BBT an PCOS

[ab2007]

Hi everyone,
I am new to this forum.I hope to get a lot of inputs from people like me who are trying to get pregnant.We are TTC for 1 year.I took my BBT this cycle and found that it was high for 14 days and dropped 2 days before I got my periods.That surely means I have ovulated.But I am confused because OPKs never work for me.I am using First response OPK and I always seem to get a test line with one half of the line(thickness wise)which is the same color as the reference line.I called the customer service and they said its a positive.But how can I be positive always?I read somewhere that this may be because of PCOS.But will my BBT have ovulation pattern if I have PCOS?I have my first doctor appt in 2 weeks.Will PCOS be found through a scan?

[dmbucky7]

Check out the PCOS and diabetes board. They can probably help you alot more!!
I have PCOS and never had the OPK affected by PCOS, that I know of. I do have to say that my BBT is always whacky...
Good luck and welcome!!

[BC-Maura]

Hi there: Welcome to FT!

It is true that many women with PCOS find OPKs to be unreliable because they can show up as ++ due to constantly high levels of LH that might be circulating (high levels that don't necessarily trigger ovulation). While women with PCOS often have very long cycles, with delayed ovulation (or no ovulation at all), it is possible to have PCOS and ovulate with a typical looking chart.

If you saw a rise in temps that was at least .2 degrees higher than your previous 6 temps before the rise (and your temps stayed up), then you may well have ovulated. Have you charted more than one cycle? It would be good to keep charting so that you confirm that you are ovulating each month. How long are your cycles typically?

I might also try another brand of OPK. Some brands seem to work better than others for people. I always used ClearPlan Easy and found it reliable and very easy to read. You are right, though. It is not normal to always see a ++ OPK, so either the test wasn't working properly or your LH levels run high (and this should be discoverable through bloodwork).

I think that PCOS is usually diagnosed through a combination of bloodwork, cycle history and ultrasound. I hope others with experience can jump in here!

If you want us to look at any old temp charts, we'd love to. Otherwise, good luck with your doctor's appointment and let us know how it goes!
+++++++++++++++
Maura

[ab2007]

Thanks for your reply.Has anyone faced the same problem with OPKs with left half of the test line the same color as the reference line and the right half a lighter color?I have never seen a complete thick line with a uniform color.I used OPKs for 3 months and was not patient enough to take the test till I got a thick line.I was charting my BBT only for 2 months.Last month I saw the ovulation pattern.My normal temperature was 97.7.I stayed high at 98.82-98.88 exactly for 14 days.I dropped to 98.3 one day before I got my period.I am taking my BBTs seriously this month.I'll post them at the end of my cycle.My periods is on an average 28-33 day cycle.But for the past 4 months,its really messed up.I hope its only because of the stress and nothing more serious.This is my cycle for the past 1 yr.
11-Mar
13-Apr 33
18-May 35
20-Jun 33
23-Jul 33
20-Aug 28
21-Sep 32
21-Oct 30
21-Nov 31
19-Dec 28
28-Jan 40
23-Feb 26
26-Mar 31
2-May 37

[mymiracle]

I have PCOS. I have been taking metformin since December and noticed my cycles were more regular so I started using OPK's in January or February. I get that crazy half a line too. I count it as positive as long as the dark side is as dark or darker than the test line. Progesterone levels 7 days after ovulation confirm that the tests were correct and I did ovulate. Good luck!!

[ab2007]

Can I ovulate and have PCOS?Did you see my cycle lengths?They seem to be long.But are they irregular?I went for a routine blood test and everything was normal.I didn't have diabetes.I don't know if they tested for hormone levels. I am not overweight.
This wait is driving me crazy.I have neighbors all with kids and they keep asking me when are u planning to start a family.I don't know with what intention they ask.I really hate to see them.

[BC-Maura]

Hi again: Yes, you can definitely have PCOS and still ovulate. I did see your cycle length and think that the cycles look normal and regular. In fact, they look at lot like my cycles did when I was ttc. At the time, I asked my OB whether they could be considered "regular" since they were all different lengths and she said yes, because they came every month. I have seen people here have months go by without any AF at all and I think of those cycles as very long and irregular.

One thing you might consider now that you have been trying for a year is getting a full fertility hormone work-up. You could have your thyroid tested (including TSH), your FSH, LH, prolactin and progesterone tested just to make sure everything is in order. In addition, you could continue temping and then go in for a progesterone test when you are 7 dpo according to your chart.

As for your neighbors, ugh! I felt the same way when we were ttc. It can be very frustrating when people with kids innocently ask you when you're going to join in, as if you hadn't thought about it yet! There are all sorts of snappy comebacks you could use if you want, or you could just say, simply, "we're working on it!" It depends on how much you like your neighbors and how friendly you are with them! If you are close to any of them and feel like sharing your ttc, that might help alleviate your frustration (and stop the nosy questions). I got to the point where I didn't care who knew about my IF struggles!

{{{HUGS}}}
Best+++++++++++++
Maura

[ab2007]

Thank you so much.I feel relaxed just to have someone to share my feelings.I don't discuss all this with my husband because I don't want to upset him.I pretend to be happy and normal when he comes home.I was burying all these frustrations within me.I am happy I have found this forum.

[BC-Maura]

{{{HUGS}}} Burying frustration isn't healthy, so I'm glad you found us! Studies have shown an increased rate of success where people experiencing infertility issues have a support network, whether it's a group that meets IRL or a site like FT. I wish I had known about FT when I was going through my ttc struggle. I actually found it a month before I finally conceived!

The other thing I wanted to say that it helps if you can go through the struggle together as a couple. I don't know anything about your relationship with your husband -- and forgive me if I'm overstepping any boundaries! -- but the more you two can go through this thing together, the easier it's going to be on both of you and the closer you will become (and remain). Infertility can take a huge toll on a relationship. There's so much emotion involved and not everyone handles things the same way. You might be surprised to learn that your husband is burying his own frustration so that he doesn't upset you! I don't know (obviously!). Anyway, just something to think about.

But in the meantime, we are definitely here for you so come here anytime and say anything!

Best to you++++++++++++++
Maura

[ab2007]

I don't know if he is also burying it inside.I was very upset around the 8th month of our trying and I burst out and cried to my husband.He also started crying instead of consoling me.I couldn't see him cry.So I decided I'm not going to talk about this to him anymore or tell him how upset I am.We have our doctor's appt in 2 weeks.Hope we get some answers.