Is this menopause?

[fortysgirl]

Hi Ladies,
This is great to have a forum for us over 40 ladies TTC.  I recently turned 42 and have been trying to conceive my 1st child since I got married 2 years ago at age 40.  I've been pregnant 3 times in the past 18 months, but all ended in missed m/c.  I had my 3rd m/c in July and I did get AF in August, but I've had nothing sense.  I'm not pregnant and I take my BBT everymorning and I didn't ovulate until cd41 and now I'm on cd57 with no AF yet.  Up until this cycle, I've always been very regular.  I'm wondering if my hormones are screwed up from the m/c or if this is just menopause begining?  I'm wondering if anyone else has been through this?  I know that it is normal to start having crazy cycles at my age, but I'm so frustrated.  DH and I still hope we can have a child, but I'm starting to wonder if it might be time to think about other options such as donor egg.  I have an appointment with my OB next week and my plan is to ask for a referral to an RE.  It is bad enough that my eggs are old and bad, but now things don't seem to be working at all.  Thanks for letting me vent ladies.  Good luck to all of you.
Cindy

[fortysgirl]

Thanks so much for the responses.  I guess I'll just have to wait and see what the doc says next week.  I'm kind of excited about the RE just because I'd rather be doing something rather than nothing, but I'm not expecting I'll hear a whole lot of positive comments.  I guess we just have to keep positive and hope for the best.
Thanks,
Cindy

[Miranda9]

Hi Cindy,
I have gone through a very similar experience as you.  I'll be turning 43 in a couple of weeks but have been with my DH since I was 40.  I've had 4 pregnancy losses, three of those in the last 12 months.

Do insist on that referral to see an RE!  An RE will closely monitor you.  Bloodwork will show hormone levels and ultrasounds will show your endo lining and follicle development. Only then can you really know why your AF has gotten so screwy.  It could be perimenopause, it could be somthing else.  

I've always had regular 27-28 days cycles, but last May I got my AF two times then nothing until the ending of July!  My RE found a functional cyst that really screwed up my hormones. From my bloodwork and u/s, he could tell that I had ovulated twice in July, the first time with no AF!

You'll be undergoing a number of tests at the fertility clinic that can help determine if there is any reason, other than age, that caused your losses. Just a word of warning - REs are not very optimistic for women over 40 and I found it very hard going this past year for myself.  (But then, after chatting with a number of women in the waiting room of my clinic, I realized that REs are not optimistic, PERIOD.  So don't let them get you down!  You ARE getting pregnant, so keep the faith!)

In my city I had to wait 2 months to see one so I hope you don't have a long wait.

Good luck!

[Savanha]

Hey Cindy...

Welcome! Unfortunately, I'm not sure if you are experiencing meno, but I sure hope not. ;o) Seeing your Gyn doc will help, maybe they measure your levels, so that you will know for sure what is going on. Here's to getting a BFP in the soon future.

Cheers,
Savanha