Long cycles making it hard to conceive

Crazyfarmgirl · 2024-12-28T09:06:06+00:00

I've been off contraceptive for 2 years, and my cycles went from 17 days to 37 days on average. This cycle I thought I had ovulated on the 8th as I had a peak. Then got another peak on the 19th, so I think I might have ovulated late. By the time my period is due I'll be on cycle day 45. Is this normal or should I be looking further into this? I'm guessing this is why I'm struggling to conceive because of the length of my cycles. I had a scan a few months ago which came back normal so I just need a blood test to confirm.

mitogoshigg · 28/12/2024 09:07

Just have sex regularly, every couple of days, maximising your chances to conceive

sel2223 · 28/12/2024 09:07

Hi OP, I've been suffering long and irregular cycles for a good few years now having previously been regular as clockwork for 20 years!
I'm currently 27 weeks and got my BFP on cd56 so it can still happen but it did take me a lot longer than normal

Original poster

Crazyfarmgirl · 28/12/2024 09:10

My partner isn't too keen on sex (yes I'm being serious 😂) so we usually stick to once or twice a week. I try and fit in 2 during my peak and the day after. So I suppose it could be a case of not catching on time

OP posts:

Original poster

Crazyfarmgirl · 28/12/2024 09:15

sel2223 · 28/12/2024 09:07

Hi OP, I've been suffering long and irregular cycles for a good few years now having previously been regular as clockwork for 20 years!
I'm currently 27 weeks and got my BFP on cd56 so it can still happen but it did take me a lot longer than normal

Thank you that gives me some hope. I think I'm around 8-9dpo, but of course I was too impatient to wait to test. Unsurprisingly bfn, so I've convinced myself I'm out again this month😂Going to refrain from testing until the 3rd which is going to be difficult!

OP posts:

smashedbanana · 28/12/2024 09:26

@Crazyfarmgirl
Everyone is different, I had irregular cycles for years and could only get pregnant once they were regulated. We were trying for 4 years.
Eventually I managed to get my cycles to 28 days by doing the following:

exercise 3 times a week
ate normally but reduced my glucose spikes (followed tips from book Glucose Goodness book)

The month I got pregnant I was also taking melatonin supplements before bed so my sleep had been amazing which I think helped regulate everything. Good luck xx

xMsXhX · 28/12/2024 09:41

I had the same issue after coming off contraceptives - I had no period initially (for 5 months!) and once it returned, my cycles were very irregular, anywhere between 24 and 54 days. I contacted my GP and they advised putting me on the waiting list for IVF immediately. It's a good job I followed his advice, as that was in 2021, and we didn't get to the top of the waiting list until February this year, at which point we still hadn't conceived naturally.

You mentioned you "thought you ovulated" - how are you tracking this? I was only using an app, which assumes ovulation takes place every cycle and amends the estimated ovulation each cycle once the next period started. But due to the irregularities in cycles, this wasn't especially helpful. Additionally, once booked in at the IVF clinic, they ran additional tests and the consultant told me that in any cycles which are longer than 35 days, ovulation isn't taking place at all and therefore conception isn't possible during these cycles (despite what my app suggested). It's also worth noting they found no underlying cause for this - my egg reserve/AMH levels were good for my age and DH's sperm analysis also came back normal, so we were diagnosed with unexplained infertility. My personal opinion is that years of hormonal contraceptives have messed up my natural cycles, though no medical professional has ever acknowledged that this could be a possibility!

With your cycles being as long as they are, I would strongly advise you speak to a doctor and start preparing for a back up plan just in case it doesn't work naturally. In our case, we ended up doing IVF in September and it worked first time, currently 16+4. I'm delighted, but it's been a 3 year wait to get here. I wish you the best of luck TTC!

Birdsongsinging · 28/12/2024 10:05

I had long cycles and got a small dose of clomid and got pregnant within a couple of months.

Blue2020 · 28/12/2024 10:14

If I was you I would buy the easy at home ovulation tests and test 1-2 times a day to pinpoint ovulation. Or you could take your temperature bbt but that’s only good to confirm ovulation happened.

Original poster

Crazyfarmgirl · 28/12/2024 10:20

Blue2020 · 28/12/2024 10:14

If I was you I would buy the easy at home ovulation tests and test 1-2 times a day to pinpoint ovulation. Or you could take your temperature bbt but that’s only good to confirm ovulation happened.

That's what I've been doing, using lh strips twice daily since October. I definitely had a peak at the beginning of the month (test line stronger than the control) and 2 days of high and peak tests on the 19-20th. So I'm thinking I tried to ovulate and failed. Then tried again a few weeks later

OP posts:

Original poster

Crazyfarmgirl · 28/12/2024 10:26

xMsXhX · 28/12/2024 09:41

I had the same issue after coming off contraceptives - I had no period initially (for 5 months!) and once it returned, my cycles were very irregular, anywhere between 24 and 54 days. I contacted my GP and they advised putting me on the waiting list for IVF immediately. It's a good job I followed his advice, as that was in 2021, and we didn't get to the top of the waiting list until February this year, at which point we still hadn't conceived naturally.

You mentioned you "thought you ovulated" - how are you tracking this? I was only using an app, which assumes ovulation takes place every cycle and amends the estimated ovulation each cycle once the next period started. But due to the irregularities in cycles, this wasn't especially helpful. Additionally, once booked in at the IVF clinic, they ran additional tests and the consultant told me that in any cycles which are longer than 35 days, ovulation isn't taking place at all and therefore conception isn't possible during these cycles (despite what my app suggested). It's also worth noting they found no underlying cause for this - my egg reserve/AMH levels were good for my age and DH's sperm analysis also came back normal, so we were diagnosed with unexplained infertility. My personal opinion is that years of hormonal contraceptives have messed up my natural cycles, though no medical professional has ever acknowledged that this could be a possibility!

With your cycles being as long as they are, I would strongly advise you speak to a doctor and start preparing for a back up plan just in case it doesn't work naturally. In our case, we ended up doing IVF in September and it worked first time, currently 16+4. I'm delighted, but it's been a 3 year wait to get here. I wish you the best of luck TTC!

Ah congratulations on your pregnancy!! I'm not eligible for IVF on the NHS unfortunately, as I have a child already. I tracked with strip tests, the apps were useless for me. I'm going to wait to see if AF comes this cycle, and if still no bfp I'll go back to the doctor. I'm only 26 so I've got time on my side, but everyone I know my age are conceiving within 1-3 months. I haven't been on hormonal contraceptive since I was 19, but I was on it back to back from the age of 12 which couldn't have done my body much good. I suppose it's just a case of having to wait and see (and hold off testing until the 3rd, but can't guarantee I'll stick to that!!)

OP posts:

xMsXhX · 28/12/2024 11:04

Even though you're not eligible for IVF, there may be other options to explore. I have a friend who was prescribed Metformin to support with ovulation and she fell pregnant immediately after a year or so of trying without it. So it may still be worth speaking to a doctor about your irregular cycles, to see if they can prescribe anything to regulate them?