Another query re. cycle lengths...

[ChateauMargot]

I came off the pill in May. Since then, cycles have been as follows:

6-10 May: withdrawal bleed
4-10 June: period (so, almost 28 days exactly - hurrah!)
nothing in July (boo!)
30 July-6 August: spotting (I didn't think this was a proper period, but perhaps it was?)
8-14 September: period (if the spotting in August was a period, this one would be two weeks late)
27 Oct-1 Nov: period (so, three weeks late)

I've been on the pill for ten years, so can't really remember what my cycles were like before. Am starting TTC this month, but have no idea if this irregularity is something I should be worried about. Admittedly, I did fly in August and September - could this have disrupted the usual order of things?

Any thoughts greatly appreciated!

bump

Generally speaking you are more likely to be ovualting if periods are regular, if your cycle is irregular then it is less likely you are ovulating regularly if at all. A "normal" cycle is a cycle length of between 21 and 35 days or with a variation of less than 4 days from month to month.

Flying would not have made any difference whatsoever to this, its your hormones that are playing a role here.

There is no evidence to suggest that the pill is responsible for failure to ovulate. What the pill can do though is mask any hormonal imbalances. Hormonal imbalances can cause irregular periods to arise - a common culprit in that regard is a condition called polycystic ovaries.

Spotting between periods if this happens should always be investigated further to ascertain the cause. It is often nothing serious but it may be another indicator of hormonal imbalances.

I would visit the GP asap and have blood tests done. You need a day 2 test to compare your luteinising hormone (LH) level against that of your follicles stimulation hormone (FSH). If these two levels are awry then this is indicative of hormonal problems which can be treated (you should be referred to a gynae rather than let the GP try and treat such problems).

Do not use either ovulation predictor kits or temp charting methods, both will be unhelpful to you here as the cycle is irregular.

Thanks for replying, Attila.

I'd wondered about PCOS, but presumably it's far too early for my GP to even consider sending me off for tests? DH and I only started TTC last month (though we knew the timing probably wasn't right) and as I'm 28 I suspect she'll just tell me to come back in a year's time...no?

Just to clarify: I've not had spotting between periods. There was one very, very light period, though, and a couple that have been two or three weeks late.

I thought that flying often disrupted periods, no? Not for hormonal reasons, but because of stress or disrupted routine/confused body clock..?

Anyone?

flying can effect ovulation, hence increase cycle length.

i suggest you get some cheepy OPKs on ebay and check your self if / when you ovulate

also charting your basal temp and cervical mucus should help you interpret your cycle

Cheers, nannyl. I wasn't sure if OPKs would be any use, but perhaps worth a shot in conjunction with CM?..

if doing it with CM dont even bother OPKing unless you have CM