Cycle getting shorter

[Nichola2310]

Hi, I've been trying to conceive for a year, and while I haven't logged every cycle I know it was exactly 28 days at the start. Over the course of the year it has gradually dropped to 27 days, 26 days and now this month, 25 days.

Has anyone else experienced this? I'm almost 37.

There's a possibility that you could be in the beginning of the perimenopause; cycles get shorter before finally lengthening prior to menopause.

As you've been TTC for a year, perhaps you could make an appointment with your GP to discuss this anyway and ask about the shorter cycles?

@Candacewasalwaysright that's not an encouraging thought! I've already spoken to my GP about TTC so she has done a referral for me but told me it could take a year or more.

Looking into the private route but definitely feeling like time is not on my side.

I’d also push for a referral or at least ask your gp to start routine testing.

I’m 38 and after 3 losses was referred by my gp to a fertility specialist. I was referred in June and had had all my tests and scans done by the end of august. Oh had also had a semen analysis done. I’m in the south west so not sure if the wait time depends on your area.

I have children from a previous relationship so was getting concerned that I could have left it too late to ttc and perimenopause crossed my mind.

Thankfully the tests and scans I had put my mind at rest that my body is still doing everything it should and that my egg reserve and follicle count was great. What it does mean though is that the losses I’ve had are most likely down to my age and the eggs being of poorer quality than they were 6 years ago when I had my youngest!

Push your gp to at least begin testing while you wait for a referral. Day 3 and day 21 bloods are something many gp’s routinely offer.

@Nichola2310 fingers crossed for you, glad to hear that you've already started the discussion with your GP and that it doesn't take too long for your referral to come through.

Hi @Nichola2310, may I ask how things have turned out for you? I've come across your post as I'm in the same boat (almost 37 with cycles shortening) and planning to ttc soon but already freaking myself out a bit!

37 and a shortening cycle here too. Starting to worry I am over the hill from a fertility point of view!

@Peanutbutterontoast1 we decided to go ahead with IVF privately after my DH had a 2nd semen analysis that came back worse than the 1st.

I very luckily got pregnant on our first attempt, and I am currently 16 weeks. However we had 20 eggs collected so I was sure I would have a few viable embryos, yet I only had 1 good enough to transfer and nothing suitable for freezing. Therefore I believe egg quality was definitely an issue in why we weren't getting pregnant along with my husbands issues. However that's my view and not a doctors!

Best of luck to you 🤞