Ovulation but no AF and BFN?

[malloo]

I had very definite ovulation pains 3 weeks ago but AF not yet arrived and several BFNs. My cycle has not been regular since coming off the pill but surely if I ovulated I will get AF? I know you can have periods without ovulating but can you ovulate without periods?!

I dont think you can really tell if you've ov'd without temping. I was so absolutely convinced I had ov'ed a couple of weeks ago as I had every possible ov sign but I didnt get my thermal shift. I have now ovulated 7 days ago. Have you thought about temping? Might be an idea especially as it takes months and months for AF's to return to normal after the pill

They may not have been ovulation pains either. No periods - no ovulation.

The pill leaves your cycle very quickly after the last tablet has been taken.
It should certainly not take a long time for the cycle to return.

There is no evidence to suggest that the pill is responsible for failure to ovulate but what the pill can do is mask any hormonal imbalance that's always been present.This may be what is happening here. If your cycle has been irregular since stopping the pill then a hormonal imbalance cannot be ruled out.

Would advise you not temp chart if the cycle is irregular.

Would speak to your GP and have a blood test done asap to see what your hormone levels are like. Your LH (luteinising hormone) and FSH (follicle stimulation hormone) needs to be looked at and compared.

thanks for the responses. my gp did blood tests a few months ago as I had no periods for 6 months after stopping the pill but hormone levels were OK. I got pregnant with DS1 in the first cycle after stopping the pill so I was a bit surprised about things taking so long to get back to normal this time round, maybe its just that I'm older now. Hadn't really considered that I could have the pain and not ovulate as it is not like any other type of pain and I used to get it every cycle before I was on the pill. I suppose you don't really know whats going on inside! I'll maybe leave it a couple of months to see if things get back to normal then go back to gp.

Can you recall what hormone levels were looked at at that time?.

The result of any test done over six months ago should be discounted. You need up to date results.

Mid cycle pain, particularly if it keeps happening, needs to be investigated further to ascertain the cause. If you want you could keep a diary detailing such symptoms to see if there is a definitive pattern.

You can have all the signs of ovulation and not actually release an egg, perhaps if the hormone levels don't quite reach the point required to trigger egg release.

Illness and stress can result in delayed Ovulation which in turn results in a longer cycle and no period when you would expect it.

I actually think that temping for one cycle would be very beneficial because it will show you whether your cycle is anovulatory, which then can lead to testing where necessary.

If you are over 35 and have been actively TTC conceive for 6 months or longer without success, then the current recommendation is to visit your GP.

hth