Ovulation

[Anonymous]

I just ordered TCYF, so I think the answers I am looking for are in there, but I thought I would post here while I wait for it to arrive. We have been TTC since I stopped BCP in March. My first period took a while (38 days), and the next two were very short (21 days) so I started taking 50mg of B6. Last month, I had some spotting at 21 days and then got AF (maybe?) at 28 days, but only lasted a day and a half (usually AF lasts 4-6 days for me). Now I am over a week "late" (it's been 35 days since my 2 day 'something'), but HPTs are negative.

I KNOW I should have been charting, and plan to start that soon (was hoping for AF to start, so I had some sort of idea of where I am in my cycle), but I am starting to worry that I'm not ovulating at all- could my 2 days of AF just have been breakthrough bleeding, and am now "late" because I'm just not ovulating at all?

FWIW, I'm young (27), and when I went in for a pre-conception visit, the doc did mention that he would want me to TTC for a year before getting concerned about it not happening- but that seems SO far away! Should I maybe call now anyway, to see what they say?

If anyone has had any similar experiences, or any words of wisdom about what could be going on with my body, I'd really appreciate it. If the answer is in TCYF, just let me know that, and hopefully I'll be reading about it soon!
Thanks!

[Anonymous]

What were your periods like before you were on BCPs? Were they also irregular? It wouldn't hurt to ask your OB to run Day 3 bloodwork (on Day 3 of your next cycle) to check your hormone levels (FSH, estrogen, LH and prolactin) and also have them check your thyroid to see if there is maybe a hormonal reason for the irregular cycles.

[Anonymous]

I don't necessarily think you have anything to worry about. You are still fairly early in the process and it can take awhile to get back on track once go off BCP. I had the same irregular cycles after going off. It is also impossible to know if you are ovulating based on just length of cycles so I wouldn't jump to that conclusion. Once you start charting you will be able to tell.

It wouldn't hurt getting your day 3 work done for hormone levels and maybe vaginal ultrasound for cysts, fibroids, polyps, etc (which can cause irregular cycles).

But really I think you are going to be fine and your symptoms a bit normal for going off BCP. Once start charting and can time baby making to ovulation (which TCYF will describe in detail) you will actually get a better idea if any problems, or not!

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

OP here- thanks for the feedback! I will give my OB a call and see what they think about doing some bloodwork, and start charting. Never thought I'd be TTC and wishing for AF, but with the BFNs, I'm ready to just get this cycle overwith and start on a new one!

[Anonymous]

OP here again- I never really paid attention to my cycles before TTC, but they were irregualr before BCP. Also, I do know that I had an ovarian cyst on a CT scan that was done for other reasons a few years ago (kidney stones)... I guess I didn't really think about all of that. I just assumed TTC would be easy (I had an oopsie in the past), isn't it what we are here to do? This board has been so helpful- no one else knows we are TTC, which has been lonely, but logging in daily gives me a sense of belonging!

[Anonymous]

I am 32 and had been TTC for about six months when I went in for my regular annual OB/GYN visit. The doctor ordered a semen analysis for my husband, which came back irregular. We did another test a month later (standard if you get irregular results) and it also came back irregular. I immediately made an appointment to go to a fertility specialist, and by the time we got through all of that and got an appointment it had been about a year of TTC. So I would suggest going back to your doctor at the six-month mark, if not sooner. I think they typically want you to TTC for a year, but if you know that you have issues, there is no reason to wait (though some insurance companies do require trying for one year before they will cover fertility services if you are under 35).

I have a good friend who did not get her period at all for a few months after going off the pill. She went to an RE and got pregnant on her first round of Clomid & TI and just had a baby. Best of luck!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here again- I never really paid attention to my cycles before TTC, but they were irregualr before BCP. Also, I do know that I had an ovarian cyst on a CT scan that was done for other reasons a few years ago (kidney stones)... I guess I didn't really think about all of that. I just assumed TTC would be easy (I had an oopsie in the past), isn't it what we are here to do? This board has been so helpful- no one else knows we are TTC, which has been lonely, but logging in daily gives me a sense of belonging!

An ovarian cyst can interfere with the cycles. However, I doubt your doc would just let you walk around for years with an ovarian cyst without at least checking up on it. I had one a few years ago and it went away on its own, but my doctor did mention about surgery if it didn't go away eventually.

[Anonymous]

OP here again- I did end up calling my OB yesterday, who recommended getting a OPK and testing every day, so that if there is an LH surge I would know. We're going to do that until October, and if there's no baby yet, she said we will try Clomid and (something else, starting with a P).
Got off the phone with them and starting SOBBING. My poor confused DH had no idea what was going on, he thought I'd be happy that they were not going to make us wait a year to "take the next step"... I guess I never really thought I'd have to consider "taking the next step"
Thanks to everyone for the advice!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here again- I did end up calling my OB yesterday, who recommended getting a OPK and testing every day, so that if there is an LH surge I would know. We're going to do that until October, and if there's no baby yet, she said we will try Clomid and (something else, starting with a P).
Got off the phone with them and starting SOBBING. My poor confused DH had no idea what was going on, he thought I'd be happy that they were not going to make us wait a year to "take the next step"... I guess I never really thought I'd have to consider "taking the next step"
Thanks to everyone for the advice!!

I would recommend at least having your husband have a semen analysis before going on Clomid. I had irregular cycles and my OB wanted to have me try Clomid but said DH should be tested first. It turns out we have severe male factor infertility, so Clomid would not have helped. It's very easy for DH to get tested.