Chartstalk/Questions Week Of 10/9

adirat

@jsnakehole I went to acupuncture for TTC and started again before IVF. The rigorous studies show mixed results with small effect sizes for TTC, though they also show no risks. There are a few studies showing positive impacts for IF treatment, specifically for embryo transfers.

Anecdotally, it is supposed to help move ovulation earlier and lengthen luteal phase (so maybe not what you want? how long is your LP now?). For me, it did move my ovulation a couple days earlier, but it did not lengthen my luteal phase at all (note that I have LPD so this may be impossible for me personally). I found it most valuable for relieving my TTC/IF-related stress and anxiety. I highly recommend it for people struggling with the mental health side of TTC -- it's so calming. And, it does wonders for menstrual cramps on CD1! 

jsnakehole

@adirat From what I can tell, I have extremely long LPs- between 20 and 22 days. I'm wondering if it would be beneficial just to help with the stress/anxiety (and if reducing my stress/anxiety will help my long cycles). Honestly, I think that the stress and anxiety are the hardest part for me right now, especially since it's too early for us to do any testing to see why we aren't getting KU.

I found a highly-rated acupuncturist in my area who takes my coverage and was an OB-GYN in her native country, so I may make an appointment with her for this week. 

Thanks!

darkstar42

@jsnakehole I've been getting acupuncture, and I second @adirat's comment. My cycles are pretty regular, so I can't see an effect on O timing or LP length, but it has helped me enormously with the stress/anxiety. I highly recommend it!

jsnakehole

I'm going Wednesday afternoon.

So this will be me Wednesday evening:

lalala2004

@jsnakehole do you temp? I didn't think a LP that long was even possible.

jsnakehole

@lalala2004 I started this cycle, but stopped when I was running fever after O. 

I'm basing my estimate on my June/July cycle, where my gyno helped me figure out when I O'd and how my period started about 20 days after that, and then a cycle of the same length in August/September, and now a cycle of the same length in September/October. 

I seem to be O'ing between CD 20-25, and then get AF at CD 44-46. Aside from very slightly elevated testosterone, my doctors can't find any reason for this to be happening. 

lalala2004

@jsnakehole I don't want to freak you out, but this is what TCOYF says about it:

"Another less likely reason for 18 high temperatures is an ovarian cyst, either from LUFS (luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome), or a corpus luteum cyst. In both cases the corpus luteum may continue to live beyond the normal 12 to 16 days—even when the woman isn’t pregnant. If this should happen, the temperature would continue to remain high due to the progesterone that is still being emitted from the persistent corpus luteum. Of course, if the progesterone doesn’t drop, the uterine lining is not shed during menstruation, which is why it could appear as if you were pregnant."

She goes on to say that cysts of these kind dissappear on their own. Just keep temping and hopefully it was just a fluke.

jsnakehole

@lalala2004 but I do eventually get a period. Just much later than expected. I did have a CL cyst at my last ultrasound in July (during my first super long cycle) which my gyno interpreted as me having ovulated. I got my period about ten days after my appointment. 

lalala2004

jsnakehole said:

@lalala2004 but I do eventually get a period. Just much later than expected. I did have a CL cyst at my last ultrasound in July (during my first super long cycle) which my gyno interpreted as me having ovulated. I got my period about ten days after my appointment. 

Right, but a cyst could be the reason for a seemingly long LP. If it continues to be a problem it's definitely worth seeing your doctor about it.