Is it possible not to ovulate one month?

[Kate2009]

Just started TTC #2 (DD is 15mths) and used OPK last month for a couple of days & got a positive reading (but not pregnant!)

This month we decided to start in earnest & so I've used OPK from about day 12 but got nothing! It's now day 18 & I'm assuming it's unlikely to come up positive now ..... is it possible just to skip a month & not ovulate or did I maybe start testing too late, bah!

[NamedAfterTheBandActually]

It is possible and quite normal to have the occasional anovulatory cycle (a cycle where you don't produce an egg).

OPKs aren't a reliable indicator of ovulation in isolation. Firstly, they don't detect ovulation, only a hormonal surge that can happen with or without ovulation and can also occur at more than one time per month.

And you can ovulate at any point in a cycle. Before dd I ovulated on day 9 for example so testing with OPKs from day 12 would have told me nothing useful in the slightest.

Taking Charge Of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler is an excellent book that will help you understand what happens to you each month. I highly recommend it.

[Kate2009]

Thanks!

[PawMum]

yes it is possible but I didn't get one when i was trying with ds1 and I ended up getting pregnant so i don't kniow how that worked!#


I think all this mid cycle business is just an average and you may ovulate earlier or later from month to month, from what i understand

[nannyl]

just be reading taking charge of your fertility,, and yes you can not ovulate sometimes

you can also ovulate later, and normally your period starts 14 days after ovulation, you dont ovulate 14 days after period if you see what i mean?

[NamedAfterTheBandActually]

The time between ovulating and the start of your period is generally fixed nannyl, you're right. If it varies, it's only by a day or so at most. Most women start to bleed on average between 12 and 16 days after ovulation. Other people have shorter or longer luteal phases, but 12-16 days is average. The length of your period is determined by when you ovulate. So if you ovulate a week later than normal (because of stress or illness or whatever reason), then accordingly your period will also be a week late as your luteal phase remains fairly constant.

It is worth trying to find out how your body works. I have a 28 day cycle which sounds fairly average. If I didn't know better I might assume that sex around day 14 would be my best bet. In fact I don't ovulate until day 18 so would be reducing my chances of conception if I thought my body behaved like the average.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

A woman can ovulate earlier, later or not at all in ANY given cycle. It is not correct to assume that ovulation happens 14 days before the start of the next period.

Only around 28% of all women have a 28 day cycle.