Age and infertility

Isa Vasconcelos · 09-11-2005, 03:24 PM

Hi!
I'm trying to become pregnant since I'm 38 years old. The doctor says everytihing is ok but now I'm 40 and I think is too late. Is there someone who has a similar problem. (Sorry for my broken english)
Isa

sendai · 09-13-2005, 06:30 AM

Isa,

Welcome to Fertile Thoughts! I'm glad you found us. While I haven't had to face the age issue (yet) I know that there are plenty of resources out there to help women 40 and over with infertility issues. I wouldn't say that there is any magic age number out there that says you have to give up once you reach it. If both you and your dr are comfortable with continuing that I don't see why you couldn't continue. There are plenty of mom's out there over 40. My sister-in-law didn't start having her family until she was 40 and she's had 2 now. Hang in there! I hope more people chime in and are able to help too. And don't appologize for your broken english. Heck, I speak it every day and sometimes I can't even speak it right.

Barb

Isa Vasconcelos · 09-17-2005, 11:13 AM

Thanks!!!

Isa Vasconcelos · 09-17-2005, 11:26 AM

Sometimes, I think it will be better don't expect that I become pregnant. Sometimes I think soon I become pregnant... and then another month and nothing. Thanks for your words

sendai · 09-19-2005, 06:37 AM

I think we all have the same emotional highs and lows. Sometimes I am just sure this is the perfect month and I've done everything right so it has to happen. And other months I just know that it's not going to happen. It's all a mind game. Good luck to you! Hang in there.

Barb

Heatherttc1 · 10-13-2005, 10:36 AM

Just make sure you've had everything checked out. I'll be 38 in January and am trying to conceive my first child. The first 8 months we tried were useless because I found out I had a parasitic infection. I had had it for a long time - my new OB/Gyn found it on a wetslide. My previous doctor did a quick checkup when I went in for a pre-conceiving appointment - he did not do a wetslide, but this is how that type of infection is found. Of course I'm not implying you might have an infection, just the importance of getting wetslides done :c)
I had a new OB/Gyn in January (insurance changed). He ran simple blood tests and I had a HSG done. The radiologist had a hard time and the balloon on the probe popped before they knew about my left tube. He told me "Well you can still get pregnant with one tube" and laughed. Later on I found that there are better ways to do a HSG, and perhaps he wasn't too experienced. When I finally saw a specialist last month (Reproductive Endocrinologist) he read the HSG report and said "Clinical error". He did an ultrasound to check my tubes (flushed saline through them) and my uterus and everything looked good. He checked my blood again and this time my TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) was 6.3 (it was 2.83 when I saw an ENT in February). They took more blood a week later and it was 4.99. They said the normal range is .5 to 5.00, but I've read that 1-2 is where a woman wants to be to get pregnant. Also, I was checked for thyroid antibodies. My thyroglobulin level was 105 and should be under 20. That means that my immune system is attacking my thyroid. I have to take Synthroid (synthetic thyroid hormone) to try to regulate my thyroid and get my levels down. It takes a while to regulate the thyroid - it might take months! :c(
I'm not saying you have a thyroid problem either, and I am not trying to worry you :c) But, thyroid problems are quite common, especially in women and especially in women over 35 (especially after 50 though). So, a "simple" thing like checking your thyroid might save you precious time. I wish I had known about the thyroid a long time ago! I read several success stories of women who were "infertile" for years then had their thyroid checked and treated - and became pregnant :c) So, I have hope that this might solve my problem! You need to have a full thyroid panel done and you need antibodies checked for...even if your TSH is OK you might have a problem with something else. It's good to research the thyroid and tests online, as well as everything else regarding fertility and trying to conceive. I had many signs for a long time that something was wrong but never knew about the thyroid. It controls everything! Some people show signs of thyroid problems/failure and some don't but still have a problem. So, it is a really good idea to get full thyroid testing. SOme of my symptoms: Always really tired, always cold (even when others are warm), eyes sensitive to light, brain fog, bad short-term memory, ankle stiffness especially in morning, more aches and pains, carpal tunnel syndrome, restless legs, on and on. Again, you could have all or none of these symptoms and have thyroid trouble.
Also, it would be good to chart your cycle each month. My first OB/Gyn said I should have intercourse between cycle days 12-14. After learning how to chart I found out that I don't ovulate until at least a few days later :c( Also, read "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler - it will help you to chart and recognize your fertility signs so that you know you are having intercourse at the right time. You will also find out if your cycles are normal or not, and whether or not you are ovulating. She also has a website (tcoyf.com) you may have seen. There used to be a free forum on fertilityfriend.com but now I can only chart for free (not sure if they are accepting new people). I also take my temperature in the morning with a BBT (basal body thermometer). If my temp jumps up about mid cycle and I have other fertile signs I can usually tell that I probably ovulated.
Well, I don't know if you've had other tests done. If you are trying to conceive with a male partner has he had a sperm analysis? Have you had your FSH, Prolactin, and other hormones checked?
Good luck! :c) Heather

Heatherttc1 · 10-13-2005, 10:41 AM

I wanted to add that it's said that the only true way to know you are definitely ovulating is to get an ultrasound. When I had my ultrasound done last month the RE could see several large follicles - so it looked like I was about to ovulate (one follicle would become dominant and release an egg, the other follicles would die). Later the doctor can see a ruptured follicle and determine that you've ovulated. Most women don't get this done unless they are deep into assisted reproduction though. Most women take their temperature and chart it and their fertile signs (cervical fluid, cervical position, etc.) each month.

wantsababy2 · 10-13-2005, 10:54 AM

Isa, at your age, you don't have much time to waste, so you should get yourself to an RE.

For starters, you need bloodwork (check LH, FSH, E2, prolactin, TSH), HSG (check for patent tubes), and laparoscopy (check for endometriosis).

Assuming all this is normal, only about 30% of your eggs are any good. Therefore, you will probably need ovarian stimulation to produce more than 1 egg per cycle to maximize your chances. My RE wants his over-36's to ovulate 4-6 eggs per cycle to ensure that when you ovulate, at least 1 of those eggs will be good.

You are not too old. But you should consider seeing a specialist to help you better your chances per cycle.

Good luck!

Isa Vasconcelos · 10-25-2005, 11:32 AM

Many thanks too all!
My partner has already done a sperm analysis and everything is ok. Now, I have a new doctor and I'm going to do a lot of exames. We will see...
Isa

designchick88 · 10-26-2005, 08:26 PM

Hi there,
I just wanted to say that it is not too late. One of my friends got pregnant at 40 with a beautiful, healthy little girl. And now she is 42 and they are trying again! Good luck!

09-11-2005, 03:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
Isa Vasconcelos Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lisbon Portugal Posts: 4	Age and infertility Hi! I'm trying to become pregnant since I'm 38 years old. The doctor says everytihing is ok but now I'm 40 and I think is too late. Is there someone who has a similar problem. (Sorry for my broken english) Isa

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09-13-2005, 06:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
sendai Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 213	Isa, Welcome to Fertile Thoughts! I'm glad you found us. While I haven't had to face the age issue (yet) I know that there are plenty of resources out there to help women 40 and over with infertility issues. I wouldn't say that there is any magic age number out there that says you have to give up once you reach it. If both you and your dr are comfortable with continuing that I don't see why you couldn't continue. There are plenty of mom's out there over 40. My sister-in-law didn't start having her family until she was 40 and she's had 2 now. Hang in there! I hope more people chime in and are able to help too. And don't appologize for your broken english. Heck, I speak it every day and sometimes I can't even speak it right. Barb

09-17-2005, 11:13 AM	#3 (permalink)
Isa Vasconcelos Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lisbon Portugal Posts: 4	Thanks!!!

09-17-2005, 11:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
Isa Vasconcelos Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lisbon Portugal Posts: 4	Sometimes, I think it will be better don't expect that I become pregnant. Sometimes I think soon I become pregnant... and then another month and nothing. Thanks for your words

09-19-2005, 06:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
sendai Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 213	I think we all have the same emotional highs and lows. Sometimes I am just sure this is the perfect month and I've done everything right so it has to happen. And other months I just know that it's not going to happen. It's all a mind game. Good luck to you! Hang in there. Barb

10-13-2005, 10:36 AM	#6 (permalink)
Heatherttc1 0-99 post 2 of hearts Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Midwest Posts: 85	Just make sure you've had everything checked out. I'll be 38 in January and am trying to conceive my first child. The first 8 months we tried were useless because I found out I had a parasitic infection. I had had it for a long time - my new OB/Gyn found it on a wetslide. My previous doctor did a quick checkup when I went in for a pre-conceiving appointment - he did not do a wetslide, but this is how that type of infection is found. Of course I'm not implying you might have an infection, just the importance of getting wetslides done :c) I had a new OB/Gyn in January (insurance changed). He ran simple blood tests and I had a HSG done. The radiologist had a hard time and the balloon on the probe popped before they knew about my left tube. He told me "Well you can still get pregnant with one tube" and laughed. Later on I found that there are better ways to do a HSG, and perhaps he wasn't too experienced. When I finally saw a specialist last month (Reproductive Endocrinologist) he read the HSG report and said "Clinical error". He did an ultrasound to check my tubes (flushed saline through them) and my uterus and everything looked good. He checked my blood again and this time my TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) was 6.3 (it was 2.83 when I saw an ENT in February). They took more blood a week later and it was 4.99. They said the normal range is .5 to 5.00, but I've read that 1-2 is where a woman wants to be to get pregnant. Also, I was checked for thyroid antibodies. My thyroglobulin level was 105 and should be under 20. That means that my immune system is attacking my thyroid. I have to take Synthroid (synthetic thyroid hormone) to try to regulate my thyroid and get my levels down. It takes a while to regulate the thyroid - it might take months! :c( I'm not saying you have a thyroid problem either, and I am not trying to worry you :c) But, thyroid problems are quite common, especially in women and especially in women over 35 (especially after 50 though). So, a "simple" thing like checking your thyroid might save you precious time. I wish I had known about the thyroid a long time ago! I read several success stories of women who were "infertile" for years then had their thyroid checked and treated - and became pregnant :c) So, I have hope that this might solve my problem! You need to have a full thyroid panel done and you need antibodies checked for...even if your TSH is OK you might have a problem with something else. It's good to research the thyroid and tests online, as well as everything else regarding fertility and trying to conceive. I had many signs for a long time that something was wrong but never knew about the thyroid. It controls everything! Some people show signs of thyroid problems/failure and some don't but still have a problem. So, it is a really good idea to get full thyroid testing. SOme of my symptoms: Always really tired, always cold (even when others are warm), eyes sensitive to light, brain fog, bad short-term memory, ankle stiffness especially in morning, more aches and pains, carpal tunnel syndrome, restless legs, on and on. Again, you could have all or none of these symptoms and have thyroid trouble. Also, it would be good to chart your cycle each month. My first OB/Gyn said I should have intercourse between cycle days 12-14. After learning how to chart I found out that I don't ovulate until at least a few days later :c( Also, read "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler - it will help you to chart and recognize your fertility signs so that you know you are having intercourse at the right time. You will also find out if your cycles are normal or not, and whether or not you are ovulating. She also has a website (tcoyf.com) you may have seen. There used to be a free forum on fertilityfriend.com but now I can only chart for free (not sure if they are accepting new people). I also take my temperature in the morning with a BBT (basal body thermometer). If my temp jumps up about mid cycle and I have other fertile signs I can usually tell that I probably ovulated. Well, I don't know if you've had other tests done. If you are trying to conceive with a male partner has he had a sperm analysis? Have you had your FSH, Prolactin, and other hormones checked? Good luck! :c) Heather

10-13-2005, 10:41 AM	#7 (permalink)
Heatherttc1 0-99 post 2 of hearts Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Midwest Posts: 85	I wanted to add that it's said that the only true way to know you are definitely ovulating is to get an ultrasound. When I had my ultrasound done last month the RE could see several large follicles - so it looked like I was about to ovulate (one follicle would become dominant and release an egg, the other follicles would die). Later the doctor can see a ruptured follicle and determine that you've ovulated. Most women don't get this done unless they are deep into assisted reproduction though. Most women take their temperature and chart it and their fertile signs (cervical fluid, cervical position, etc.) each month.

10-13-2005, 10:54 AM	#8 (permalink)
wantsababy2 1000-4999 post queen of hearts Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 2,933	Isa, at your age, you don't have much time to waste, so you should get yourself to an RE. For starters, you need bloodwork (check LH, FSH, E2, prolactin, TSH), HSG (check for patent tubes), and laparoscopy (check for endometriosis). Assuming all this is normal, only about 30% of your eggs are any good. Therefore, you will probably need ovarian stimulation to produce more than 1 egg per cycle to maximize your chances. My RE wants his over-36's to ovulate 4-6 eggs per cycle to ensure that when you ovulate, at least 1 of those eggs will be good. You are not too old. But you should consider seeing a specialist to help you better your chances per cycle. Good luck!

10-25-2005, 11:32 AM	#9 (permalink)
Isa Vasconcelos Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lisbon Portugal Posts: 4	Many thanks too all! My partner has already done a sperm analysis and everything is ok. Now, I have a new doctor and I'm going to do a lot of exames. We will see... Isa

10-26-2005, 08:26 PM	#10 (permalink)
designchick88 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: In the desert Southwest Posts: 9	Hi there, I just wanted to say that it is not too late. One of my friends got pregnant at 40 with a beautiful, healthy little girl. And now she is 42 and they are trying again! Good luck!