Fertility Workup Needed?
Question
Dear Expert,
I am having such difficulty finding information about my symptons and possible treatment. I am 36 years old and have been on the pill pretty much since my early twenties but with a four year break in my early thirties.
I have now been desperately trying to start a family for a year. During the last year I have used ovulation predictor kits to monitor my cycle and have timed intercourse accordingly. During the period 1. My cycle has always been between 28 and 32 days long 2. 3 times I have seen full follicular development on the scan 3. The womb lining appears thick and normal on the scan 4. I have a definite LH surge showing up on the ovulation predictor stick between days 14 and 16 5. I seem to have fertile cervical mucus prior to detecting the LH surge but by the time I detect the LH surge, the mucus seems quite dry and tacky.
6. In the three cycles where I have seen follicular development and detected the subsequent LH surge my day 21 progesterone tests were 8.5, 11.1 and 14. On one of these cycles a later phase scan showed the ruptured follicle.
Am I ovulating?
Could a follicle develop without an egg? Why?
Does it mean I don’t have any viable eggs left?
What kind of treatment could I expect to try?
I would be so grateful if you could give me a reply. I just don’t understand what’s going on.
Answer
Last Updated: June 14, 2013
In the interim, supplements may help ovarian function, such as Optivite and flax oil capsules 1-3 grams daily. I would have intercourse both at the time of maximal mucus and within 24 hours of the LH surge for now.
Dr. Mary Davenport
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