A Few Questions and Answers

On the website, TTC Dreams, I have a page of F.A.Q. or Frequently Asked Questions. Many of these questions are asked so often I know the answer "word for word". I thought it might be helpful to post some of these here for everyone else to view.

Q. - Why does my partner need to have a sperm analysis done and what is it?
A. - If you and your partner have not been successful in conceiving after a year (or less depending on age), then one of the first tests that your doctor will order will be a sperm analysis. This is one of the less expensive tests as well as one of the less invasive. When a sperm analysis is scheduled, your partner will need to refrain from ejaculating for three days. This will help the doctor in determining what your partner's average sperm count is. The count is for all of the living sperm that are present in the sample. The motility, or ability of the sperm to swim, is the other part of the analysis. If the sperm are basically motionless or moving very little then the motility is poor. By having this test performed it assists the doctors in deciding on whether or not more tests of the female are needed or if the fertility problem lies, most likely, with the man.

Q. - When using an OPK, can you show a surge for more then 1 test day? Do your levels stay high through O?
A. - It is possible to show a surge for two test days, depending on when you test and how often. If you test both in the morning and in the late afternoon/evening, you could show a surge in the evening and again in the morning. Before your body can release an egg, it has to be told to do so. An OPK measures the lutenizing hormone. This hormone will begin to be released about 4 to 6 hours before it will show on a test. Once you get a strong positive result, you should O in 24 to 48 hours. The level will not remain high through O because what happens is just a burst of this hormone. If you continued testing with an OPK until you confirmed O by temping, you would notice your test line getting lighter and lighter, until you could not see it.

Q. - I am not O'ing, now what?
A. - First call your doctor and set up an appointment to have a preconception visit and blood work done. Take your charts with you to show to your doctor that you are not ovulating. Also have questions ready to ask your Doctor about what he/she plans on doing for you. If you need help coming up with questions, check out How To Choose A Doctor on this site. Chances are your doctor will prescribe Clomid. If you would rather try herbs to regulate your cycle, you still need to see your doctor to make sure that it is not your thyroid or some other medical reason for your lack of O. If it is just that your hormones are out of balance, see Herb Vitamin, and Mineral Information for more information on what herbs will help you regulate your hormones.

What is a Luteal Phase?

Short and simple, a Luteal Phase, or LP for short, is the duration of the woman's cycle between ovulation and the onset of her period. For a pregnancy to occur a woman's LP must be at least 10 days long, and many physicians prefer to see a LP that is at least 12 to 14 days long.

What can you do if your LP is shorter than 10 days long? There are actually several options available to you. If you want to go the western medicine route, then you would need to call your OB/GYN to schedule a series of appointments to have your blood tests at different points during your cycle and have your progesterone level confirmed to be low. Once this was done, your doctor would most likely prescribe progesterone supplements to take from ovulation to the onset of your period or after a negative pregnancy test at 16 days after ovulation.

If you would rather try a home remedy you should start taking B6, and even better would be a good B-Complex. A good B-complex vitamin with 60 mg of Vitamin B6 should do the trick, and you should see your LP lengthen in less than 3 cycles (many report results with the first and second cycles). B6 is water soluble, so what your body can't use is flushed out and
not stored up. Even if you are taking a great multi-vitamin or prenatal, additional
B6 is probably needed.

Another home remedy is the use of over the counter progesterone creams. Only a small amount is needed each day and each cream is a little different, so be sure to follow the directions on the package for the best results. You may not see results overnight, but as with the vitamin supplements, it should not take more than 3 cycles to see an improvement.

One last option that you can try is herbs. A combination of Vitex and Evening Primrose Oil should help to balance out your hormones and lengthen your luteal phase. Be sure to buy a top quality brand of both Vitex and Evening Primrose Oil, or better yet, see a trained herbalist who can develop either a tincture or capsules of both for you to take. A well trained herbalist will be able to advise you on all things herbal, and should also be able to assist you with vitamin and mineral supplements that you may need as well.

Whether you buy from a trusted drug store, a local herbalist, or online, always follow the dosing directions on the package.