Any input on cycle irregularities or what I should try to do...

ToBeMMG

DH and I have been trying (not super hard) for about 6 months. My last 2 cycles were 42 days long. Before that, my cycles were always 28-32 days. I am 32 years old. I was thinking my cycle was going to be 42 days again this month so i started using an OPK  around the 2nd/3rd week of my cycle and got a very dark positive on cycle day 26/27. I felt O pain on cycle day 28, so i was pretty sure of what happened. Now it is cycle day 32 and i am spotting, or really, a little more than spottiing. I am so confused. I couldnt possibly have ovulated on cycle day 28 and have my period right now. RIght? if I did, would that be indicative of some type of isue? Can anyone weigh in on any of this? Im starting to think something is really wrong. So confused why my cycle is suddenly longer, and how i could get an + opk and then start bleeding 2 days later. Should I see a specialist? I also had day 3 bloodwork done last cycle  and my OB said it all came back normal. Any experience appreciated. thank you.

mrsgillham14

Have you previously been on BCP? Spotting at any point in your cycle is considered normal and there's no reason to see a specialist.  Cycle lengths vary. I have 35-40 day cycles personally. It just means you O later in your cycle. Are you temping? That's the only way to confirm you O'd. Read the Newbie guide that is pinned on this board. There is a lot of great information.

Lulucooks

ToBeMMG said:

DH and I have been trying (not super hard) for about 6 months. My last 2 cycles were 42 days long. Before that, my cycles were always 28-32 days. I am 32 years old. I was thinking my cycle was going to be 42 days again this month so i started using an OPK  around the 2nd/3rd week of my cycle and got a very dark positive on cycle day 26/27. I felt O pain on cycle day 28, so i was pretty sure of what happened. Now it is cycle day 32 and i am spotting, or really, a little more than spottiing. I am so confused. I couldnt possibly have ovulated on cycle day 28 and have my period right now. RIght? if I did, would that be indicative of some type of isue? Can anyone weigh in on any of this? Im starting to think something is really wrong. So confused why my cycle is suddenly longer, and how i could get an + opk and then start bleeding 2 days later. Should I see a specialist? I also had day 3 bloodwork done last cycle  and my OB said it all came back normal. Any experience appreciated. thank you.

Unless you are over 35, I wouldn't run to the specialist just yet. Perhaps pick up a BBT and start temping. That will give you an exact date for your ovulation. If after a year of well timed sex you don't get pregnant, then get a referral to an RE

anj27

I have long and irregular cycles and find charting my basal body temperature extremely helpful. You can have multiple LH surges and relying only on OPKs can sometimes create confusing situations like you are having now. I would definitely give temping a try and see what that tells you about your cycles. Good luck. 

bsckgb7

If you are starting your period on CD32 - then you probably just O'd earlier than you thought (probably CD18-22).  "O Pain" is usually gas and can't be used to pinpoint O.    

DCHokiemom

Have you been to your OB to have an annual checkup recently?  I just had mine and they had me come in on CD#3 to test my hormone levels. That can give some clues into potential issues if you have any hormonal imbalances.   As others said, you may have just ovulated earlier than you thought.  I have gotten multiple positives on OPKS throughout some of my longer cycles.   

ToBeMMG

Thanks ladies. I am not use to charting or using OPK's at all and have only been using them off and on for a couple months. I tried temping for like 2 days but found it difficult - but will give it another try I guess. 

izza2

First off -- welcome to the board, and good luck on your TTC journey! Hopefully you're not here much longer!

As others have said, I highly suggest you start temping to track your FW. What did you find difficult last time you tried it? I always put the thermometer on top of my alarm so that I would never forget to take my temperature first thing in the morning. If forgetting was a problem, that may help you.
The unfortunate thing about OPKs is that they test for a LH surge, which is unreliable for watching for your ovulation. It's a good timing-helper, but not really reliable, as you can have multiple LH surges throughout your cycle without having actually ovulated yet (or in your case, having ovulated earlier than tested).

Your cycles can vary, especially if your body is still coming off of the BC. Your cycles are still regulating. All of my cycles since I previously stopped my BC have varied in length.

iceandsnowflakes29

ToBeMMG said:

Thanks ladies. I am not use to charting or using OPK's at all and have only been using them off and on for a couple months. I tried temping for like 2 days but found it difficult - but will give it another try I guess. 

Only temping for 2 days is not a real effort. It is not difficult. Download Fertility friend, read taking charge of your fertility, and fertility friend will do the rest.

Seagodess7

I would also recommend temping. Once you get the hang of it, its really easy. Get the fertility friend app. Keep your thermometer next to your phone and take your temp at the same time each morning. Enter it into the app and FF will do the rest. 
I also have long and irregular cycles. Temping and charting has helped me learn that I am not ovulating regularly. If I hadn't been temping, it would have been a lot longer before I made an appointment.

br0co1ii

Temping isn't easy for me since I have a wonky schedule. Even then, I was able to get a clear shift and know when I ovulated. I truly do recommend giving it another go. Fertility Friend and this board have been insanely helpful for me.

Megzb510

I have 45ish day cycles. Believe me I understand how much it sucks trying to pinpoint O. But the only way you will definitely know is with temping. If you were temping you would have an idea if you O'd earlier in this cycle. I can potentially see why people with textbook 28 day cycles might not want to temp cuz you can just HIO for a few days in the middle, but once you vary from a textbook cycle, temping is the only way you have any clue what's going on.

As for your spotting, I know it's not out of the ordinary. If AF legit starts you prolly O'd early this cycle.

DriverChurch

I'm running into this kind of problem right now too. Since we started ttc in May my cycles have shifted frim 26 days to 31-33 days. I am tracking AF and according to that AF was due 23rd Dec and i have missed my period this month but have had 2 BFN. I have been trying to temp but had difficulties with the holiday. Currently have had no spotting and no symptoms of AF/pregnancy except slightly sore beasts. It's quite confusing and definitely plays with your emotions. I know I'm feeling very anxious, sad and confused right now.

PrimRoseMama

bsckgb7 said:

If you are starting your period on CD32 - then you probably just O'd earlier than you thought (probably CD18-22).  "O Pain" is usually gas and can't be used to pinpoint O.    

Agree with this. ^^^

Also, you might try to add charting your basal body temperature daily to better pinpoint ovulation. OPK & pain are not terribly reliable methods. They are best paired with charting.

bsckgb7

Holy Batman!!  It's a zombie!!

sammajane19

@DriverChurch I am in the same situation! My cycles are realllly long (I'm on cycle day 56 right now) and according to my fertility app. AF was due on Dec. 24. She was a no show, but I did have lots of cramping. Took 2 pg tests, both BFNs. No real signs otherwise of pregnancy OR AF. I'm feeling really confused and sad, too. I just made an appointment with my OB/GYN because this has been an issue for me since I stopped the pill in July. It's tough.

TheBorg7of9

sammajane19 said:

@DriverChurch I am in the same situation! My cycles are realllly long (I'm on cycle day 56 right now) and according to my fertility app. AF was due on Dec. 24. She was a no show, but I did have lots of cramping. Took 2 pg tests, both BFNs. No real signs otherwise of pregnancy OR AF. I'm feeling really confused and sad, too. I just made an appointment with my OB/GYN because this has been an issue for me since I stopped the pill in July. It's tough.

Hello.  Your fertility app cannot predict when your period will come.  It just based it on your past periods, not on any actual data, such as your luteal phase length or a temperature shift.  I am also confused because you say you are day 56 and your app thought your period would come on cycle day 52? Why did it think that?  It is fine to get your cycle jumpstarted on cycle day 60, but you would really benefit from learning to chart your temperatures.  That way you will know when and if you are ovulating.  You should really read a book called Taking Charge of Your Fertility and/or check out fertility friend.com

sammajane19

@TheBorg7of9  Hi, thanks for your feedback. I am reading TCOYF right now -  I started last week. It's wonderful. And I plan to start temping on next cycle - whenever it shows. The only reason my app. predicted my period to start on CD 52 was because my last two cycles were 50 days and 54 days apart. (Though I know it's just a guesstimate.) I was hoping my cycle would at least be consistent and start in the 50-54 day mark, but so far - nothing. No signs.  

gardeniagirlknits

@ToBeMMG have you had any hormonal testing done? I had long and irregular cycles, and tests showed that I was hypothyroid due to hashimotos and the cycle I started taking synthroid to treat the hypothyroidism, my cycle began shortening... Now 26 days long! This may not be the case for you, everyone is different, but it's worth checking into IMHO. I also "knew" something was wrong, while doctors rolled their eyes saying my long cycles were caused by "stress" . Later they found thyroid cancer (completely coincidental) and those same doctors had to eat their words. YOU know your body best and if something is telling you something isn't right, listen. Even if that means you are getting second, third and fourth opinions. Good luck!

DriverChurch

That'd one thing I love about this community is that there are always people experiencing the same thing and I don't feel abnormal. I'm at day 40 now with AF still a no show. Gunna test again 31st and go to the Dr following week if it's negative. My cycles have never been this long. Super confusing. Hope you can get things sorted with your OB. Good luck. X