Very long cycles and waiting for test results?

[nh101]

Anyone else have this problem?

I am on CD 59 now (and my last cycle was six weeks long) and went for blood tests on Wed.

Thyroid test came back normal and Hcg (pregnancy) test "normal" but LH/FSH test is not back yet.

I am TTC after m/c in March and fear I will never get PG again!

I have noticed a few MN ladies mentioning long cycles - anyone out there with advice for us???

nh101

Make sure the level of LH is compared against that of FSH as these are often only looked at separately. These two hormone levels must be compared against one another.

If LH is higher than FSH this is one possible indicator of PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). PCOS is a common cause of subfertility; it can be treated if this is the root cause of the long cycles. Infact it is one of the commonest causes of very long cycles.

You need a diagnosis first and foremost though and hopefully one will be forthcoming soon.

You should be referred to a gynae as well as a matter of course particularly if PCOS is diagnosed.

I've been through this nh

When I was ttc for the 1st time my cycles were so long they averaged 6 weeks and the longest was 86 days!

My blood tests all came back normal as well but I was referred by my ace gp to the fertility clinic anyway. (She worked there part time so knew a lot about it) Her argument was there was no problem with getting pregnant but it was going to take a lot longer than most women.

They gave me a drug to start a period (as it was likely to be a long wait otherwise) and were then going to give me clomid but happily I found out I was pregnant already.

I think either be prepared for a longer wait or insist on a referral to a gynae if you'd prefer to hurry things up

Good luck!

Thanks so much to both of you - I am feeling much more positive now. I am still grieving for the baby I lost and desperatly want to be pg again. I know i can get PG (got PG first month - well, it was a nine-week cycle! - after coming off pill) so at least I know I can get PG. Long cycles were really depressing me but now I realise that I don't have to accept it. I didn't really realise so much could be done (Clomid etc). I suppose I just thought you either get PG naturally or had IVF! of course there are many things in between. Thanks again.

Just want to wish you all the best. I was very worried about long cycles (my average was 42 days) before TTC, but got pregnant quickly once we'd started. Interestingly, dates suggest that I conceived on about day 14 in spite of the fact that I'd never had a 28 day cycle. I'd been very worried about cycle length, but didn't turn out to be as much of an issue as I'd imagined. I really hope that things turn out well for you.

Hey, nh101, this is a really interesting thread. I have really random periods and these boards are great for finding our info about it.

I know exactly what you mean about thinking it was either natural or ivf - MN has made me feel so much happier that there are things you can do inbetween.

Atalantis - it's really encouraging to hear that you got pregnant so quickly.

Atilla - you know so much!