QuestionQUESTION: Hi Brendah,
I have aready asked you few questions about my chemical pregnancy in june 2007.Three months after chemical pregnncy me and my husband were trying to conceivec.
We have been ttc from past 7 months, but i dont know what is wrong with my body. I am unable to get pregnant even after having sex before and after ovulation time . Last month ie on march 16th to march 19th i could see spotting, and some blood for three days, during ovulation period.
I did not have sex for next 15 days, and i got my periods as usual.Please tell me, why is this happening with my body, and what should i do to get pregnant. I am really getting scared, . Can u tell me how much it would cost to consult the fertility centre here in USA,in boston area, and what are the tips to get pregnant,as I am really very dissapointed.
ANSWER: Dear Sunitha,
If you are having regular periods, that would indicate that you are more than likely ovulating every cycle. I typically suggest having sex every other day from cycle days 11 through 21 (Day 1 being the first day of each period) to improve your odds of pregnancy. This allows for any variation in your ovulation day and also gives your partner's body a chance to rebuild his sperm stores.
You can also purchase an Ovulation Predictor Kit (OPK) which will help you to determine whether you are ovulating and when.
As to the cost of fertility clinics in the Boston area, that I cannot help you with. You usually need a referral from your OB doctor for most reputable fertility specialists anyway and also for insurance coverage.
Please don't be too discouraged. The average time it takes to conceive is 5-6 months. For many couples, it can take up to a year. Just keep trying and stay relaxed. If you get too stressed about it, that in itself can work against you.
I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.
Brenda
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QUESTION: Hi brenda, My last period was on 8th of april, and now ie on 16th of april i am seening slight bleeding, and i am afraid, this would last for 4 days, as it happened ,to me last month also. Is a there anything to worry.Can i try to conceive even under this situaltion.
AnswerDear Sunitha,
I am again suggesting that you try an Ovulation Predictor Kit. The mid-cycle bleeding, called metrorraghia, may be a sign of a hormonal imbalance. Typically, if this is not something that occurs regularly and is a fairly isolated incident for you, this would likely be attributed to a hormonal imbalance.
Approximately 90% of dysfunctional uterine bleeding results from anovulation, and 10% occur with ovulatory cycles. During an anovulatory cycle, the corpus luteum fails to form, which causes failure of normal cyclical progesterone secretion. This results in continuous unopposed production of estradiol, stimulating overgrowth of the endometrium. Without progesterone, the endometrium proliferates and eventually outgrows its blood supply. The end result of this progesterone/estrogen imbalance is overproduction of uterine blood flow, causing some mid-cycle bleeding or spotting.
Causes of dysfunctional uterine bleeding can be:
- Pregnancy-related
- Trauma to the cervix, vulva, or vagina may cause abnormal bleeding
- Related to other disorders such as thrombocytopenia, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Cushing disease, liver disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and adrenal disorders.
- Structural disorders, such as functional ovarian cysts, cervicitis, endometritis, salpingitis, and leiomyomas
- Polycystic ovary disease, vaginal infection, uterine polyps, blood dyscrasias, excessive or rapid weight gain, significant change in diet, increased or strenuous exercise, or stress can also cause hormone imbalances and/or dysfunctional uterine bleeding.
- Intermenstrual bleeding may occur secondary to missed BCPs, varied ingestion times, and drug interactions also.
If an OPK would not indicate that you are ovulating, I would then suggest that you see your OB/GYN doctor so that a cause for your troubles can be determined.
Hope that helps. Be well.
Brenda
