This is a strange issue for me...

I started my period when I was 14 and from that point on I only got it between every 43 and 75 days, and it was very unpredictable. I assumed that it was some sort of reproductive issue and that I'd never be able to conceive and I would never have regular periods.

The crazy thing is, FOUR WEEKS after step 1 (I was still in the hospital) I started my period!!! Four weeks after that, it arrived again... four weeks after that, again, and so on... Ever since that day my periods have been like clockwork, arriving right on time! It makes me want to cry just thinking about it, because I never felt like a real woman since all of my friends knew exactly when theirs were coming and mine used to just pop in on me at random times. Now, two years later, I can tell when I'm ovulating (cervical mucus), I can tell when I have P.M.S. and I get cramps the night before I start my period. I know exactly when it's coming. Even after this last surgery, which was 5 weeks ago, I started my period last week (TMI?). I'm now directly attributing my past period issues to my UC (along with the other issues my body used to have that no longer occur). Is it safe to assume now that I'm regular and I know when I'm ovulating, that my reproductive organs are functioning just fine and I shouldn't have too many problems trying to conceive? Even though I've had three laproscopic surgeries? Or am I just getting my hopes up? I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY WANT KIDS!!!!!!! I have never wanted anything more. I was told when I was first diagnosed with UC at 11 years old that I wouldn't be able to have children, but I really don't think that doctor knew what he was talking about. I admit, I didn't think it was possible when I was having irregular periods and flare ups all the time, but now I feel better than I've felt my entire life and I actually feel like I'm capable of getting pregnant naturally. My husband and I tried a little bit after step 1, but we decided to stop because we felt it would be easier for me to care for a child after all of the surgeries were completed and I was fully recovered. I know this is not a yes or no type of question because everyone is different. I keep hearing all of these stories about how difficult it is for women to get pregnant after these surgeries, and I am by no means down-playing their struggles. I just want to know if anyone has had something similar to my situation and wound up getting pregnant without having to take fertility drugs or go through IVF? Is there anyone out there who suddenly started getting regular periods after their surgery? Anyone who suddenly felt like a whole new person after their surgery?

After asking these questions, I want to stress that I have TREMENDOUS respect for all of the women on this forum who have struggled to get pregnant after these surgeries. I know it's a sensitive subject and I don't mean any disrespect by asking these questions. Thank you.

Jojo

I was told I had a less than 2% of conceiving on my own. I tried one round of IUI. My husband and I decided that was not the road we wanted to travel. We figured that it was just not meant to be. I had two open and one lapro surgery with a large amount of adhesions AND I am 40 years old. Odds were stacked heavily against us. Much to our surprise, I got pregnant. Needless to say we were shocked. It happened all on its own! We had been trying on and off for 4 years and just figured that was that. We are the proud parents of Emily Blu. She is 6 month old and truly a miracle. We are so grateful everyday. Long story short. It can happen.

JoJo, that is awesome! I felt the same way when everything retured back to normal after my surgeries. Who's ever been excited for that monthly visitor before?! :-)

One of the main issues that women here have with conceiving is that the scar tissue from surgery can block the openings to the fallopian tubes. It's great that you have all the positive signs of ovulation, however, it is possible that all of your reproductive parts are working perfectly and you could still have the scar tissue problem. That is why a lot of healthy women on here cannot conceive easily, but have great success with IVF.

I wish you the best of luck! My surgeon is always very positive. He tells me I should have no issues getting pregnant again (surgery related) with the preventative measures he took during surgery. I know that this risk is out there though since women are obviously struggling with it.

Thank you for your responses!

Maximaus- Congratulations! That definitely gives me hope!

clz81- I guess there really is no definite answer with these things. And, yes, I am excited every month when I get my period. It's definitely not a curse for me, I am grateful. I guess I just have to wait and see. We are not planning to start having kids for awhile. I just hope when the time comes that my body does what it is supposed to do like it never did before. It was tough having UC and wondering what was going to go wrong next. Now that it's functioning properly I pray that it continues to do so. Thank you for the input!

Jojo

The same thing happened with me. I had very irregular periods then after my surgeries I became 4 week regular like a clock - so bizarre.

I can't imagine a dr. telling you just because you have UC that you can't have children - that's horrible!

As I posted in the other thread - I got pregnant at 37 after 6 months of casually trying. I'm having my baby in 4 days and this pregnancy seems to be smoother than any of my friend's experiences.

I would, however, give your body time to heal from the surgeries before trying.

Good luck!

Congrats, semi!!! That's so exciting! Come back and let me know how that goes! Yay!

Yes, the doc was under the impression that UC causes infertility. My doc at the CC also told me that it would be a good idea to have kids before take down, but I just couldn't. I didn't know how I would react to the surgery and I couldn't put my hubby and baby through that! My hubby has been taking care of me for two years, I can't have him taking care of me and a baby, he would go crazy!!! I just figure that if it's meant for me to be a mother, I will be one, but I can't help but wonder if there are signs that I'll be a mother... like how my body functions now. Oh, well. Thank you, and congrats again on your baby!

Periods like buses before, never knew when the next one would be, some times on time, some times late then at 25 got diagnosed, surgery and ever since regular periods...bizarre