Getting pregnant with irregular periods

[Ivy1990]

Hi all
I wondered if anyone had any gems of wisdom.
I have always had really irregular periods but last year they were more regular than they have been in ages, once a month from August until January. Since then I haven't had one at all and my husband and I have been trying to conceive since last September.
Is it possible to ovulate without having a period for this long or has anyone got any advice/tips?
Thanks

Have you been to the GP? Irregular periods were what led to me getting diagnosed with PCOS. Having less than 2 periods a year in the long term can be higher risk for other things so worth chatting to the GP early on.

Getting a diagnosis got us on a pathway for other help. We needed to use letrozole to get pregnant but other things that help PCOS are low carb / low sugar diet, low BMI, reducing stress, none of which are a medicalised approach (depending on your preferences).

Anything is possible. My sister has just recently found out she is 11 weeks pregnant but hasn't had a period for 5 months xx

That's the thing I had the blood test for POS and it came back negative. The GP wants me to go for the blood test when I'm ovulating but I can't tell when I'm ovulating because I have no periods.
I just didn't know if I can still ovulate without periods and the ovulation tests can get expensive.
It's so tricky because I have a stressful job and my family can be a bit stressful sometimes but I can't exactly control that stuff.
So easy to obsess over ovulation tests aswel and then cause more stress I don't know what the best approach is :/

Also congratulations to your sister that's great news!

OP have you looked into hypothalamic amenorrhoea? Can be caused by weight loss stress excessive exercise. Can cause loss of periods (due to no ovulation)

Just for reassurance, I conceived both my children very quickly (second and first months of trying) but at completely bizarre places in my irregular cycle, to the point I don't really understand the conception date for either of them. I've never had regular periods and there is no underlying cause as far as I'm aware. Obviously it doesn't work for everyone and there are many factors at play, but if we hadn't been having sex at least every other day I don't think it would have happened.

I also conceived my DS during a 4 month long cycle. We weren't trying so just obviously fell very lucky.

we have started to try for no 2. I've started taking some Agnus castus (which I've read can be helpful in regulating periods). Going to give it a try for a few months and see while DTD every other day!

That's really helpful thanks so much ladies. Il try that herbal stuff and have an appointment with the GP on the phone soon but I never seem to get anywhere with them.
Works a bit mad at the minuet as well and I'm doing a masters so it could just be stress. I have lost a wee bit of weight I think but not much and I'm still a healthy BMI so not sure if it would be that but I have no problem stuffing my face just in case! Think I'd melt in this weather without a perpetual supply of ice cream anyway!

My Gp isn't the most helpful either. Was fobbed off a few time years ago as I always suffered from irregular cycles and they just threw me on BC. Was tested for PCOS but apart from the periods I don't meet the markers.

going to give ttc a go for a few months and if no success I'll be going to them... or using DH private healthcare to get some tests done!

fingers crossed for us!!

Same I've been tested for POS but everything seemed normal. I can get put on the waiting list for IVF either until I've been trying for over a year and then it's an 18month wait minimum so hoping it won't come to that!
Thanks so much for your advice anyway and best of luck!

@Irishgirl55 did the Agnus Cactus work? I used to have regular periods of 27/28 days apart from the odd time when I travelled and it changed it, but after 40 found they can be as little as 23 days apart. I have also had a stressful couple of years which probably is affecting me.

@YorkshireTeaCup did you try and low carb low sugar diet? I am wondering if the longer time between periods is when I eat better. I had been strict for a while and lately have lapsed and my period was 22 days apart.

@Sparks654 I tried the Angus cactus but also tried myova... I had heard about it on this forum somewhere.

after taking it for a few weeks... I found out I was pregnant in the aug after a 126 day cycle.

Had my DD in May 2023.

I definitely think one of them helped! Good luck!

@Ivy1990 when you say your GP has tested for POS, which blood tests have they actually done and do you have the results for each noted?

@Ivy1990 . IVF list, have you been offered clomid or similar. My GP prescribed them, I ovulated and got pregnant within three months.

Discuss this with your GP.