Irregular Periods?

[stqueen]

Hi All,

What is the definition of irregular periods, and do they mean you may not be ovulating?

My cycles do vary each month, but they've balanced out at between 33 and 37 days (last 4 cycles have been 37, 34, 35, 33). Does this mean they are irregular?! I had a +OPK (smiley on CB) on CD21 so that puts my luteal phase at 11/12 days, little worried this is too short.

So many conflicting views on whats 'normal' looking on good old google and talking to people - argh!

x

Mmmm probably down to interpretation but irregular periods I thought were just how one month your cycle is 27 days and then the next month it's 35. Or you might miss a months cycle or two.

But then u also have what is considered a normal cycle length of 27/28 days like clockwork every month I think

But you could have a long cycle but regular every month if that makes sense

Just wanted to say that getting a smiley on an ovulation kit and regular periods does not mean you've ovulating properly. I had positives and regular periods but the eggs released were immature and I needed the help of a drug called clomid to help mature the eggs. How long have you been TTC? After a year visit the GP and ask for a day 21 progesterone test. This test will highlight how well you are ovulating Ask for the results afterwards as different medics have different ideas on what a good score is. Ovulation issues are one of he easiest fertility problems to resolve though.

Thanks Ticklemonster897 - this is what I suspected - OPKs can't confirm ovulation, they just alert you to the surge that takes place prior.

I had my implanon removed a year this Friday (!) but have been TTC since the end of January. However, since January I've only had 7 cycles due to a couple of crazy long ones (47 day'er and a 49 day'er. I've been taking Vitex Agnus Castus to help regulate my cycles which I've heard is a natural alternative to Clomid HOWEVER I am tempted to ask for the Day 21 test.

Do you also have to test at Day 1 and 3 to check baseline?

x

A shorter literal phase occasionally can indicate ovulation issues - 11 days does seem short.

Message me if I can help. I went through GP's for one child, then private for my last one.

Officially they test at exactly 21 days with days. With day 1 being the first day of your period.

However, a late or early ovulation will effect the results. I think the test really needs to take place 7 days post ovulation (maybe double check though) but many GP's are unaware of his fact.

You could always ask for two day 21 blood tests as your cycles are extra long. One test at day 21, another at day 27?

I did ask about this a while back when I visited the GP about my super long cycles. . .Dr said if they continue to be so long etc. she would do the Day 21 test. . .if neg, you go back for a Day 28 test. . .if neg, you go back for a Day 35 test (unless AF shows) and so on. . .

I might make an appt in the morning to get this checked out, although generally I do find GPs to be very unhelpful and just so. . .generic with their advice? Did Clomid work for you Ticklemonster?

Yes twice!! :-) . Like you I had periods and positives on the ovulation kits. My body just needed a nudge with clomid.

Have you considered watching your temperature? Although it is slightly obsessive!! Basal body temp first thing with a fertility thermometer. Boots sell them. The difference between my non clomid cycles and my clomid cycles was huge. Post clomid ovulation my temps stayed higher for longer.

With my DS1, it took 4 months of the lowest dose of clomid to get pregnant (50mg)

With DS2, it took 4 months at a slightly higher clomid level (100mg).

It might be that you have a mild case of polycystic ovaries?

I have heeded your advice Ticklemonster, appt with GP tomorrow (CD3) to take Day 3 bloods as base line. Apparently I then have to go back every 7 days (CD 10, 17 etc.) for progesterone levels & to compare against baseline. I thought it was after OV (CD 14, CD21 etc.) so we'll see.

Doing a little more reading it seems a LP of less than 10 days is seen as a concern, anything 10 days or more appears to be ok - mine was 11 this month so hopefully this is just the lower end of normal.

Glad I'm going into get things checked - hopefully if something is amiss it can be addressed ASAP!

I feel better for the fact I'm doing something!

Well done queen!! Let me know how it goes. It sounds like the GP is going to be very through!

Do ask for all the results of each cycle. Ask for the exact numbers. Hopefully all the test results will be fine though. If they are slightly low, don't worry though as you have a lot going in your favour. I have a group of 10 on line babycentre friends and we have all managed to have children despite all having ovulation issues. It was definitely much much harder going for the ladies who had no periods and no positive ovulation sticks though.

Just to add my GP gave me my clomid but not all GP's are as forth coming. Some times they prefer the NHS fertility consultants to prescribe especially with higher doses.

I also had my tubes checked, an internal scan (confirming mild polycystic ovaries), 11 months of day 21 tests (3 pre clomid and 8 while using clomid) and a couple of miscarriages on route. Not an easy ride but worth every ounce of trouble.

Thanks tickle and oh gosh, you certainly went through it! If u don't mind me asking, why did u need CD21 tests for 11 months? Were u able to get all of those checks done (tubes, internal scan etc.) done before you'd be trying for +18 months?

Hearing stories like yours give me a lot of hope

I was hoping that with a +OPK and periods each month I'm ok but there's so much that can be amiss with this TTC business!

Hi Queen,

How did the test go?

From memory if you're under 35 the policy is to refer to fertility specialists after 1 year of TTC. If you're over 35 the policy is to refer on to specialists after 6 months of TTC. Sometimes they will try and fob women off in the hope they will conceive with time, therefor saving the surgery money.

Tests often start with a GP (or fertility consultant) doing the day 21 test, then sending the husband for sperm analysis. The consultant may then do an internal scan possibly or check tubes with dye depending on your circumstances. In my case Id had previous surgery and there was a small chance it may have effected my tubes. My tubes were fine though.

I'm not sure if its normal to have day 21 tests while actually on the clomid but I rang up and booked them anyway because it was the only way to know if a specific dose of clomid was maturing my eggs enough. It was amazing that 50mg of clomid could give me a result of 42 one month but then 37 the next month.

While trying to conceive my youngest using clomid, I realised 50mg wasn't a strong enough dose anymore because my day 21 progesterone results were coming back under the 30 mark (they were about 27, 24 level). I went private at this point to speed things along as I couldn't bear waiting months to see the NHS consultant again in order to get a higher prescribed dose of clomid.

The NHS generally like to see a day 21 progesterone test result of 30+. However my private fertility consultant said he aims for a result of 40+ to show a strong ovulation.

Hopefully you might be fine and ovulating well even though even though you have long cycles but you are doing the right thing by checking. If you're 21 day results come through fine, request that the GP sends DH for sperm tests just in case though.

If you do end up clomid, your cycles might shorten a little and become more regular?

Let me know how things progress anyway. Lots of waiting for blood samples this month but at least you should have some clarity in a month. If by any chance your results are boarder line (say 28/32) request another cycle of day 22 tests to give a better picture.

Day 21 not 22! :-)

Hi Ticklemonster - thanks so much for all of that information. I had the Day 3 tests Friday am and am awaiting the results - I called first thing this morning to get them, spoke to my usual doctor & she could only give me a couple of the results back (it tested for loads of things!) - Rubella is all ok, Kidney Function is all ok. She said the other results (LH, FSH, estrogen etc.) hadn't 'come down the wire yet' and the other GP needs to look at them when they do come back (??). I've called a couple of times since & the receptionist is making me nervous - apparently I've got to wait for the GP to call me this afternoon when she has looked at them. I thought the receptionists could just tell you the results over the phone, so now I'm automatically assuming something is wrong :-(

I have to say I've found the experience so far a nightmare - I'm constantly having to chase for my results, continously fobbed off by the receptionists (or so it feels), & if the results do show cause for concern, I don't have the confidence that they will actually do anything pro-active about it :-/ Urgh. You sound as if you very much took matters into your own hands?

DH is going for semen analysis in a couple of weeks time so things are moving :-) Do you think I should also enquire about an internal scan/check tubes (I have had minor surgery on my cervix after an abnormal smear in 2010, but no other surgery).

I'm hoping that I'm fine & ovulating well despite the long(ish) cycles but the delay in getting the Day 3 test results back today are making me fret somewhat.

What an emotional rollercoaster!

Well I have most of my results back now (apart from Progesterone) and it doesn't make for good reading :-(

LH - 8
FSH - 9
Prolactin - 618 (normal range 0-500)

Also indication of a possible (under-active) thyroid issue.

Other than that, they were fine!

Feeling very sad :-(