Cycle Changes During Trying to Conceive (TTC): What to Expect

Question
Hi!  I hope you can help.  My husband and I have been trying to conceive for about 6 months.  My doctor has told us that this is perfectly normal and that we should continue to keep trying another 6 months before we need to start looking into fertility problems.  After about three months of trying I was a week late for my period.  We were both very excited, but it turned out to be a false alarm.  Since then, however, my cycle, which has been reliably 28-31 days since I stopped birth control 5 years ago, has routinely run long (ranging from 37-41 days).  No other changes have occurred, but I did just turn 35 last month.  Is this type of change normal?  A friend suggested this could signal early menopause, but I still am experiencing the same length/heaviness of periods and I still am getting ovulation pains.  Mostly I am concerned whether this change will have any impact on our ability to ,conceive (we have sex every 2-3 days starting on day 10 of my cycle and lasting until my next period per my doctor's advice).  Does this change mean that we should go back to the doctor and talk about potential fertility problems sooner, or should we stick to his original advice and give it a full year before becoming concerned?

Thank you for any help you can provide!

Answer
Susan

I totally agree with your doctor to wait for more 6 months if you are in your 20s or early 30s. If you are around 35 then there is no need to waste time and you should proceed directly and seek help. The abnormality in your period may or may not be a sign of some hormonal imbalance. On the benign side, it may simply occur if you are much worried about getting pregnant.

I would recommend a consultation with a reproductive endocrinologist. He can tell you your chances after few simple blood tests. As I mentioned earlier, This consultation would be the best thing you can do. A maternal fetal specialist may not be the right one to consult for fertility problems if you are in your mid 30s or more.

Good Luck