The curse of the irregular cycle

[shonaspurtle]

..and other stories of suspense and mystery.

Buggering, buggering cycle. It's roughly 31 days if I average it out but every once in a while it throws in a 27days or a 34 days just to keep me on my toes and get my hopes up .

Last month was 27 days so at least I knew it was another fail month early.

This month, spots, sore norks, cramping but nada by day 32. I was getting excited but not wanting to test until I was at least 35 days. Googling "early pregnancy symptoms", which are of course the same as "just about to get your period symptoms".

Almost caved and bought a test yesterday. Today, boobs not sore. Cramping worse. AF just started so a 33 day cycle.

Now, this is not abnormal. I wasn't technically even "late" given my cycle, hence not wanting to test. But once again, I got my hopes up. Bugger.

I might just get some cheapy tests and start testing from day 28, just to give me something to do other than knicker check every 5 minutes.

shonaspurtle have you tried temping, your temp will go up after ov then go down as af arrives, if pg then it stays up,I think that's right, it's a long time since I've done it, but might save you some money. Or go to babymad.com and get some cheap hpt's, they worked for me. Good luck, and boo to crap irregular cycles

Thanks Vjay. I haven't tried temping. Have done a couple of months with OPKs but not with a lot of success.

I generally work out what the earliest and latest dates are I'm likely to ov going by my shortest and longest cycle and the SWI as much as possible between them. I keep an eye on the ol EWCM too.

Never been too sure about temping as I'm forgetful and disorganised and I'm not sure if I'd be able to remember often enough to get an idea about what's going on but at this stage anything's worth a try.

Ds was conceived 2nd time of trying so this is all wonderfully new [hollow laugh].

Oh I am so with you. Mine can be 28 days for several months and then suddenly 35 days. we're only on our 2nd mth of ttc #2 so should still be taking it easy but period was due on saturday and still hasn't come, not only that but not even any sign of it. I normally get a great big spot (or two) in the runup to AF and nothing this month, nothing. So does it mean I haven't even ovulated???

Got myself so convinced I was pregnant but did a test last thursday (yes I know far too early) and one this morning and both negative. On alert for cramps or anything but nothing at all. Weird. And frustrating!

It's frustrating, and then if you find you're pregnant and go for a scan some of them look at you like an over-anxious timewaster when you're only 8 and a half weeks along. It's impossible to know though! My lmp was 6th November and so how could I know I'd only be 10 1/2 weeks by now? However, I am grateful for having half as many periods as most, in all of my life apart from ttc time!

Oh good luck Maveta.

If you had a long cycle this month it's maybe too early to show up? Am the master of straw clutching . It aint over till it's over and all that.

Crappy cramps. I don't even normally get period pains so it's adding insult to injury.

Definitely in favour of using the cheap HCG tests though - can get 3 for £1 at local Savers and 99p stores - must have used about 15 in the last year!

Oh i know, im the same, it is a buggery bollocking nuisance i agree.

sigh

Not at all straight forward at all.

You dont know if you are coming or going do you.

Sympathies x

thanks, know what you mean about the cramps! Also agree it's normally great having periods less often EXCEPT when TTC. I lost my calendar charting my periods and had it 100% in my head that my last few were 28 days..I remember commenting to dh about it as it was so surprising.. god knows what dates I was looking at - probably pay dates HAHAHA (despair). just found it and since last june they've been like this:

38
39
36
35
32
35
28
31 and counting

So evidently I was waaay off base and am not likely due until at least saturday. Pooooo!! Which yes leaves a slight chance still this month but in reality just room for more delusion (sob). Like you it only took 2 tries for ds so already worry we've used up our one easy pregnancy and am due for a longer wait this time

I like the idea of cheapy tests - those two tests cost me 20 quid all together. Can't afford to spend that every month!!

Yes, they're just the same as the ones doctors use as far as I'm aware, tiny little dipsticks with no fancy features and you have to pee in a cup rather than onto the stick, but not so much of a hardship considering the saving - you could buy plastic cups especially and it's still be cheaper.