Long cycle - when is it most 'normal' to ovulate?

[dairymoo]

My cycles vary wildly between about 30 days and 50 days. I've read that it's most common to have a 14-16 day luteal phase, but does anyone know whether it's possible to have one much longer? On my longer cycles, I think that I ovulate around the 22nd day but I'm not sure whether I am just reading my body completely wrong.

Does anyone have any experience of this? TIA

[sleepwhenidie]

AFAIK (not that much to be honest, but if this bumps thread so that someone more knowledgable comes along then great) I think you ovulate around the middle of the cycle, ie in a typical 28 day cycle they assume day 14. This would match with around 22 days for your longer cycle ...

[girlwithacurl]

Hi dairymoo I also have had long cycles, varying up to around 42 days. I started temping about a year ago and that tells me that my luteal phase is pretty consistant, its when I ov that changes. Have you considered trying temping so you know?
Around 6 months ago I started taking Evening Primrose Oil which has really helped regulate my cycle... but perhaps you should ask your dr to investigate why your cycles vary so much first? do you have any other problems PCOS or something that affects your cycle?

[fruitshootsandheaves]

I have a 35 day cycle and I ovulate about 2 weeks before period starts so that would be about ...erm....... day 21, HTH

[girlwithacurl]

oh and a "normal" luetal phase would be 12-14 days... but can vary a bit. so on a 50 day cycle you would probably ovulate on CD 37...

[Fruitbatlings]

Hi there, you are correct, women usually ovulate up to 16 days before AF starts.

With longer cycles, you might not be ovulating at all. I have PCOS and have cycles which last as long as they want. I've had 50 day cycles, I've had 150 day cycles - a complete pita when ttc Still, I managed to conceive twice on immensely long cycles so who knows?

Perhaps it might be a good idea to check for something like PCOS. Ask your GP for a blood test and a scan.

You need Attila for this, hopefully she will be along soon......

[dairymoo]

I have been told that I do have 'slight' PCOS, although the Dr did say that they with PCOS it's normally all or nothing, but I only had a few cysts and no other symptoms so they didn't put me on any meds, etc. I did manage to concieve DTs about 2 years ago when we weren't 'trying' as such at all. Was just hoping that my cycles might have sorted themselves out a bit this time around...

[dairymoo]

Fruitbat - in your successful conception attempts, were you temping or just BDing lots and lots ?

[Fruitbatlings]

First time around we just weren't using contraceptives but it was for about 2.5 years!

Second time around we tried manically for 11 months, temping, charting, ewcm, you name it we tried it!
I finally gave up temping as I was so fed up with seeing the same old peaks and troughs on my chart and decided I wasn't going to ovulate as my cycle was already about 100+ days (stubborn, me?) and, hey presto, I ovulated and conceived DS2

temping and charting is pointless for women with PCOS, I can't remember the exact reason, something to do with having the lutenising (sp)hormone at higher levels throughout the cycle (I think ). Same reason you shouldn't use ovulation sticks

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

dairymoo

Such problems are often caused by hormonal imbalances; in this regard blood tests should be done to see if a condition called polycystic ovaries is present. Another possible cause for such irregularity is thyroid imbalance (again blood tests should be done to check for this).

You are likely not to be ovulating regularly if at all with such irregular periods.

Ovulation does not always occur on or around 14 days before the start of the next period!!. It can happen earlier, later or not at all in any given cycle.

Dairymoo, there is no such thing as "mild" PCOS; you either have this or you do not. It is not a condition that goes away; the cystic follicles associated with PCOS always return. No one therapy or treatment will completely eradicate PCOS.

In view of your gynae history and your PCOS dx you should be seen by a gynae at a subfertility unit. I do not say this lightly at all. Your GP should refer you to such a person as PCOS is not a condition that should be messed around with by GPS.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Dairymoo,

You may well need help in order to conceive again; this cannot be left purely to chance.

Do not use OPK's or temp charting; with PCOS both methods are not worth bothering about. Get medical help from a gynae instead and do not delay unduly.

[Fruitbatlings]

there you go, full of wisdom is our Attila

She told me time and time again not to use chats and bbt, did I listen? Nope. Take her advise!

[FanjolinaJolie]

"I've read that it's most common to have a 14-16 day luteal phase, but does anyone know whether it's possible to have one much longer?"

Luteal phase is usually between 12-16 days but can be 10 or 11 days. My LP is 11 or 12 days and I have conceived two dd's so having a LP of 10 or 11 days is not an issue at all. A LP of less than nine days will probably need to be investigated, though. I have read somewhere that the LP will never be longer than 16 days.

[dairymoo]

I had hormone tests done before getting pregnant last time and they found nothing out of the ordinary. Got referred to subfertility and had scan which revealed PCOS (which, as you say, shouldn't be described as 'mild', but the consultant did!). We were just waiting for the results of DH's tests for sperm count, mobility, etc when I got pregnant.

So could things have changed drastically, hormone-wise, since last time?

I do exercise a fair bit which I always thought might have something to do with irregular periods, but certainly not excessively, and my BMI is within the healthy range, albeit at the slightly lower end. Maybe I just need to eat more chocolate?!

[Fruitbatlings]

Ahhhhh, so that's what we're all doing wrong. More chocolate = pregnancy!

[dairymoo]

Lol - gosh if it were only that easy, eh?

[jojochanel]

I've got a cycle about 35 days and before conceiving DS1 it used to be around 35-50 days - just totally random. Thought it would take years to conceive but to my horror conceived DS1 on month 1 (was planning on a few more holidays beforehand). Cycle sorted itself more after DS1 and down to about 32-40 days. Conceived DS2 on month 2. Cycle then down to 35 days I think as only had 2 cycles before conceiving DC3 on 1st attempt. Each time I've got more regular and plotted DC3 like a military campaign using temps and ovulation kits. Seem to ovulate around day 21/22 like you Dairymoo then I come on 14 days later.

Don't have PCOS and I know I'm a very lucky bunny conceiving so quickly esp as know lots of people who takes years but if it's any consoltation I have two friends with it. One never had any trouble conceiving 3 kids. The other toook 8 months to concieve both ber daughters.

[grumpypumpkin]

I am in a similar position, have been on the pill for donkeys years and now ttc number 1 after coming off pill in June. Im 34. Gp says to come back in Dec as they won't scan for PCO unless there is suspected subfertility which means (at my age) 6 months of trying first. Periods very irregular before pill (dianette) and ongoing adult acne that has come back with a vengeance!! Cycle 45 days at least (so only had 2 periods)
Did start using some OPKs- haven't had a positive at all - given up now as wondering if I missed it? Might start again next cycle- could cost me a fortune!! Cant get the hang of temping.
Good luck dairymoo, might be worth an exploratory visit to GP to as least register that you are trying so you can evidence enough time has passed for a referral if needed.