Hi all, new here! TTC #1. I have a couple of questions?

Jazeraca

Hi all!

I got married back in July and a couple of months before then, my periods were really erractic. I only shed a little bit of blood for those periods, and they were on a wonky cycle, which was very much unlike me. I saw my family doctor, who did a complete physical and blood work, and told I do not have PCOS (I am overweight) and that she doesn't see a reason why I'm having late periods and blamed it on stress. When I got married, my period was regular for one cycle, then became irregular again after TTC for 2 months. First it was a 37 day cycle, then a 41 day cycle. 

I saw a new family doctor (former one moved out of town) and she did more thorough blood work and told me, like my former family doc, that it doesn't look like I have PCOS because my androgens and glucose were normal, I wasn't growing abnormal hair, and didn't have many of the mainstay symptoms of PCOS besides being overweight and only just now developing irregular periods. She told me it's probably because of changes being married and going back to university, etc.

I am 32 years old.

Could that be it? The changes in my life, aka stress, that is causing this? My weight hasn't changed in about 2 years. I do have mild anaemia, though, but I'm not sure if that can cause this.

Any ideas? Thanks!

P.S If anyone can give me any tips on using the Clearblue digital ovulation monitor (the one with the smiley face) I would appreciate it. Today is day 11 and it didn't come back with a smiley face. Not sure how to use them properly.

Jazeraca

Hi there, thanks for your response.

My cycles are usually around 31-32 days (sometimes 30 days) so my last two cycles were 37 and 41, which is pretty irregular for me.

I'm not charting my BBT. Doctor told me to get those Clearblue kits. Should I be charting my BBT?

Thanks.

I love your sig, btw.

mbRN83

Hello & welcome,

I would recommend charting your cycles to get a clearer picture of what's going on. Chart chart chart! We all use Fertility Friend. I prefer the Mabis BBT. You can use OPK's like your doctor said, but knowledge is power, get on the charting train. I have learned so much from charting!

Make sure you read the newbie blog posted at the top, check out charting, lurk around & also I am loving the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility. It will answer soooo many questions for you.

Good luck!

vrj0522

A woman normally ovulates 10-16 days before her period, which means that you might not see a positive OPK for a few days if you are only on CD11. The problem with using the digital OPKs is that they are expensive and you might need to be testing for anywhere up to a couple of weeks, especially if you tend to have irregular cycles. If you can afford buying digital OPKs, then great, otherwise, I suggest buying Wondfos by the pack through either ebay or Amazon. 

The best thing you can do for youself is start charting and temping. Like PP said, buy a mabis thermometer. They are only like $8 at Walmart (you can find them with the other thermometers). Look into Fertility Friend and go through their tutorials, and also look at the newbie blog. 

As long as you are temping and ovulating, an irregular cycle doesn't have to be a problem for ttc.

BTW, welcome!

divinemsbee

While 37 and 41 day cycles would be out of the ordinary to me (I vary from 28-32 days), they wouldn't be unheard of or incredibly long. Generally 60 days is when you need to see a doc and start talking about jump-starting your cycle again. Yes, stress and changes can affect things, and it may be that you're switching to a new normal. Things are normal until they aren't and keep in mind that you can get certain symptoms all the time and they can change one month.

You're probably ovulating later in your cycle that you had been. Check out Fertility Friend online and temping is always a good thing. As far as the Clear Blue, which one are you using? Is it the super-expensive fertility monitor that you get online or one of the kits you pick up at the drugstore or Target? I use the Clear Blue Easy Advanced Ovulation Predictor, I get them at Target. You get a blank circle (low fertility, not ovulating soon), a blinking smiley face (high fertility, should ovulate soon, hormones on the uptick) or a solid smiley face (peak fertility, hormones high, should be ovulating). I have gotten a blinking one as early as CD11, but I've never gotten a high before CD14. Also, those just tell you if you're gearing up to ovulate, not that you did, so if you're getting a lot of highs or peaks, but not getting your period within around 16 days you're probably gearing up but not ovulating. That's why temping is good, it confirms that you did ovulate.

TJD12

Welcome and I agree with PPs.  I was only on BCP for one year in college and my cycles have always been in the 35 day range (except when on the pill of course).  I also had a 50+ day cycle right before my wedding last year that I self-diagnosed was due to stress.  I think its great being able to chart and know what your body is doing- good luck!