Irregular cycles - BBT chart help

[13lucy]

I had a MMC in September and my cycles have been really irregular since (they also were before the pregnancy).

My first cycle I ovulated on CD13 and had a short cycle with a very light/short period.

The second cycle I ovulated between CD 19-21 (premium and FF apps have said different days). I think this cycle may have been late due to COVID vaccine. I had another light/short period but slightly more flow than the last.

I'm now on my third cycle and still no positive OPK at CD19 and it's starting to bother me. I'm hoping it's on its way but not getting any other signs either and I really thought this might be my first 'normal' cycle after the miscarriage. The only sign I had was quite a bit of EWCM on CD14 which got my hopes up, but nothing on OPK or BBT.

I'm starting to worry that it might be a hormonal issue and wondering whether I should speak to my GP? Really want to get pregnant again and just feels like every day brings more disappointment. Any help and thoughts would be really appreciated!

Bumping in case anyone can help!

Hi @13lucy just wondered how you’re getting on? I had a mmc in October. My first period arrived 34 days following surgical management. My usual cycle length probably averages 34 days, so I was quite happy about that. But then in December I didn’t ovulate until day CD26 and had a 38 day cycle, and I’m now CD23 of the next with no positive OPK yet. Getting really fed up as I’m also desperate to be pregnant again.

Hi @Sage33 sorry for your loss. So far I've had 24, 30 and 35 day cycles and I've ovulated at CD 12, 19 and 23. In my fourth cycle I've ovulated at CD19 again so hoping that might become my regular! Having long and irregular cycles sucks but my advice is to keep testing until you get a peak! I've also started temping which has given me some reassurance that my body is functioning. I'm also due blood tests throughout my next cycle to check my thyroid and other hormone levels. I know the desperate feeling of wanting to be pregnant again but it's just so out of our control. I've been trying to stay in the present moment as much as I can but it's easier said than done!

Thanks for sharing @13lucy sorry you’re going through it too. It does suck! Feels like another kick in the teeth on top of everything else. I did get my peak over the weekend, hoping if it doesn’t happen this month my next cycle might be a bit more normal at least. Good that you’ve got some reassurance from temping and that you’re going for bloods. I had mine done in December, the first ones I had whilst on my period came back normal. My ‘day 21’ bloods I had on day 27, anticipating a 34 ish day cycle, but that was the one that was 38 days. My progesterone came back low (unsurprisingly given I’d only just ovulated) but the GP seemed adamant I’d had them done on the correct day, almost 2 weeks before my next period!? But then told me to wait a few more months with the mc not being that long ago before we repeat. Feel a bit stuck atm, but you’re right it’s out of our control, trying to concentrate on just looking after myself for the time being. Hope you get your bfp soon, and if not this cycle then hopefully some reassurance or answers from your bloods in the next

@Sage33 it's all so confusing isn't it! I was booked in for my first blood test on Friday but my period wasnt quite in full flow so luckily I had a backup appointment booked for Monday. Hoping it might give some answers to why my cycles are irregular. I didnt conceive this cycle which feels like another sucker punch but onwards we go. All we can do is keep trying and do what we can to stay healthy and make sure there are no underlying problems! My periods have also been very different since the miscarriage and that also gives me anxiety! Are you having any more tests or just seeing how things go?

@13lucy sorry to hear your period came, it’s so shit. It really is all so confusing. Glad you’re booked in for Monday though and fingers crossed you get some answers.

Well the doctor said that as I’d conceived within 1 year and because of my age (30 in a couple of weeks) it was unlikely I’d be seen by a fertility specialist yet even if she did refer me. But I had my coil out at the beginning of Dec 22, it took 8 months to get pregnant, I was 13 weeks before I had surgical management and now I have these stupidly long periods. It feels like forever since we started trying and I really worry about what’s in front of me. The doctor said to go back in a few months if I’ve not yet conceived and she’ll repeat the bloods and then refer if necessary. I’m an anxious person anyway so I find it quite hard to distinguish between what’s me being anxious/impatient and where it’s all completely valid and I should be pushing if that makes sense? One thing that really stood out for me with the mmc though was how poorly women’s health is managed and how much you have to advocate for yourself. So yeah, I’ll see how I go for maybe a couple more cycles!

Did it take you long to conceive the first time?

Hi, I’m sorry to hear about your losses @13lucy @Sage33
I have also recently had a MMC and had surgical management at the start of Jan.

previous to this we had been trying since May and have had a couple of chemical pregnancies in that time as well.
My periods are irregular and I have been tested for various things including PCOS but no cause found.
Im 37 so it might be normal as I head towards my perimenopause years!

When I started TTC I had an anovulatory cycle and started taking B6 and Vitex (agnus castus). I think these things helped regulate my cycle a bit. The Vitex was within a herbal mix from a medical herbalist and had other things in there too, supporting liver health was a bit factor I think (the liver processes all the hormones in the body).

The cycle I conceived in Nov 23 I had a ‘textbook’ ovulation on CD15 and a strong peak on the Opk.

I also temp and use fertility friend and find it invaluable for irregular cycles. Last week I thought I might be ovulating due to EWCM and CP but temping showed me I never did.
I am still testing positive on a pregnancy test though (almost 4 weeks since surgical management) so need a scan next week.

I think any major hormonal changes can take some time to re regulate in the body. It’s frustrating when you just want to get on with TTC. I’m trying to reframe it in my mind as an opportunity to get as healthy as I can before pregnancy, and do some things I couldn’t do when pregnant or in the TWW - saunas, occasional drink, that sort of thing.

Sorry to hear about yours too, @CurlyWurly1991 That’s interesting! I keep debating starting new vitamins/supplements (I’m just taking a vit B complex, folic acid and vit D right now) but then I’m always worried it will end up making my cycle longer. I think I might look into it for my next cycle though. I also had an earlier ovulation the cycle I conceived, I think that’s partly what’s making me so anxious about my longer cycles at the mo but I know plenty of women conceive when ovulating later on.

I’ve temped for a few of my cycles but it started to feel a bit much for me so I haven’t for a little while. I do agree though, as opks aren’t always the most reliable. Sorry you’re needing to go back for a scan, have you still been bleeding?

Yeah you’re right, it’s a big thing our bodies have been through. I definitely wasn’t looking after myself for a couple of months following mine too, so I’m trying to do the same. Going to try get some things in the calendar to look forward to too, I really don’t like how it becomes all consuming

Hi @Sage33 thank you. No I’m not bleeding any more, good news is now my pregnancy test is negative. Kind of sad too, isn’t it 😔
Totally understand your concern about taking things that can mess up your cycle. I’ve certainly experienced that a bit when changing supplements, so am going to try and keep things pretty constant from here.
Temping can certainly be a bit all consuming. I have a love/hate relationship with it. I use a basic bbt thermometer but was considering getting one from Amazon that stored temps over a longer period. So you don’t actually need to check it each day, iyswim. Might take the anxiety down a bit.
I am also looking at CB 4 day OPKs but they are soooo expensive!!

That is good news @CurlyWurly1991 Yes, really mixed emotions. Don’t think you ever imagine yourself staring at tests hoping the line would get lighter. Hopefully you feel a bit of relief though and like you can start to move forward.
That thermometer sounds really good! Yeah they are, and I’ve seen a real mix of opinions on here as to whether they’re any better than the cheaper ones like easy@home are. I feel so conflicted all the time as to whether I should be doing more to try to increase chances, or if that just puts more pressure on each cycle and causes that bit more disappointment when it doesn’t work. Especially when it’s a guessing game as to what might be beneficial (unless you get specialist tailored advice ofc) and also knowing that sometimes everything can be right, and it still might not work. I know I should focus on what I can control, but I think for me if that’s trying tonnes of different things each month, it makes the stuff I can’t control feel way more out of control, if that makes any sense at all?!
I would like to confirm ovulation is definitely happening since my mc though so I think I’m going to temp next cycle.
I’ve been feeling a little bit better in myself the last month or so, but a friend text me yesterday to let me know she was pregnant (unplanned, brand new relationship) and it’s really knocked me. AF is due this weekend for me and I know she’s on her way, so I’m hoping I’ll feel a little bit more positive with a new cycle.

Oh @Sage33 Im so sorry to hear you had to cope with your friends pregnancy news. It’s very hard because while of course I’m happy for the friends and family that have successfully conceived since we started TTC, it does hurt too.
I totally get where you are coming from the control/trying to keep things light/relax and it’ll happen mantra.
I found a good podcast called ‘don’t tell me to relax’ that was recommended on here: there are a few on different topics like temping, men’s fertility, etc.
I think everyone has their own personal ‘saturation point’ of where TTC starts to feel overwhelming. I’m happy with temping and tracking EWCM with OPKs to back up, but if I could drop those I certainly would.
I always feel crap on the days before my period. Hopefully you’ll feel a bit more positive on the other side and ready for a fresh cycle. I’m hoping something moves forward with mine as Im currently in limbo land between the MMC and waiting for that first ovulation or period.

@CurlyWurly1991 thank you - yeah it does. I have a friend who’s 6 weeks ahead of where I was too, she’s due soon. Whilst I’m happy for her, it’s so hard. Thanks for the podcast recommendation, I’ll definitely give that a go. I’ve been listening to ‘the worst girl gang ever’, which I’ve also found useful, they have a book too.
I do struggle with my mood before my period at the best of times so yeah, hoping I’ll feel more positive - and rational when it arrives! Fingers crossed one or the other arrives soon for you. It took about 5 weeks for my period to arrive but I know it takes longer for some people. Just an fyi, a few people had warned me and I’d seen lots on here about the first one being long and heavy. Mine was the opposite and lasted only 2 days and was very light, which then got me worrying! But I saw the GP around that time and she assured me it can be completely normal after surgical as your lining may be thin. Next one was more my normal

@Sage33 @CurlyWurly1991 sorry just catching up with the messages. I totally agree that women's health is so poorly managed, it's shocking and I found the whole EPU experience pretty horrendous. Luckily I had an amazing GP monitoring me via NHS 111 when I was going through the miscarriage (who had been through one herself) and my GP has also been brilliant.

We had a strange journey with TTC - I wasn't fully ready for the first couple of months (which sounds crazy now) so we weren't tracking anything and probably not hitting my fertile window. My periods then stopped for a few months last year and I was under the GP for it. I think my body was under stress so I started to eat more and stopped exercising for a few weeks. I was also tracking ovulation at that point and fell pregnant on the first ovulation after 3 months without a period, so a super long cycle! So although it took us about 8 months, there were probably only 2-3 months where I might have timed it right.

It's a totally different picture now as 3 months of tracking/timing everything hasn't worked and I'm still not exercising and trying to reduce stress. My cycles are still irregular although I seem to be ovulating around CD19-23. This is confirmed by temping, although it causes me a lot of anxiety and I'm keen to stop doing it soon but like you've both said, it's hard to draw the line with what to do vs not do. It feels all consuming at the moment but I don't want to miss an opportunity.

I had blood tests last week and now waiting for an appointment with the GP so assuming there might be something up with me. I think FSH/LH and oestrodoil was low, so another thing to worry about until I get to the appointment. Not sure if it's related to underactive thyroid. I've got another blood test after I ovulate to check progesterone levels, but it's so hard to book it in when you don't know when you're going to ovulate!

The consultant that did my MVA said I should conceive quickly so I have had that in my head and wonder why I'm not pregnant yet. I'm 32 now so I know realistically I have time, but I also regret not starting sooner.

@Sage33 sorry to hear you're having to deal with friends pregnancies, it's really tough. I'm going to visit my friend soon who had her baby not long after my miscarriage and not sure how I feel about it. I've been putting it off for so long but feel like I need to face it now. I eventually told my friend as I wanted her to understand why I'd been quiet. It's typical that when you're going through a loss all you see is pregnancies and babies! I think you just have to do what's right for you at the time.

@13lucy Ah yes the ovulation timing and progesterone is very hard to time. Some GPs are more clued up than others. It’s where temping is so useful, usually I catch a pretty clear surge on cheap OPKs and feel ov pain etc. This cycle I can only tell I’ve ovulated based on temps and the CM, I can’t be sure it’s happened because the temps aren’t as high as normal but there’s a definite shift.
Progesterone blood test on day 21 can be an early indicator of pregnancy for some. I’ve done it for two cycles and the first one came up borderline low progesterone so it was repeated the following cycle. It turned out I was pregnant and I knew because the progesterone was much higher (something like 55). So can be interesting to see that!
I think I’m about 5dpo and symptom spotting like a lunatic. I listened to a good episode of that podcast I mentioned - don’t tell me to relax - all about the TWW and how
to manage it psychologically. Lots of good tips I’ll be putting to use - mainly about trying to reduce anxiety, promote sleep etc. Not because it will affect chances of conception (it’s unlikely anything you do will make a difference by that point) but just for your own mental health.

@CurlyWurly1991 I agree temping is really useful. I'm trying to observe it rather than wanting to control it! I'm waiting for ovulation and strangely I've had a huge drop in temperature the last couple of days and a 0.38 increase this morning. I did an ovulation test yesterday and was negative, so I've got no idea what's happening. Just keep reminding myself that it's only a week until my GP appointment now and hopefully will get some answers.

That podcast sounds brilliant, I'll give it a listen! How do you find the 2ww? I think I find it the most stressful part of my cycle! We've only been TTC for 3 months since the miscarriage but with every month that passes I feel like my hope and positivity fades.

@13lucy hey, sorry I’ve only just seen this. Hope you’ve managed to get some answers with your first lot of bloods (or if your gp practice is as busy as mine, an appointment booked in!). The ‘day 21’ ones really are a pain. My area has an Extended Access Hub, which is essentially an out of hours surgery so my gp got me in there for both bloods as they didn’t have any appointments available at my usual docs. I had an evening and a weekend appointment which was helpful, it’s worth asking if there’s anything similar where you live.
You’re right about having to do what’s right for yourself re friends pregnancies. I have another friend who is due any time now and I was 6 weeks behind her. I’ve not seen her since my miscarriage and have felt like the most awful person ever, but from reading through threads on here and listening to podcasts realise that it’s completely normal. I think I need to get my due date out of the way first before I can face it. I hope your visit goes as well as it can for you.
CD11 for me now, wishing I had a 28 day regular cycle and that I’d be ovulating this week, but realistically even if I have a ‘normal’ cycle for me it’s going to be another 10 days.

@Sage33 Hiya, I actually had my GP appointment today and she said everything looked ok, which I guess is great but I still don't have an answer for the irregular cycles. I ovulated yesterday which was CD18 (last cycle was CD19) so fingers crossed it seems to be settling down.

For the day 21 test I've got an appointment booked at a blood clinic as they can never get blood out of me! I booked two appointments so I can cancel one now I've ovulated.

Sorry you're having to deal with your friend with a similar due date. It brings up really difficult emotions. I'm not sure how I feel about saying my friend but I don't want to put it off any longer. Someone else on here advised not to stay too long and have a reason to need to leave, so I'm going to do that. I also know my sister's best friend is due any time now and I know those baby photos will be going around. You're right in that it brings up such complex emotions. I think getting to due dates will be tough. Are you going to do anything on the day? I think I'm just going to keep busy but my therapist said it's good to acknowledge it and do something to remember if it feels right.

I hope you get some answers soon. Keep us posted!