I'm confused! I have a question about ovulation....oh and maybe a few other things

[crunch]

My cycle is usually between 24 and 28 days. I've only realised this in the last 6 months because I've been keeping a record as we're ttc.

I always assumed I ov'd on day 14 or a day either side but now I'm not sure.

If this months cycle was a 25 day one do I assume I ov'd on day 11 (14 days before af arrives) or that I ov'd on day 14 and that my luteal phase is shorter?

Can my luteal phase change or is it always 14 days long. We've been trying forEVER!

I feel really different this month. TMI alert - we decided to bd for 7 days in a row this time (not recommended but we were desperate!) and I'm wondering if I could test any time soon.

I've been counting the hours too which I'm not sure I should be but basically af arrived at 7pm on the 27th of June so if I call that day CD1 then I'm currently on CD23. If it's a 25day cycle then I could test but if a 28day one then I'm way too early I think. BUT if I should be counting from the 28th june because AF arrived so late on the 27th then I could test with an EDT today couldn't I?

Just read back over all that It makes sense to me but I understand if it doesn't to anyone else.

[beanieb]

Never assume anything , certainly not that you ovulate 14 days before your period starts. I generally Ovulate 9-10 days before I get my period and my cycle is 24 days long.

this month I ovulated around day 10/11.

Have you used Ovulation tests at all? They could help you get an idea of when you ovulate and it may be day 14 but you'd be better off finding out, also check for Egg White Cervical Mucus as you hopefully will get that around the most fertile time

If you did ovulate on day 14 then you are only 9Days past ovulation so it may be too early to test. I try to wait until I am late but sometimes do test early and tehn get annoyed with myself.

Isn't it annoying when your cycle is a lilttle erratic? I was a week late last month so full of hope but alas just BFNs.

[stopstressingsister]

Hi,
Just joined today.
Ttc for 3 years.
Had all the tests,scans,smear tests,gynae operations and procedures,sperm counts etc - nothing found. Told to stop stressing.
Spotting 5-8 days before period, does this mean my LP is short?
I asked GP for progesterone - as consultant didnt mention progesterone even though I spotting for 2 years now! He said my levels were fine????
I take 3 suppositries a day and it is working, no spotting this month, but no pregnancy either!

Could someone give me a key to the abbreviations on the site please?
Many thanks,

[ILikeToMoveItMoveIt]

Like beanieb said, don't assume anything. There isn't a normal or an average when it comes to you, your body will do what it wants, when it wants - so rely on what your body is telling you, not what you think it should be doing - iyswim!

Have you read Taking Charge of Your Fertility? It's a great book whether you want to use charting to get pg or as a contraceptive. I would really recommend it.

I would leave testing off testing for as long as possible if I were you.

StopStressing - if you scroll up the page there is a link to the acronym's under 'useful stuff'.

[beanieb]

Stopstressingsister -

BD is Baby/Bedroom Dancing I think, sex basically
EWCM is Egg white cervical mucus
DPO is days past ovulation

OH - other half
DH - Dear Husband

I'm not sure about the spotting, some people say they spot when ovulating but I think it's rare. I doubt it means your LP is short. Have you used Ovulation tests to try and find out when you Ovulate? I'm using a fertility monitor but they are expensive.

[crunch]

Thanks for your posts

Beanie I have tried CB OV monitors but after a lifetime of ttcing I'm thinking there must be something else going on. I used to check CM but (very sorry - TMI on the way ) after BDing it's not always obvious if it's CM or not (I'm very sorry, I just cringed writing that)

DP stopped by the chemist on the way home for lunch and bought FR tests so I'll bite my lip and hold off for another few days. I really feel so different this month but I've had an overactice imagination every time af is due. I've been convincing myself I have pg symptoms and then af turns up.

SSS Hi and welcome . Have a look at the acronym list ILTMIMI suggested, should help.

ILTMIMI I was looking at a recommendation for that very book a little earlier. It's now on the very long list of things I need to buy to get this show on the road. All I need now is DP's credit card

[eth37]

Hi crunch, I am in a similar position, attempting to work out my cycle! My cycle length is generally around 27 days, and have been using ovulation sticks initially as contraception, but we are starting to think about ttc now. If that makes sense! I too have no idea when I ovulate as I have not managed to get a line on the sticks yet... Bit worried... Would you have a period (cycle pretty regular) if you weren't ovulating? We BD-d on CD 10 but I am not sure how long sperm can live - some say 72 hours but I have read up to 5 days. Anyway, good luck to you!

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

eth37

It is quite possible to have periods without ovulating. Ovulation is not an exact science, a person can ovulate earlier, later or not at all in any given cycle.

Don't get hung up either on any notion of timing intercourse as that is a bad idea. Make love when you both feel like it - two or three times a week throughout your cycle is fine.

BTW don't use opk's - they are more trouble than they're worth.

[eth37]

Thanks Attila. You're right, I know... Am just getting slightly obsessive! And getting paranoid I don't ovulate... Those sticks are driving me mad - think I might bin the whole lot...

[beanieb]

I don't find opks trouble but I am using a fertility monitor so I only pee on opk when I get my peak. one month I didn'y seem to ovulate at all which was confirmed by a blood test. That month my period was late but I did get one.

[crunch]

Hi Eth

I had no idea you could have a month where you didn't ovulate.

Does this mean you wouldn't have an LH surge during that month or that the LH surge still shows up on the opks but that you may not ovulate?

Bloody hell. All this time I've been thinking there must be something major wrong because my cycle is regular and I'm getting the lines on the opks at approx CD14 every month and still no bfp.

I've said it a million times on here, in my own head and to dp - I cannot believe all the bloody factors that are involved in becoming pregnant. I always thought of it as a miracle though more in a 'isn't life and nature wonderful' kind of way but really it absolutely is a miracle how we all come to be with so many things having to happen at just the right time for life to begin. Amazing.

[crunch]

Sorry, meant to say hi to Atilla too

[crunch]

typos - Attila

[beanieb]

I think it's quite natural for a woman to sometimes have a month or two in a year where they don't ovulate, doesn't always mean that it's something to worry about.

there's info on Wikipedia here en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anovulatory_cycle

and here www.babyhopes.com/articles/anovulation.html

If you think you are not ovulating at all tehn it's wise to go and talk to your GP about it as they can help.

[CilantroLarry]

Run from the zombie thread, run.