Advice needed (for those who had 60+ day cycles)

chessie09 · January 2011

Hi, this is my first time posting here and I'm hoping to get some input from you ladies.

I got off BC in July after 4 years of taking it, my cycles have been 31,33,58, and 60+ (this cycles is on day 60 today and I am showing no signs of AF). I called my OGYN to see if he wanted to see me and he did- he said since I got off BC 6 month ago the long cycle shouldn't be a result of the BC but could be a hormone issue.

I am going in Monday for bloodwork to get my hormones tested. I have no idea what to expect, I am guessing that I could have PCOS and that is what he will be testing for.

For those of you that had long irregular cycles what was your diagnosis if you don't mind sharing. I am mentally prepared for anything (I think...) but I am curious to see what others went through.

Since we have only been TTC for 6 months I would rather wait and see if my cycles regulate (I'm only 28 so I'm not in *that* much or a rush) but is that silly of me? I am trying to educate myself as much as possible before the appointment Monday so I don't feel so dumb.

Thanks in advance!

MTooms · January 2011

I was really freaking out last cycle because of the long cycle, I started to get worried after 40 days and had bloodwork at CD42. The RE said that I am ovulating based on my b/w and told me to wait 2 more weeks. I ended up getting AF on CD 56.

As long as you are ovulating, they will probably tell you to continue to TTC naturally for another 6 months (it is usually about 1 year for under 35). Since I am 34, we are starting on IUI.

Have you tried using Ovulation Predictor Kits? They are over the counter, a little expensive, but will tell you if/when you ovulate. I have a lot of friends that got pregnant within 1-3 cycles using the OPKs. It also helps you time baby-making sex to increase your chances!

helloshannon · January 2011

Hi Chessie! I have PCOS. I went off BCP last April and went 186 days before having a period. I have never in my life had a normal period so I pushed for testing early and was dx PCOS in July. Since my first cycle ended at 186, I ended a 59 day cycle with provera. I am about to start my first round of clomid since it is very clear I ovulate on my own about twice a year.

Good luck! If you get a PCOS dx then you should ask about Metformin. It has helped me lose 20 lbs. since August and has been shown to help PCOS.

baloneydisc · January 2011

helloshannon:

Hi Chessie! I have PCOS. I went off BCP last April and went 186 days before having a period. I have never in my life had a normal period so I pushed for testing early and was dx PCOS in July. Since my first cycle ended at 186, I ended a 59 day cycle with provera. I am about to start my first round of clomid since it is very clear I ovulate on my own about twice a year.

Good luck! If you get a PCOS dx then you should ask about Metformin. It has helped me lose 20 lbs. since August and has been shown to help PCOS.

This isn't necessarily true. I just had a follow up with my RE yesterday & she wants me off Metformin. Here's part of the update I posted on IF that explains it:

She did tell me something that suprised me. She said that a PCOS study was just completed, comparing Clomid, Metformin & a combo of the two (I guess I should mention this RE is at a University Hospital, so they participate in a bunch of studies & I don't know if this one has been published yet). They thought the Metformin group would have a lower % of m/c, but weren't sure about the % of pregnancies, but that's NOT what the results showed! She said the Metformin group actually had a HIGHER % of m/c, but she was quick to say she's not confident saying Met CAUSED the m/c, just that they now no longer believe Met really helps. So she's sending me for the Glucose Tolerance test & unless it shows I'm IR I won't be going back on Met.

helloshannon · January 2011

Thanks Elaine! That's an interesting new study. I am loving the Metformin though because it has really helped my appetite/cravings and my weight loss. My RE puts all PCOS patients on it until the BFP and then takes them off because he doesn't think he helps with MC but does think it helps with conception. We'll see! I don't miss the 20lbs. though

Flyer256 · January 2011

I was on BCP and NuvaRing for 14 years. Went off BC 11/09 and had 2 normal periods and then they got progressively longer, one of which was over 70 days. At that point I went to the OB/GYN but had gotten back to 22-35 day cycles naturally. My bloodwork came back within normal range except showing I didn't ovulate. After 11 months on trying to regulate, she determined unexplained anovulation and prescribed Clomid. I felt like the Clomid helped my cycle regulate, and obviously it was also effective! It was hard for me to tell if my cycles had always been irregular or if it was a product of being on BC so long... but the doctor suspected hormonal imbalance due to other symptoms I explained. Make sure that you also tell the Dr. any other symptoms you have... hair loss, fatigue, cyclical stomach issues, etc. because it could also be thyroid issues, etc. That information helped my doctor arrive at hormonal imbalance vs. something else. Done rambling.

GOOD LUCK!

cantalopes24 · January 2011

I have long cycles and went 11 months last year with no period. I was diagnosed at 18 with PCOS and IR. I was put on Metformin at the time and after my cycles related I was able to maintain through diet and exercise. I never went back on it after my son was born, but after Provera failed to give me any type of bleeding, I went back on the Metformin and within a couple months I got my cycles back and it was unbelievably 28 days.

zookbride · January 2011

sorry, bump burp!

zookbride · January 2011

I'm sorry your cycles seem to be getting longer and longer. That happened to me after I got off BCP. Of course before BCP, I usually had pretty messed up cycles. I started temping to see if I was ovulating and my charts showed no ovulation some cycles, and others I did, but it was always really late. Plus I have a really long LP so that makes my cycles even longer! Fun, I know.

Anyway, I was recently diagnosed as hypothyroid. I've been on Synthroid for 3 months now, this past cycle was my first 31 day cycle (and it did look like I O'd too)!!

So I would highly recommend that they check your TSH. Its supposed to be b/w 1-2 for TTC women. And anything above a 4 is really quite high. Its just a blood draw, so really easy, and if they are checking for other things, they could easily take enough blood to check your TSH.

Good luck! Long cycles SUCKASS for real!

shelbs87 · January 2011

I went off BC last March and had normal cycles for about 6 months then they got consistently longer and were about 2.5 months before I went to see my GYN and got meds to make me have a period. I found out I have PCOS and this month will be doing bloodwork and a dye test to start Clomid in the near future.

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Advice needed (for those who had 60+ day cycles)

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