QuestionHi,
Thanks in advance for reading my question!
I have just started trying to conceive at the age of forty. I am into the second month of tracking bbt, cervical fluid, etc. Last month, I did get an LH surge which was immediately followed by a drop in temperature for one day. My temperature gradually increased for the next 14 days.
This month, I got an LH surge which was immediately followed by a temperature drop. It has been three days and my bbt is not rising. Is it possible to have an LH surge that is not followed by ovulation?
Thank you!
Beth
AnswerHello,
It is possible. The temperature is actually a result of progesterone production. If ovulation does not occur, then progesterone is not produces so that the temperature does not go up.
If I might give you one piece of advice, you are obviously educated in regards to ways to increase your chances of pregnancy, as evidenced by all the methods you are using to time your ovulation. However, your age is a BIG factor and not something you should be toying with. In other words. you need to get expert assistance to maximize your chances of pregnancy. The main problem with age is the decrease in egg quality. I call it the "age related egg factor." Despite the fact that you may still be ovulating, you are only giving off one egg each month, and the most likely scenario is that this will be a bad egg. We know from IVF genetic studies that at the age of 37, only 20% of the embryos formed are genetically normal. That statistic is worst at 40. If you want to become pregnant, then you need to have a clear and efficient plan of action. At a minimum, I would proceed to IUI with ovulation induction to increase the number of eggs that you ovulate each month, hopefully at least 5, and to time the delivery of the sperm. Better that that would be IVF.
As time passes, your chances are decreasing exponentially. Although there are natural pregnancies at your age, statistically it is less than 1% per month, whereas with IVF you would have a 27% chance per attempt.
Sincerely,
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.
