QuestionHello,
I'm 34 years old (from Canada)and have been trying to get
pregnant for 4 months now - I started using a basal
thermometer to predict my LH surge which I tried for two
months and found that it was all over the map with no
consistency. The third month I bought a home ovulation kit
which I actually ended up having to buy two kits since no
ovulation was detected after the first 7 test sticks - and
after 14 test sticks, I still hadn't ovulated. For my
fourth month, I bought an clearblue ovulation monitor hoping
it would bring me better luck in detecting my ovulation -
this cycle just ended and still no ovulation. I have a
regular period that is like clockwork and is easily
predicted but for some reason I'm not ovulating which is
really concerning me. Generally, women are told to wait 12
months before getting fertility treatment but are there no
exceptions for women over 30 who aren't experiencing
ovulation? I just want to make sure I'm doing everything I
can - is this normal for women over 30 and do I just need to
be more patient? I discussed with my doctor and she just
told me to relax and it would happen...?
AnswerHello Micha from Canada,
A woman can actually undergo testing at any age. The 1 year requirement is not set in stone (at least not here in the U.S.).
The perplexing part of your story is that you state you have regular menstrual periods like clockwork. That is a very strong indication that you are ovulating. I don't know why the ovulation kits do not show that. If you were in my clinic, I would probably use ultrasound monitoring to determine if and when you ovulate to help you time intercourse for the next 6 months. I would not start a fertility evaluation just yet. The ultrasound will be able to see the ovaries and see if you are developing an ovulatory follicle. Following it will also allow you to time your intercourse, and if done even after that point on a daily basis, will be able to confirm that you ovulated. Some docs might use a luteal phase progesterone level (CD#21) to determine if you ovulated, which is okay, but I like to be more sure.
Good Luck,
Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
for additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com check me out on twitter with me at @montereybayivf
