Can someone help me with some questions about Monthly cycle?

[Mummywombat]

Just starting to think about TTC DC2. With DC1, I used OPKs for the first few months. In hindsight this was probably not the best idea for me, as I have PCOS which I think can skew the results. I got a BFP on cycle 10- when we had decided to take a break from using OPKs! i think I may have ovulated later than OPKs led me to believe.

Anyway, this time, I think I would prefer to be more in tune with my own cycle and may not bother with OPKS at all but am fairly clueless about it all. So...

• what are the key signals to watch out for each month that would tell us its a good time to try? Even though I am still on the mini-pill (micronor) I am aware of changes to my CM and how I feel but not 100% sure what this signifies.At the moment, for example, I have (TMI) yellowy, sticky CM but am also experiencing pains in my ovary area. What is this likely to mean?

-I think I have a fairly long cycle- poss around 35 days. When am I most likely to be ovulating?

• would be coming off the pill, obviously, but have had what have seemed to be normal periods while on it. Roughly how quickly does any protective effects from the pill disappear once you have stopped taking it?

TIA!

Cm is a useful indicator but the only thing that can tell you if you have ovulated is a temperature rise. Opks only detect a hormone, not actual ovulation.

Have you got Taking Charge of Your Ferility? Worth reading

Thanks- will take a look!

I second that book recommendation - thes best one out there on teaching you this stuff. It looks like a bit of a tome but don't be put off - it's very clearly written with loads of pictures and charts and if you;re motivated you'll have steamed through it in a day or two. Once you;ve understood the basics an app like fertilityfriend can help you track things on your phone. Good luck!

Oh and on ovary pain - your ovaries can start that nagging pain a few days before ovulation or on the day of ovulation itself or for a few days after ovulation so it's not a clear sign to reply on alone though you can make a note of when it comes and compare with your other signs.

Lastly there is research evidence now that shows that many women can be at their most fertile immediately after coming off the pill so the old advice to stop taking it for 6 months to let your body go back to normal before conceiving is no longer up to date. How quickly you will be fertile after stopping it varies hugely from one woman to the next but you could be ovulating within a couple of weeks!

Thank you-

I will certainly look at the book, and I think, especially with my history of pcos, it will be a case of reading all signs in conjunction with each other.

Medical help in order to conceive this time around is not beyond the realms of possibility particularly if PCOS is present. You need to bear this in mind.

Do not use OPKs again; these kits detect LH levels and since many PCOSers have an excess of this hormone to start with, the kit reads that so misleads.

The problem (one of many) with PCOS is that you are actually unlikely to be ovulating regularly if at all so ovulation "signs" may well be misleading. I would not spend too much time looking for such "signs" for this reason. Temp charting as well with PCOS could give you more stress overall and you could end up with a temp chart akin to the Rocky Mountains. Interpreting such a chart would be impossible to determine with much if any degree of accuracy.

If you can stay within the correct weight range for your height this will help as is following a low GI/GL eating plan. Excess pounds can exacerbate PCOS symptoms.

The pill leaves your system very quickly after taking the last tablet.

Thank you- I have always had fairly regular periods although as I mentioned, my cycle is around 35 days. But I've never not had a period at all (except while pregnant). Does this still mean I may not be ovulating regularly?

If PCOS is an issue then some cycles are likely to be anovualatory ones. Occasional ovulation is possible with PCOS. To be sure that you are ovulating or not though you need blood tests done.

It is also possible to have periods without ovulating.

Thank you- are the anovualatory cycles the same type of bleeding ie made up of the same type of 'matter' as normal ones? My periods usually have a couple of days at least where they are fairly heavy and you can clearly see 'tissue' and clots- sorry for the tmi. Just interested whether these are still likely to be non-ovulation periods?

Don't know if this helps but was watching a video this am about how diet can regulate PCOS for conception...at the clinic in question it doubled conception rates. Might be worth a look if you've got the time? on

Thank you I will watch that tonight!

If you watch it, can you tell me what you think?

I've been trying to weigh it up in my mind ...would be great to hear someone else's take on it

I would say periods will be similar. The clots are the lining of the uterus, which you will build up and then lose through a period whether or not ovulation takes place.