Such a long cycle how will I ever get pregnant???

[NotBreeVanDeKamp]

Last "month's" cycle was 47 days, this "month" I'm on 50 and counting!

Have been TTC for over a year, cycles ranging from 28 to this mammoth 50. That means only about 7 times a year to get pregnant and I'm bloody 37. I never know when I'm supposed to be at it and with a 50 day cycle it's impossible to do it every other day. Getting very fed up.

Does anyone else have really long cycles? Any way to regulate them?

bump

notbree, when trying for our 2. baby my cycle was 48 days, but I was lucky, I pretty much ovulated around 14days before due on...so, that is when we did the deeds lots and lots!

It must be frustrating for you....but I suppose if you start around day 13 and go at it regularly to day 37 you might just catch the right time!

You probably already know how those little conception tricks, but I used to lay with my legs up in the air for at least 10 minutes after intercourse and than tried to postpone to go to the toilet for the next hour, just incase.

Thanks FairLady. Do you think there's any truth in people saying you shouldn't do it more than every 2 days to preserve the quailty of the sperm? Sounds like you were at it more often?

Have you been to speak to your doctor about blood tests yet. This would be my next step.

Yes, beanieb, first lot came back normal. Then the second lot was meant to be after I ovulated to check I actually had - but she sent me on day 21 which is probably about 10 days too early! I am going back to speak to her tomorrow.

NotBree

Interesting to see that you had a blood test done - what hormone levels were measured and when were they measured in the cycle?.

LH and FSH kickstart the whole ovulation process and this is usually measured and compared around day 3 (as your periods are irregular the test can be done according to calendar days). If your LH and FSH levels are awry then ovulation will be affected. The level of LH against FSH needs to be compared too - if that was not done on the last test result then it is meaningless.

I think something has been missed here by the GP.

It is not correct either to assume that ovulation happens 14 days before the start of the next period. No!!. Ovulation is not an exact science and it can occur earlier, later or not at all in any given cycle. With your cycle lengths being as they are I would have to assume that ovulation is not happening regularly if at all currently. Another myth is putting your legs in the air post intercourse - it does not help the sperm get there quicker.

Common causes of irregular cycles include a condition called polycystic ovaries (this is very common, another possible is thyroid problems. Both should be checked for properly by a gynae. You should also have an internal ultrasound scan done to see if your ovaries are polycystic.

Would return to the GP and ask for a referral to a gynae at a subfertility unit and do not take no for an answer!!. Gynaes generally like to see women over 35 if they have been trying for six months without success.

You need a diagnosis first and foremost and you need to be persistant in order to get answers. Don't let the GP keep mucking you around!.

Oh Bree, I'm in the same situation. Average cycle is about 39 days. I have been ttc dc 2 for the last year. And I'm 35 next month.
My friend has recommended I take Agnes Castus to help regulate my cycle, but I'm looking to go to the doctor soon to start some tests. Trying not to panic.

Please do not self medicate with AC - not suggesting you do not take this at all but if you decide to go down this route would seek the advice of a properly qualified medical herbalist beforehand.

AC is quite powerful stuff and it can actually make some hormonal problems worse hence the cautionary advice above.

I would see your GP and have blood tests done to see what your hormone levels are like. You can get your LH and FSH levels tested (these should also be compared against each other too) around day 3.

Sorry I should of said, I hadn't taken the AC yet and was waiting for doctor visit.

Thanks Attila

With DS1 my cycle was all over the place - I could not even tell you how long my cycles were - sometimes 10 months would pass with not AF! I was booked in for the dye-in-the-tubes test, and when I went they discovered I was already pregngant - miracle conception indeed! With DS2 my cycle had settled down a bit - still 60-ish days most times though, there has been no explanantion why it is like this and I have had easy pregnancies & births both times. I just wanted to give you a positive story! Good luck...

towards the end of last year my cycle was around 50 days. I got fed up like you and am now charting my temp and using opk sticks. Can't recommend it highly enough. Means I know exactly when i ovulated this month, and so can relax the rest of the time

have you had thyroid checks done? Mine is a bit underactive hence the long cycles. Starting thyroxine has brought the length down to about 33 days now

good luck

notbree, when ttc we were often at it a couple of times a day/night all through the cycle...but ttc would make me, erm, rather horny.

have you tried ov sticks - can get them very cheap from fertilityplan on ebay. They come in packs of 10 but you prob need 20 or even 30 and get a P&P discount.
I'm not fertilityplan btw

I had very long cycles, anything upto 6 months. Blood tests showed I wasn't ovulating but didn't have PCOS. I tried acupuncture and found it really helpful. Ov'd within 4 days of period and gradually got cycle to every 4-5 weeks.

Average cycle about 60 days if not more..if that can be called a cycle at all! but just got some blood tests done including a thyroid test. Going to see a GP, apparently some results are not normal.. Am actually quite thrilled!! This may mean whatever is causing the long cycle is probably found and can be cured and hopefully won't cause a problem when TTC... fingers crossed for the appointment..