What should I try next?

Question

I've been TTC for over 2 years but no luck. My husband and I went to a fertility doctor, but were told it'd take $5,000 just for the tests. I don't use any ovulation kits because I don't know what they do or what would be a good brand to pick.  And I have been working on my weight in case that's an issue. I'm 5'6 and 211 and I've lost 18lbs so far.  
What's the best thing to focus on? Should I put more effort into my weight? Save for the cost of infertility tests? Start using the ovulation tests? I don't know where to start. TIA.

Answer

Do the ovulation kits, not everyone ovulated at the same time. My friend was having trouble conceiving and she finally did ovulation kits and found that she was ovulating on CD 19, not 14 which is the average so they were missing their window. Ovulation kits look for a rise in LH which happens when you ovulate. It’s easy, you just pee on a stick. I used ovulation kits and Preseed fertility lubricant to conceive my 3. Keep working on the weight, you’re doing a great job, but it may be that you’re missing your fertility window as well.

Answer

For starters, you need to be tracking ovulation with OPKs or your BBT, or both. There are OPKs you can buy on amazon called easy@home. They come with 50 LH tests and about 20 HCG tests. They won’t confirm or tell you when you’re ovulating but it will detect the LH surge which peaks before ovulation. Once you get a positive on an OPK, ovulation should occur within 12-36 hours. You would start testing around cycle day 9 and have sex every other day during your fertile window. Most doctors won’t help fertility wise without you tracking ovulation first because you could be having sex at the wrong times and missing your most fertile days. 
Since you would be a first timer with ovulation tests, you should start testing the day after your period ends.

Answer

The testing should be covered by insurance. It’s after the tests that it starts to add up. I had 3 IUI’s and each one was $375 and it had to be paid up front the day of. But all the blood work and ultrasounds and other tests were covered even my meds were covered.

Answer

Also you might have PCOS... it’s really common and really treatable!
Here are some symptoms: 
Requires a medical diagnosis
Symptoms include menstrual irregularity, excess hair growth, acne, and obesity.
People may experience:
Menstrual: abnormal menstruation, absence of menstruation, heavy menstruation, irregular menstruation, short and light menstruation, or spotting
Weight: obesity, overweight, or weight gain
Skin: acne or oily skin
Also common: infertility, depression, inappropriate male features, loss of scalp hair, or unwanted hair

Answer

I forgot to mention I'm 32. If that makes a difference..

Answer

Give your dr a call first BUT they’ll probably want you to track ovulation using bbt/OPKs & you can find a bulk pack on amazon. For an OPK to be considered positive the test line needs to be as dark or darker than the control line. & for bbt to show ovulation your temp needs to be higher for 3 days after the previous 6. Test using a specific basal body temp thermometer using 2 decimal points (98.60 NOT 98.6) & go from there. Good luck!

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