Am I pregnant or is it the menopause?

[Pheno]

I feel like I'm going insane! If I'm not pregnant, then is this the start of the perimenopause?!

I had unprotected sex with my partner on day 18 of my cycle. I don't know when I ovulated (not TTC so not tracking). My cycles are usually 27-33 days in length, meaning I would usually ovulate between CD13 and CD19.

If I ovulated on CD13, then I know I wouldn't be pregnant as the egg can only survive 24 hours without being fertilised. However, if I had ovulated on CD13 then I would have expected my period on CD27-CD29 (14-16 days after ovulation, which is the average).

I'm now on CD36 with no sign of AF. Twice in my life I have had cycles of 42 days in length, so there's still time for it to arrive before I pass that mark. But this is definitely not normal for me.

Three pregnancy tests have all been very definitely negative. I guess I must have ovulated very late - too late for any sperm to have survived - and so I'm not pregnant and AF should show up soon. But I'm worried at the long cycle and hope this isn't the start of a trend.

Just wondered how late you all got your BFPs, in case I'm just testing too early or something? I've read that women with irregular cycles, like me, shouldn't expect a reliable test until 3 or even 4 weeks after intercourse (which I'm not at yet - it's been 18 days). Just a bit worried because I got a BFP with a previous pregnancy 17 days after intercourse. Advice appreciated!

Pretty sure there is nothing to worry about. Having a month without an ovulation is quite common actually. Also it could be something that you did in that cycle - maybe new vitamins? Covid jab? Were you maybe sick or very stressed?
Yes, 17 days later testing makes sense. You should get a clear result by then.

@Bundaberg84

Pretty sure there is nothing to worry about. Having a month without an ovulation is quite common actually. Also it could be something that you did in that cycle - maybe new vitamins? Covid jab? Were you maybe sick or very stressed? Yes, 17 days later testing makes sense. You should get a clear result by then.

Hi Bundaberg84,

I can totally accept I had an anovulatory cycle this month, for whatever reason. Not something I think I've experienced before - but there's a first time for everything! But everything I can find on the internet suggests that if I've passed the normal time for ovulation yet didn't ovulate, I should still bleed due to a lack of progesterone. This is in the same way that women taking the hormonal contraceptive pill experience a 'withdrawal bleed' in their rest week. If my periods have stopped, even temporarily, I think it must be for some other reason.

No new vitamins or change in diet, no Covid jab, no sickness or illness as far as I'm aware. I don't think I've been unusually stressed either. It's a bit of a mystery.

I spoke to my GP on CD 32. She wants me to wait 2 weeks before going in to see her, for them to do tests and/or refer me. She thinks the reason for the non-bleeding is that I ovulated much (MUCH!) later than usual (meaning I'm still in the 14-16 luteal day phase and AF will therefore arrive soon) or I haven't ovulated yet and I'm still in the follicular phase or I'm pregnant. God knows why either of the first two would have happened.

Just wondered how late others got their BFP?

@Pheno whatever it is, I hope your next cycle will be back to normal (that is, unless you are pregnant of course)

Hi, I was hoping someone maybe able to advise. I think I’ve always ovulated late in my cycle which worries me. Have read that you need at least 8-10 day window bf AF. I used Clear Blue to check and started to ovulate Day 25 - 29 shows static face my cycle is 32. AF arrived today despite DTD day 24- 27and the 2nd week post AF last month. As apps all said this was the time I am meant to ovulate! I’m 40 to so think this could be tricky. Just wondered if anyone else had ovulated very late and ever conceived! Thank you 😌