Ask Me Help Desk - Periods, the Pill and Fertility

Hi there
I am very new to this forum, and thought I would introduce myself. Obviously not using my real name, I am "CuriousButShy". I have read a few posts, and find that a lot of the answers seem really helpful. So figured I might give it a go.

I am 28 years old, and my husband and I have been married for 4 years, and been together for 10 years, so yes, we are ready. We have a wonderful home, fully set up financially etc.

I had been on the pill since I was about 17, as I was very irregular as a child with my periods, and I also had an operation to remove ovarian cysts, and was told I had endometriosis. I have been off the pill now for 1.5 years, and it took me a good 8 months after going off the pill to actually get my period! Whilst on the pill, my periods were normal blood flow, but now, they are really quite heavy, and do clot... not huge like some ladies on this site, but more like say the size of your thumb. And this regularly happens about 1 day into my period, and for 2 days.

I recently started tracking my periods, and found my cycle length to vary each time. From May this year, the cycle length has been (using an automatic one via the web) -46, 54,27, 69 days.

Based on these sites, I have been trying to plan sex, but obviously its not really working. Neither my partner or I are stressed about baby making, maybe about other things, i.e. work, studies etc... but not to a great extent.

I noted that "J9" suggested count from the 1st day of your period 11 - 13 days... is this still relevant when you have irregular cycles? I have now just started my period again (got to go bathroom in a tic - clots lol!! ;o)

Anyway, my question is - is the 11 - 13 days still relevant, should I be seeking medical advice why nothing has happened in 1.5 years (we are not rabbits... sex every week or so, could be a case of just missing the right times) - should we buy one of those "maybe baby" aids?

Phew... long post... hoping those clever "Heath Experts" out there could shed some light.
Cheers
CuriousButShy

Welcome to AMHD, I hope we can help!!

Actually the 11 - 13 days can still be relevant to you. Some of us women, I am one, ovulate each month but do not bleed. It takes a while for some women to build up enough lining in the uterus to shed it and bleed.

When was your last female physical? You could be missing the right times since once the egg begins to leave the ovary it is only able to be impregnated within 24 hours. Take 6 hours away for sleeping and that only leaves about 18 hours a month. It is a wonder we get pregnant at all!!

However, I am concerned about the clots you are having. It may be time for you to go back to the doctor and have this checked out if you have not had it checked out within the last year. I think this is something that you should have your doctor check out.

Also, endometriosis can make it hard for some women to get pregnant. It is possible you need a round of fertility drugs, like Clomid for instance, to help aid this process along. However, only your doctor can tell you that for sure.

I hope I helped a little. If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask.

Quote:

Originally Posted by J_9

Welcome to AMHD, I hope we can help!!!

Actually the 11 - 13 days can still be relevant to you. Some of us women, I am one, ovulate each month but do not bleed. It takes a while for some women to build up enough lining in the uterus to shed it and bleed.

When was your last female physical? You could be missing the right times since once the egg begins to leave the ovary it is only able to be impregnated within 24 hours. Take 6 hours away for sleeping and that only leaves about 18 hours a month. It is a wonder we get pregnant at all!!!

However, I am concerned about the clots you are having. It may be time for you to go back to the doctor and have this checked out if you have not had it checked out within the last year. I think this is something that you should have your doctor check out.

Also, endometriosis can make it hard for some women to get pregnant. It is possible you need a round of fertility drugs, like Clomid for instance, to help aid this process along. However, only your doctor can tell you that for sure.

I hope I helped a little. If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask.

Hi there J9. I was actually hoping you would be one to respond! (I have read a lot of your posts, and they seem well researched, well informed and helpful).

My last physical only included a breast exam, and my doctor didn’t find anything to worry about. I also had a pap smear within the last year, and all was normal. My doctor sends me reminders when I am due.

Would a pap smear pick up things that could be wrong? Or should I be going for further tests?

Its so amazing that those people that have sex once, or the first time get pregnant! (I know two people), and others that would like to, just don’t. Funny how the body works isn’t it!

I haven’t spoken to the doctor about the clots, figured they were normal, as I get them now since being off the pill. Also, maybe I should mention, my mum had really bad periods, used to be clotty, and after the first child (me) was told not to have any more, but she did…she had my brother and as a result had to have a hysterectomy. Now is the time I should probably ask her more about it isn’t it.

Thanks so much for your advice…oh one last thing, should I be researching endometriosis? Ie, is it recurring, or once off, I have no idea!

CuriousButShy

Well, Curious, a pap smear is used to check for STDs and, mostly, cancer. So it would not tell why you are having clots.

You should make an appointment with your gyno, since you have been trying for so long.

Quote:

should I be researching endometriosis? Ie, is it recurring, or once off, I have no idea!

Can you elaborate? What do you mean by once off?

As for endometriosis, I can give you the medical definition, but it is long and a little hard for the lay-person to understand. It is best you discuss this with your gynocologist.