Can anyone make sense of my cycle? :(

[RMarieClaire]

I'm so confused by my cycle. Would really appreciate any help from people who understand these things better than me (which is probably most people )

I came off the implant in May. Since then I've had consistent 28 day cycles, but I haven't ovulated (I've been using OPK most days before, during and after fertile window). Then last week I got what kind of looked like a positive OPK on day 23 of my cycle. See pic - maybe I'm just being wishful as the lines aren't exactly the same.

AF should have come last Thursday, it's now 3 days late, but I just tested and got a BFN. I also have no PMS symptoms and usually I get quite bad PMS. I don't understand when I should expect AF now, and what kind of cycle I'm now on. Will it be 14 days after I maybe ovulated? So, end of this week? Is there any chance of getting a BFP, or should I just drop that dream after a BFN?

If I go to GP, will he tell me to come back when I've been TTC longer?

Sorry to ask so many questions, just finding this an absolute minefield! Any advice really welcome :)

In all likelihood it's still you're body getting used to cycling. Yes - your gp would advise you to ttc for a year if under 35 or six months if over 35.

Yes AF comes roughly 14 days after you ovulated so that's when it's due this month. I would give it another cycle before going to your GP to see if you ovulate again. If you don't you go always go and ask. My cycles were a complete mess for ages after coming off the pill ranging between 35 to 60 days. They did try to test to see whether I was ovulating but because of my cycles never seemed to get it right. My GP said she couldn't refer me until after two year TTC. Good luck I know how frustrating it can be.

Hi @RMarieClaire I only do the digital OPKs so wouldn't like to say for definite on your test, but it looks fairly positive to me. If you did indeed ovulate CD23/24, it would make your AF a lot later than usual, as your luteal phase (time between o and AF) generally remains the same. So say your luteal phase is normally 14 days, if you o on CD14, you'd expect AF CD28. So if you o'd CD24 you could expect AF CD38.

Don't think GP will do much at this point, so best to wait a while to see if your cycles regulate.

Thanks everyone. I will try to be more patient - not just this month but in general.

A year just seems such a terribly long time, but I suppose I'm already quarter of the way there. Hopefully AF will come in the next few days and then at least I have something to go on.

@LittleTipple I think I will switch to the digital ones, but they're so expensive! It'll cost me £20-30 a month based on my whacky cycles, but then I suppose that's not that much for peace of mind.

@RMarieClaire they are expensive, but I'm lucky as I don't use a whole pack each month, so can make one pack last two cycles! I'd rather pay the money and have peace of mind, because trying to judge the darkness of a line every day would drive me mad! In the past I've just used the digital for a few months to get a general feel for when I ovulate (I had no clue in the beginning) and then after that, just BD'd around the same time each cycle.

OP if you ovulated late your AF will be late. Your luteal window, the time between ovulation and AF usually stays the same. This is around 14 days for many people. Unless you know your luteal window AF will likely arrive around day 37 if you ovulated day 23. What day are you on now? If you dtd at the right time you could still be pregnant and you've tested too early.

Thanks @veeboo - I'm on day 33 so if I ovulated I guess af due end of this week. To be honest just having ovulated would be a massive win for me. Hadn't realised it could take so long after the implant.

OP I forgot to say that your picture does look like a positive. Mine never go much darker than that. Fx for you.