Really short cycles... anything I can do?

[GinGirl]

Since having my 2nd DD I have had 3 bleeds(they didn't return until she was 9 months old). The first cycle was 24 days and the next was 21 days. Am now on day 13...

Is there anything I can do about these? Am I rght in thinking that too short a cycle will make it difficult to conceive again?

It's not so much cycle length at the length of the luteal phase (ovulation to starting bleeding) which has an impact on conception - think it needs to be at least 10 days.
Your cycles may gradually lengthen themselves or you could try acupuncture.

Not necessarily. Short cycles can be absolutely fine. What is important is when in your cycle ovulation comes. If it is too close to the end, there is a risk that any egg might not have time to implant or that the lining of your womb might not be adequate for implantation (a "luteal phase defect"), although I gather than some doctors just don't see this as a potential issue so I guess the jury is out.

You've only had a few cycles since your DD was born; I would just wait and see what happens over a few more months.

Two crossed posts saying the same thing! I concur with rosebud and haliborange.

When I went to the doc about my short cycles after coming off the pill, he likened me to a washing machine....when your hormones get messed about with through the pill or pregnancy, it can take a while for them to reset - as if you stopped the machine mid-cycle, it does a few funny things before it realises what it is meant to do! There are 4 hormones controlling our cycles and oculation and conception. They must all run on the same cycle at the right time for it all to work. That's about the luteal phase being long enough - otherwise the implantation doesn't work right.

Angus castus is a herb that is meant to help settle out the hormones. Reducing stress and giving it time. Reflexology, like acupuncture, is also worth a shot.

Thank you, hve just started bleeding again on day 17 so feeling really rather annoyed... only because it is lovely and sunny and I want to wear shorts and summer dresses!
And they are getting shorter and shorter... I have a very sympathetic GP, is it worth asking for her input do you think?

Yes, why not.
It does sound as though your hormones are out of whack somehow. I suspect she might just tell you to give it more time but at least you'll have raised it as an issue so if it does not resolve you won't be raising it for the first time in a few months.

Thanks Haliborange, I will give it some thought. Guess the only way to know whether it is affecting ovulation is to think aboout testing for that in some way but having not done it with my previous 2 pregnancies I wouldn't know where to start.

I don't even know why I've started getting so worked up about getting pregnant again, obsessing about it already. I know it hasn't been long since my cycles started and I fell within 6 months with DD2. Need to take a deep breath I think!

Deep breath sounds like a good idea!

Out of interest - when are you counting your periods as starting? You said you started bleeding on day 17....

Only ask as I'm getting loads of spotting before my period ever amounts to anything and I wondered if you were the sane. I have been spotting for anything from 2-4 days and even then my period is very light. Mind you, I've got PCOS...hmmm...