Ovulation date keeps changing

[smp0308]

Hi

Me and my partner are trying for a baby this year with artificial insemination. I've been tracking my periods and doing ovulation tests since October however my periods are always slightly earlier or later than the predicted date (only by a few days!) and so my ovulation date keeps changing. Because of our method of conception, we need to be fairly organized and exact on the date we do it. Is it normal for ovulation dates to change like this? I'm worried I'm just overthinking things and getting myself worked up over nothing.

I should also add, after a conversation with my dr this week she is having me do a blood test to make sure I am ovulating and there's no possibility of PCOS because of the slightly irregular periods.

Thanks!

Your luteal phase (the time between ovulation and start of period) isn’t always the same.

If you really need to know when you are ovulating, I’d strongly suggest that you start using OPKs (they pick up LH, which indicates you are likely to ovulate in the next 12-36 hours, so the best time to conceive) and maybe also temperature chart to confirm when ovulation has actually occurred.

It’s a bit of a faff to do both, but if you are option for AI I think it’s best to have a really good understanding of your cycle.

Hi

Yh as I said above, I've been doing the tests since October 🙂 everything seems normal in those. It's my periods changing every month that changes my ovulation date. That's what I'm most concerned about 😔

Sorry, I should say. I'm calling them ovulation tests but I'm pretty sure what I'm doing is OPK's. It's through the fermometer app and the little test strips you do daily

Hang on, I’m confused. According to the strips you ovulate at the same time each month? In that case it is just variation in your luteal phase. That’s not a problem. Or have I misunderstood?

What cycle day do you ovulate on? Is that always the same? I thought that the luteal phase tends to stay the same. Although I’m no expert and the longer I ttc the more I realise there are so many variables!

Hi OP my partner and I are using the same method as you!

We tried for the first time this week. I was using CB advanced OPKs and also cheapie strips to try and track! I had high fertility from last Saturday through to weds when I got a peak. This suggested that either weds/thurs I would ovulate. Therefore I am in my TWW.

If you are using OPKs you will ovulate soon after you catch the surge (24-36hrs later I think it is). Then you wait until AF comes which is your luteal phase.

So your ovulation isn't changing it's your luteal phase/AF that is by the sounds of it.

I hope I have explained that well? I couldn't have tracked for timing AI without the CB advanced OPKs. I find the cheap ones hard to read.

As others have said, my understanding is your ovulation date isn't changing, it's still the date which is indicated by the OPK's. Your luteal phase (days between ovulation and period) is changing, I have been told a 2-3 day difference in this is fine. :)