age related infertility - how long before seeking help?

[sam10]

I will turn 39 soon and am getting increasingly anxious not being able to conceive and/or early miscarriage due to my age. I have started thinking about seeking help (infertility treatments) to help things along. I have regular cycles and no issues, monitor my cycles and have timed intercourse. But the closer I get to my birthday the more I am starting to wonder about my age and its effects on fertility. Anybody out there who is worrying about age related infertility, and if so, are you starting to think about alternatives? How long should I try on my own before getting help from a fertility specialist? I feel I am running out of time.
Is it not enough to have to worry about PE? Sometimes I feel I got dealt one bad hand after another...uggh.

[jules2]

How long have you been trying for now? Did you have problems conceiving Henry?

I had two m/c between losing Alice and getting pregnant with Rachel - so that took me nearly a year in total (I was just short of 39 when I got pregnant again with Rachel). It felt awfully long at the time, but given my age and past history a couple of miscarriages and taking a little while probably was nothing unusual. Like you, everything seemed to be fine and I had no reason to think I had any fertility problems beyond the usual getting older one.

That's not to say you should not seek help though - just that it can be totally normal by the time you are in your late 30s for it to take a while and have a few m/cs etc.

I am hoping you get there soon with or without help.

[riehlism]

It's good that you don't have any issues with your cycle. I believe that trying for about 5-6 months without getting pregnant can warrant seeing a reproductive endocrinologist. It might be a good idea make sure your hormones are being released at the right time and the right amount. For example, low LH levels won't allow for an egg to be release. Low FSH won't allow for follicle maturation. Low progesterone won't sustain a pregnancy and may end in a miscarriage. You know, stuff like that.

In terms of medication that can help, I think a lot of ladies with TTC issues have tried Clomid. Clomid is a pill you take on days 3-8 of your cycle to help induce ovulation, so you can time your baby dance appropriately. A lot of people have success with it. Others don't. But I know of some posters who also used Femara for the same thing.

In any case, I would definitely try to get a workup done...even if it's just to tell you that all's well.

[sam10]

Thank you, guys. I was just feeling down yesterday and got really worried that my time will be up soon!We have been trying only for a few months after my last m/c in February 2011(waited the time doctor ordered). But as you can read below, it seems that we have been trying for years now.

I had fertility issues before conceiving Henry even though all seemed normal. After a while I went to see specialists. They did the whole thing (tests and all that) and diagnosed me/us with unexplained infertility at that time (in 2008 after trying for over a year). They put me on Chlomid (was totally horrible for me), then Femara, and still nothing. Eventually I went to seek a 2nd opinion, so they found a growth in my cervix. The same day as this was found, I was about to release an egg, so an insemination was done, and I got pregnant, but miscarried. With that mc the growth in my cervix was gone too and 3 months later I conceived Henry without any medication or help (only my ovu kit). This past January I also got pregnant. but miscarried in February. As I am aware of reduced egg quality due to my age, I am just getting exhausted and tired of these years of trying to have a baby. I just don't want to wait around for too long before it is too late. Realizing all of this is sad and adds another layer of complication.

[kerisue]

It's sad for me too Julija. I realize that due to my age it could take longer to conceive, but every negative test is still really difficult. I always find myself thinking- but I already had a baby I shouldn't be going through this! My anxiety comes both from fear of not being able to conceive at my age, but also the increased risk for chromosomal abnormalities. It seems like your risk for that goes up very very rapidly as you approach and surpass 40.
You've probably done the fsh and estrogen tests; if not, I would suggest doing that so you know where you are now. A midcycle ultrasound scan might also be good to see if you have eggs of the right size about to pop. Baby dust for us both.

[holly3372@msn.com]

I am 39 too,no other children. I understand and wish us all luck xo

[princess purr]

I'm 32 with no other children, and it took me two years when I was 22 to become pregnant... so needless to say I'm worried how long it will take this time! My mom went through early menopause at 36 so I really really feel like my time is running out. Hope it happens for you very soon!!