Irregular periods

[Blablaa]

Since beginning my ttc journey my periods have become irregular. They were fairly regular prior to this and I could set my watch by them most months although I did have odd episodes with long or short cycles in the past.

Ttc-ing accompanied with weight gain 3 years ago however has totally screwed up my cycle which is now 20-40 days long- making me think I’m not ov’ing.

This cycle is absolutely taking the mickey. I’m on cd58, last AF finished mid November.
I had some ambiguous hpts earlier on, but enough bfns later to know I’m not pregnant or at least give up on that idea.

I’ve been taking ovulation tests since about cd50 and haven’t had a positive on them either.
Been feeling exhausted lower back pain and emotional.

Currently in the middle of moving my gp surgery and whilst I work to get a first appointment booked in does anyone have any insight or experience? Has anyone experienced such irregular periods before and managed to control them, how? How do I bring AF on quicker? Could I be pregnant? Am I ill? I’m not very good with getting my point across so If anything it would be useful to have some help with how to approach this with my new Gp.

Just me then?

I don't have personal experience of this, but I remembered this thread from a while ago where women with long cycles were sharing tips.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/3224790-Long-cyclers-we-re-the-last-ones-standing-in-the-tww-and-we-re-not-taking-it-anymore-guzzle-down-your-grapefruit-juice-and-pop-those-b6-pills-short-cycle-we-re-coming-for-you

At your GP appointment, just tell them your cycles recently became very irregular and last from 20 to 56 days, and you're worried something's wrong. Mention you are trying to conceive so this is particularly important to you. I would keep it at that and see what they come up with.

I also have very long cycles, anywhere from 38-90 days! The last 2 cycles I've had have been the most regular in over a year (both 40 days) and I swear it is down to having acupuncture and reflexology! My acupuncturist also ensured I drank lots of water and ate red meat at least once a week as this stimulates blood flow. Have also started drinking beetroot juice.

Since stopping BCP after 15 years taking it, my cycle appears to have begun to alternate regularly with the following lengths since stopping: 33, 44, 31, 32, 46, 33, 41, 32, 43, 32...so they now seem to be in an almost regular pattern of approx 42 then approx 32.

I also recently found out that I have cysts on both ovaries, which has also caused me to worry further :(

My husband keeps suggesting that we book a GP appt for advice, but I am reluctant to (mostly as I guess I don't want to hear any bad news regarding fertility).

Hoping someone with similar experience may be able to advise..

KC88, I also have cysts on both ovaries and the fertility specialist told me not to worry about them in terms of fertility.
You can definitely still get pregnant with irregular periods, my best friend had very similar cycles to you and has a 1 year old now she just never knew when to DTD or POS so had to do tests more often!
Definitely don't avoid the GP for fear of bad news. There is so much that can be done these days to help people with most issues and the sooner you find out any potential issues, the sooner you can get help :)

scarlet thanks for the link, I’ve raised this and the ttc issue with the Gp before and the length of time this has been going on with no results makes me think I must not be getting my point across or being firm enough I don’t know.

lou I started acupuncture but it made me feel woozy so I stopped, will look into restarting and I already enjoy red meat. Have heard good things about beetroot so will try to get over my dislike for it!
I’ve recently started Having a home made Maca root milkshake but that’s more for fertility than the irregular periods. Purchased some Agnus Castus the other day too, not sure whether I should start taking with the Maca or have a break from the Maca go take the AC but once I work that out will start taking that too

Blablaa I would try 5 points acupuncture...they don’t leave the needles in you and I much prefer it so you might too

@Blablaa I am similar to this in terms of my periods were regular and then they changed after starting TTC. They seemed to get further and further apart and still do now so I would be convinced I was pregnant all the time!

I am now spotting a small amount of brown blood.

Sorry for tmi

My periods are irregular-and it really frustrates me! Piror to TTC I always panicked that I was pregnant.

Mine vary from 35 days to 75 days. I have noticed a pattern this year where I have been keeping watch and stress is defiantly a trigger for making them longer and too much junk food. I run my own business and you can see the month I went way for a week was 35 days but the months where work has been absolute madness they have been longer. I also think that the first few months of TTC and the wanting it to happen fast stressed me out and again long cycles.

OxeyeDaisy I agree it’s frustrating, especially when ttc.

How long have you been ttc for? Do you know if you’re ovulating or not? I’ve never had much luck with ic opks and believe the irregular periods are due to not ovulating.

Not sure if this helps any but I was in a very similar situation but got my bfp 4 days ago - also on cd58! My only symptoms have been backache, cramping and tiredness so you may not be out completely. I don’t want to get your hopes up but just wanted to share this so it doesn’t all feel too rubbish.

I’d also recommend charting your BBT - that really helped me to know whether I had DTD around O time. Really useful. If AF does come, consider your next cycle one where you can start temping and get to know your body?

Good luck xx

Pre DC, my periods were crazily irregular. They’d range from 30 something to the cycle before I found out I was pregnant ... 125 days. There seemed to be no rhyme or reason. We were in the process of beginning infertility tests, MY DF got very poorly and subsequently died and then I got a positive!
Now, 2x DD later my periods are ridiculously regular. Every monoth, to the day, which is ridiculously annoying that we’re not having anymore DC!!

I never found a reason for this. Hope you get the news you want soon

@blablaa we have only been trying since September but I have only had two periods since then and I agree that the irregular periods are lack of ovulation. This month however and excuse the TMI I have had the egg white discharge associated with ovulation and pain on my right side so have been rather busy.

Good luck

I've never had regular periods, they range from 45-150days at their most extreme. I have borderline pcos and weight gain/sugar intake makes it worse, I believe it's because sugar causes the body to create even more testosterone. I find DTD every 48h works well when there's no easy way to track ovulation and successfully conceived 2DC after 5 months of trying for both which was 2cycles for me. I found out I was pregnant with my first DC when I was 8 weeks and DC2 when I was 6 weeks as I recognised the nausea the second time. Perhaps you could ask the gp for a blood test of your hormones just so that you might know whether it's pcos?

@BeeMyBaby I have been trying the every other day this month OH can’t work out of his lucks in or I have lost the plot.

I had loads of bloods done last April but nothing conclusive the next step was a scan but the DR didn’t seem that forth coming in offering the referral - I have lots of symptoms of PCOS and was more interested in my mental health which one is not the reason I went to see the DR and is actually fine.

My plan is to see how we get on this month and go back and see a different DR. I have a full year of dates for periods etc so I can be a bit more forceful.

owlpacker it looks like AF has arrived, well I’m still spotting so counting myself as out this month. Going to continue using the digital opk throughout this cycle to try and ‘catch’ my ovulation date.

tobermory sorry to hear about your DH. And thank you!

beemybaby I have suspected PCOS but scans and tests don’t allow for a clear diagnosis. Once I move over I will be putting it out there although I’m determined to lose the weight before I proceed.

OxeyeDaisy that sounds like a good plan, check back and let us know how it goes!

Update: AF has definitely arrived somewhat. Not in full force but pretty sure she’s here.