Cycles gone abnormally short - any advice?

[Quodlibet]

Hello all

Am hoping that the wealth of know how on the Conception boards might be able to help me out with this one.

My cycles have gone very short. I have always had regular cycles which vary from 29-33 days, normally 30 or 31. However, my last 4 cycles have been totally wonk:
May: 38 days (tested and bfn at cd37)
June: 31 days (normal)
July: 22 days
Aug: 21 days

So, as background, have been charting cycles for 18months and TTC since dec (although not every month as DP works away a lot). The temping I have done seems to show me to be ovulating, but havent been temping for the past few months. Probably we've had 5 months of well-timed sex, which I realise is not long in the grand scheme of things. .

However, I am concerned about my cycles suddenly going v short - I've never had this before. Went to GP after the last short cycle and she said to keep an eye on it. GP also explained my mid cycle spotting as result of cervical erosion.

Anyone been here? Any clues? Do I just need to stop worrying/wait and see?? It is hard not to worry about such a big change- I am only 32!

Thanks in advance for any wisdom.

Hiya,
I had difficulty conceiving ds, irregular cycle ect, someone suggested trying Agnus Castus from Holland and Barratt, you take one a day from when you get your period to when you think you ovulate, i only took it for one cycle and fell, i have then suggested to two others and it seems to have worked for them! Worth a go. Hope this helps.

I am having the same issue at moment . had 2 cycles at 26 days then last one was 22. I am going ask doctor about it so will c what they say.

in terms if what u said about cervical erosion. whilst on the pill I was told I had an eroded cervix which caused occasional spotting, I was also told that this was caused by the pill and would go if I stopped.

if u have recently come off the pill that could explain ur irregular cycles. I came off in Dec...

Thanks both.
I have heard conflicting things about Agnus Cactus and that it can have very strong effects so don't want to take it without knowing the cause of the problem first! But very reassuring to hear that you conceived despite an irregular cycle molly29

PuppyMummy thank you and let me know what your doctor says. I came off the pill 2 years ago and have plenty of totally regular cycles since then, so it's not that. It's the massive difference which is worrying me - my cycle has shortened by 10 days!

Bumping for any more advice anyone??

Shamelessly bumping....any more advice out there?

my doctors appointment is Tuesday so I will let u know what he says about shortening cycles. although I suspect he won't have a clue...

Thank you!

hi quod . update- doctor said irregular and changing cycle can be totally normal!
he said everyone is different and lots of people r irregular.

he said as long as ur cycle is longer than about 18 days then its long enough to conceive. (if ur ovulating!)

I'm having a blood test to check hormone levels. but its supposed to be 7 days prior to next period. which I have had to guess cos it depends if this cycle is 22 or 26!
so it might not show anything!

Hi Quod just thought I'd add some experience.

I am 31, stopped pill 18 months ago and cycles have ranged from 24 - 33 days but with a lot of spotting from day 22 sometimes and getting shorter

I had my 21 day test this month and it confirmed ovulation which is obviously good. I have an appointment at the Infertility Clinic should be called Fertility clinic on the 20th Sept so will see what the specialists say.

Thanks Impatient. That sounds a lot like what I get.

I am attempting a 2 prong attack of opk and temping this month to see if I can at least pinpoint OV. Interestingly (for me anyway) I got a positive opk on CD8 but then didn't ovulate according to temps, so I wonder if the last couple of months Ive been ovulating super early? Or trying to then giving up?

How long did you go before doctors did tests for you?
Puppy any news from your doc appt?

It was 14 months but then it has all happened very quickly!!

I went to doctor about 5 months after coming off the pill as I was having a lot of mid cycle pain - the reason I first went on the pill 14ish years ago - and he sent me for an ultrasound and to a gynae consultant who said it could be endometriosis but as my periods and sex weren't painful didn't think it was likely. They did offer to do exploratory surgery (?laproscopy) but at the time I agreed that I would rather keep on TTC than have a general anaesthetic that may not be necessary.

I went back to GP about 6 months later and he just told me to stay off Google and not panic

Anyway DH (35) and I went together last month and GP happily referred to specialist, ordered SA for DH and routine bloods + 21 day progesterone for me. My appointment for fertility clinic came through 2 weeks later - I don't know if it was quicker as I have already seen gynae consultant but it is a totally different clinic so just looks like a quick service - I did request the specific hospital only because I work in the NHS and didn't want to be treated by colleagues!

I was expecting to get fobbed off by GP again but he couldn't have been more supportive this time - I think he knew I was serious as I took DH along plus colour spreadsheets of my cycles

quod posted an update before impatients post

Doh! Sorry I missed it! Good that your doc is getting bloods done though, although I've got no idea how you guess when they should be done!