ovulation

[Melsunshine]

I have an irregular cycle due to PCOS. I have tried to use the LH strips with no success. Wonder what other people with PCOS have done to track ovulation?

Background: TTC 12 months. Wait list for fertility clinic. On myoinositol, vit d, folic acid and co10q

[CardiGrey]

Hi Melsunshine. I have PCOS too. With PCOS, it’s good to use a range of ovulation tracking methods such as LH and checking basal body temperature and also looking out for changes with CM. Unfortunately, none of these can actually guarantee if we have ovulated as sometimes the body tries, and all of the symptoms are present, but it still may not happen. It can be really confusing. Supplements are the same as I’m on. Have you been offered metformin and chlomid?

[Melsunshine in reply to CardiGrey]

Thanks for your reply.

Yes it’s quite confusing isn’t it! I’ve had 3 cycles in a row (which is rare for me) with average 42 days cycle. But even then, nothing changed on LH strips so have no idea!

About to start metformin (not yet seen by fertility clinic - 10 month waitlist) and GP needed permission from fertility clinic to prescribe metformin as it’s off licence for treatment of PCOS. Has it made a difference for you?

I will have to wait for fertility clinic for clomid or letrozole

[CardiGrey in reply to Melsunshine]

Myoinositol can regulate cycles, so it could be that. I didn’t actually take the metformin and Clomid as I was really worried about the side effects with my job. I read it starts with the egg and tried to see what I could do naturally and I did fall pregnant naturally but sadly lost the baby. My metformin and Clomid then expired. I’m going to see if I can see the gynaecologist again for another prescription and will be going to private as partner already has two children x

[Blahblahblahxxx]

I've just been diagnosed with PCOS after 6 long years of 'unexplained' infertility and it so confusing to get my head around! It now explains why I never had any luck with ovulation strips, the only reliable method I had relied on it tracking cm and bbt which will confirm you have actually ovulated.

I've been reading 'getting pregnant with PCOS' by Clare Goodwin which is really informative and well worth a read.

I've been offered letrozole but I'm not sure whether it will have any benefit for me as I already ovulate regularly! It's a minefield.

[Olive8000]

I’ve found OvuSense really good for tracking my Ovulation. I don’t have PCOS, but I know it can be good for tracking with PCOS. It measures core body temperature and displays it on a graph. When your body temp rises more than .3 three nights in a row, this predicts ovulation. It’s quite expensive - £60 for the monitor and £20 per month, but I think it’s been worth it. You also get an hour consult with a nurse after you have 3 months data.

[BenjitheG]

Hi Melsunshine,

I also have PCOS and an irregular and erratic cycle is my main symptom and that tends to indicate that your ovulating rarely (it’s what I was told by my fertility consultant). I’m lucky that I don’t have any evidence of cysts but PCOS is an umbrella term for lots of related hormones imbalance issues.

I have found proxeed has helped with regulating my cycle and have had much more of a predictable cycle since I’ve been on it though still sometimes have spotting as opposed to a bleed. But like you recently had I had 3 bleeds in a row which is rare for me to.

Bad news on the ovulation prediction sticks I have only managed to get those to work when I tried Clomid and then due to the meds it was a constant false positive on ovulation. Natural clues are better as others have said monitoring temperature and if you get any pain around ovulation like side pain etc.

I know how hard it is to not have a predictable cycle and send you lots of luck on your journey. X