Weird varying cycles; speaking to a doctor later - what shall I ask?

[BabyValentine]

Somebody may remember my thread from a few weeks ago Random varying cycle Negative OPKs - wish I'd never started with the damned things!

Well, in a nutshell: TTC#2 (fell pregnant first month with DC1, with regular 30 day cycles). My cycles have been a little haywire over the last few months. Averaging at 32-33 days with a random 42-day cycle last November! December cycle was 33 days. Negative OPKs all through January except for the day before my period started . January cycle 28 days. And I started bleeding on Sunday on DC18!

What is going on? At first I thought (hoped) it might be an implantation bleed, as I had no cramps or backache which I always get with my periods - but it was quite red and perhaps equivalent to a light period, so then I convinced myself something was dreadfully wrong. Then I googled and convinced myself it could be cervical erosion (sex 10 days straight!). Then over the next few days the blood lessened and my rampant thoghts swung back to a rather heavy implantation bleed. And then it increased again, so I have resigned myself to the fact that it is a period (been going for 5 days), but a 17-day cycle!

Never in 20 years of periods have I had a cycle of less than 26-27 days. WTF is going on!

BTW, I have been doing fertility friend for a couple of weeks (no ovulation detected), but my temperatures are all over the place, but I wake a lot during the night, so I'm sure that must be affecting things.

My GP is ringing me this afternoon - what should I ask? Will she think I'm making a fuss over nothing? Sensible advice from those with more experience would be great - as I am starting to get really worried that something is broken somewhere.

TIA

bump?

Hi BabyValentine I don't have much advice I'm afraid but I mentioned to my doctor that I was having odd cycles about a year ago and they said they wouldn't consider there to be a problem until they had been unusual for 6 months. It was around November/December of 2008 and it was like I was getting 2 periods a month as my cycles were so short.
It went away on it's own after a couple of months and I'm fairly regular(ish) between 24-32 days but normally 28. I put the change in my cycle down to really poor lifestyle at the time (I was exhausted and out till late every night on the piss.)

Don't know if any of this is relevant to you especially if your cycles have been erratic for longer. Try not to worry, just describe what has been happening, I doubt they'll be able to give you any suggestions as to what's causing it at this point anyway so I expect it will be more a case of the doctor asking you questions. The main thing to ask, is if they are doing tests which ones they are going to do and what they expect that to show.

Good Luck with it!

mine have been 26, 36, 29, 26, 33. I think stress is effecting ovulation thus making some cycles longer. A very early period is strange though isnt it, as that would mean you either ovulated during your last AF, or your luteal phase is only a few days long??!! definately time to ask the docs for a blood test, just to be sure. Day 3/21 (if you make it that long). I reckon though that this is just a blip. I dont thing it matter to much if periods change by a few days either way.

Thanks for you replies, lucie and lucy!

LucyBrad, you're spot on. If I hadn't had this strange short cycle I wouldn't be so worried. It is this 17 day cycle rather than the odd 42 day cycle that is concerning me most. I had assumed that the 42-dayer was delayed/missed ovulation due to stress (although I don't recall being particularly stressed) but this 17-day one is just plain weird.

LucieLoo - you sound reassuring! - I'm a little bit worried that the doctor will think it is a lot of fuss over nothing. But my lifestyle is as it has been - okay, eat fairly healthy (vegetarian), off the booze since New Year, not much exercise, but average weight. Busy chasing a toddler. A little stressed (surprise, surprise!).

No harm in asking BV Do you have a Well Woman Dr at your GP's? That's who I went to see and she was very understanding. Always better to get things checked out rather than ignored so I'm sure your Doctor will take you seriously

In case anyone is still interested (!) the chat with the doctor went as I expected.

Very straightforward - how long have you been having irregular periods? She said that a year is significant. Any other symptoms (pain, fever, bowel changes)? No. Smears up-to-date? Yes. Weight loss, weight gain? No. And then 'What would you like from us?'!

I said that I'd like to know I was ovulating, she agreed and suggested a blood test on the 5th March (CD27) to check progesterone levels, along with thyroid function.

So I'm not hugely encouraged, but I'm pleased that I will be having a test to prove/disprove ovulation. Any way, might have a glass of vino tomorrow evening to commiserate!

Thanks everyone