Advice For Talking with OBGYN

[newtoallthis6]

Hello,

I'm 34 and came off the pill in August 2014 (I had been on the pill since I was 18). Since then, my cycles have averaged 55 days. I was concerned about this, so went to see my OBGYN in December. She said not to worry and that 55 days could just be what is regular for me and that my body is probably still adjusting.

Since then, my cycle length hasn't got any shorter. On advice of my friend who struggled with fertility issues, I have been testing my PH levels with ovulation strips every day (three times a day) for two months and have never received a positive. I've also been temping and it's all over the place! My friend has suggested I go in for a 'cycle day' three blood draw.

I'm a little nervous about pushing my OBGYN about this test, but it does seem simple enough. My friend may be biased because she has struggled with fertility issues, so I was hoping to get some opinions from all the lovely ladies here! I know I haven't been off the pill that long, but given my age, I also don't want to wait a year to be told that I do have some issues (such as PCOS) that could be easily identified now.

Thank you so much!

 

[ksquared726]

Your experience sounds just like mine! I went off the pill in June and my cycle was steadily getting longer. I'm 30 and didn't want to waste time either, so I went in to the doctor (actually saw a nurse practitioner the first time) and she told me the same thing - that there's nothing I could do about it, and I just had to wait. Obviously I didn't appreciate that answer because my body wasn't regulating itself. So that's when I searched and searched online and discovered Vitex, which has really worked for me. It's a natural remedy to help regulate he pituitary gland, which in turn regulates the ovaries. It helps your own body regulate itself. My longest cycle before Vitex was 51 days. The first cycle on it went to 41 days, and then last cycle was 32 days with O on CD 14. So I'm a big fan of it. But it doesn't work for everyone. But if your issues are like mine, which it sounds like they are, it might be a good idea to try.

But, the one thing I wish I knew was my hormone levels before Vitex. I got a blood draw on CD21 of my 32-day cycle and everything was in normal range except my testosterone was slightly high. I wish I had pre-Vitex levels to compare it to. Also because my levels were mostly normal, I never got an ultrasound to make sure I didn't have cysts.

 

[newtoallthis6]

Thank you! Forgot to mention I have been taking Vitex as well! Since late December. Haven't seen any changes as a result of that.

 

[ksquared726]

Oh bummer! Well it can take up to three months for the full effect. Are you on your second cycle with Vitex? That's when I saw the biggest change. But yes, I think you should get your blood drawn too. If you keep pushing and being an advocate for yourself, you'll get much more accomplished with doctors .