[DaDaLou]

My cycles were never regular, usually they were rather long 35+ days. I went on depo for b/c but only for one dose. Afterwards I spotted nearly every day for the next several months. My primary doc prescribed me a round of progesterone to induce a period. I stopped spotting, had an actual period, but then started having very short cycles. He referred me to an ob/gyn.

I have been having extremely short cycles for the last several months (12-14 days) My doc prescribed me 5 mg of Aygestin (progestin) to take Days 1-10 of the CALENDAR month. I asked if she meant the 1-10 of my cycle and she said no, Sep 1 - 10, Oct 1 - 10, and so on. She also wanted me to come in on day 21 for blood work. I started this Sep 1, and have continued through my second round. My cycles are still just as short, only a few days longer on the ones that I took the aygestin. Due to this, I haven't been able to get blood work done on day 21 since there is no day 21.

She has now prescribed me Clomid since I'm "obviously not ovulating." I'm a bit confused how she knows for sure I'm not ovulating and that it's not something else. She has only seen me once, and prescribed me the clomid via email communications.

I'm questioning her because the aygestin seems odd, and I'm not so keen on how fast she wants me to take Clomid. I would rather know more on why my body is doing this, not just force it to ovulate. What do you ladies think? Does this sound like good advice or not?

[KMH]

Hey, Mandie! I'm so sorry that you are having such a struggle, but I'm glad you found our board.

Your doctor many be right that you aren't ovulating, but without bloodwork and/or an ultrasound, there is no way to know for sure. Has your doctor done any other bloodwork or an ultrasound at the beginning of your cycle? Is she suggesting ultrasound monitoring while you are on the Clomid?

The Aygestin thing is really weird. I have taken it during months in-between Clomid cycles to get rid of cysts, but I haven't heard of using it to induce ovulation in any way. And I would think that the schedule should be coordinated with your cycle, not the calendar!

Clomid is definitely a great thing for a lot of women, but it can also cause a lot of problems and side effects if you don't take the right dose and if you aren't monitored properly. Plus the number of cycles you can take it is limited, so you don't want to waste them! I would get a second opinion for sure...it sounds like this doctor is just doing the easiest, quickest thing to get you to go away. A lot OB/GYNs (including the first 2 I saw) are not really trained in how to deal with infertility, and just push pills or ignore the problem. It would definitely be worth it to find another doctor who will sit down with you, discuss your medical history, do bloodwork and ultrasounds, etc.

If you have ANY questions, please let me know. Infertility is a nasty maze or medical terminology, doctors, and tests...I'll be glad to help in any way I can! Good luck!

[DaDaLou]

She hasn't done any previous blood work with me, nor is she planning on doing any ultrasound to monitor during my cycle. The more I discuss this with other women, the more I am questioning my doc. I have an appointment with her mid November. At this point I think it'll be her "last chance" with me before I move to somebody else.

Personally, I like to know the "why" behind the treatment and I'm not receiving that from her. Thank you so much for you input KMH