Today I called my nurse at the fert. clinic to ask about why I show all signs of ovulation. She said that she did not want to diagnose me, but thinks that I have luteinizing unruptured follicle syndrome (LUFS). Basically, this means that my hormones do everything to get my body to ovulate, but the follicles don't grow to actually produce the egg. When there happens to be a mature follicle, it may not actually release the egg.
This was blow number 1. Coming to terms with my IF by actually having a name to put with it. It felt like a death sentence.
Then came blow number 2. I started looking on the internet for information on LUFS. Instead of finding information on the condition, I found this (at fertilityplus.org)
Doctors may not mention this to women who are trying to get pregnant, but the use of non-steroidal anti-inflamatory drugs, including Advil and Aleve, and aspirin cause ovulation problems. Specifically, the use of these medications can cause a failure of the follicles to burst and release eggs -- called luteinizing unruptured follicle syndrome (LUF or LUFS). Below are some abstracts on the subject. Full journal articles may be ordered through Medline or found at medical libraries.

I never knew this. About two years ago, I was at my regular doctor, discussing my migraines (I suffer from "severe migraines" as the neurologist put it). I was worried about ttc and migraine meds; the doctor advised me to go off the meds and instead take advil and aspirin (3+2 combination) when I have a migraine. For about two years now, I have been taking this combination when I have a migraine. Even when I have just a bad headache, I generally take 3-4 of whatever medicine.

I feel so stupid. Everything I am reading is making me think that I have this syndrome, and I caused it by taking these meds. Does everyone already know about this? Am I the only one in the dark about headache medicine causing infertility????? I feel so awful right now.
I have already been feeling like giving up ttc. Now I feel like there is no hope because of such stupidity.
Is it reversible? I don't know. I'm trying to figure this out. But I can't believe that I didn't know about this sooner.

DH is out of town; probably a good thing because he gets upset when I am down. But I really wish he were here right now, because I really need a hug. And another brain to figure this out.

I feel so sad. And so stupid. Like I should have known. I look up everything! How could I have not even thought to find out about this?

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Sarah,

I am so sorry you are so upset.

Honestly, before I started accupunture - I took two - four aspirin a day. I did not know that it could affect my fertility.

I am surprised that the nurse gave you that as a presumed diagnosis.
Is the doctor going to call you? Is there an actual test to confirm this?
I don't really know anything about it - but I will research it tonight!

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I am sorry to hear this.

I read up a little on the net and everything I saw said temporary infertility, and you can have the inability to ovulate if taken midcyle. That leads me to believe it's only when on the meds and that it should correct itself if you are off of them.

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She really didn't want to/couldn't give me a diagnosis (officially). LUFS is where everything looks like ovulation (hormonally and all), but then the follicle doesn't develop an egg, or if it does, the egg might stick.
This is exactly what the doctor had said to me at our first appointment, when I asked him why the monitor shows that I ovulate, why the bloodwork shows the hormones, why everything looks like I ovulate (until you see my u/s.) He explained it as a possibility, but did not call it LUFS.
The nurse is the one who really works with me. She does all the b/w, she does the u/s... she is the one who has done everything. I think the only actual way to tell is by laproscopy. But all my signs point to it. And now, with the medicine finding, it just makes so much sense to me.
When I go in on Friday, I will talk to her more about it.

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Look on the bright side, maybe you just found your cure! If you can get on another med, maybe this is it!!!

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I just found something that does mention it being reversible. Good. I hadn't seen that before and have been searching like a madman (woman) and was finding nothing.
Thanks, Melissa.

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Sarah! I'm so glad you posted! I've been looking like crazy too! There is NOT much information on this where I was looking! I'm thinking there must be some way to reverse it. Please keep us posted on your findings.

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Dana

Sarah - *hugs*

Just know, this is not your fault. You didn't know, and the doctors should have told you this when they suggested you take so many. I wonder what they would see through a laperoscopy? Does it do actual damage to your body, or just reduce production? I hope you are able to get this confirmed one way or the other! Hey, maybe it won't matter anyway - maybe you have a little one growing inside you right now

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I am new here and its so nice to have others who are going through the same things. I have a 7 year old boy and had a still birth 2 years ago. For the past 2 months I have been trying to get pregnant but I got off the pill 2 months ago so that could be the problem. Anyways just wanted to introduce myself.

Welcome!

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