Long cycles - should i go to the Docs?

[Ibsy]

Hi.
We have been TTC 'officially' for 6 months. My cycles tend to be a bit long and all over the place, in the p[ast 6 months they have ranged from 36 - 43 days. Am now on day 47, tested this morning and got a BFN. Have expected AF to arrive for the last week or so , have had tummy aches n pains...but so far nothing. so my cycles are getting longer. However yup to this month there did seem to be some regularity...was getting +OPK about 18 days bfore period. +opk doesnt mean that i have def ovulated, does it?

Do you think i should be worried about length of my cycles? I realise that in the grand scheme of things 6 months of TTC is not long, however obv i want to do whatever i can to maximisise our chances.
If i get a docs appointment what could they or what are they likely to do?

Ibsy

In your situation I would go to the doctors and get further medical advice re your irregular periods.

Would say that such problems are often caused by hormonal imbalances (in this regard a condition called polycystic ovaries or PCOS are two common causes).

A "normal" cycle is a cycle length of between 21 and 35 days or with a variation of 4 days or less from month to month.

OPK's are not of any use at all if your periods are irregular. These kits measure luteinising hormone (LH). If you are one of many women who is producing more LH than average (commonly seen with PCO/PCOS for example) the kit will read this excess. A positive result on an OPK therefore can be misleading. I would therefore stop using opk's forthwith.

You should have a blood test done to see what your hormone levels are like. If such a test is done ensure that your LH level is compared against that of your FSH (follicle stimulation hormone). If LH and FSH are out of balance (they should ideally be the same) this is why your periods are irregular.

Your doc may also send you for an internal ultrasound scan to see what your ovaries look like.

You should be ideally referred to a gynae for further evaluation and treatment; infact I would ask the doc for a referral to a gynae (this is what I did re my irregular periods when ttc).

You will need to be persistant in order to get answers. Do not be fobbed off!!.

Attila,
Thanks for your advice, have read one or two of your other responses to people on this topic - it sounds like you know your stuff?

So 'hormonal imbalances' can be one reason for irregular periods (definition is helpful BTW thabnks.) how would this affect TTC. does ovulation still take place but mroe sporadically or sometimes not at all?

Am now going to phone docs for an appointment

Ibsy

With irregular periods you are less likely to ovulate regularly (you may ovulate occasionally). It can be treated but the best person to see in this regard would be a gynae - your GP should refer you to such a person.

You need a diagnosis first and foremost.

Good luck with the GP.

Attila

Well you sound in a similar position to me when I was ttc ds1. Very irregular periods and we'd been trying for 2 years before seeking help. So if you don't mind reading a bit I'll tell you what happened.

Appointment with GP who took blood tests ofr me and DH, nothing conclusive.

DH had sperm count, nothing abnormal.

Referred to fertility clinic, had someone look at my bits and pieces (can't remember name for procedure sorry), but it involved a ga as a day patient. No problems there.

Then saw a doctor at the fertility clinic who assessed our health (again) and put me on a course of chlomid. DS 1 was conceived 3 months later!

They do need to rule out lots of other things before they can actually do anything iykwim.

Phoning your GP is the first step in a long process, but good luck!

Mrs Mills - thanks for the explanation.

GP obviously has to be the first stop - am just wondering what there reaction will be. i believe they only start doing things when you have been ttc for a year, 6 months if you are over 35. Im 32 - do you think i will have a fight on my hands?

Ibsy

do you have any other problems like acne or unwanted hair? (sorry to be personal!) if you do it may be you have anu nderlying condition like polycystic ovaries, which causes long cycles and affects ovulation - it's a hormonal imbalance and can usually be corrected with either the pill (if you're not trying to conceive) or clomid (if you are). I have had it since I was 16 and it hasn't stopped me from conceiving, just needed a little help! IME doctors take these things seriously even if your'e under 35, as not ovulating can affect your health in general anyway, it's not just about making babies to the GP!

Thirtysomething - dont have any of the things you describe.

Have made an appointment to see GP, unfortunatly its not till next week.
Hopefully then can start to find out what the problem is.

Ibsy

Hi Ibsy,

PCOS is a very individualistic disorder and can affect each woman with it very diffently. The symptoms of PCOS overall can include amongst other things menstrual irregularities, subfertility and skin problems. Weight gain can often excerbate such symptoms.

Polcystic ovaries (PCO) are the cystic follicles on the ovaries without any other symptom associated with PCOS.

I would hope that following a blood test (make sure they compare the level of LH against that of FSH - if LH is higher than FSH in particular then this can be indicative of PCO being present) you will be referred to a gynae. Both PCO and PCOS are not conditions that should be messed around with. It is outside a GPs remit.