Ask a doctor on the topic of Gynecology

Just can't get pregnant.

January 4, 2016 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Dear team,

I am 29 years old and in my 7th cycle trying to conceive. Unfortunately, it hasn't happened yet. I measure my temperature and take ovulation tests. My charts can always be evaluated and I have a high phase of 11-12 days. 2 days before my period, I start experiencing pain and spotting. The actual period lasts 3-4 days and then I have 3-4 days of light brown spotting afterwards. I always have very strong menstrual cramps, but never in my lower abdomen, rather in my buttocks/intestines/tailbone or pelvic floor. Ibuprofen 400 usually saves me ;). My doctor doesn't see any need for intervention yet.

She performed an ultrasound on day 16 and said: there is no mature follicle. Maybe your ovulation has already occurred. But it hadn't, because I was still in the low temperature phase.

She said nothing more would happen.

But something did happen, because I had an 11-day high phase. (Despite negative ovulation tests) The ovulation tests are usually positive for me in the middle of the cycle, but I have also had negatives. Nevertheless, a high phase always occurred.

I would like to have blood tests done, but my doctor said to wait until after a year. I once mentioned endometriosis to her, but she didn't take it seriously. I don't have endometriosis cysts. And a great ultrasound. I have chronic irritable bowel syndrome, but she doesn't see any connection there.

I have tried lady's mantle tea and raspberry leaf tea. This made ovulation occur earlier and improved my cervical mucus.

I have had acne since I was 24 years old. I have never taken the pill and before that always had clear skin.

I am just a layman and the doctors in my social circle are not gynecologists, but doesn't it sound like something like higher testosterone (which was borderline elevated 7 years ago) and resulting egg maturation disorder and progesterone deficiency? Seven years ago, the progesterone levels were ok but that can change. I also fear having endometriosis because of my strange pains. How can I convince a doctor to finally take action? My husband is also willing to get checked. (Reluctantly, but if necessary)

I want to finally get pregnant and am starting to believe that it will never happen for me.

Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Good day,

I understand your impatience, but there is no need to fear that you will never get pregnant again. You have only been trying for 7 months, and normally it is expected that a woman of your age will get pregnant within a year. That hasn't even passed yet! It's not that your doctor doesn't want to help: you want the costs of any tests to be covered by insurance, and it is really still too early for that.

In my opinion, your doctor took your endometriosis question seriously, as she checked for any changes in the ultrasound and found none.

Your cycle charts suggest ovulation, and if there was a lack of progesterone, your temperature would quickly drop again. That's why I understand why no hormonal tests have been done.

Your husband could have a semen analysis done, which is not a big effort. If everything is fine with that, you can safely wait a few more months for further diagnosis, especially if you don't want to pay for the costs yourself.

Pregnancies are still a small miracle, and waiting for them is normal (even if some women get pregnant surprisingly quickly). Patience and tolerance for frustration are also needed as a young mother; I wish you all the best on this journey!

Warm regards, Dr. Höllering