Welcome and so sorry you're here, but this is a wonderful place to be with lots of great women. Have you seen a reproductive endocrinologist or a RE? What tests have you had done so far? Does your insurance cover anything? Sorry for the bombardment of questions, I just dont know what else to add without that info. I hope you find lots of support here!

No I have not, I thought i'd have to be referred. Right now I just see a OBGYN and have had my thyroid/hormone levels checked, mutliple ultrasounds, they checked my fallopian tubes to make sure there were no blockages. Everything so far has come back normal other than my periods being irregular. They won't give me clomid, the dr. says that would not help my problem. I have no insurance at the moment but do get some financial help through the hospital depending on the type of visit I have.
i'm trying to get down to a healhy weight, i've cut out alcohol. My husband is working on quitting nicotine to raise his count. I just dont' understand why the doctor can't try clomid?? one obgyn in the office said he'd put me on it when my husbands count got higher, and this other one in the same office said it would not help. they say i'm young I have time, i'll be 27 next month. But we've been trying for over a year and do not believe my age should play a factor in whether or not they help me.

I would push to see a specialist. OB's don't always know best. They know how to care for pregnant women but not so much about infertility. Everything looked fine for me but after years of trying and procedures, I had a laparoscopy that found stage 4 endometriosis. I had no symptoms other than infertility. Unfortunately OB's may think we have alot of time due to being young, but until the issues are found and addressed we are often wasting time and money. Good luck to you!!

Welcome! Im so sorry to hear of your struggles. I agree with the other lovely ladies. It's time to see an RE. OB's are good but RE's are better because they have more refined training. Having a period once every 2-3 months sounds like there is more going on and an RE has the skills to better assets that.

I would speak with your OB and ask for a referral, if your insurance or state requires it. If your insurance or state does not require a referral do some research for RE's in your area. And always remember you are your best advocate when it comes to these issues.

Thanks for the answers. I do agree that it's time to move on from the OB. And without insurance it will be expensive. That's one of the crappiest parts, is how much money we hve to pay to become parents when others (mostly undeserving) people get it for free. OBs are just not trained in infertility like the RE is. I was told I had lots of time too, until I had my AMH checked and it was super low, at which my RE told me I had a year, maybe two before I couldn't have kids anymore. Mind blown. Like someone else said, if not seeing the specialist, it's just a waste of time and money. Good luck!

thanks ladies, I will be looking for an RE today!

My OB-GYN prescribed Clomid for about 6 months. Most terrible medication I have ever taken! Made me have terrible mood swings to the point were on the last month, the last pill, I dropped it and the pill broke in half and I lost one of the halves. I ended up on the kitchen floor crying for no reason. My husband walked in and thought something terrible had happen. I think he had to fight not to laugh when I told him that the pill just broke. If you can avoid clomid, I would!

On another note, I am new here too! Just looking for support from women who know what I am going thru. We are seeing a new Fertility doctor this year, and he wants to go right to IVF based on mine and my husbands past results with another fertility doctor. I am hoping for the best this year!! Hugs to you and hopefully you get some good answers and results yourself!

Welcome! Were you able to get an appointment with a RE?

Welcome but sorry you have to be here. It sounds like you have had some of the right tests, but like the others have said, OB's don't necessarily understand infertility like an RE does.

Personally, I had done so much research by the time we got to an RE that pretty much everything he told us was old news to me - but it was really good for my husband to hear. So I definitely suggest seeing an RE.

I'll try to share a lot of what he told us. It might be long but maybe it can give you some information that might be helpful.

The one thing he did explain that I didn't already know was how the OPK's should be used. He said that you have to start testing before the time you think you ovulate. It needs to start out negative and then turn positive. If it starts out positive, or you only get a positive, it's not conclusively showing ovulation. There is this complicated hormonal feedback loop that happens. Basically, estrogen and FSH are produced in the beginning of your cycle to develop and mature the eggs. When one nears maturity, it sends another hormone (can't remember what it is called) that basically says 'I'm ready down here'. So the brain sends a surge of LH to trigger release of the egg. That surge is what the OPK is looking for. So you have to know that it's a surge and not just the same level that has been there all along - which can happen if your hormones are out of whack. Since I miscarried in September, I get a positive OPK every morning all cycle long...so basically, I'm not ovulating.

So basically, OPKs have to be done over a period of time - not just one day - and they have to go from negative to positive. If they don't, you aren't actually ovulating.

Also, a cycle should be between 28-32/33 days ideally. If it is any longer, it is highly unlikely that you are ovulating. There are exceptions, but the majority of the time, this is a very strong signal that things are not right.

Our RE said that if you know that you are ovulating, it is better not to take Clomid or Femara. Their job is to develop eggs so that you will be more likely to ovulate. But they also have side effects that can cause difficulties. Clomid was originally developed as a birth control pill because it causes a decrease in cervical fluid, making it harder for the sperm to travel. But they found it has a side effect of encouraging ovulation, so they started using it as a fertility aid. So, given that it can inhibit fertility as well, it is better to just let your body ovulate naturally if it already does so.

If your OB thinks that you are ovulating, that could be why they are not willing to give you Clomid. And if there are issues with your husband's sperm count, then it really wouldn't address the problem.

All in all, I would say it sounds like you are not ovulating regularly. In which case the Clomid would help address that. But it still leaves the low count.

Sorry to be long-winded, but maybe that info can help you understand your OB's hesitation. That being said, their statement that you have enough time so just relax - really irks me. Why wait to look for a problem until you're in a time crunch? Seriously, do something now! This crap is stressful enough without being brushed off by the people who are supposed to be helping you.

Definitely go to an RE. Discuss all of the issues, tests, concerns, questions, etc. Ask them what your best option is. My guess is that given the long, possibly without ovulation, cycles combined with your husband's low count...they will be more likely to respond to your concerns and be more proactive about helping you.

Just wanted to say welcome to the group. Its full of amazing women with lots of knowledge so if you have any questions along the way, do not hesitate to ask. We are also full of TMI so do not feel embarrassed by any questions you may have.

good luck finding an RE!

So sorry to hear about your situation, but you have come to the right place for support! We all can relate to what you're going through and are here for you! I hope you are able to find the help you are looking for.