Coffee - now freaking out?

[jac1417]

Hi Atomic

I have started this post as I have read a post that suggests having a latte in the morning is like having breakfast. I’m now freaking out as that’s all I have been drinking. I wasn’t a big coffee fan(always tea with lots of sugar) but switched to a latte with sweetener instead.

I am hoping Iv not ruined my sway :( I always have my coffee around 9.30am and my last meal is between 6pm+8pm.

My past 2 cycles have been so irregular for me, last month was 39 days and this month 27. Im always around 32-35day cycle. Straight after ovulation the past 2 cycles Iv been having brown discharge (sorry TMI) almost every second day until my period. This was with 1 attempt but I am considering every 72hrs next cycle. My body is messed up right now and not sure if this will go for or against me with my sway.

I don’t want to be too OCD with it all either m as I have been quite relaxed about it all.

[atomic sagebrush]

How much milk are you putting in the latte?

What is your BMI? How much are you eating in terms of calories, protein, and fat??

[jac1417]

Thank you so much for the reply. So I’m having a medium latte from McDonalds each morning. It’s 100% organic semi skimmed milk. 145 calories and 3.2g of saturated fat.

Iv not been counting fats and protein as it was starting to stress me out so I have been making sure I’m eating below the calories. Around 1500-1700 each day.

My BMI is 19.1, so I’m not sure if it’s my diet thats causing me problems. My periods the past 2 months have been strange and this month they have been stop and start throughout? When reading up I seem to have symptoms of a hormonal imbalance with acne all over the top of my back etc. I might just be reading into things as I do but I’m hoping this wouldn’t ruin anything or have to change anything within my sway? I have roughly 2 weeks until my next attempt.

[atomic sagebrush]

That would definitely count as a meal, but it's not the end of the world or anything.

The start and stop period is def. not normal. I think you need to see a doctor to get your hormone levels checked so we can see what is actually going on here. This is one of those times where I can't accurately guide you without more information because what you're describing could be being caused by PCOS-tendencies OR from being too thin and not eating enough fat, and the solution for one is the opposite of the solution for the other.

How much fat are you eating?

DO NOT lose any more weight.

[jac1417]

Oh god would it. I will wait until later in the day then before having a coffee moving forward.

To be honest I haven’t been counting fats :( it’s only been the past 2 months my periods have been very weird. They have been normal from March. I always have acne on the top part of my back. This comes just before ovulation time and usually clears up just after. I have had this for a few years now.

I won’t loose anymore weight than what I have done. I have lost 8lbs since my starting weight so I’m stuck at 8st6 - 8st8. I was probably around this weight when conceiving my boys, although I was probably more muscle.

If it’s a case of PCOS which I will get onto my doctor this week coming, is there anything else I need to do to change? Should I hault at trying.

[atomic sagebrush]

Yes, anything that raises your blood sugar and fills your stomach for a while acts as a meal. Because milk has lactose (milk sugar) it will raise your blood sugar, and because there's enough milk to give you a fair amount of protein and fat, your blood sugar will stay up for a while after you have it.

Please count fats. We need to know how much you're getting. Do not count the minimal amounts of fat in protein and vegetables. if you were to just add up a single sample day that would really help me to be able to better diagnose what is happening.

I need your BMI rather than how many stone, sorry. Weight would matter differently for someone who is 5 ft. tall vs. 6 feet.

My gut instinct is that you have cut back too far. I seriously doubt this is PCO-related. I just have to take into account that it COULD be. But I need more info so I can tell you how to proceed.

[jac1417]

Thank you so much. I will track everything moving forward so I know.

I have an appointment with my doctor this week to discuss everything. My period has lasted 8 days now but since day 4 it’s been very light which is what I described as stop and start. It’s usually days at a steady pace and then stops. Since then it’s been a lot of discharge with blood? Some days it’s brown then pink and changes. I have slight cramps so i have no idea what could be causing this.
When I google things it’s leading me to the worst case scenario.

Our family recently had a bereavement in the family the day I was to ovulate. To be honest I hardly ate the week after it so I’m not sure if this is all having a side affect or maybe there is something else there underlying.

Hopefully I can get to the bottom of it and thank you so much I really appreciate the help.

[atomic sagebrush]

Please don't Google stuff like this, there is no worst case scenario to be fearful of here. This is almost certainly caused by the stress of the bereavement and the lack of food, plus overall swaying. I would not jump to any conclusions but we do need more info from your doctor.

[jac1417]

Hi Atomic

So I have spoke with my doctor today who has said it sounds like my body is trying to get back to normal from stopping my contraception in July. This could take a few months? She is sending me for my cervical screening ( which I’m overdue), but said not to worry it’s nothing like this it’s just to check for anything else during this.
Am I okay to try again just after this? I was due to ovulate 4 days after I have it done? Again I’m not sure with everything off in my body but I wanted to double check.

Iv started to count everything now just to make sure I’m not overstaying which is causing all of this.

[atomic sagebrush]

Well, that could be but we're getting kind of far out from that. I would hope that they'd want to do a blood test at some point.

yes the cervical screening would just be for preventative measures, this type of spotting would be more likely to be hormone related not from the cervix!

Yes, I'd still try.

[jac1417]

Yes I think this was just as a precaution as it’s been 5 years.

She also did mention my body will be trying to fix itself. I will mentioned about bloods when I go for my check up so they can check my hormones. This isn’t anything I can fix in the mean time is it? And will this hormone balance affect my sway at all?

[atomic sagebrush]

Yes, your body is always trying to get back to things functioning normally.

If you're dieting too strictly then absolutely we can fix it in the meantime. And if you're eating too many carbs we can fix it. But I need more information to go on about your diet and how much you're eating.

It depends on the reasons why your cycle is disrupted. Most likely, this will only sway pink, but we do need to make some changes to be sure you can continue ovulating, and the changes we make have to be careful not to go too fast back in the direction of blue. But before I start making recommendations I need to be sure what's really going on and for that I need more info about your diet.

[jac1417]

Hi Atomic

Sorry for the late reply. I have been working a lot lately to catch up.

So today was my screening but low and behold I started what I think is another period this afternoon? So the beginning of my last cycle was the 1st November and now today 18th. They have tested for infections in case I have a lingering UTI but I should get better results on Tuesday with my next appointment. After this, we are able to do blood tests etc to check hormones and iron.

My diet, to be honest, the last month was pretty bad. I was always fasting for 14 hours+ but as mentioned before I went 2 days without eating barely anything due to the bereavement. I had been eating chips and cheese, burritos, pasta, chickpea curry and noodles. I did have the odd bit of chocolate. I feel I had maybe a lot of dairy also with cheese, macaroni and my lattee's. Being vegetarian I find it very difficult to have a healthy balanced diet. I don't care for all the meat alternitives.

I just hope everything can return to normal as I was supposed to be ovulating this weekend coming but now I don't know what my body is doing.

[jac1417]

I take it back, the bleed I had lasted 2 hours ? It had been 17 days yesterday since my last period started so maybe it was an ovulation bleed. I’m not too sure what’s going on to be fair. I had cramping in my left side and bloating prior to the bleed that afternoon and it disappeared that night.

If this was an ovulation bleed would the egg alreAdy have released or about too? We had an attempt on Sunday.

Thank you so much for all the help I really appreciate it.

[atomic sagebrush]

No need to apologize for not getting back to me, it's my job to get back to you, not the other way around! :)

Around ovulation, your cervix is really soft and can be easily injured. Most bleeding around ovulation is not ovulation spotting but actually comes from a wound on the cervix. But it may be that it was ovulation-related too (though that is usually pinkish or brown)

I can't tell you when you ovulated on this basis because there's no way to know if the bleeding came from the cervix, from O spotting, or some other thing.

Are you taking any supplements? If so, what?

Let me know what your test results are when you get them back. That will tell us possibly more information.

[jac1417]

Yeh it was a light bleed. Actually reddish brown in colour which stopped after 2 hours. But then today I had another really heavy bleed. It’s driving me crazy honestly.

I’m not taking any supplements at all and never have. I’m trying to weigh up what could be causing this. Does irregular cycles sway Pink way?

I should know if there’s anything unusual on Tuesday hopefully. Is there anything I can take to help things ease or get back on track? Which keeps me pink!

[atomic sagebrush]

It depends on the reason why the cycle is irregular. Some cases are more pink friendly, others blue, and without more information I can't say for sure. The results of the hormone tests will be very helpful.

What you're describing is out of bounds of swaying. That is a sign something is amiss and we need more information. In your doc visit if they don't suggest it, I think you need to ask them about an ultrasound. The intermittent heavier bleeding you're describing is concerning to me and there are a couple things that need to be ruled out, they should not take a wait and see approach. Again, please don't worry, it's most likely hormonal in nature but I want for them to rule out things like fibroids, polyps, and cervical erosion.

Please do not take anything. We don't know what is going on and we need there to be nothing that interferes with the results of the testing.

[jac1417]

Hi Aromic

I got results from all bloods and swabs and everything seems normal. The only thing they are doing to investigate it further is sending me for an ultrasound to check the lining of my womb and ovaries etc.

My doctor seems to think it could be anovulatory cycles Iv been having since having the implant removed and this is the final flush out. Nothing seems to be ringing alarms for anything else but again the scan should be able to check up on this.

Do I wait until everything seems a bit more settled before trying again? This shouldn’t interfere with my sway should it for pink.

[atomic sagebrush]

Well, darn it, they need to do TESTING to determine if you are having anovulatory cycles!!!! The doctor can't just rest on their laurels assuming that. They need to run a blood test after you think you've ovulated to see if there is a progesterone rise.

The most important thing is that we get that ultrasound. Even though I know there's a corona spike right now you really need that scan, and I strongly suggest making that happen ASAP. It is that scan which will rule out any of the scary (but very very rare) things and then some common things as well.

None of this will interfere with your sway, I just want to be sure you're being properly cared for.

[jac1417]

I know you can probably sense my frustration right now. She thinks that due to this cycle being the only irregular cycle I have had my body is adjusting its hormones from the implant removal. My cycles have went from 32-35 and since my implant has been taking it out it went 39,27 and then this month being so wacky.

Our system is so backlogged with people from the pandemic they have no idea how long it will take for me to get the ultrasound. She thinks around 4 weeks but can’t guarantee it. There seems to be no urgency for this to happen as she mentioned that it will give us time to see if things settle down a little and get back to normal. My bloods have all came back perfect as with my heart rate and urine samples.

Since Monday I am now having what seems like a heavy period. No stop and starting.

I have tried to draw a conclusion myself as to what it could be as with everything going on I have bad acne on my back. I usually get this around the time of ovulation and it’s cleared up around my period but for some reason it’s been there the full month which makes me think it’s my hormones?

Until I get any tests it’s really and guessing and waiting game :(

[atomic sagebrush]

I sure can, and I'm frustrated on your behalf.

They didn't do the most important test, which was testing to see if you have ovulated. So they do need to do that, after you think you've ovulated (generally done at CD 21 for a CD 14 ovulation, but about a week after you think O has occurred) This is probably because you were not at the right time of the month for that (indeed, we don't know where you were in the cycle) but still they should have set it up for you.

Did they test your testosterone and blood sugar?

So what appears to be a true period has come now. This indicates you DID indeed ovulate. Can you think back 10-14 days or so and recall if you had any ovulation symptoms?

[jac1417]

I know, honestly they wouldnÂ’t even test me for these things until you have been trying to conceive over 12 months here with no success. I think IÂ’m slowly making progress with things as Iv had a very irregular cycle.

The only test they done was urine, swabs and blood. The blood test was to check for iron and an overall health check. I have no idea what this includes but they have said everything has come back perfect and my iron count is better than it was a few months ago.

Well IÂ’m not really sure if I can call it a true period. ItÂ’s lasted 3 days and slowly stopped today. My period I got back on 1st November was 27 day cycle so was very short than my usually 32+. It also lasted 8 days. From then on I had an unusual pinkish discharge. Which would come and go each day really. Saturday there (day 21) I had a heavy bleed in the morning/afternoon. Stopped the next day and then Monday (day 23) I had what I believe the start of another period. Very heavy and itÂ’s lasted 3 days with light spotting only when I wipe on the 4th day.

This is why my doctor seems to think itÂ’s caused by the implant removal at the end of July. ItÂ’s my body trying to adjust to itÂ’s original hormones.

I never really paid attention to my cycles before swaying and never tested for ovulation. I seemed to be getting a surge, with one month it went straight to static smily and last month I had 2 flashy faces. I couldnÂ’t check if it got a static as I ran out of tests.

I know this has nothing to do with my sway as my diet has been pretty much the same throughout but the only added thing to that month was the stress and heartbreak I experienced which happened the day after my 2 flashy faces.

Maybe IÂ’m holding onto hope that itÂ’s just been a very off month and things will start to get back to normal.

[atomic sagebrush]

They really need to do an ultrasound. Blaming nearly constant off and on bleeding in November over an implant removed in July is not ok.

I can't tell because of all the bleeding what is going on. Even if you didn't ovulate you can get a flashy and a surge. We just need more info to go on.

Sway diets can be cumulative over time. Your body can manage on stores for a while and then sometimes it just sort of runs out of gas, and your cycle can get weird even if nothing changes. But that would not come with this bleeding.

Stress can really mess up your cycle but again, not with bleeding.

It is my hope too that your cycle just normalizes now. Your body will be trying to fix things so FX and TX that it does.

[jac1417]

I agree. This was my point to them that i was having my usual cycles. Last 2 months were a little off with one being 39 and then 27. For me it was the constant pink discharge when I wiped after an 8 day period which I never have always 4 days.

They are sending me for an ultrasound but with everything going on I donÂ’t hold hope that it will be anytime soon. My doctor and nurse both donÂ’t seem phased by it and that we should take it a step at a time. Basically they want to see things ease off within the next few weeks.

Today there has been no bleeding and no pink discharge when I wipe. The acne on my back seems to be drying up now. With me not having a clue what is going on with my body, when I google it a hormone imbalance comes up. This could be way off the symptoms I have. But I always gets acne around ovulation and it dries up just before my period. This month however Iv had the acne since my last date of ovulation 21st October? Now who knows if I even ovulated this month with everything going in but if so IÂ’m pretty positive we have missed it.

I agree with you and donÂ’t think it could be down to diet or stress. I will let you know if things keep this way for the next few days and hopefully I can start again.

Would I need to do anything different or am I ok to stick with my LE diet.

[atomic sagebrush]

The Internet calls everything a "hormonal imbalance" but most of that stuff is written by people who make money off treating people with herbs for "hormonal imbalances" that don't actually exist.

I hesitate to change your diet till we know more about what is happening (namely a testosterone/blood sugar test to rule out PCOS). For now I want you on whole grains only, full fat dairy only (no skim or part skim dairy at all) and limit sugar as much as you can bear. Plus lets be sure you're eating 4-6 eggs a week and a sserving of salmon if you like it, red meat if you don't, every week.

[jac1417]

Yeh that makes a lot of sense. Everything has stopped now so hopefully I’m going back to normal.

In terms of diet, I can swap to whole grains no problem. Sugar I don’t really have a lot of. I drink diet juice and have sweetener with my coffee. The odd bit of chocolate but that’s like once a week. I can eat eggs, however the fish and meat I can’t do. I’m vegetarian and I hate fish :( I’m not getting a lot of protein in my diet because of this. My diet has probably changed drastically from September time. During our lockdown I was eating freshly made dinners from scratch. Now we are back to some normality and kids are back at school it’s literally what I can cook fast. All under the calorie intake I should be having.

[atomic sagebrush]

Ok no worries at all, that's fine to just stick to dairy and eggs (I actually almost didn't recommend the meat for you)

Can you tell me more about what you mean when you say not a lot of protein?

[jac1417]

Hi Atomic

I am really struggling now to fall pregnant. I have been trying now since July , so 7 months this time with no luck. It didn’t take me near as much with my 2 boys.

Iv been trying the every 72h from the offset as that was my take on E4d. I even think this month I managed 1 attempt plus an extra.
I had such a weird cycle back in November sure were I was bleeding a lot and everything came back normal?

However for the past 3/4 months I have brown discharge around the time of ovulation. Most websites say this is normal but I am just worried there could be something underlying. I don’t want to ruin my sway and attempt any more than I should but it’s now very disheartening and I can’t anymore of the disappointment.
Iv started to bleed today, well spotting just now for day 1 but I am on day 28 and I rarly take my period this early it’s usually 30/32. I thought I was pregnant this month as the lead up was way different than usual and the veins I have all around my breasts I have never experienced.

[atomic sagebrush]

Brown discharge around O is not a big deal. Were you ever able to get in for an appointment? the only way to rule out any underlying problem is by having an ultrasound.

I would continue on with the e4d plus one more attempt at positive OPK.

It is very normal to see changes in cycle with swaying. A 28 day cycle is normal. Or it could be possible you had a chemical if you thought you were pregnant (though symptoms are not at all reliable.)

[jac1417]

Thank you so much Atomic, for the quick reply and for making me feel that little bit better.

I have never experienced the bleed at ovulation until then so was unsure what could be causing it. Next month I will try for the E4d and 1 attempt at positive OPK.

The bleeding is now just pink and only when I wipe. No doubt I will wake up with it full force in the morning.

Hopefully I’m back next month and joining in a due date chat.

Again thank you for all your help.

[atomic sagebrush]

Any update??

[jac1417]

Yes

So it started off the day as just spotting when I wiped and 2 days of my period. Shorter than usual but suppose that’s my body.

I will try the E4d and again at positive OPK. Hopefully I am able to catch this time. This will be month 8. Is there anything I can take to boost the chances of falling pregnant this month or am I safe with what I am doing to keep with my sway.

[atomic sagebrush]

We do notice that we often have shorter lighter periods when swaying. Keep in mind that period is from LAST month and has nothing to do with this upcoming month.

Let me reread our last messages. The truth is nothing you take really helps you get pregnant and much of it simply makes it harder. There are forums full of women taking gobs of supplements and they simply aggravate their fertiltiy issues. Please run everything past me before you take it.

[jac1417]

Thanks Atomic

I’m on CD 12 today with my first flashy smile with clear blue. I haven’t taking anything this month anyway. Don’t think I would loving forward if I don’t get pregnant either. Tonight falls in with my E4d attempt. If I get a static smile tomorrow will I leave the attempt I was to do at positive OPK?

Iv not had the usual brown bleed at this stage yet but won’t speak too soon. I felt bloating and cramps 3 days ago so I don’t think I’m far off.

[atomic sagebrush]

If you want best chance of pink, just keep doing the e4d whereever it falls.

If you want a better chance of conception, add the attempt at positive OPK and then keep going with the e4d both before and after.

[jac1417]

So today was my static smiley. So that would be attempts cd12 + cd14. This cycle feels really different. No brown bleed and the cramp and pain is coming from the right side. It’s always been the left Iv felt whilst ttc.

Is it a myth that if you ovulate from the right it’s more likely to be a boy 🤦*♀️.

[Jconger]

I’ve always ovulated on the right. Every single time I’ve conceived and it’s been a girl. This time I think it was the left but won’t know until I have an ultrasound and don’t know the gender. I would say that is not true though. Just some silly thing someone said that sounded good.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jac1417]

Thank you so much that’s so reassuring. It’s not something I paid attention to when I conceived my boys. And since TTC this time around it’s always been my left side I felt the pain. And with the left side came brown bleed during ovulation so not sure what was going on then? Iv not had the bleed this cycle so I just pray we have caught this month.

[atomic sagebrush]

You can't tell what side you've ovulated from based on where you feel O pain. You develop 15-30 eggs per ovary every month and in many cases you feel more pain from the side that doesn't ovulate (kind of like picking a ripe zit, LOL) than the side that does. We have had dozens of people completely convinced they'd ovulated from one side when it was actually the other.

The pattern of ovulation left, left, right did seem to make more boys but there were still girls conceived (and this was in ONE study that has not been repeated) But that's a three month pattern and not just a single month.

[jac1417]

Oh I didn’t know that at all. I just assumed it was the side you had the pain. In saying that this afternoon I had cramping in my left side for a while too. I suppose we will never know which side I ovulated but just pray we have caught and hope it’s a little girl if so.

[atomic sagebrush]

Nope. It's speculated that some of us even have more nerve endings some places than others just from sheer chance so we may be feeling things only for that reason and no other!

The only way to know is have a transvaginal ultrasound. They'll be able to see the corpus luteum. But after seeing dozens of people do this only to find that they were not able to predict based on the pain the side of ovulation, I can say definitively that it's not possible in any reliable way.

[jac1417]

That’s good to know. At least if I don’t catch this cycle I will know moving forward that it doesn’t matter.

After my 48 hour static I re done the test to be sure and it was just the circle. Although the test strip seemed to look just as dark? Is that normal to happen or does the lines not really matter? Hopefully I ovulated yesterday or today so I’m either 0-1 or 0-2 which I’m praying is enough for me. My first static smily was 2 days ago and that was my attempt.

[atomic sagebrush]

Some tests will automatically give you a negative after 48 hours no matter what. YOu might want to add in an e4d attempt or two after this just to be on the safest side.

[jac1417]

Yeh I added in another attempt just to be sure. Although this morning I had brown discharge again 🤦*♀️ I thought I missed it this cycle so I have no idea what’s causing it. I’m hoping everything is maybe just sensitive and there’s no problems.

[atomic sagebrush]

It may just be cervical bleeding post-o.

[jac1417]

Yeh I’m hoping this is what it is. Iv had it now for 4/5 days after my positive OPK. It’s not a lot of it but I have mild cramps with it.

[atomic sagebrush]

Were you ever able to get in for an ultrasound and bloodwork like we discussed earlier in this thread?

4-5 days after O (especially since this has been going on more than 1 cycle) needs to be checked out.

[jac1417]

Not yet. Everything here has been cancelled with the pandemic. And I’m assuming the wait will be big. What do you advice I get checked and I can maybe look at going private for this.

It usually lasts around 4 days but it’s only ever get it 1/2 times each day and only when I wipe. It’s also accompanied with lots of clear cm. Never on it own.

[atomic sagebrush]

I do think at this point you may want to get it checked. The odds are good that it's nothing, but it's simply that I cannot advise you properly because it's just beyond my ability to diagnose from here.

[jac1417]

Yeh I appreciate that. I might call tomorrow to check up on the ultrasound. It was an endometrial ultrasound so I think this could pin point any problems. Iv never experienced it until October time and it’s been happening each month. This time it happened around 4 days after my suspected ovulation.

[jac1417]

Hi Atomic

Been to doctors today for a pelvic examination. She said everything looked healthy so wouldn’t be a problem that end. She has chased up my ultrasound which should be in the next few weeks.

She also mentioned I come in for blood work for my hormones in CD21. In due my period in the next day or so and already started cramping. I’m also not sure if this is really a thing but my RHR has started to decrease in the past 2 days which I’m sure signals my period is on the way.

My testosterone levels are normal from my previous blood work which she said would count out PCOS?

[atomic sagebrush]

The doctor cannot tell anything of relevance from the pelvic exam (well, cervical erosion, but that's fairly unusual). We need the ultrasound to tell us what is happning up inside.

For the most part yes if your testosterone is normal you don't have PCOS, but sometimes if you're controlling PCO via diet your testosterone would still be normal

But we have gobs of people with PCOS and they do not have this bleeding which is pretty unusual. That's why I hope we can get that ultrasound done soon!

[jac1417]

Yes hopefully this comes in soon. I did say if we didn’t have it before the end of the next cycle I would go private.

No period today? But I just don’t have a good feeling anyway. I am thinking I maybe ovulated later than my positive OPK. I started to get the brown bleed 5 days after this. This is possible right?

I am trying to look at my graph on fitbit with rhr as I don’t temp. Again I’m not sure if this is something to go by but I seen it worked for a few people. Probably something else to obsess over.

[atomic sagebrush]

I would not use Fitbit to track ovulation.

If your period has not come 14 days after ovulation then yes you most likely are either pregnant or else you ovulated late (or both). FXFXFX!

[jac1417]

Cd 32 and still nothing. I’m too scared to take a pregnancy test just now as I’m
Dreading the negative :(. I took one on 12dpo, from my ovulation date with the OPK surge. But I think I maybe ovulated the week later with the brown bleed which I usually get.

If nothing tomorrow again I think I will pluck up the courage to take one. I’m hoping my body isn’t playing tricks on me and I get to day 33 with hope 🤞🙏🙏🙏.

Praying that this is my month

[atomic sagebrush]

AAA!!! Good luck!

[jac1417]

Hi Atomic

At got me today. Day 34, I am honestly gutted. I just don’t know if I can keep going. It’s making me feel miserable now.

[atomic sagebrush]

Hi Atomic

At got me today. Day 34, I am honestly gutted. I just don’t know if I can keep going. It’s making me feel miserable now.

When did you end up having your attempts in relation to when you got your period?

What are the parts of the sway you hate the most?

[jac1417]

Well it looks like we had an attempt every 2nd day this month. The actual week I thought I would ovulate I didn’t. I originally got the static smily on CD 14. But from CD19-22 I had the brown discharge which I usually get around ovulation time. Going off the cramps I get in my left ovary side and groin it would work out that I ovulated CD 21 which co insides with 14 days from ovulation to AF which would be today.

I have a chat again tomorrow with my doctor as I was to book in for blood work on day 21 coming.

The actual swaying part of it I don’t mind. I am now in a routine of not eating until later on in the afternoon and I’m vegetarian. I’m not under weight in the slightest as I’m probably heavier than when I conceived my 2 boys. Although I had more muscle mass with them as Iv stopped any weight stuff.

I think the part that worries me most is the brown bleed. I just feel this is indicating a problem and now going onto month 9 when Iv usually fell pregnant much sooner than this worries me. My cycles have been 33,28,35 now the past 3 months. Again I’m no expert but I’m not sure if I am actually ovulating or the fact it could be later which is why I can’t catch.

Hopefully I am able to try something to help this month but I think my doctor will probably want me to try again this month then with blood work and also an ultrasound which I have booked.

More than anything it’s how disheartened I am when I get to the end of the month and it hasn’t happened again. Even with this month trying more than we should have for a girl sway.

[atomic sagebrush]

The key here is that we have got to get you in to have that brown bleeding checked.

Now, the cycles being 33, 28, 35 is no biggie at all. That's well in normal range. And if you were having cycles like that and then getting your period I would say you're for sure ovulating. But that brown bleeding could be throwing a spanner in the works - it may be you're having super short anovulatory cycles and 2 a month, so we need to have that checked. I truly can't help you without that ultrasound at this point because we need to rule out any physical reasons why that is happening.

I would keep going with regular attempts in the meantime. That way when the egg shows up (which can happen at any time! Your body is working to fix anything that is amiss even as we speak) you will be in a position to catch it.

I would advise doing more like 72 hours apart if you are still trying to sway, and no closer than 48 hours for conception. Too much sex, if you are having it all month long, may be too depleting for your husband.

[jac1417]

Yeh I agree. I think it’s the brown bleed that’s really throwing me off here. Iv never experienced it ever and the fact it’s lasting upto 4 days just worries me that I wasn’t ovulating.

That’s good to know you think I am ovulating so here’s hoping that the blood work will confirm this.

This cycle coming I will go ahead with the every 72hrs and hopefully by the end of next month we will have a clear answer and a way forward. Yes it’s generally every 72hours we were doing until ovulation and back to 48hrs. I never even looked at the fact from my husbands part either so will definitely stick with 72 this time for who whole month.

The longer we are trying the more impatient I’m getting so I don’t want it to effect my sway in anymore so will keep pushing forward as much as I can.

[atomic sagebrush]

If you are doing the OPK I would consider adding in another attempt at the first positive OPK. This may help boost odds of conception.

[jac1417]

Hi Atomic

Sorry Iv been quiet I wanted to wait until I had all test results back. So ultra sound went well. She said I had ovulated this month and my right ovary was the dominant side. Everything looks really good. No issues what so ever.

Bloods came back all normal, progesterone is were it should be and no issues with thyroids. She has told me to give it another 3 months before I am able to seek any fertility treatment. I’m hoping that we don’t need to go this far as I have already had 2 kids with no struggles.

Every month my body is completely different. This cycle I would say I have all the symptoms and had negative test today at roughly 12/13dpo. So I think I’m out another month and no idea why we are unable to conceive.

[atomic sagebrush]

So your lining was all good and there were no polyps or anythign?? GREAT!

So what probably happened was that your hormones simply went back into a normal range of where they should be and then that's when you were tested. This doesn't mean you didn't have something going on, just that by the time the doc got around to testing you, it was already on the mend (which happens all the time, it's SOOO frustrating!)

I would just keep having attempts every 72 hours and then add in one more attempt at first positive OPK.

[atomic sagebrush]

So your lining was all good and there were no polyps or anything?? GREAT!

So what probably happened was that your hormones simply went back into a normal range of where they should be and then that's when you were tested. This doesn't mean you didn't have something going on, just that by the time the doc got around to testing you, it was already on the mend (which happens all the time, it's SOOO frustrating!)

I would just keep having attempts every 72 hours and then add in one more attempt at first positive OPK.

[jac1417]

Yeh they have said everything looks as it should and the lining at the time of my cycle was normal.

The brown bleed the doctor thinks is associated with hormones as this cycle I got it 1 week before my positive OPK.

The past 3 months I have tried the every 72hrs and another at positive OPK. I’m beginning to think maybe I’m unable to conceive again as I am doing everything I possibly can to conceive. I think because we were so lucky with our boys every month is now a struggle to come to terms that it’s no happened again.

Apart from the obvious there is nothing else I can do or take to hopefully catch next month.

[atomic sagebrush]

Right, well, that's like saying that breathing is associated with lungs. :) Not really very explanatory as to what is going on. The important thing is that she did the ultrasound and ruled out any polyps or fibroids that are causing the bleeding.

When did you start and finish the 72 hours?

You are making a massive and unwarranted leap assuming you cannot get pregnant again. You were having that bleeding (which again, is extremely unusual, which is why I was so emphatic about you getting checked by your doctor) for SOME reason - and your doctor throwing up her hands and saying "hormones" is a non-answer that is meaningless. There was possibly some reason for that that is clearing up on its own now.

There are not magical pregnancy pills, unfortunately (this is why you can see sites full of people taking everything under the sun and still not conceiving) I strongly, strongly urge you not to "take something" because 99% of the things that people say are good for conceiving make matters worse. I think your body is fixing things on its own and I really urge you not to interfere with that.

If you would like, we can consider going to Sperm Meets Egg Plan if you're ready to do that.

Also, are you using any lubricant, or doing anything you think could be cutting odds of conception??

[jac1417]

Yeh I feel the same way. I have never ever had brown bleed until September last year. And since then it’s been re occurring.

As everything looks normal I think it’s just a case of get on with it until cycle 12. She also seemed to think my body was trying to get back to normal from the implant but is this the case. Can it take so long? If I’m definelty ovulating then surly I am able to conceive.

We have not taking or tried anything different to conceive. There was tablets and lubricants I seen but if I’m ovulating then I can’t really see what else I am able to take?

I done the 72hr with positive OPK in Jan and Feb I then went on and done every second day and this month has been every 72hrs. I remember you mentioning about depleting the sperm so stuck with just the 72hrs this month.

Last month I got my OPK surge a week before I actually ovulated. This month my surge was day 14+15 with possible ovulation day 16. Again I’m not too sure if I actually did ovulate then as I don’t temp. My day 21 blood was on day 22 so if I did ovulate later would this have flagged up on the bloods?

It would be tomorrow I am due so we shall see how things go but it’s looking likely that I’m out again this month.

Iv never heard of that plan? Did this cut the odds of a girl.

[atomic sagebrush]

The longer this goes on the less likely it is related to the implant. I think she's just saying that to placate you to be honest.

If you're ovulating then yes you can get pregnant PROVIDED that in the other months your lining and hormones post ovulation were ok. Now, the brown bleeding may indicate something was going on that was preventing that. We're going to hope that clears up from here on in.

I want to know when in your cycle you're starting the every 72 hours. And how long in the cycle are you doing it?? In terms of cycle days.

If you ovulated CD 16 the CD 21/22 blood tests should have been ok. And that they came back normal indicates you did have them done at the right time. If it wasn't at the right time we'd have seen numbers saying you hadn't ovulated when you had instead. It told us what we needed to know.

Yes, Sperm Meets Egg Plan might cut odds of pink some so if you want to carry on wtih every 72 plus one more attempt at positive OPK that's also ok.

[jac1417]

Hi Atomic

I am so very sorry I didn’t see you had replied to message 🤦*♀️

We tried Sperm meets egg this month but I didn’t ovulate until CD 23 which is late ovulation. My spike was CD 22. I am out again this month even with doing all those attempts. Although I was sent to hospital the day after ovulation with an infection ( still not sure what caused it but suspected UTI but urine came back clear so no idea what caused the agonizing abdominal pains, high temp and heart rate increase) I’m not sure if this would have dubbed our chance of conceiving this month.

I agree that the longer it goes on it’s definelty not connected to the implant. I have 2 more months to try before I’m even looked at by fertility specialist and she seems to think it will happen.

This month coming we are moving house so I think I am going to take it off from trying. If it happens it happens but somewere in me thinks there’s a problem and I have said it for a few months now so hopefully I am wrong 🙏

[atomic sagebrush]

CD 23 is not terribly late O though. Did you still have attempts at that time?

Oh no I'm sorry to hear you weren't well! It does sound like a UTI, did they give you any antibiotics?

Have you had any spotting this month so far?

You could try "not trying, not preventing" as a method if you wanted to. Just have unprotected sex when you want to and then don't worry about it otherwise. It can help cut the stress a lot to do that.

[jac1417]

Hi Atomic

Sorry I taking time away from everything as we were moving house.

So I’m back again and still not managed to conceive. This is exactly a year now and still no further forward as to why. I’m ok cd 41 today with no period and no sign of it. All negative tests and I’m pretty sure I didn’t ovulate this month which would be a first for me. (I track my rhr every month and it rises until I get my period which it then declines. This month I just declined straight away, although I had all the symptoms of ovulation). I had bad cramps the night before my period was due and then Iv had on and off cramps and my belly is so bloated I can barley hold it in.

While I’m waiting to be seen by a fertility specialist is this common for that to happen and do you think it’s possible to ovulate this month coming.

[atomic sagebrush]

Hey, you guys never need to worry about not getting back to me! It's my job to get back to you, not the other way round. :)

When did you think you ovulated in relation to where we are now?

I don't find your heart rate to be very predictive of who is pregnant and who isn't. Even though it seemed to be accurate for you in the past that doesn't mean it always will be. Many things affect your heart rate that have nothing to do with hormones.

Have you taken a pregnancy test?

[jac1417]

Yeh Iv took loads and still negative. I usually always ovulate between days 14-23. It’s never really went over this or even missed it. My cycles have been so regular for over a year now.

I know I think with my rhr it’s always the same graph roughly that happens. It tends to go up after ovulation and then decline when I get my period. But this month it went up twice and just declined straight away. I had all the usual symptoms of ovulation and had all the cramps when I thought I was along with the brown bleed I have been getting and then cramps after when I was due on.

My only explanation would be my hormones are all out of balance ? Would it be possible to just ovulate again or would I need to take a period before this can happen 😞

[atomic sagebrush]

If you have not ovulated, which is entirely possible, you can, and in most cases, still will, ovulate. If you have ovulated, which is also possible and you've just not gone long enough to get your period yet, you will get your period soon. There is also the possibility of an anovulatory cycle which simply means you will get a bleed that acts like a period, your estrogen will drop and you'll have bleeding, without ever ovulating. This is ok because if it happens it will be a reset and you'll start over with a new cycle. In most cases, the following cycle is normal and everything will be good to go at that point.

If you feel you need more clarity, your doc can give you bloodwork or an ultrasound to see where you are in the cycle. Please note, they are not always flawless in doing this and can make mistakes (less so with the bloodwork, but they sometimes interpret them wrongly). Your doctor can prescribe some medicine that will make you have a bleed (not a period, but a resetting bleed like i described above) but PLEASE do not take it till you've gone 14 days without unprotected sex and a negative pregnancy test at the end of that time. Even if they do the bloodwork and ultrasound, they can be wrong and make mistakes, and using that medication when you're pregnant can cause a miscarriage. Do this waiting for 14 days even if they tell you it's ok not to, please trust me on this as we've had several sad/stressful stories from doctors being neglectful in giving out the medicine to people who were pregnant but just too soon along to have it register on a pregnancy test.

[jac1417]

Thank you so much for all the advice.

I still haven’t had a bleed and booked in tomorrow for blood work. I have taking another test today which is negative again so I’m assuming the blood work tomorrow will confirm I am not pregnant.
I will take everything you have said on board and if they offer me something to restart I will wait the 14 days.

Could all my hormones being out of whack cause tiredness, bloating, and sore breasts. I have no sign of either ovulation or my period coming but I’m just hoping I will bleed soon so I can re start again.

[atomic sagebrush]

Do be aware though that if you've been having unprotected sex you can still be pregnant, and just not be far enough along though to have it register even on the bloodwork. I would go 14 days without having unprotected sex and a negative pregnancy test before using any medication to trigger a bleed to kickstart a new cycle.

Extended cycles do sometimes seem to bring with them many unpleasant symptoms. But try not to think of it as being "out of whack" because long cycles are one manifestation of normal that your body does sometimes when it needs to. Doctors too often treat women's bodies as if we're broken if we don't have what htey have deemed "perfect" 28 day cycles, but in reality we're not meant to have 12 cycles a year, it's normal and natural for us to have some longer cycles in the mix and historically the 12 regular 28 day cycles a year is the exception, not the rule.

Hang in there, hopefully AF will come shortly.

[jac1417]

Thankfully AF arrived this morning. I don’t think Iv even been glad to see her than I ever have. 🤦*♀️

So I have made an appointment to go private and will be seen within 3 weeks rather than the 6 month to a year after my referral. Hopefully we can get to the bottom of this. I wish I don’t it sooner but was forever told I had to wait the year.

My cycle there was 7 weeks so maybe it’s what my body needed, who knows.

[atomic sagebrush]

Can you think back about 2 weeks? Did you have any symptoms of ovulation at that time?

[jac1417]

To be fair that full month my body was everywhere. I had the usual brown bleed I have but around 1 week before the suspected ovulation date and tiredness and bloating all just before AF arrived.

My AF this month and last has only lasted 2 days and then stop/start for 2 days after it. Plus yesterday after exercise I was bleeding when wiped. I had the heavy feeling in my pelvis I usually get before ovulation/AF
just after exercising. Wish I knew what is going on down there.

[atomic sagebrush]

If you are having a sluggish flow, which can happen sometimes in a long cycle, the exercise may simply be getting it going again. I'd take a hot bath and have sex with female O to see if you can get things moving again. Or, it may just be light because you had an anovulatory cycle, that can happen too.

[jac1417]

Yeh I’m so glad I did actually exercise. I had stopped it for a long time because I usually do circuits which builds muscle so my body is probably thinking what is going on here 🤦*♀️.

I will try the below and see how it goes. I see the specialist on the 9th August so I’m getting closer to what the cause could be. The body is literally a mind field, there is so much that I didn’t even question or think about when I conceived my other kids. I suppose this has taking me wayyyy longer so I’m now getting to know my body. Not that it’s working the way I thought it would but my hormones are probably all over the place.

I think my girl plan is way out the window 😩

[atomic sagebrush]

As long as you're not gaining weight on a high protein diet you aren't going to be building muscle.

Try not to feel discouraged - you're really doing fine. We WANT to see shifts in hormones from swaying, thats what sways!