Any advise would help!

[HearMyPrayers]

I tried to post this in 3 other sections more suited but no replies so last ditch effort!

Every cycle (when I'm not on clomid/letrozole) I start spotting/light bleeding cd21. Sometimes its brown/pink then moves to red back to brown and it will continue like this till AF shows up. Its like as soon as cd21 comes I know I'm out of the game.

Is this a sign of low progesterone? I hate my body....

I had what appeared to be a positive ovulation test on Thursday (cd19) and spotting started lightly Friday (cd20) then Saturday (cd21) it was really bright red especially after a bm (sorry TMI) then yesterday, Sunday it was more brown then red and lots of cm mixed with brownish/red blood. Today (Monday) not much just lots of cm with streaks of blood. DH and I dtd last night and nothing no spotting/bleeding nothing

what gives?

 

[2have4kids]

Can you get a cd21 progesterone test done by your gp? It sounds like a problem with the luteal phase. The estrogen builds up your lining and progesterone keeps it, if you're constantly spotting you may have ovulation issues (ovulation sparks the creation of progesterone).
How many cycles have you taken Chlomid? This really changed my cycles, I got really terrible clotty af's, don't know how I could have concieved like that. I'd get to a doctor to do some tests.

 

[HearMyPrayers]

the last cd21 test I did my progesterone came back at 5.2. My doctor was not "concerned" at all. All he said was "you ovulated, and that's what matters". I looked up progesterone levels and 5 is the minimum to indicate ovulation.....5.2 isn't the greatest, this test was done while I was not on clomid/letrozole. its been 8 months since I was last on any fert. medicines. But I did notice for the first 2-3 months right after my last medical cycle I had no spotting but it seems once the clomid was right out of my system it started right back.

I also get really bad acne around cd10 and it lasts until AF shows and my face clears only to break out again right after she leaves.....its so strange!

 

[HearMyPrayers]

I've only done 3 round of clomid back to back with break after my lap in October 2012 then 1 round of Letrozole in April 2013 and we've been on a bit of a break from the treatments since then.

 

[2have4kids]

Acne can be an indication of estrogen dominance. Can you try to get referred to a fertility clinic? It doesn't sound like your GP is very helpful.

As soon as I found I was having fertility issues my doc referred me and it was still a 3 month wait to get in and then 2 months of getting tests done and then 1 month more wait for chlomid & iui.

Something that you might want to read up on are things that hinder ovulation. Gluten intolerance is a huge one, many women have NO idea they are gluten intolerant and this can actually impede ovulation. https://sites.google.com/site/miscarriageresearch/diet-and-miscarriage/gluten

PCOS, you may not have PCOS but a study done in the diabetes realm has summarized that there's a direct link to high sugar diets and malformed eggs (quality issues). High sugar diets cause your insulin to spike and that effects your egg quality, or women who are sensitive to sugar (insulin resistance) have been studies and there's a direct link to high insulin and small bumps/nodules & irregularities on the egg. Classic signs of PCOS are problems ovulating, being over weight, and having long/irregular cycles. Things that break down to sugar are pasta, bread, cereals, crackers, noodles, rice, squash, beets, carrots & peas (higher sugar/carb veggies). I'd start with diet and see if this can help if you're waiting to get into a fertility clinic. https://sites.google.com/site/miscarriageresearch/hormones-and-miscarriage/pcos/pcos-causes

Many people also swear by acupuncture but I found it terribly expensive (I was out $600 in 1 month) and didn't do anything for me personally. I tried Chinese herbs (dong quai) from a reputable health food store under the direction of my acupuncture specialist and wound up in hospital on morphine drip and they were worried about liver damage. Chinese herbs are contra-indicated with pregnancy, be very very careful if you use them. Soy has been taken off the market in Europe & NZ for use with children & babies, it will add to your estrogen imbalance if this is indeed part of what's going on. Soy mimicks estrogen in your body, it's also 95% GMO grown, it's just something that I don't feel I need (but each to their own right?). That's all I know from all of the studies I've read. I prefer scientific studies over anecdotal 'soy worked for me!!!' testimonials. This is one of my fav websites for reading fertility based supplements, conditions, and preventative measures. I wish you all the best!: https://sites.google.com/site/miscarriageresearch/how-to-boost-fertility

 

[HearMyPrayers]

Thank you. I've been with a FS since April 2012. He isn't very helpful. It was with the fertility clinic I did the 4 rounds of TI with clomid/letrozole. My fertility specialist did all my testing and surgery etc. I was diagnosed unexplained. DH was tested as well. He is all good.

 

[2have4kids]

Thank you. I've been with a FS since April 2012. He isn't very helpful. It was with the fertility clinic I did the 4 rounds of TI with clomid/letrozole. My fertility specialist did all my testing and surgery etc. I was diagnosed unexplained. DH was tested as well. He is all good.

Hmmm, have you explored immune issues? That's something I've found my fs wouldn't touch but it's very common with unexplained.
https://www.repro-med.net/repro-med-site2/
https://haveababy.com/fertility-information/ivf-authority/understanding-immunologic-implantation-dysfunction_16-2/

 

[HearMyPrayers]

I did ask my FS if we could explore immunology issues to see if by chance that might be the issue, he said its too expense to explore and it would cost $6000-$10000 just for testing and if an immunology factory was suspected then it would be costly to treat the disease/disorder while undergoing fertility treatments. So it was a brush off more or less.

 

[2have4kids]

I'm being treated for immune issues even though I haven't gone through diagnosis. I'm doing 10mg of prednisone before my next DE IVF in Czech Republic as I've got stage 4 arthritis and been struggling for 3 years. It's less expensive to treat for it when you got though an IUI for example than going through IVF only to figure out that you coulnd't have concieved this way anyway if you have immune issues working against you.

 

[seoj]

Looks like you already got lots of good info-- but hopefully, once you have your IUI that helps- I had that done and my FS said that is the best shot with fertility issues- as Clomid alone can help, but the chances are less. I'm sure info can vary by clinic and the results they experience though- but a friend of mine did Clomid for months and finally went to the same clinic as me and had the Clomid/IUI and 2nd round worked.

I did a lot of research during our TTC Journey- there is SO much info, and it's sometimes hard to know where to look or turn. So it's good to have a specialist that supports you and helps offer advise-- is there any other clinics you can try? If not- then I can only say to be proactive best you can- if it's not gonna hurt, then give it a try... why not right? I did. I think for me, because it was something else to focus my energy on during all those months waiting and wondering... shoot, I even went as far as to try a fertility spell! I know- but hey, sometimes you just need that extra bit of *hope*!

Sorry I've no great advise-- wishing you all the best hun!

btw- if not a fertility specialist, maybe an OBGYN? Or someone in that field that can do blood work and other tests to figure out what is going on with your cycles?

 

[HearMyPrayers]

I actually went to my GP tonight and she gave me a lab request for CD21 bloods next cycle. I think I might work with her as much as I can for bloods to determine if hormones are off rather than the FS for now as he tends to just want to shove meds down my throat and I don't want to mask the issue I want to find out what the issue is first!

 

[2have4kids]

Glad someone's willing to help you out! It'll be interesting to compare your cd21 score this time to last.

 

[HearMyPrayers]

yes! I thought 5.2 was so low and my FS didn't even seem to care! All he said was when I do IUI he will give me extra progesterone to "help me out" which ok thanks, but why not try me on extra progesterone and naturally TTC first.