Planning a Baby  Discussion Forum

Hi Archie:

We are ttc since 10 months. My brief history is as follows:

I have irregular periods. I do not know the cause for it probably PCOS. My period was March 14, May 18 (after taking Provera), June 22, August 22 (after taking Provera) and this month it is yet to come. I have taken 3 rounds of Clomid of 50 mg, 100 mg and 150 mg. The progesterone levels were 7.5, 1.5 and 0.9 respectively. During these months, she did not have any check up or any ultrasound done. My Ob-Gyn has recommended a RE specialist.

My question was do I see a RE specialist or do I take a second opinion from another OB-Gyn?

Your advice is appreciated.

Thank you,
Lubs. archie replied. Lubs,
I don't like but I would have waited to induce period from the cycle that showed progesterone 7.5, that was sure a luteal phase and had to get menses naturally or else ultrasounds to follow the case up.

Other two were low enough and had to induce.

you could go for three more round of clomid, but better if you save them for RE. I think RE is best choice at this stage and you could treat that as a second opinion itself becasue he/she will have better perspective for infertility management.

Like said by Madhu, follow advise by RE and don't be impatient. I like this because this is a major key.

archie Madhu replied. Dear Lubs,

It is advisable to see RE rather than a gynaec who will do your hormonal profile on 2nd or 3rd day of periods. Blood test such as FSH, LH, PRL, FASTING INSULIN, estrogen etc. Also base line sonography will be suggested by RE on 2nd or 3rd day to see that there are no cysts carried forward from previous cycle. Depending on the results the RE will prescribe tablets to bring your hormones in proper order and also ovulation study will be done from 9th day onwards to see your ovulation pattern. It is not necessary that u have to do IUI OR IVF. These steps will be followed for natural cycles soas to pinpoint exactly how is the body is responding and the exact timing of natural intercourse. U can discuss with RE that u want to follow the above mentioned steps systematically without iui and ivf. The RE will do so for 2-3 cycles. Its important to stick to one RE and not be impatient and should repeat the above steps every cyle as that will give an idea as to how your body is responding to the treatment protocol. It take 3-4 months atleast for RE also to understAnd your body response to the different treatment.
protocol offered.

Meanwhile follow RE steps systematically, have good diet and be happy.

Everything will fall in place.

Madhu

hopingfortejas replied. hey ...

an input from me though Archie will be able to give more details ...

7.5 progesterone is ok ...menas that u ovulated , but the other two levels (assuming you had them done in ur luteal phase) indicates that there is a possibility that u did not ovulate ...

and it is suprising that ur doc did nto do any u/s on ur 14th or so day ..

my opinion is consult a RE as they will be better able to help you , bcoz if you go to another ob-gyn, they will just put u through the same drill again of clomid , but RE might be better able to help you and if it solves your problem then u might be ovulate/conceive without medications ...

take care and good luck :)
-P