Does anyone have long cycles, 35-40 days ? When do you ovulate ?!

[affinia]

Thats it really. My last 3 cycles have been 38,37 & 38 days. I'm currently on CD27 and getting the dark line on the OPK (don't relying on these by the way just using them as an indicator)..is this too late for conception ? I think I've read somewhere about eggs deteriorating if you ovulate late..

Any ideas ?!

usually around 12-18 days before your period, with the same length for a particlar woman each cycle (ie I may be 18 days each cycle, you may be 12 days each cycle).
My cycles when I conceived were 33 days with ds1 and 35 days with ds2. Knowing my cycle alot better know I am pretty sure I OV 14 days before my period starts. My cycle hasn't settled down yet from after ds2 - but I can predict my period (14 days later) from my mucus and sex drive leap.

NO idea about eggs going off.

Would this be the same for an 88 day cycle? 12-18 days b4 AF? God, thats ages away!

I presume so fruitloop, I am no expert at all, I just researched online a bit before ttc no 2 as I have a slightly longer than average cycle. Everything that I read indicated that it is the period - ov bit which can be of a different length (due to stress etc), but every woman has a pretty much set ov - period length and that for the vast majority of women this is pretty much in the 12-18 day range.

thanks chasingsquirrels No wonder I haven't been getting positive OV sticks by CD19! I thought they were faulty. ha ha!

The luteal phase (days between ovulation and period) can be up to 16 days long and preferably no short than 10 days. This varies from woman to woman, but tends to remain constant i.e. if you have a 12 day luteal phase then you will always get your period 12 to 13 days after you ovulate.

So if you're getting a positive OPK now, then it's possible you could ovulate (altho I don't trust them myself) tomorrow on CD28. If AF comes after CD38 then you have a day luteal phase, but the latest it could turn up is after CD44 and this would be normal.

I once ov'ed on CD35 of a 50 day cycle. It was the only time I ever had spotting before a period. I wasn't sure if it was implantation spotting or a luteal phase problem because it had taken so long for the egg to hatch.

Someone on the TTC boards once posted that their fertility consultant said a late ovulation often doesn't lead to a viable egg, BUT my mum had 45 day cycles (with 14 days of AF bleeding) and had me and my sister without any problems so I'd say it's perfectly possible to ovulate late and get a BFP. Best to remain positive about this.

If you're worried you could ask your doctor to refer your to a gynaecologist to find out why your cycles are longer than 'normal'.

oops typo if AF comes after CD38 then you have ten day luteal phase

I knew someone would come along with the proper wording.

Fruitloop - a very long cycle must be bliss at all times apart from when you are ttc.

My cycles are very long and have always been so. last time I tried using OP sticks I ran out of them before I got any confirmation that I was ovulating! But I am currently 14w pg with dc3 so I must have ovulated at some point!! If you want loads and loads of info about it try getting the Toni Weschler book 'Taking Charge of Your Fertility'. I don't think she ever says that ovulating late means you are unlikely to conceive, in contrast she indicates that knowing when you are likely to ovulate means you can have sex at the right time, even if it is day 30 or whenever.

also agree with digitalgirl's anlysis

affinia

A "normal" cycle is a cycle length of between 21 and 35 days.

If your cycles continue to be like this and or lengthen I would have a blood test done to see what your hormone levels are like. It may be that you are not ovulating, it is quite possible to have periods without ovulating.

Lay off using the opk's as well, they are of no benefit if cycles are long.

yeah a long cycle's fab when not TTC! ha ha

Sorry I've been offline since posting. Thanks for the replies, really helpful, especially to know it doesn't have to be a problem. Well CD 30 and still positive OPK so off we go again tonight (am shattered!). We don't rely on them at all, having been at it since CD17 but after 6 months they at least suggest the possibility that the reason haven't conceived yet is because I've got the timing wrong. Although if I am ovulating now and get period same time as last 3 months, have a luteal phase defect instead!!

Good luck Dogital Girl & Fruitlooop..and congrats mummypig!

i have had cycles between 33 and 39 days and i have ov pain and cm at cd 10!

I used to have a 39 day cycle and used to ovulate 7 days before my period...I always felt it, too...I never actually had period pains when not on the pill, it was always ovulation pain....

affinia

No, please put any thoughts of possibly getting timing wrong out of your mind!.

If you are getting multiple positive OPK results there may be a hormonal imbalance. These kits measure LH; if you are one of many women producing a higher than normal level of LH the kit will be reading that.

I would therefore consider seeking medical advice and have a blood test done to see what your hormone levels are actually like (it is possible to have periods without ovulating). BTW most docs are not convinced about LPD at all so you may well need to discuss that with a gynaecologist.