5 months ttc- doctors plan

[AnnieJ10]

Hey ladies, so thought I would get your opinions on this plan in my ttc journey. Its been 5 months, since I went off the pill.. it took about 100 days to get my first period, and now its been 46 days since then and waiting for af to come again. All BFNs. Tried opks this cycle from days 11-45 and had two that looked positive but they were a week apart. So Im worried I'm not ovulating or I have pcos or something.

I am 31. I had an appt with the gyno today who suggested that I wait until my next period comes and then do day 3 and day 21 labs to check my lh/fsh ratio and progesterone. He said pcos is highly unlikely and doesn't think an ultrasound is warranted yet. Im not happy about it because I dont know when AF will arrive again, but he said that it is the best way to get an accurate reading of my hormone levels. I feel like he doesn't think its that important, like he said "you're 31, not 42, why such the rush to get pregnant?" I don't it matters my age, I've been trying for a baby for 5 months and whats important is that it is what I want more than anything.

Any thoughts on if I should just follow his plan or get a second opinion? I know it can take awhile after birth control to become regular but I can't just sit around and wait to start ovulating wondering if something might be wrong! Thanks

 

[2ducks]

I was in your same exact situation last year and I was 31 when I stopped BCP. I really felt like something was wrong and every doc wanted me to "wait" to see what happens. It does take some women a long time to regulate after coming off BCP. If you don't have your period after 60 days this cycle I think it is reasonable to ask for a progesterone withdrawal challenge to start a cycle so you can get that hormone testing done. If you don't feel like he's listening find a new doc.

Were you regular or irregular before BCP?

 

[AnnieJ10]

Well I have been on bcp since I was 18 basically so I honestly dont remember, It may have been a little irregular because I went on it for my horrible cramps and possibly irregularity. But I told the doctor that and he said I still dont meet the profile for pcos. How long did it take you to get regular cycles?

 

[2ducks]

You and I have very similar stories. I was on BCP from age 18-31. I was diagnosed with PCOS about 11 months after stopping BCP. I never got my period back and was having some symptoms of high testosterone. I have a mild case of PCOS with no cysts on my ovaries. PCOS has become an umbrella term for a common female hormone disorder. Are you seeing an OBGYN or a general practitioner? Honestly I always prefer female doctors, in general I feel they are better listeners.

 

[AnnieJ10]

It's an obgyn but I think I'm going to switch to a female. Did you go 11 whole months without a period?? Did you have any other symptoms? How was it diagnosed?

 

[2ducks]

Yes I did go 11 months with no ovulation or period. i did a progesterone withdrawal challenge in that time which induced a withdrawal bleed but is not technically a period. For some women a progesterone challenge kick-starts their body's natural cycle and they start to ovulate/have periods again. For me I had the withdrawal bleed from the progesterone and then nothing happened again. When I stopped BCP I lost a crazy amount of hair on my head, it was noticeably thinner to me and OH. It is still growing back around my forehead. I also started getting crazy body acne and acne around my jaw line. I would breakout on my back, and then when that would clear up I would break out on my chest and when that would clear up I would break out on my scalp. These are all signs of high testosterone. Absent or irregular menstruation is also a symptom.

Don't jump to PCOS yet! I have read many stories from women who stopped BCP and their bodies finally regulated after 6+ months, it just takes longer for some.

 

[AnnieJ10]

Ok well thank you so much for your response! Good luck to you