What Is the Deal?

It sounds like you're ovulating. That's typically what the clear milky discharge is. You can try an ovulating test stick or just start baby trying. you should also contact your ob/ gyn, they can guide you through all this and answer some of your concerns.

Definately don't wait to see a doctor about this, if you can. I agree with many of the women who've already responded. It sounds suspiciously like PCOS. I found that my OB/Gyn was not really that well-informed about the condition either, so you may want to look into seeing a reproductive endocrinologist. If you are diagnosed PCOS, be aware that your doctor may recommend medications to help you to ovulate as the irregular cyles make it very hard to predict (natural family planning doesn't work for us!). Also- the egg white cervical mucus can be normally abundant for those of us with the condition. We have high LH levels during our entire cycle, so it doesn't necessarily only appear during ovulation. I also agree with the suggestion to look into accupuncture and the book, "The Fertility Cure," as someone else mentioned. Not for everyone, but it worked for me! Good luck!

S., It sounds like you are close to Ovulating to me. That's when you get that clear, stetchy, eggwhite fluid. It dries up pretty much as soon as you've O'd. I would like to encourage you to read, "Taking Charge of Your Fertility," by Toni Weschler, MPH. It is a book that really covers it all in terms of your cycles. And, talks about different "less than normal" situitations. It's very very easy to read and understand. I loved it. It's about $24.00, and worth every penny! Also, mine came with free software to help you chart your temps, physical symptoms such as your cervical fluids, etc.
I did want to add that I know of many friends who have used "Vitex" to help get their periods/cycles regulated after taking Birth Control Pills. I'm not a doctor, but have used this myself. It is NOT a hormone, but it acts on the pituitary gland to help create the BALANCE you need in your estrogen/progesterone levels. It has helped many of my friends come out of that "irregular" frustration after BCP's. And, some have begun to Ovulate, finally, and then get pregnant. It also had the added benefit for me of reducing my emotional upheaval/pms before and during my period. I did much less crying, and not much depression.
Now stress CAN delay Ovulation. Once you do O....stress doesn't effect the rest of the length of your cycle. I highly recommend charting your temps in the morning, and seeing your OB at this point. He can really help you pinpoint what you need to do.
I'm 42, going on 43yrs, and I'm trying to conceive another baby too. It is much harder in your 40's, so get your OB's help.
But, please feel free to pm me if you'd like to know more....
J.

Hi! SOunds like you are ovulating!

Have you ever been checked for polycystic ovarian disease? This is what I have, and you sound like me. I will be turning 40 this summer. I have a daughter, but it wasn't easy. After I got married I had test after test done, as I have had period problems my whole life. When I was on the pill I was fine right on the money every month. But I knew there was a problem. Ins. makes you have test after test to make sure before you use fertility. After figuring it all out, getting cysts, having them removed, so on and so on. Using the fertility drugs I was able to get pregnant on the 2nd series. All this time I too still wear a mini pad everyday because I just don't know. The doctor tells me this is normal for me, annoying but normal. So basically, my advice is see your Dr., and I wish you luck. The tests, surgeries, shots and everything else I have been through was the best thing I have ever done. I have the most beautiful 5 yr old, she tries my patience sometimes, but I wouldn't change a thing. By the way my attempt for number 2 after a couple of years and more surgery has failed. So I am very thankful and blessed for what I have been given.
K. J

See a reproductive endocrinologist as soon as possible! Sometimes being overweight goes hand-in-hand with polycystic ovarian syndrome, which can cause infertility. Do it as soon as possible--at 40, fertility is declining rapidly. I know that's hard to hear. I conceived my IVF babies at 39 and 41, and I heard it alot, but I want to emphasize that you need to see a fertility specialist as soon as possible to give yourself the best chance at getting pregnant. Acupuncture was helpful for me, too, and research shows that it really works for certain types of infertility. Look for a book called "The Infertility Cure" by Randine Lewis, which is about Chinese traditional medicine's approach to fertility. Good luck to you!

I had my triplets at age 39 WITHOUT fertility. I also never had regular periods. First off you need a good doctor. Also start reading...slippery disharge is usually when you are ovulating. The reason you might not be getting pregnant is so many reasons, but any good doctor could direct you. Good Luck and good Health.

Sounds to me like you should see your doctor!

Hi Sherie,I'm 46, when I turned 40 my body was changing everywhere,the same thing your going throw. I asked my Doctor about this she said some woman have pre-pre menopause. No worries thought you still can get pregnant. And when your on the pill for a long time, your body needs time to be it self. A.

S.,
you should check out a fabulous book called, 'taking charge of your fertility' by toni weschler, MPH . it teaches you what all the different types of cervical fluid can indicate and also how to keep track of what your cycles are doing and predict the best time to try to conceive. there is a whole online community built around following her book and charting .. i forget the web addy, but if you google her book title or the acronym (TCOYF) i'm sure you'll find it ! i'm thinking when i hear your symptoms that you could be perimenopausal or possibly have PCOS ?

good luck to you and i'd love to hear an update if you get the book on what you think of it !

~mumma2wldthings
www.myspace.com/mumma2wldthings

I think what you are describing is cervical mucous. Check out this page at ivillage.com.

http://parenting.ivillage.com/ttc/ttcsigns/topics/0,,4rwk...

S. A

Hi, S.. I am mid thirties and I am not going through your issues...But many of my friends who try to have babies after years of birth control do have a problem with getting pregnant. You have introduced horomones into the body that actually could take years for the body to adjust. The good news is...they did get pregnant, it takes time. I would suggest that you stop stressing. That in itself causes the body to malfunction in a million ways. Pray and understand that God is the giver of life in the first place. "Children are a gift from God". We can't turn it on and off when we want. I know it's hard...just try to be patient and unstressed.

Have you seen an OBGYN about your erratic periods? I myself am just like you. After the first time TTC I saw an OBGYN and he ran some tests and it ends up that I have PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). It's symptoms: overweight and it's difficult for women to lose weight, irregular periods, insulin resistant, difficult to get pregnant, among other things. With help from my doc we were able to get pregnant and I've got a wonder 2 1/2 yr old and am pregnant with our second due the end of June. Hope this helps and good luck with the baby :)

Make sure it is not urine. I am 46 with a 10 an 12 year old. I noticed after 41, I started having that very discharge you describe during the 7-10 days prior to my period. Just go to you ob/gyn and rule out any sort of infection and let them know you're trying for a baby. Also let them know about the pattern of your periods. Your pattern may play a part in your fertility. Best wishes!

I would sugest you look into Natural Family Planning (NFP) I did it for religious reasons, but I learned so much about how a females body works. I am younger so I don't know how much age is a factor, but it's worth looking into.

You really should seek medical advice. Do you have a doctor that you trust? There are so many reasons that you could be experienced weird periods, etc. For me, I was polycystic and needed a hysterectomy to stop it.

S.

Your ob/gyn should be able to help you understand what is going on. You should probably also consider the possibility that you may have PCOS (poly-cystic ovarian syndrome), also referred to as PCO. I don't mean to sound preachy, but as a woman who had children at an AMA (advanced maternal age) I can tell you first hand that at your age it is not impossible to have children, but you really shouldn't be spending a lot of time just wondering what is going on. See an ob/gyn and address any and all issues you are having. Best of luck.

Hello S..
If your insurance will let you, go to an OBGYN. They deal with the woman's "plumbing" maybe they can help. I've had friends who were unable to get pregnant and the switched to an OBGYN and received different kinds of info on things. They can also help with whats going on with your period.

I always heard that you are more apt for a UTI if you took to many bubble bathes.

I'm not sure but have you asked to OBGyn? I too, had the same stuff occur after the baby came. I found that when I took my bodywork classes (as we practiced on each other) that this went away... there are other natural remedies to use also that do not cost very much either.

I take super hot baths, and as long as your tub is clean~ I see no reason for this... If you are uncomfortable... do it! Take an epsom salt bath that you mix w/ baking soda - this works wonders on the body (in fact I actually recommend this to all my clients after bodywork to help 'push' thru toxins).

this helps with so much, the salt/ soda combination also 'sterilizes' the water so you really should not get an infection (unless you are one that is prone anyway...). If so, then I highly recommend bodywork as this helps with everything else you mentioned.

You can always see who is in your area to help you. ;)

you might want to get checked for polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). many symptoms include unpredictible menstrual cycles, weight gain/difficulty loosing weight, cysts (obviously). there's a lot more symptoms. i had/have the weight problem and the irregular heavy periods. i had/have it and it made it difficult to get and stay pregnant because it's difficult to pinpoint ovulation. there's a web site that might help http://www.pcosupport.org/

also, i have a good reproductive endocrinologist who helped me with this -- dr. mersol-barg in birmingham. he was wonderful!!!

just a thought. hope it helps!

slippery discharge usually happens in the middle of the cycle...it is a sign of fertility. Wehn the discharge is extra slippery that means you ar ovulating and it is a good time to concieve.

you should talk to your dr. if you are not conceiving... you are 40 so you may need to see afertility specialist.
I take hot baths whenever I can get my kids to bed early

there is no problem taking baths.

Have your thyroid checked by an endocrinologist. It seems you have symptoms of hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid). It is very common in women after the age of 30. Brought on by any number of lifechanging events....Birth, death of a family member, move to a new house or job, marriage/divorce, etc.

Symptoms: weight gain, tiredness, body aches, inconsistent menstrual cycles.

Before you try anything suggested to you from your request, I suggest you make appointment with a very good doctor and get yourself a good physical. Make it with a doctor who specializes in this problem, this is nothing to be playing with. At your age you could be starting into your change, whatever it is it needs a doctor's attention.-----J.