dumbass Q about cycle length

[BlingLoving]

I have PCOS and have never had a regular cycle in my life. Just started Clomid - day 2 - 6 and doctor expected ovulation to occur around day 12 - 16.

Am I right therefore in thinking that if I am not pregnant I will get AF day 26 - 30? I am fairly certain that's right but this process has been so long winded it's been a while since I spent time figuring out the exact details of what "normal" cycles look like.

[Haliborange]

If you are "average" you should get your period around 10-16 days after ovulation, although some people fall outside of this range. So I'd say day 26-32.

Good luck though, let's hope your period doesn't show up!

[BlingLoving]

Thanks. So Sunday, which is day 29, is too early to test really? If it doesn't turn up, I should wait until at least Tuesday?

[Haliborange]

I think, if you definitely do ovulate on or before day 16 (does Clomid more or less guarantee this?), then I might be tempted to test on day 29, purely because I reckon you can be fairly confident of your result by 12 days after ovulation.

But anyone more sensible would wait until Tuesday...

[BlingLoving]

Well, that's the issue. It's first round of ovulation. Dr didn't do tests to confirm I HAD ovulated. She tested before, saw healthy large follicles and therefore we're working on assumption I did.

Tests do work up to three days before AF is due anyway don't they?

My concern right now is that if I am NOT pregnant and if I dn't get my period, then the Clomid isn't working and it all starts to get more complicated. Which I've been hoping to avoid.

Thanks again. I think I might go for Sunday. Worst case it's negative but I don't have to get too depressed yet as AF could still turn up (I'm less keen to test on a Monday - not sure I could keep excitement if it was positive to myself and would have to go to the office! )

[Haliborange]

Basically conception happens within 24 hours of ovulation (as then the egg dies) and implantation begins to happen on about day 5/6 after ovulation. 6 days after that there usually to be detectable levels of HCG in your wee. I do recommend that you use a decent test though - not the blue CB + or - tests, which gave me enough ambiguous results to drive me potty!
Large follicles sound promising. Good luck!

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Bling

Fellow PCOSer here.

It does not follow that you will get a period exactly two weeks after ovulation.

Who prescribed the clomid?. Is this your first month of using it?. If this is your GPs doing you are actually far batter off seeing a gynae for treatment. This is not a condition that GPs should be messing around with. Also clomid is quite powerful stuff and some PCOSers do have a hard time with it (side effects, clomid resistance). It goes without saying as well that you need to be monitored whilst on it with both blood tests (clomid can increase LH levels which can impede fertilisation) and ultrasounds to check that an egg has actually left the ovary. It is not suitable for all PCOSers to automatically take as a first line of treatment.

With PCOS is it possible to have multiple follicles. Some of these contain hormones, others are dormant. One may contain an egg. The ideal size for a dominant follicle is about 20mm.

Any other questions just ask.

[BlingLoving]

Thanks Attila.

Yes, I'm under the care of a gynae, no worries. She did an ultrasound at day 10 and could see two healthy follicles. She tends to take the approach that in the first instance, assume it's working as it should which I like. So if I don't get pregnant and if I don't get AF, then clearly neither of those follicles actually led to ovulation and we'll relook at it.

I didn't have any side effects except hot flushes in the night every night from day 3 - 7 so seem to be coping with that at this point.

[BlingLoving]

Sadly. No BPF. Also no AF. I'm giving it a few more days and then will have to call the consultant. I feel really quite sad - I can live with the BFN, but the thought that the Clomid is not working is just too depressing. I just want my body to work properly for once.

[Haliborange]

Aw, Blingloving, don't be too down. Haven't you got few days to go until your period is "due"? Maybe the clomid hasn't worked yet, but presumably they can try higher doses or other drugs?

[notcitrus]

I've been through rounds of 10mg Clomid and just done it again after a couple years off.

I've taken it days 2-6 and then had a blood test for ovulation round day 22, and usually found that it looked like I hadn't ovulated yet. Eventually I ended up with a 44-day-ish cycle, so ovulating around day 30.

If you've never had a regular cycle then Clomid is most likely to give you a longish cycle.

[about to go for another progesterone challenge to kickstart a period and make something happen...]

[BlingLoving]

Thanks Halibo. Yes, we're telling ourselves it's not an exact science so we've got a few days before getting too despondent.

The problem is that the DR was pretty certain I'd ovulate around day 12-16 so it's not like I can then think, "oh shite, I missed the ovulation spot because actually I only ovulated at day 21 and so things won't happen for ages".

And we've had guests with us and a LOT on so outside of the days the Dr told us to really make an effort we have barely seen each other, never mind finding time to BD. [I miss it. So does he. We NEED to get back on track for our own sakes this week! ]

[BlingLoving]

Update - AF just started. Feel huge relief. Thanks again for your support.