Questions About Missed Periods, PCOS, Withdrawl Bleeds

I don't know if this will help but I was dianosed with this as well over 2 yrs ago. My Dr put me on Glucophage then Avandia, usally for diabetic patients but studies have shown they help break-up cysts. He wanted to try this before going to Clomid. It worked, only 1 month of taking Avandia I was pregant with my son. Good luck.

Yes, that does sound right, as it is what I ended up having to do with my first. I too have PCOS, and this is the exact process we used. It took us just a few months to concieve, and now Madeline Kaye is 2 months old!! Good Luck : )

Hi T.,
Prometrium is a progesterone based medication that only help with menstruation. It is not a medication that helps ovulation at all.

For some women, periods help them ovulate. I have taken this med many many times and never did I O'v.
What your Dr wants to do is very standard.
It is the most conservative way to begin an infertility treatment. Clomid helps a LOT of women O, my sister conceived her daughter this way and about 28 yrs ago my ex-mother in law conceived her daughter this way.
Depends on the severity of PCO, I have PCO and Clomid never helped.
I think if he wants to only give you prometrium for a cple of months my assumption is that he wants your body to start regulating and having your menses for a cple of months benefits the lining of your uterus for conception and cleans you out. It can't hurt you ;)
I know the time concept is frustrating but it's just the nature of the beast.
Feel free to contact me with further questions. I went through 10 yrs of infertility and finally conceived naturally both my daughter and son (she's 20 months and he's 8 months)
I conceived after having an ectopic pregnancy and loosing my left tube and ovary. The I just ovulated on my own.
It's amazing how it works...

Be patient, stress and desperation will only hurt your attempts. I know it sounds easier said than done but it is the truth ;)
Amy

PS
My sons nickname is Tavi :)

my cycle was always normal, but because of my age when I was first trying to get pregnant (started trying at 36--37), we needed a little assistance from my regular OB-GYN and it worked first try.
Then when wanting to conceive again, nothing with my regular OB-GYN worked so he sent us to a fertility specialist. Unfortunately super ovulation didn't work and we had to do IVF.
My reccomendation is to go to a fertility specialist!!!!!!!!!!! Their expertise can go farther than your regular doctor, and they have different approaches, plus situations like yours, is ALL they deal with so they have lots of experience with it.

I'm not in your exact situation but there are some similarities in my experience that might help you.

I'm anovulatory, always have been, but not from PCOS. We think it's from too much running. But I conceieved with Prometrium/withdrawl bleeds/ clomid three times, and #3 is due in September. The Prometrium worked perfectly except the first month off breastfeeding #2, I didn't have enough lining built up and I had to wait another month with Prometrium. I don't think Prometrium helped me ovulate, although it might help other women who do usually ovulate on their own. I definitely needed the Clomid. Prometrium should start your period and 5-10 days after bleeding starts I think most doctors tell you to take Clomid either days 3-7 or 5-9 after the 1st day of real bleeding.

My GYN said I could not start Clomid until I had a period. I was on the birth control shot for 13 years (due to PCOS), so my endometrial lining was very, very thin. She put me on estrogen and provera, and that didn't start me. They wanted to put me on the birth control pill to regulate me, but we were trying to conceive and that seemed like a step backwards to me. We did ultrasounds every two weeks (to figure out where I might be in my cycle) and found out that I was ovulating - even without the bleeding! Problem was, my linings weren't thick enough to sustain a fertilized egg (which is why there was no bleeding), so she told me to hold off another month or two - if I did get prg, she was afraid I would miscarry when my linings were so thin. She said that since I was o-ing, I didn't need Clomid. A month went by and we checked lining again. It was at 3.9 (they prefer 6+) and she told us to go ahead. We just counted the days to when I should be o-ing again, and now I have twin boys! We had no medicines to help us either, just a very closely watched calendar. I don't know what prometrium is, so I don't know what that will or won't do, but I wanted to let you know that even if you are not bleeding, you may still be o-ing. Check for signs of ovulation, and take a test to see if you are. Good luck!

Has your doctor tried putting you on Metformin (Glucophage) ?
A lot of us with PCOS ovulate and have periods while taking Met. MANY get pregnant because it makes us more fertile. Dr. Glueck in Cincinnati also recommends staying on it once you do get pregnant. His study has shown a lower chance of miscarriage and lower chance of developing gestational diabetes.
Feel free to contact me if you need help finding any of this information for your doctor. Good luck!

I have PCOS and had a hard time getting pregnant,had very irregular periods. They put me on Metformin and my periods have been like clockwork. I had to take injectables to get pregnant with my twins but after having them I was able to have my last one with no medication at all. the clomid did nothing for me except make me very moody. Prometrium did not do alot of good for me but you may be different. I would check into a reproductive endocrinalogist. They can help out alot, know several who have PCOS who have gone to my doctor and within 2 months are pregnant.

Hi T.!

I'm not sure what PCOS is, but I can tell you what I have had to go through to conceive and maybe that will help? I only have periods 4-6 times a year and have been that way most of my life. In addition, my OB/GYN said that I only ovulate some of those times. So, when we decided we wanted a baby, he immediately put me on Clomid (the mildest dose). We conceived the very first time and I have a wonderful son. Then we decided we wanted another baby and tried "the old fashioned way" and actually conceived after about 6 mos. of trying. Unfortunately we lost that one at 22 weeks due to an extra set of chromosomes. My body didn't realize the baby had died and I had to have a D&C. Then I was really messed up. I wasn't having periods, so I took Progesterone. This made me have a period, then I'd take Clomid on my period, then do a follicle scan and if we saw a follicle, I'd get an estrogen shot. With all of this, the 2nd time I ovulated, we conceived our next son. Then, a few years later we decided to try again now for a girl. 1/2 of my time of TTC was with one dr. in GA and then we moved back to IN and the 2nd half was with the dr. that helped us conceive all of the previous times. He did things differently this time (I am unsure why). We did Clomid off and on (as you have to let your body take a break) and also had to take Progesterone to have periods, but this did not work for 2 years. Then he suggested we do IUI up to 2 times and if that didn't work my only other option was IVF. We did Clomid and the IUI and conceived our 3rd son. So, knowing all of this history and the fact that I was nursing our 3rd son, I never thought we would need to worry about birth control, but I surprisingly got pregnant on our own! So, we are expecting again and guess what? It looks like another boy!! Anyways, my point with all of this is, for me each conception has been very different and yet, my original problem has always been the same. So, I don't know what to recommend, except that if you trust your dr., I would trust that he/she knows what will be best for you. I hope it is easy for you. TTC is such an emotional roller coaster. Oh, and if it matters, I was 25 with my first and will be 35 when this one is born and all have the same father. Take care and good luck!!!

T.,
I feel for you. I know EXACTLY what you're going through.

The prometrium is a progesterone pill basically. If your body isn't producing progesterone like it should, it will stop your periods and ovulation. I don't know how much you know about the female body, but you start with estrogen. You produce that for about 2 weeks. You then switch over to making progesterone. That goes for about 10 days. When your body stops making the progesterone for the month, you start your period. The estrogen then starts up again and you start the "cycle" all over. That's the basics of it anyway as I understood it from my doctor. If you stop making progesterone as a result of PCOS, you stop with the periods and the ovulating. Now, by taking the pills they gave you, you will very likely start your period again. At least for this month. They will then test you to see if you're ovulating. If you are, great! No clomid for you. If you're not, they will add clomid to see if that helps stimulate that. If your period doesn't come back on it's own next month or if you still don't ovulate with clomid, have them check you for insulin resistance. That's where I ended up. They put me on glucophage (diabetic pill) for a couple months. It jump started EVERYTHING and I got pregnant ON MY OWN a couple years down the line. Good luck T.!
A.

Your story sounds exactly the same as mine. I also had no problem conceiving with my first son (1st month) but then started having weird cycles after having him (when they finally did start a 1 1/2 later). I would go 3-4 month without a cycle. The doctor also put me on a drug to start my cycle/have withdraw bleeding. But I wouldn't recommend that, it really can just mess you up more for the future.

You need to let you body naturally get back to normal without drugs for your best bet of conception. Try acupuncture, herbs-like raspberry leaf, keep a regular exercise routine, watch your diet: eliminate processed foods, cut back on dairy and animal products, add more seeds to your diet and try adding wheat germ. There are some great books out there at your local library on fertility diets.

I can't promise it will happen quickly, but whatever you do, try not to stress over it. Just live and enjoy the child(ren) you have now and it will happen, if it's meant to, in it's own time. We tried for 2 1/2 years for our second and we finally conceived when we least expected it. I'm due in July!

Good luck and keep your chin up.

I was put on clomid for a few months...after the first cycle I had to be put on something to induce my period because it wouldn't come. While on the clomid, I had internal ultrasounds to verify that the clomid was working...but my doctor wanted me to have them monthly and that's where I drew the line. After a few months of the clomid I stopped...and went back to guestimating about my cylces...I don't ovulate regularly. About 7 months after ending the clomid and guestimating my ovulation cycle, I got pregnant. It turned out that we didn't need the clomid afterall...but part of me wonders if it maybe stimulated my ovaries enough to allow us to become pregnant 7 months later. Give it a try for a few months and if it's not for you...go off of it and try it without the assistance...see what happens :-) Good luck!

Been there and done that, and what your doctor is suggesting sounds very typical for beginning-stage fertility treatment.

If you don't have a regular period, it is customary to take Prometrium (progesterone) for 10 days and then have a period. While it does not directly affect ovulation, sometimes having the hormone and withdrawing from it helps to send a signal to the pituitary gland to run the usual course of menstruation, including ovulation.

Most doctors, fertility specialists, and insurance companies will want at least 6-12 months of failure to conceive before initiating formal fertility treatments (except in your case since you have PCOS like I do, your doctor might be able to bypass the preliminary round).

I have PCOS and went through 3 years of fertility treatments. I'd be more than happy to PM with you, answer any question you might have and offer support! Good luck to you!

I had the same thing. I conceived my son on our honeymoon! We decided that we were ready to have another baby. We tried for about 10 months without success, in fact I only had 2 periods in that time. I went to my Dr. and he put me on Clomid 50mg days 5-9 and it worked on the first try! I am now 9 weeks pregnant. I call it the baby drug. Please free to email me if you have any questions. Also, there is this great "trying to conceive site that I love. It helped me out so much www.twoweekwait.com. Good Luck!

If you want to try something natural that has worked for me and three other women i know, drink mangosteen juice (XanGo). It will very likely start your period and you may even have to taper off the juice or quit drinking it so you don't have them too often. Many are skeptical that it will work and we can't make promises--but this stuff works unbelievably well! It is also used in Asia for fertility. It's worth a try for 90 days before going on expensive and sometimes dangerous medications. :-) ~~L.~~

Been there, done that! Yes, what your doctor is doing for you sounds right. To my knowledge, the prometrium will not stimulate ovulation directly, but by causing a withdrawal bleed it can get the hormones needed for ovulation and menstruation in balance enough to help you ovulate.
For my son born in October, I did the progesterone (prometrium) for two months to have a period for the first time in 2 years, then began Clomid. Six months prior, though, my doctor had me do what you're doing, and I never again had another period afterwards, which is what she was hoping for. So, eventually we just got started with Clomid, and on the 3rd try, it worked!

Let me know how you're doing. I HATED the progesterone. It made me a basket case!

T.,
I had to do the prometrium and clomid when trying to conceived my first child and it worked. I was having a regular cycle every month and it helped regulate that. Don't give up!

I also was diagnosed with PCOS in late November of 2007. My Dr. put me on metformin and on my next period we conceived our first child. The metformin helped to trigger the proper hormones to help me ovulate (which was really the problem before). I would definitely ask about that medication before moving to Clomid.

Another thing I did to help was cut out all refined sugars from my diet. Since PCOS can be linked to your insulin levels I figured it couldn't hurt.

I have PCOS also. Oncologists know everything there is to know about PCOS. I was prescribed glucophage, but I am not TTC. Also, I was told the best remedy for PCOS is to lose weight.

I have PCOS also. I am not trying to conceive. I know that oncologists know everything about PCOS. I was prescribed glucophage for this condition. With PCOS, losing weight is the best remedy.

You don't have to have a period in order to ovulate. My daughter came home from Boot Camp and Tech School in August of 06 and got pregnant the very weekend she came home, even though she had not had a period since April 06 (the month before leaving for bootcamp).

Good Luck!

I had to do Prometrium and clomid to conceive my first babies they are now almost 5 months I gave birth to Triplets 2 girls and 1 boy but my son didn't make it because he gotten a knot in his cord which cut off his blood circulations.The pills do work when your trying to conceive.