Hi all,

We have been ttc for about 5 months now so it's got to the stage where I've started to read more in to the 'science' behind getting pregnant.

I have read that the best way to test if you are about to ovulate is by changes in your cm. My problem is that I'm always very dry. Even when I'm really turned on.

Do you think this could cause a problem with ttc?

I've just bought some ovulation tests which I will start to use so I'm not so worry about not being able to tell using the cm test, I'm just really worried there is something wrong with me.

Hi,
Sorry to hear you're worried.
There's a thread on here about natural ways to help conception - I'll bump it up to the top. It contains lots of info about increasing CM. Its the eggwhite type which keps the sperm alive, so increasing your CM would be a perfect idea.
Good luck
Abi x

Have you tried evening primrose oil capsules? You can buy them from Holland and Barratt, alot of ladies swear by them. I've also read that some ladies use pre-seed lubricant. Hope this helps xx

Have bumped it up for you.
It's not uncommon to be short on cm, so don't worry unduly. Think grapefruit jiuce is one thing that's supposed to help. Have you thought about temp charting? It helps you to get to know your cycle an monitor your fertility signs. Have a squizz at my chart (link below).

Thanks guys. I haven't tried any of the above but will definitely look in to it. Glad I'm not a freak!

I don't know much about the temperature thing.. how does that work?

x

The thread is called something like Increasing Conception Chances Naturally.

I use fertilityfriend.com and a fertility (or basal body temp) thermometer from babymad.com. You can register for free with fertility friend - if you check out the site the y have tons of information and will send you a series of tutorials by e-mail whan you register with them. In short, though, doing a temp chart will tell you when you've ovulated and checking other fertility signs tell you when you're approaching ovulation (all included in the tutorials).
Your temp goes up slightly (by as little as .02 of a degree) when you ovulate because of the hormone progesterone. Taking your temp with a special (but v cheap) thermometer at a similar time each morning, before you get up and about, will tell you that you've ovulated. If you ovulate you'll see a sustained thermal shift on your chart (have a look at mine).
Other signs, like your cervical mucous (check your pants or the toilet tissue you wipe yourself with after weeing) and your cervical position will tell you when ovulation's approaching and therefore when you're at your most fertile.
Only the temp shift, though, will confirm that you've ovulated. There's a data entry form to fill out each day, which will plot a graph - see mine as an example. The cross-hairs on the graph show when I ovulated.
Charting helps you to really get to know your cycle and signs of fertility.
Abi x

Hi Fish&Chips, It's so frustrating, I know! I have been worried about the same thing! It seems like before i was TTC I had plenty but now i have next to nothing. I haven't had much luck with Grapefruit Juice or EPO but perhaps I'm not taking the right amount? I just tried pre-seed for the first time today. It worked fine for the but it's way too early to tell if it helped with the .
FX'd for us both!

are you on antihistamines? They dry up all mucus. I realised my dryness was down to them. Also dehydration doesn't help. Vitamin C can also dry you out.
temp charting is quite easy, you take your temp before you get out of bed at the same time every morning, when you ovulate it goes up pointing out your day of ovulation making it easier to plan your BDing, although you only find out after ov so it is more for planning. Use a BBT thermometer which measures to 2 decimal places. Good Luck!

fifi-folle - Yes I am on antihistamines! I have only just started taking them regularly as have become allergic to something. Now I think of it I started taking the antihistamines about the same time as becoming dry. Do you really think that could be the cause?

aclio & enicole - I have just bought some primrose oil and some cough medicine (apparently there is a particular one that helps with cm). I am about to go on ebay to see if I can find that pre-seed stuff. If nothing else, it would be nice to have some extra help in the baby making department!! lol

I didn't realise this was a common problem. I just thought it was psychological. The more I worried, the worse I got. Maybe there is hope then! Yes enicole, it is so frustrating but at least I now know why this is happening and that there are hopefully things that can help.

abster - I think I need to have a sit down and work out what the chart all means. There are so many terms I'm not used to and to be honest I don't quiet understand much about the chart yet. I guess I should get a thermometer and start giving it a go.

Thanks to all of you for your help!! I feel so much more positive now. x

I agree with the others who said you should try charting your temps. Taking Charge of Your Fertility is a good book that fully explains the ins and outs of charting. Lack of CM can be a sign of anovulation, and charting will allow you to see for sure whether you are or not.