HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Can One Successfully Conceive At 42 After A Miscarriage?

default
Posted on Tue, 7 Nov 2023
Question: Hi I had a miscarriage at 13 weeks gestation last year, the baby didn't grown from 5 weeks. I miscarried naturally at home. Since the miscarriage my periods vary though the doctor still says they are regular. I worry I don't ovulate? Do you think as I have got pregnant before that I do ovulate?

My cycles are as follows:

October 29 day cycle
November 33 day cycle
December 28 day cycle
January 36 day cycle
February 24 day cycle
March 27 day cycle
April 27 day cycle
May 27 day cycle

I am worried that I wont conceive again and I am 42 years of age and have a high BMI of 45.

I am working on eating healthy and exercise.

Do you think I can conceive again? I am worried I will have another miscarriage.

I had bloods taken to rule out polycystic ovaries in December, I had bloods taken on day 30 of a 33 day cycle. I have been reassured my bloods are ok but I would value your opinion. Unfortunately I don't have my LH and FSH levels all they said is they are in single figures. Serum estradiol was 265pmol/l, serum prolactin at 8.6pmol/l, sorry I have no further information.

Please help me as soon as you can. My doctor says stop worrying because I have conceived before I should conceive again naturally.

The menopause worries me

I have just had a day 21 progesterone test which was actually done on day 22 of 27 day cycle the value has come back as 4, I have no idea what this means. Does it mean I didn't ovulate I am worried sick that I will never conceive

Clearblue fertility monitor did show peak on day 16 and 17 so do you think this can reassure me that I do ovulate?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Suresh Heijebu (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Serum FSH, LH, estradiol and progesterone should be measured

Detailed Answer:
Hello Ma'am

I can certainly understand your concern

I have worked through your attached query in detail

The best predictor of ovulation is estimating the Ovarian reserve.

This is done by measuring the serum FSH and LH on day 3. This is done in addition to the serum estradiol levels on Day 3.

Likewise day 21 progesterone is also an excellent indicator of ovulation.

A low Day 21 progesterone level suggests the cycle was anovulatory (no egg was produced).

Normal progesterone levels at day 21 means:

Good thickness of your endometrium (uterine lining), which means uterus is ready for pregnancy.

Confirm that ovulation has occurred and an egg is successfully produced by ovaries, means no problems in your cycle and you have healthy ovaries.

Normal Progesterone levels after ovulation 7 days post ovulation in average 28 days cycle is > 15 ng/ml, which means progesterone level is adequate enough and the woman is ovulated and fertile, while at Day 3 of the menstrual cycle normally seen < 1.5 ng/ml.

Progesterone levels tend to be < 2 ng/ml prior to ovulation, and > 5 ng/ml after ovulation, which means progesterone value must be at least 5 ng/ml at the middle of luteal stage to be good level for ovulation.

Serum progesterone levels rise with some variance after ovulation, peaking at 15 to 90 ng/ml by 10 to 25 days after ovulation (the LH peak) and gradually reducing over the term of pregnancy.

For most fertility centers, FSH levels over 12 mIU/ml is considered poor.

Interpreting Levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone

A normal FSH level is usually between 3 mIU/ml - 10 mIU/ml.

Levels of more than 12 mIU/ml are worrisome and suggest impaired ovarian reserve.

Levels of more than 25 confirm ovarian failure and are found in menopausal women.

The FSH level is best interpreted in conjunction with estradiol level.

Estradiol levels above 75 pg/ml on Day 3 may indicate a poor ovarian reserve

In few cases, a high baseline estradiol level(due to poor ovarian reserve) can artificially suppress the FSH level, so that it appears to be normal, thus misleading that the ovarian reserve is normal.

Hence it's a good idea to measure the estradiol level when checking the FSH level on Day 3

If the estradiol level is high, then even if the FSH is normal, one cannot assume that ovarian reserve is normal.A normal FSH and estradiol level probably indicate that you have a good ovarian reserve.

Post your further queries if any

Thank you


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Suresh Heijebu (55 minutes later)
Why am I having regular cycles if I don't ovulate and why does fertility monitor and ovulation sticks show ovulation but I am not ovulating? I think I do ovulate
doctor
Answered by Dr. Suresh Heijebu (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Kindly repeat tests again

Detailed Answer:
Hello Ma'am

I can certainly understand your concern.

Regular cycles are still possible even in the absence of ovulation. These are called anovulatory cycles.

Additionally Morbid obesity with BMI in the range of 45 is a strong negative predictor of ovulation and sustainence of pregnancy.

Fertility monitors and Ovulation sticks are not ultimate parameters to identify ovulation. They can have both false positive as well as false negative results.

Ultimate guide to predict and identify ovulation is Day 3 FSH, LH and Estradiol estimation and Day 21 progesterone estimation. Only if these hormonal levels are within normal limits, ovulation occurs and conception is possible. There is no alternative hypothesis to this.

Likewise an ultrasound abdomen is required to assess the health of uterine cavity lining.

All I am trying to say is please get the above tests again at appropriate days of the cycle along with Ultrasound abdomen.

Review with reports to determine further course of action.

Post your further queries if any
Thank you

Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Suresh Heijebu

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 3646 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Can One Successfully Conceive At 42 After A Miscarriage?

Brief Answer: Serum FSH, LH, estradiol and progesterone should be measured Detailed Answer: Hello Ma'am I can certainly understand your concern I have worked through your attached query in detail The best predictor of ovulation is estimating the Ovarian reserve. This is done by measuring the serum FSH and LH on day 3. This is done in addition to the serum estradiol levels on Day 3. Likewise day 21 progesterone is also an excellent indicator of ovulation. A low Day 21 progesterone level suggests the cycle was anovulatory (no egg was produced). Normal progesterone levels at day 21 means: Good thickness of your endometrium (uterine lining), which means uterus is ready for pregnancy. Confirm that ovulation has occurred and an egg is successfully produced by ovaries, means no problems in your cycle and you have healthy ovaries. Normal Progesterone levels after ovulation 7 days post ovulation in average 28 days cycle is > 15 ng/ml, which means progesterone level is adequate enough and the woman is ovulated and fertile, while at Day 3 of the menstrual cycle normally seen < 1.5 ng/ml. Progesterone levels tend to be < 2 ng/ml prior to ovulation, and > 5 ng/ml after ovulation, which means progesterone value must be at least 5 ng/ml at the middle of luteal stage to be good level for ovulation. Serum progesterone levels rise with some variance after ovulation, peaking at 15 to 90 ng/ml by 10 to 25 days after ovulation (the LH peak) and gradually reducing over the term of pregnancy. For most fertility centers, FSH levels over 12 mIU/ml is considered poor. Interpreting Levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone A normal FSH level is usually between 3 mIU/ml - 10 mIU/ml. Levels of more than 12 mIU/ml are worrisome and suggest impaired ovarian reserve. Levels of more than 25 confirm ovarian failure and are found in menopausal women. The FSH level is best interpreted in conjunction with estradiol level. Estradiol levels above 75 pg/ml on Day 3 may indicate a poor ovarian reserve In few cases, a high baseline estradiol level(due to poor ovarian reserve) can artificially suppress the FSH level, so that it appears to be normal, thus misleading that the ovarian reserve is normal. Hence it's a good idea to measure the estradiol level when checking the FSH level on Day 3 If the estradiol level is high, then even if the FSH is normal, one cannot assume that ovarian reserve is normal.A normal FSH and estradiol level probably indicate that you have a good ovarian reserve. Post your further queries if any Thank you