16dpo and no AF?!

[hopingforapeainapod]

Hi all. I don’t know whether I am getting my hopes up unnecessarily. I got a blazing positive OPK on 5th of November so assumed I ovulated on the 6th. That would make me 16dpo today and yet no sign of AF. I had AF style cramps at the weekend and a dip in my BBT so assumed I was out again this month, but no sign yet and my BBT went back up today (pic attached - I didnt track at the beginning of the month so maybe my temps aren’t reliable this cycle). I took a test on Saturday (12dpo) and it was stark negative. AF-like cramps have gone, and my skin is really clear whereas normally it breaks out like mad around this time. I know I should just wait until tomorrow and test but I can’t bear the thought of another negative. Am I still in with a chance?!

How long are your cycles usually?

They do very between 28-33 days. My luteal phase is always 13-15 days though…

Hmmm…o guess if you really don’t want to do a preg test then maybe wait until day 33…if your temp is still high then I would think it’s likely you’re pregnant? You could always take an OPK…not as disappointing as a preg test but picks up the hormones x

Yeah that might be a good idea - will see what my temp is like in the morning and decide! I’ve just been ttc for over a year now and told myself I would stop testing because I’m so sick of seeing negatives and instead I would just wait for af to arrive and then she’s nowhere to be seen! Tbh I have absolutely zero pregnancy symptoms so would be incredibly surprised if I am, I also just have zero PMS symptoms either which is also unusual for me!

Was it an early detection test you did OP? And with FMU? X

Personally, I think BBT is given too much credit and probably isn't a great indicator. But that's just me

Took a test this morning - BFN. Still no sign of AF though. Unless I got my ovulation day wrong, but I had all the symptoms and a positive OPK on CD13 (I’m now CD31) so surely I can’t be too far out?!

LH tests are your best bet for tracking I think

@Outliers OPK tests are LH tests right? I do both…

anyway I am now 18dpo and still no sign of AF (?!) feeling very confused. If I’m not pregnant I just want my period to arrive now.

my only thought is what if I had a positive OPK but didn’t actually ovulate after all (although that would contradict my temp chart)

if you have an anovulatory cycle, when does your period come?!

It sounds like a late period. Unless you have a specific condition, or at breastfeeding, its quite likely you did ovulate.

Late AFs are probably more inconvenient than early ones, but they always come.

AF has literally just shown up sadly :( :( thanks for the advice all x

@hopingforapeainapod ahh I’m sorry. I guess it kind of is a good thing to get AF done & start fresh though. So your cycle was 31 days this time which is within the normal range so that’s good. I read online that in most women the luteal phase lasts 12 to 14 days but a “normal” luteal phase can last anywhere from 11 to 17 days. It’s says that if you have a long luteal phase it can be down to a hormone imbalance or PCOS. How do you feel about it all?

@4LeafCloverBaby I feel relieved in that it’s a new cycle / new opportunity to start afresh but also feel frustrated - have been ttc for a year now and never had a bfp. I’ve had baseline bloods and an ultrasound done - they said I have polycystic ovaries but because I have normal testosterone levels and regularish periods (they vary between 28-33 days) I don’t qualify for PCOS. But yeah you’re right this cycle length was actually very normal I was just surprised because I ovulated earlier than usual so thought AF would come earlier too. Think I was just grasping at straws and looking for any sign that I might be pregnant - am definitely now having one of those days where I fear I might never be but that is probably just period hormones talking!

@hopingforapeainapod I can’t imagine how frustrated you must feel 😔 especially with the rush of AF hormones too! How old are you if you don’t mind me asking? What have you tried so far to help with conception? I have done a lot of research so I’m wondering if there is anything I can suggest that you haven’t already tried? Or you can tell me to buzz of if you don’t want fixing & just want to have a rant lol…I’m a bit of a “fixer” But I understand that’s not always what people want x

@4LeafCloverBaby haha no don’t worry I am definitely looking for a fix - I find the ‘diagnosis’ of unexplained infertility infruriating! I’m 30 so have got time on my side at least? I have tried tracking OPKs and BBT obviously; I’ve tried acupuncture (which has helped to make my periods more regular as they went a bit mad after I first came off the pill) and preseed… taking Zita West multivitamins… legs in the air after DTD!!

@hopingforapeainapod thats great that you are only 30 so definitely have time on your side! It sounds like you are doing all the right things. Has your partner been tested at all? The only other thing that I have looked into is the fertility cup which has a lot of good reviews. Might be worth a try? Will attach a pic of the one I bought from Amazon. Some women say they had been trying for months & fell pregnant in first month using it. I’ve seen posts on here about it too. x

@hopingforapeainapod I'm really sorry AF arrived. Such a kick in the teeth especially if you feel as low as I usually do. Sending 🩷