What Are My Prospects for Conceiving?

Question

I’m 29 years old and have been trying to conceive for the last nine months. My cycle is 33 days long. My last two cycles were irregular and the first lasted 45 days and the second 70 days. This was the first time anything like this has happened to me.
I went to see my gynecologist and he ordered an ultra sound which revealed multiple small cysts and gave me progesterone pills to menstruate. On day two of my new cycle he ordered blood tests which came out like this: FSH(5.6IU/l), LH(7.59IU/l), prolactin 11.2microg/l0, DHEAS(289.4microg/dL). On day 21 he ordered progesterone levels which turned out to be 3.97ng/ml). He told me I have polycystic ovary syndrome and that I’m not ovulating and will need to get therapy to make me ovulate.

I feel very worried about my prospects of fertility. Could you tell me what are my chances and what does my low progesterone mean?

Rose

Answer

Last Updated: May 2, 2022
Dear Rose,

Although, your situation is suggestive of polycystic ovary syndrome, I would want more information. First of all, do you have any abnormal hair growth for a woman? For example do you have facial, chest or abdominal hair?

The day 21 progesterone is borderline for ovulation, depending on the lab used. It certainly is low if you ovulated.

Your best approach would be to see a physician familiar with NaProTechnology. Go to http://www.fertilitycare.org/mcteacher.htm to find a medical consultant.

Once it is confirmed that you have polycystic ovary syndrome then the best treatment would be ovarian wedge resection done using techniques that minimize the formation of post-operative adhesions. An alternative would be medical treatment with Clomid with or without Metformin. Your chances of conceiving would be good following these recommendations.

In health,

George Delgado, M.D.

Answered By:

George Delgado, M.D., F.A.A.F.P.
George Delgado, MD, President and Founder of Steno Institute and Medical Director of Culture of Life Family Services (COLFS), San Diego, is a Professional Member / Supporter of CANFP. Board certified in both family medicine and hospice and palliative medicine, Dr. Delgado received his medical degree from the University of California, Davis, and completed his residency at Santa Monica Hospital/UCLA. Dr. Delgado is a Natural Family Planning Medical Consultant, trained in NaProTechnology. He and wife have four children and seven grandchildren.

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