I am completely fucking sick of my period not showing up when it's supposed to.

[ProfessorBranestawm]

Cycle getting longer each month, currently on day 43 (previous longest 38). I wouldn't mind so much - having fewer periods over the year - but I still get cramps and mood swings from day 28 or so. So I spend days and days expecting it any moment, in pain and tearful.

I've asked around before about this and people have said that stress can delay ovulation. But I've been ovulating at the normal time each cycle, day 15ish.

I saw the GP last month as I was wondering if I had a UTI (I once had one that got so back my periods stopped), but nope.

I'm not pregnant so what is this? It's really ruining a huge amount of my month.

I'm 30, had 2 healthy pregnancies age 20 and 22, never been on any hormonal contraception.

Any ideas please?

Calm down! :)
The likelihood is it's a tiny hormonal blip. Lengthening cycles like this are usually due to variations in progesterone so it's maybe something that could be sorted with the mini pill.

The only investigations are likely to be blood tests. You do need to be aware though that periods going AWOL for a long time or really long cycles ( 6-8 weeks) could be a sign of premature ovarian failure (which needs hormonal treatment.)

Regular cycles are not actually the norm. Many women think they are, but in fact most women have cycles that vary from month to month. Mine used to be long- 35 days in my teens and early 20s- then over the years they gradually got shorter until about 24-26 days just before menopause.

Try not to worry but keep a record for a few months and see your GP.

Thank you Polly :) I'll book an appt today and make sure I go armed with my calendar!

Booked an appt, first available was mid April!
Any thoughts on particular things I should say please? I haven't met this doctor before