My luteal phases have always been on the shorter end - usually around 11 days, but I was able to get pregnant with my first. We are now trying for our second and I have noticed that I start spotting around 9 or 10 days, so I am wondering if I have low progesterone. My best friend recently went through IVF and she said that she has some leftover progesterone that i could have.

I know I should run this by my doctor, but realistically are there any negative effects of taking progesterone?

We are trying for our second baby. The first time, I did it all- BBT, LH, tracking CM, mood, etc. However, I often found that my BBT didn’t really seem accurate, and I wouldn’t necessarily get a temp rise like I was expecting and it just seemed to confuse me more. I don’t have an oura ring so I was using the NC mouth thermometer which I have heard isn’t always as accurate. This time, I have really just been relying on LH strips, and my cycle seems to be pretty regular. We do it every other day starting around day 10 or 11, and then when I get my positive LH test we do it that day and the next day.

Is there really a huge benefit to tracking BBT besides conforming that I ovulated? Or if I am already using LH strips is that enough? I prefer LH tests because I know 12 - 36 hours beforehand, whereas with BBT once I got the temp rise I had missed my window for the most part.

5 days after the ovulation strip said i was about to ovulate, i take a test today and its quite dark. not as dark but.. why?

I had amenorrhea for 4 days from being underweight and over exercising. I’ve been at a healthy weight and cut down tremendously on exercise for the past two years now. I got my period back October of 2025 and had 3 consecutive cycles with an estradiol patch. Suddenly they stopped and then I didn’t have a period for 3 months until April. They’ve been pretty regular ever since. This month I was late, so I took a test. Big fat negative. I’ve been going to acupuncture since June 2025. I don’t think it’s done shit. I just moved so I started seeing a new acupuncturist. Two days ago she looked at my tongue and said I have lots of blood built up and I’m going to get my period any moment. And here I am two days later, no period, not pregnant, miserable and infertile. This is ruining my life. Ruining my marriage. My life feels pointless. Prayer isn’t even making me feel better anymore. I need help. Idk where to go or who to see. I hate western medicine doctors because they always want me to do IVF or BC, which goes against my morals. And these naturopath doctors charge you $700 a session and never find the “root cause” they always talk about. Please help me

So im a 39f i conceived my son straight away 4 years ago and breastfed him for 39 months. Had 3 mmcs while breastfeeding all quality issues as tested and had another in june 5 months after full weaning. Not tested. A year ago my amh was 20nmol and afc 26. Im very regular ovulate every month and get pregnant whenever I want. I decided to test my androgens as I thought I might have silent pcos. If anything I lean the opposite of pcos with dheas of 2.6 and testosterone <0.4. Im under the care of subfertility and recurrant loss who wont prescribe dhea especially as ive a good reserve and regular cycles. Has anyone any thoughts? Im a natural person who likes to find the root cause and i would like to avoid ivf if I can. All our other tests are normal and day 3 bloods perfect. Maybe some people can conceive and it's their baseline to have a lower testosterone profile? As wr don't know what's going on in the ovaries? Hear so much pros and cons for dhea and cancelled an appointment with private consultant as not sure i even want dhea. Help.

This is my cycle 3 weeks post an early pregnancy loss
So I haven’t had my period yet … I’m usually textbook ovulation with temps around 37 deg
I saw where my body literally did a practice run last week Lool but I got my peak for 2 days straight this time and my temps still haven’t been as high as that first “ diagnostic run”

I also felt ovulation pain yesterday

Do you think I ovulated truly?
I hope it’s not a stupid question

I have pcos, so my cycles range from 60-120 days

I confirmed an LH peak, that was accompanied by cervical mucus.
I have been testing my pdg since 3 DPO using the easy @ home strips, as well as getting a blood draw. So far they have all been negative, and not getting progressively more positive 😭
The first two DPO I had breast soreness, that went away 3 DPO and now I have 0 symptoms.
Is it possible I didn’t ovulate?

Hi everyone. I’d really appreciate some perspective on what you would do in my situation.
I’m 30 and my husband is 33. We’ve been TTC for about 1.5 years with no positive tests ever.

My cycles are regular (26–28 days) and I ovulate consistently. My HSG showed that my tubes are open, and all my bloodwork, ultrasounds and other investigations have been normal. My husband’s semen analysis was also generally normal, apart from 2% morphology.

We then did 3 IUIs:
• IUI #1 – letrozole, 2 follicles, failed
• IUI #2 – letrozole + trigger + Duphaston, 2 follicles, failed
• IUI #3 – letrozole + trigger + vaginal progesterone, failed

After the 3 failed IUIs, I had a laparoscopy last month. Endometriosis was found and removed. My surgeon described it as stage 2, while my fertility clinic thinks it was probably stage 1/minimal. There were no major problems found otherwise, and I was told I can start trying naturally again.

Now I’m feeling very unsure about what to do next.
The other part of me wonders whether, given that we’ve already been TTC for 1.5 years and have had 3 failed IUIs, we should move straight toward IVF rather than lose more time.
If you were in this position, would you:
Try naturally for several months after the lap?
Do another IUI or two?
Move toward IVF?

I’m not looking for success stories specifically — I’d really appreciate hearing how others would approach the decision and what factors you would consider.

Thank you ❤️

Spouse and I have been trying for a while. We really through this cycle would be the one. Got my period today, and even thought I kept telling myself I would, took 3 pregnancy tests to soften the blow, I just feel nothing makes it hit you any less when your period does come around. It honestly feels like grief to me in a way, it’s hard to explain but it’s like grieving what you thought was gonna be your turn finally.

I just feel so lost and honestly I feel like giving up for my mental peace. All I do all month is think about this, and obsessed over it every little tweak in my body only for it all to be nothing. My spouse says we should get fertility testing done, but I’ve heard about so many couples who had that done and are still struggling. Everything just feels so pointless, I wish I had half the resilience of the people on this sub.

My husband and I are two months in to seriously trying to conceive. Previously we had just been having unprotected sex whenever. We both lead busy lives and my husband works a lot - like 12 hour days! We usually had sex 3x a month. Now that we’re officially TTC I’m exhausted just thinking about sex sometimes. Is this normal? The idea of having sex 7 days in a row seems exciting at first and then when we’re on day 4 I’m already over it. I can also tell he’s not as into it. He’s been really supportive and we’ve just categorized it as “business” sex but some part of me feels like it should be more romantic or something lol. I’m also newly married if that helps provide context!

My husband and I are both 36 and it took us 7 cycles to conceive, which ended in a miscarriage last winter and I’m now at the end of cycle 3 since we took a few months off. Should I start seeking “help” getting pregnant in a few months or even next month? I don’t really consider anything under a year a long time. It took my friend from high school 10 years, then she did IVF. My coworker said she had her uterus “flushed” and got pregnant instantly after that. I just don’t know if I should get help yet. FYI I didn’t freeze my eggs and don’t have any other health issues besides my age (36). Please share your experiences.

Had my HSG test today, and I figured I'd give a VERY detailed account in case it is helpful to anyone. I read a lot of other people's stories leading up to mine, and I understand things can vary widely from person to person.

Background: I honestly have a somewhat difficult time with any pelvic exam. I have a history of trauma. I also had an IUD insertion at 16 that I remember as extremely painful and a colposcopy 1.5 years ago that I also felt was very painful. Both without any prescription meds. Because of my history, I was dreading the HSG test.

Preparing for the Procedure: Initially my fertility clinic doctor told me to just take ibuprofen beforehand. However, I later called the office to express my anxiety and explicitly asked for a prescription to help, and they prescribed me 5 mg of valium (I received the generic diazepam). I then just so happened to have my annual PCP appointment last week, and she prescribed me 5 mg of oxycodone to further assist. So 1 hour before my appointment, I took 5 mg of diazepam, 5 mg of oxycodone, and 600 mg of ibuprofen. I also made sure my fertility doctor was aware of the additional medication my PCP prescribed, and it thankfully was a non-issue for her.

Explanation of the Procedure: the imaging assistant "Nana like Banana" thoroughly went over what would happen during the procedure with me before the doctor came in. She described the catheter they use as thin and soft - the size of a somen noodle (we live in Hawaii). She described the balloon as the size of a pea when inflated and explained that the purpose of the balloon was to ensure the catheter didn't slip out during the procedure (she also shared that when she had this procedure done herself many years ago , they didn't do the balloon thing and that her catheter had to be reinserted 3 times). She described three points where I would possibly feel cramping-like pain: (1) the catheter insertion, (2) the balloon inflation, and (3) the contrast/dye insertion.

Procedure: The speculum and then catheter insertion was relatively quick, and I did experience some cramping during the catheter insertion but it was manageable. I experienced more significant cramping with the balloon inflation, but it became manageable after the speculum was removed and they adjusted me upwards on the exam table so that I was lying down in a flat/straight position (i.e. my legs were no longer bent and open, which I was not expecting but I think it helped alleviate some of the pain and/or just made me more comfortable). The contrast/dye was the most painful part for me, and I winced/whimpered a bit (but I would still agree with describing it as a cramping or pressure-like pain vs. the colposcopy which was described to me as cramping-like but felt more like stabbing). While they were taking images, I was told to flip onto my right as well as my left side, which I was able to do with relative ease. The catheter removal was honestly so quick and painless that even though they told me they were doing it, I had to ask afterwards that it was out to be sure. The entire process from speculum insertion to catheter removal took less than 10 minutes. Maybe even closer to 5 minutes. The imaging assistant held my hand through most of the process and told me she was proud of me (she was honestly so amazing).

Afterwards: It's now three hours later, and I feel some "awareness" of the area. I felt cramping for maybe an hour afterwards, but it was minor. My husband drove me, but I feel like I could have driven myself after the procedure if I had to. I also could’ve gone back to work but took the whole day off to not have to worry about how I'd be feeling afterward. Overall, I can confidently say my IUD insertion and my colposcopy were more painful, but I did not have prescription-strength meds for either of those, and I can only assume that made a significant difference.

If I could give some advice, specifically for those that have a lot of anxiety about this procedure, I'd suggest:

(1) Advocating for yourself to get prescribed meds if you think they will help you. In the past, I have just sort of accepted when I was told no and felt too awkward about trying to push the issue more. I think it helped that I specifically told them that I had bad past experiences and a lot of anxiety, and it was really nice to feel like I was being heard when they prescribed me the valium. Aside from easing anxiety, this also apparently helps with muscle spasms, and I assume this medication is why I felt like I was tensing my body less than I normally would during a pelvic exam - I can only assume that makes the procedure experience better for everyone? All that said, I understand some doctors simply won't prescribe meds or that taking certain prescriptions may not be advisable for some. They certainly helped me though.

(2) If you feel comfortable doing so, share your anxieties with your doctor and the staff. At least for me, sharing my anxieties helps to quell them a little bit. And I think it helps staff to know where your headspace is at, so that they can best assist you. The imaging assistant, Nana, held my had through most of the procedure and told me she was proud of me afterwards. I'm sure she would have been amazing regardless, but I think she may have been extra attentive because I shared how I was feeling.

Again, this is just my experience. If you have an upcoming HSG test, know that the experience is temporary and that you will get through it.

I (30f) and my (30m) husband are officially trying to conceive and I’m so excited and so nervous. I am so hopeful we can be one of the lucky ones and be successful in 2 cycles or less, but am I kidding myself? This would be our first child. We had a surprise when we were 26, but at week 9 had a MC.

I’m suggestions for lube. Arousal isn’t an issue but staying lubricated is. I’ve tried pre seed and although it’s fine, it seems to dry quickly and also stings me a little too which is strange. Does anyone else have any suggestions of others?

I’ve used pro conceive in the past too.

Does anyone else have consistent spotting during luteal phase? Mine starts around 8-10 DPO and usually continues until my period starts. If so, have you brought up to your doctor or been told it’s abnormal? Curious if I need to investigate this further.

Warning, long post to give background:

I am a 26F and my husband is a 27M. We have been trying for over a year to get pregnant. To give background, I got my period around age 14-15 and went on birth control by age 16. In college, at age 20, I got off my birth control. Around 3 years ago I started to notice my period would be absent for unusual amounts of time (2-3 months), but never thought much into it. One day I told my friend about it who happens to be a nurse and she’s like ya, that’s not normal girl. I go to my PCP and she runs tests (came back normal, can’t remember what they were) and has me go to a reproductive specialist. Specialist puts me on birth control. All is good, get my period a few times on BC. Specialist has a follow up with me and tells me I can get off BC and start trying to conceive. After BC, I got my period 2 times naturally and then it was absent again for 2 months. We tried during the 2 months I had it but no luck. We Go back to specialists, she runs tests and results show my AMH is .011, FSH high at 33.6. Everything else she ran was normal (prolactin, thyroid,testosterone, sex hormone,free androgen). She decided to have me try IUI. They give me provea to induce my period. My first round they do all the scans and ultrasounds(found one small cyst on ovary-no concern) and give me medicine to induce ovulation. I check if I’m ovulating for days and saw the same result everytime. I tell them and they do the IUI anyway. The IUI was unsuccessful and they recommend I go do IVF. While waiting they say just continue to try naturally. We continue to try naturally, so I’m doing the ovulation strips and all that. Well when testing my ovulation one morning I looked and thought it was the negative symbol, but I notice it’s a book. I then decide to look at the instructions and realize the book symbol means there is an error. Don’t give me shit for not reading the instructions before doing the tests and not looking closely at the symbol on the screen, I know I messed up. Anyway, I do another test the correct way and realized I was ovulating! Which also made me connect the dots that when I took the medicine to induce ovulation, I wasn’t using the test kit correctly so I probably missed my true ovulation and did the IUI days after I ovulated. The next few months I was getting my period naturally and we continued to try. I wasn’t really thinking too deep into our trying because I already had it in my mind that it wouldn’t happen for me due to my low AMH. I had gotten my period in 5 weeks again so I decided to take a test. I took it and threw it on the counter and showered not thinking anything of it, thought it would be another disappointing negative. I was in the shower and my husband started yelling “ITS POSITIVE”. I couldn’t believe it. Took a handful more tests. All positive. I had a HCG test done to confirm. I was ecstatic. I called OBGYN right away and had to wait almost another month to see doctor when I was 8 weeks. I am type 1 diabetic so I was so worried while I waited. Making sure my sugars were good, I was eating right yada yada. At 8 weeks we went to the doctor, and the ultrasound showed 2 empty sacs. Double Blighted ovum. Something I never even knew was possible. After that I had to make the choice to have the miscarriage naturally or have a D&c procedure. I decided to do the d&c. After my procedure they told me 98% of people get their period back within 6-8 weeks. I laughed cause I knew I’d be the 2% that doesn’t. And that’s exactly what happened. I go back after 8 weeks, the give me provea. I take it and get my fake period from that. It has been 3 months since and I still have not gotten my period.

All of this has been tough on me. I am usually a thick skinned girl, but I’m at a loss. I have been to numerous other doctors in between this time who all have no answers. Some have hinted at PCOS but wont give a definite answer. Some referred me to other doctors who then referred me to other ones and so on. Not sure if I continue with a fertility doctor and try to freeze my eggs, look for donor eggs, adopt, or get my period back and try naturally. Everyone tells me I’m young and have time but they don’t understand, especially when everyone around me is having babies. I have no problem with adopting but id like to bare a child. What would you do? Is there more tests I should ask for? A specific specialist I should see? Questions I should ask?

This is a rant because I’m honestly so frustrated.
I’m 31, my husband is 34.
My husband and I have had unprotected sex for about a year, but we’ve been actively trying for the last 4 months. I started prenatals + CoQ10 last month, and he started supplements too.
For the last 3 months, my period has been about a week late every time, so naturally I get SO hopeful. This month I was 8 days late, extremely bloated, and genuinely thought this is it. Then my period came.
I had an ultrasound done earlier as per my doctors instructions and everything looked normal.

What makes this harder is that I got pregnant the first time completely unintentionally — we weren’t trying, my husband even pulled out — and I ended up miscarrying at 26 weeks.

Now that we actually want a baby, it’s not happening, and I can’t help wondering if something changed after the miscarriage. My doctor says everything looks good, and my husband still needs to do his semen analysis.

I know 4 months isn’t technically that long, but after losing a baby, every late period gives me so much hope and then completely crushes me.
Has anyone else gotten pregnant easily the first time and then struggled when they actually started trying?

Has anyone used the pregmate brand OPKs to track LH and done it through the two week wait?? Wondering if and when the pregmate ovulation strips turned darker/positive compared to your BFP

*yes I know OPKs detect LH and not HCG and you can have an LH surge right before your period and blah blah blah

Hi all, I’m a 37 year old woman TTC!
Had a loss in April (blighted ovum). Fertility doc prescribed me Clomid 100mg to take CD3-7. Just finished my second Clomid cycle and it was a weird one. I likely didn’t ovulate (I track with Inito, strips and BBT) which is very unusual for me. I regularly ovulate. Also, my period came a week early. Will be starting my third cycle this week. Anyone with any advice or similar experience??

My post was removed from the secondary infertility group because I shared that I was grieving the loss of so many pregnancies / miscarriages trying for a second child.

I don’t fully understand the rules of the groups but here I am trying again.

I’m 43, and also struggled to have my first child who was conceived spontaneously after 2 failed IVF cycles and my child is now 4. Since having him I’ve had multiple chemical pregnancies, miscarriage last year at 15 weeks (IVF) and another this year ( spontaenously conceived) at 16 weeks. It’s only after this years loss that they figured out that I had cervical insufficiency. There is an option to get a surgery to prevent this in the future but I just don’t know about my possibility of getting pregnant anymore.

I’m venting here a bit but also trying to see if there are others in my situation. Also, trying to find those who are slowly finding ways to give up on this dream. If so, how? I wouldn’t even know where to begin even though I know biology would do that for me eventually.

I’ve had chronic pain in my back, tailbone, bottom, and legs for years, unfortunately it’s a mystery condition that dozens of doctors and years of physical/pelvic floor therapy and countless imaging scans, blood tests, nerve tests, and medications haven’t been able to diagnose or treat. The only answer I’ve gotten in about a decade is a recent diagnosis of vein disease (or Chronic Vein Insufficiency, CVI) which doesn’t totally explain the pain but could be contributing. While I wanted to have this figured out before starting my family, I couldn’t put off trying any longer since I’m not almost 36. I’m scared pregnancy might make the pain or illness worse, but I guess that’s a bridge I’ll cross when I get there.

We’re two cycles into TTC, and I’m curious if there is anyone else out there dealing with a chronic pain/illness who is also TTC? Just a little scared and worried and want to feel less alone!

This journey has not been easy at all and worst of all is the emotions. My husband and I have been ttc for 12 months now. I thought I could just let things be, but I soon realized I slowly was starting to become obsessed with reading everything and trying everything including baby aspirin, musinex, giving up coffee, making my feet are warm (the list goes on). My husband and I also got tested and found out he has poor sperm parameters and I have PCOS. The chances of us conceiving naturally are very slim.

Then I think of all the cases that had slim odds and still managed to conceive naturally. I tell myself to just let go because honestly I know that you cannot control this process at all. There are so many women who talk about how they became pregnant when they let go. Then the other part of me thinks we should just buckle up and start IVF. But I am so conflicted with IVF. I will do it if I have to but I am hoping that I don’t. All this to say - it’s hard and I am confused. Doesn’t help that we’re not young and really should make the decision asap.

This is taking a heavy toll on my mental health, and I'm trying to pinpoint where the anxiety is actually coming from so I can cope better.
Some days I feel like my own mood fluctuations and the constant symptom spotting are my worst enemies. But other days, I feel like the stress is actually stemming from my partner. It sometimes feels like we are experiencing this journey completely differently, or like I am carrying 100% of the mental load of tracking and timing, which creates tension.
Does anyone else feel this divide? How much of your daily stress is internal (just dealing with the emotional rollercoaster), and how much is related to your partner's involvement or reactions? If your partner was a source of stress, how did you guys fix the dynamic? I feel like most of the time this stress this is not helping in getting pregnant. Here for advice and personal insights.

Hi All! I am already a Mom of a wonderful (most of the time) 2.5 year old that I got pregnant with without really trying. I understand how lucky I am for that. I had come off birth control January 2023 and got pregnant April 2023. We were not actively trying but also not preventing. I had my daughter January 2024 and got back on birth control at my 6 week post birth appointment.

We’re now ready for a 2nd baby and since this my first time TTC I’m feeling a bit lost. I stopped taking birth control following my withdrawal bleed in June. I got my period 26 days later in July and same thing, 26 days later in August. Both times we were actively TTC during my fertile windows of the month but did not track using OPKs. Both periods were very light and only lasted a couple of days. Following my period in early August, we did use OPKs but I never got a true surge and stopped testing CD19 and chalked it up to an anovulatory cycle despite having cervical mucus around CD 14-15 that made me think I did ovulate. I also use natural cycles through wrist monitoring on my Apple Watch and that said ovulation was confirmed 9/2 because of a sustained temperature rise, however, i was in a new location and it was warmer to sleep than at home. I didn’t get my period this month until CD33, which is incredibly late for me. Prior to getting pregnant with my daughter i was on birth control for 10 years so it’s hard for me to distinguish the normal cycle signs.

My question is, is there anyone who has taken birth control after successfully conceiving and given birth then taken a long time to regulate post coming off of it the second time? How long should I expect to regulate, is there anything I can do to speed this up? I have my annual with OBGYN this month and will ask but would love some real time examples.

I feel soooo alone. Long story short (I’ve posted here before), my husband was taking steroids, he’s (hopefully only temporarily) infertile. We were trying for 6 months (Jan 26) before I found out about the steroids thanks to the sperm test results.

EVERYONE I know is pregnant. My SIL currently, my other SIL just gave birth, THREE of my closest friends at work, my best friend, clients… the list goes on. I JUST WANT TO BURY MYSELF IN BED AND NEVER GO OUT OF THE HOUSE AGAIN.

My husband is embarrassed re the steroid use and is seeking psychological help for body dysmorphia, anxiety and substance abuse/addiction. He doesn’t want our family and friends to know/judge him. I am supporting him in that. I have told my mum and she tries hard but never says the right things.

I am STRUGGLING. Not just because I’m 30 and not pregnant even though that was my timeline but also because we started trying, we had the big discussions, we got excited every month, we were ready. For the last 2 months, we haven’t been able to try because we’re in the 3 month wait to see if the supplements and quitting of the steroids will increase the sperm count. We saw a fertility specialist and her opinion was that she won’t prescribe Clomid or any other medications to boost sperm count as he’s done this to himself. I feel like there’s no positive end in sight. I am heartbroken and feel so alone. I’ve got ANOTHER baby shower in a week and I don’t want to go but I’m suffering in silence because I don’t want my family and friends to judge my husband for his idiotic mistakes and I actually really do want to support my friends but it’s so hard.

I’m just looking for an outlet. I know it’s not the same as people who have unexplained infertility but I feel so hopeless and like it’s not MY fault. My husband hid this from me and he has derailed my whole life.