Infertility Support Group
In vitro fertilization is one of the most common and utilized ways of treating conception problems. This support group is dedicated to those beginning their journey with IVF and needing support. Join the community and share your experiences, advice, and story with people going through similar challenges starting a family.
I was on birth control for 3-4 years and stopped getting a period altogether. I asked 2 different gynos why and they both said it was normal for the pill to completely alleviate a period. It's frustrating because after I went off the pill I got a somewhat regular period for maybe 6 months and I haven't had a period since January of this year. My gyno told me it's not a big deal to not have a period unless you're trying to get pregnant. But yea, I'm finding out from my current gyno that it sure is a big deal...
So I've tried Provera twice and it was unsuccessful (from old gyno). I'm trying it again for the third time and I have 0 hope that it'll kick start some ovulation for me. My gyno pre-diagnosed me with PCOS but after my third blood test this year, she said my estrogen is very low for my age (30). I am going to get an MRI done of my pituitary gland, to see if I have a cyst(s), next week then seeing a reproductive endocrinologist the following week.
What I'm actually thinking is wrong.. and I'm just diagnosing myself is that I exercise too much. I've been exercising at least 5 days a week for like 3 or 4 years and since last January I've been going strong at exercising 7 days a week for at least 2 hours a day. My gyno knows about this, she asked me if I exercise, how much, and what I do but she didn't say anything else about it.
Excessive exercise is a cause for both PCOS, and low estrogen. I'm hoping it's just that simple..
I've been seeing TV shows that talk about infertility issues like crazy lately and I don't know, I'm just hoping someone else out there has some advice? It's so so frustrating knowing that I can't do the thing a woman's body is designed to do. My husband wants kids and I'm kind of weary about being 30 and just starting also. I've always wanted kids but wanted to wait until I found the right guy to do it. I felt like I've done everything right and now I'm stuck.
So I've tried Provera twice and it was unsuccessful (from old gyno). I'm trying it again for the third time and I have 0 hope that it'll kick start some ovulation for me. My gyno pre-diagnosed me with PCOS but after my third blood test this year, she said my estrogen is very low for my age (30). I am going to get an MRI done of my pituitary gland, to see if I have a cyst(s), next week then seeing a reproductive endocrinologist the following week.
What I'm actually thinking is wrong.. and I'm just diagnosing myself is that I exercise too much. I've been exercising at least 5 days a week for like 3 or 4 years and since last January I've been going strong at exercising 7 days a week for at least 2 hours a day. My gyno knows about this, she asked me if I exercise, how much, and what I do but she didn't say anything else about it.
Excessive exercise is a cause for both PCOS, and low estrogen. I'm hoping it's just that simple..
I've been seeing TV shows that talk about infertility issues like crazy lately and I don't know, I'm just hoping someone else out there has some advice? It's so so frustrating knowing that I can't do the thing a woman's body is designed to do. My husband wants kids and I'm kind of weary about being 30 and just starting also. I've always wanted kids but wanted to wait until I found the right guy to do it. I felt like I've done everything right and now I'm stuck.
Like you, I never pushed my other doctors because I wasnt really ready to have kids. And they made everything seem fine.
I agree 100% about seeing a fertility specialist. I had an appointment with my regular doctor at the end of this month and I feel so fortunate that she didnt wait until then to share my blood test results and get things moving in the right direction. So far she's been an awesome doctor. She even offered to call me to discuss my MRI results before I head to the specialist so I can ask her questions and get questions ready for him.
I'm glad you're seeing the right specialists, but I have to say if your RE is worth anything, he/she will tell you what you have suspected, that you are definitely exercising too much. You have to have a certain % of body fat to even ovulate or have a period in the first place. There were certain months of the year where I didn't ovulate and they always coincided with the starts of my fall and spring soccer seasons because I would go from playing once or twice a week to 3-4 times a week, which is the equivalent of running 15-20 miles a week. It sounds like you're doing way more than that, and while some women's bodies can handle it, some can't. I would suggest cutting down on the exercise, which is easier said than done. Your first step is getting the regular periods and ovulating regularly. If you need to do it every day then switch to walking for 30min-1hr rather than your usual exercise every other day. Also, remember that your body wants fat, so while it's not good to get overweight, start eating grass-fed butter, peanut butter, full fat dairy, red meat and a lot of eggs. Those things are also high in estrogen so it should help your E count go up.
Good luck! I generally find that the women on this site will actually know a lot more than your doctors because we have dealt with the issues just as long and tried everything we can. Keep asking questions because likely someone on here will have your same problem, and possibly a solution.