AF missing in action, advice needed ladies

[BobbyPin84]

Hi Ladies,

This is the first time I have posted but I'm not sure if I should go back to the GP and ask for a blood test. Myself and DH have been TTC since January, I thought my cycle was getting back on track, each month I had the same period symptoms then this month nothing! I'm currently on CD 69 with 6 negative tests. Each time I mention it to the doctors I get brushed off as it's only been 7 months. Here are my cycles, which they have never asked for; all thoughts welcome

31st jan - 7th mar : 36 days
8th mar - 30th apr : 54 days
1st may - 6th jun : 37 days
7th June - present 69 days today

What are you getting back on track from. If you were pregnant and or breastfeeding then wonky cycles are normal.

Do you have pcos? I do, and my cycle was really erratic. You need to think backwards. IIRC, it's better to think that bleeding starts roughly 14 days after ovulation rather than that ovulation occurs around day 14. If you have a long cycle you will ovulate later. I tracked my temperature and it was this that indicated to me that I was ovulating, and then to do a test. I'd had a 60+ day cycle and must have just ovulated really late! I got a bfp. That was all over 4 years ago so recall is a bit vague!

Sorry yes I didn't put I came off the pill in January, I feared I wouldn't have af at all. I know it's only been 3 cycles but being on the pill for 16 years I don't know what my normal cycle should be. I tried temping but I work shifts and it's too difficult.

I don't have symptoms of PCOS but I'm aware you can have it and not know, plus the pill may have masked it. But when I do go to the GP they seem very uninterested, almost like just because I have not been off the pill a year I have to sit and wait and not wonder if there is something that needs to be checked. I'm only concerned as I am nearly 35

Hi @BobbyPin84
I too came off the pill in january and my periods are all over the place - 32 days, 45, 56 and then 28 days.
When do you turn 35? Your doctor should hopefully take you more seriously then.
Im 36 and my doctor has no interest when i mentioned it in passing but i think now its been 6 months ill bead back

@Pambo81 I'm 35 early March, feels so far away right now yes I think I would go back to the GP if I was you. I might wait until 90 days and then head back see what advice they can give me.

@Pambo81 I'm 35 early March, feels so far away right now yes I think I would go back to the GP if I was you. I might wait until 90 days and then head back see what advice they can give me.

Just checking in @Pambo81 how are you getting on did you head back to the GP? I'm going to wait until cd 85 as that will put me at 2 missed AF before I go back to the doc. I'm on CD 77 now and still no sight of the witch. Gotta day it is driving me insane!

Sorry should add I changed my name as I made the last one up in a rush and it didn't grow on me 🤦🏼‍♀️

In my experience it can take many cycles for you body to regulate again after coming off the pill but usually after the really long and strange one, I have conceived so hopefully you will get your positive soon.

I've always had ridiculously long cycles, up to 120 days, which makes TTC a pain in the arse. I also found that the GP wasn't interested (28 when started TTC) so eventually tried traditional Chinese medicine- acupuncture didn't cut it but herbs brought my cycle down to 40 odd days, much more regular too.

Also, I'm currently 8 weeks pregnant after ovulating on CD42- it doesn't have to mean TTC is impossible, just longwinded!

Thanks @CatPatrol 🤗

If you don't mind me asking @monkerina what herbs did you use? And how did you get through those 120 days! I just feel groggy and can't wait for it to come so I can feel better and hopefully a lot less bloated. The bloating is all in my head I know, the bloating the the 3 biscuits I just sneaked and the giant twix I had after lunch yesterday 🤭

The preparation I used was called Warm The Menses formula, wen jiang tang- its a mix of different herbs that you boil up and drink the resulting (minging) tea. That got my cycle regular enough to conceive DS, and then subsequently I tried pre-prepared pills prescribed by the local Chinese medicine shop on the high street but don't think they were quite as effective, although it did bring my period back while breastfeeding!

120 days was soul destroying tbh, that was when I started researching alternative medicine as the GP wasn't interested! Hope things are going better with you 😊

Thanks @monkerina I might give that a go even if it does taste disgusting, still no af but massive migraine yesterday so fingers crossed

I also have really long cycles, ranging from 45 days to 105 I have had my bloods tested and they are fine, and I’ve even had an internal scan which was fine which doctor said rules out PCOS. I think I am lucky my doctor has sent me for these tests as some people have to really push but she seems really understanding, but still has no answer as to why only 5 periods in a year. Currently on CD69, no symptoms and BFN. @monkerina does the tea work and where can you get it from? @BobbyPin84 has there been any change from your original post?

@Nataliej1984 hiya
I actually decided to go down the accupuncture and herbs route too. Had 4 sessions but not sure if its working as im now cd 39 no af up from 28 days last month.
Just want to try everything possible before i go to my doctor so he cant possibly dismiss me again
I think your right - once youve officially missed 2 periods its fair enough that the doctor should look into it. Hope its not driving you too mad waiting for af!

@Manny17 no, no change!! I'm finding chatting you the girls on here is distracting me, DH also doesn't get it all in the ear!! I called to book today and no appointments with a lady doc until the week after next, she was really helpful but I want to see a lady gp, so I'll have to sit tight, and try some of this tea!!

It's not driving me too mad yet! 🤔

Yes I had investigations and hycosy too, eventually got referred to the fertility clinic after a year of trying and sobbing at the GP about how hopeless it was but they found nothing!

Also found acupuncture wasn't 'strong' enough to work on me, so my acupuncturist sent me to the Traditional Chinese Medicine college in Reading where she trained as they had a herbs course and needed test subjects. It was them that prescribed the tea, and cheaply as it was for their benefit too iyswim - sadly that course has finished there now and I don't think there are many TCM colleges in the UK, if you're in London though I could give you the details of the student I had who's now graduated and in private practice? There are TCM shops in most towns where I am, just unsure how many are real practitioners and how many just sell expensive pills, might be worth a Google