivf-do-it-right-or-do-it-over/

http://www.fertileheart.com/testimonials-2/unexplained-infertility-success-stories/  

Hoping you have a take home baby very soon!

[adgal]

I am one of those who is not convinced you can bring fsh down naturally.  This is because a fsh is a test of your ovarian reserve and we are born with the amount of eggs we get through a lifetime.  There is no way to increase our number of eggs, therefore no way to increase fsh. However, I have learned to discount nothing and am not at all discounting anything Stacey says.  It's just slightly differing opinions.

The interesting thing about your fsh number is for whatever reason it can differ from month to month.  I am 43 and trying to conceive my second child and am actually not having a fsh test.  I had one a few years ago and it was 12.  I miscarried 5 times, then conceived and gave birth to a healthy baby boy just before I turned 41.  Since him I have conceived and miscarried 3 more times. My RE actually has not even suggested a fsh test as his belief is that if we continue to conceive, chances are good we will get that healthy egg.

Now, I'll be honest.  If it were financially possible for me I would absolutely go to donor eggs.  Unfortunately in Canada there are odd laws around donor eggs, so for me it would mean going to the US and that is cost prohibitive.  So to answer your question...yes, there is a chance you can conceive and carry on your own.  If you are looking for a more sure thing, I would probably consider donor eggs.

Again, just my opinion, and whatever you decide, I wish you success.  The beautiful thing about the era we live in is that even if there are challenges, chances are very good you can have that second child!!  I wish you well.

[stacey10]

You can get your fsh down naturally, there will be people wjho tell you you cant but you can, a lifestyle change is probably in order though, you will need to cut out high processed food, sugary food and drinks, white startch like white bread etc, caffine and alcohol, bringing in alot of fresh fruit and vegetables, organic if you can, wholegrain bread, add almonds to your diet, any dairy products you have, make them organic and apart from milk do not have lite/diet as they contain alot of sugar, and I would aslo suggest acupuncture as well, this can help regulate your hormones, sort out any whole body issues that you may not be aware of and also help by making your uterus baby friendly, you will need to do this for at least 3 cycles, phew.... thats a start lol