Long Cycles – What do I do.

[LibrarianAli]

So, I?m 34 now and I?ve been pretty much permanently contracepted since I was 17, mostly the pill until I was in my mid 20?s. Since then I used the Implanon Implant which was great, I rarely bled on it and I was happy with it for 8 years (3 implants one after the other)

Now I?m 34 and TTC since I had my implant removed in July. My cycles have been 44 days, 44 days, 40 days and now I?m on day 46 with NO sign of AF at all.

My poor body has no idea what it?s doing and neither have I. I?ve read Taking Charge of your Fertility and been trying to keep an eye on my CM and I think I?ve had EWCM, but I?ve not done temping, I thought I?d do that this coming cycle so I?ve got something to show the Doctor and to see if there are any indications. I?ve also got a CBFM but can?t use it as it?s for people whose cycle is less than 42 days.

My Mum took 8 years to have me (at 28) and had a hysterectomy because of fibroids in her mid-30s and now I?m worried that my body doesn?t work either.

So, does anyone else have a stupidly long cycle? And, if I go to the Docs, what should I ask for?

Such problems re long cycles are more often than not caused by hormonal imbalances.

I would be asking for blood tests and if possible too an internal ultrasound to see what your uterine cavity and ovaries look like to see if they are polycystic. Blood tests can be done to determine if there is a problem with the thyroid gland or a condition called polycystic ovaries. Both can cause long and more often than not anovulatory cycles to arise.

What contraception can do is mask symptoms of underlying hormonal problems like the above so it is worth seeking medical advice sooner rather than later.

A "normal" cycle is a cycle of between 21 and 35 days or with less than 4 days of variation from month to month so your cycles would be seen as irregular.

Acupuncture can help normalise your cycle, if you do a search on here many women on this board have used acupuncture successfully for this.

I second all of the above, however long cycles won't stop you conceiving as long as you're still ovulating etc. I'd recommend basal temperature charting too, you can ascertain if/when you're ovulating?

Hi,

Thank you for your replies, sorry for posting and running; I got destracted by some bottles of Crabbies and a large pie.

I'm on Day 49 now, which is just silly, and have even been to Zumba and for a run to try and shake my period out... all to no avail. I'm trying not to think about it too much, but it's pretty frustrating!

I'll look into acupuncture, as I'd like to feel like I'm doing something constructive.

Hi there,
I came off the pill in August (age 33, on more or less since I was 17 with an 18 month break when I was 25, couldn't tell you what my cycles were like then, really wasn't interested )
Since then I have had 43, 39, 44 day cycles and am now CD 19 .. I agree it is very frustrating and am interested to see what others say about getting it checked out. I know a couple of people who had similar after stopping contraception (all had babies since) so I was planning on giving it a bit longer then going to the GP. I guess I might need to invest in OPK's or a thermometer to see if I'm ovulating... But let me know if you find anything out and I'll do the same for you!