Been Trying to Conceive for Six Months
Question
I have been trying to get pregnant for about six months now. I realize that this is not a very long time, as many couples try for years. However, because I have achieved pregnancy easily, though unwantedly, in the past while on the pill and with a condom, I am rather surprised that it is taking so long.
I am 32 and I stopped the pill ten years ago, but have had abnormally long (lasting about a week or more) periods since then. At the beginning of last year, I believe I conceived as I had a very unusually heavy period with large blood clots. I almost never have cramps and never need to rest during my period, but I was in bed all day the first day that month.
Since then, my periods have been shorter and heavier (now lasting no more than a week), and I believe that I have conceived twice again. Having been pregnant before, I felt I recognized the early signs of pregnancy, and was certain on both occasions that I was pregnant, but never tested positive on a pregnancy test and my period began only two or three days late.
So now I am left with two possibilities: either I want to be pregnant so badly I am creating the symptoms in my mind, or I have conceived but for some reason do not carry the child through.
I have been practicing the ovulation method (tracking my cervical fluid) and it seems I am ovulating. I have had full tests done on my thyroid and all are perfect. I have not yet checked progesterone etc., and wonder if that’s where I should go from here.
Any advice would be helpful.
Thank you.
Julia
Answer
Last Updated: May 2, 2022
Yes, fertility can vary with time and low progesterone levels would be important to rule out as luteal phase deficiency may be a cause of infertility. Progesterone secretion by the corpus luteum remaining after ovulation is responsible for preparing the endometrium for a possible pregnancy. When there is no pregnancy, a poorly developed endometrium may cause improper sloughing leading to abnormal bleeding, spotting or prolonged menses. If the luteal phase is short in length or the progesterone levels low there will be an increased risk of miscarriage.
You mention that by observing the cervical mucus it seems that ovulation is occurring. If this is the case your physician may also want to rule out lutenized unruptured follicle (LUF), a condition where the follicle does not rupture and remains a cyst. It is luteinized but produces sub-optimal progesterone and may cause the cycle to be prolonged.
So certainly, a comprehensive hormone profile taken in a timed manner will give much information as to the cause of infertility. Keeping a daily chart of your menstrual cyle will indicate your bio-markers and will be a vaulable tool to a NaProTechnology trained doctor who can administer any bio-identical hormones at the proper time. This Naprotechnology approach of taking into account your bio-markers can be healing both physically and emotionally and give you a good chance to maintain a pregnancy.
A list of doctors and teachers can be found on this site.
Angie Frausto
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