[GoldenTickets]

Hi ladies -- Once I get my first AF after m/c, I am going to start this whole TTC thing. I've signed up for fertilityfriend.com and am currently receiving their email "lessons" on charting... I wish you didn't have to pay a fee to use all features of the website.. oh well though, I guess I can try the limited version for awhile and see how it works for me and always upgrade if needed.

Anyway, does charting still work pretty well you ladies with irregular cycles? Over the last year, my cycles have ranged anywhere from 26 days to 64 days, so predicting ovulation can be difficult, I imagine. It seems like charting is following symptoms (temperatures, cm, etc.), so I guess this is the only way to predict ovulation with my irregular cycles.

Do ob/gyn's do anything about irregular cycles for ladies who are trying to conceive? I've been tracking AF since July 2007 (because they were going crazy -- breakthrough bleeding, etc.). Shortly after starting to track AF, I went 20 weeks without her showing up. (DH and I were using condoms at that time, and I was not under stress, so I did not see an explanation for it) I went to the gyno, and they prescribed a medication (I forget what) to jump start my period. It worked, and AF showed up. I didn't get another one for 16 weeks after that, but they've been somewhat "regular" since then. (Typically ranging from 4 weeks - 10 weeks... so not really regular!!).

Anyway, my point for posting this long story is that my cycle has the ability to be "uncooperative," especially with us actively TTC. If I provide my gyno with a list of my irregular cycles over the last few years, is there anything that can be done to help them be more regular? Or do I have to be actively TTC for a year before they typically do anything?

Thanks for all your help!

[MeganMomof5]

I can't help you on the irregular cycles since I haven't had them, but I just wanted to say that I upgraded my fertility friend on the cycle I got pregnant on last, and I really liked it...I think it's worth the money...They have a lot of cool features to use.

[~InHisHands~]

I can't really answer the irregular cycles quesitons since my cycles seem to be like clockwork but I can say I LOVE charting. The best book to read for it is Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler. Oh & I use the software the book recommends... Ovusoft. I like it much better than FF AND it's a one time fee.

[ohnicole]

I also have been dealing with irregular cycles (ranging from 35-77 days since we started TTC in April of 2009). I absolutely could not handle TTC without charting, monitoring my cervical mucus, and using OPKs. The uncertainty of never knowing when to expect AF, wondering if I could be pg or if I had ovulated yet or not would drive me crazy.

I have the VIP on FF and I really like it. My charts show a clear temperature shift when I ovulate, despite my irregular cycles.

As for trying to catch ovulation with BDing, since you have irregular cycles, monitoring cervical mucus (looking for egg white cervical mucus- EWCM) and using OPKs are the only thing that will give you a heads up on when to expect ovulation. I usually get EWCM 2-3 days before I ovulate (everyone is different on that though), and I usually get a positive OPK 1-2 days before I ovulate. They both tell me to ramp up my BDing to try to catch the egg.

Other than that, I try to cover my bases by TRYING to BD every other day starting on CD10 or so until I get a clear temperature shift. On my long cycles, I absolutely cannot keep that up, and I try not to beat myself up if I skip a day or two. BDing every other day for 4 weeks is rough

It may be worth it to take your records of your cycles to your doctor or ask for a referral to a reproductive endocrinologist. A lot of doctors will treat you if you have a clear problem, even if you haven't been trying for a year. Some won't (like mine ), but some will and it's definitely worth a shot. There are medications to induce ovulation- you will usually start with Clomid. And they may do some testing to try to find a cause for your irregular cycles.

Good luck, and feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

[GoldenTickets]

Thanks ladies for the info/feedback on the software to use. I can't really see too much on FF right now, because I have nothing to track, but some of the features look so cool that I imagine that I will want to upgrade. Amanda -- I found the website for the book you mentioned, and it looks like the website has its own tracking software. Is this different than the Ovusoft software you use?

Thanks Nicole for your help too! I'll be PMing you in the next couple days! I've already decided that I'm telling my doctor that we started NTNP earlier than we did, and emphasize that DH works nights atl east 2-3 times/week (which he does). I hope that will help things... I know some of it is really just an insurance issue, so I'm trying to figure out how to present things to her in order to increase my chances of getting help sooner rather than later.

[~InHisHands~]

Oh no the Ovusoft software is the TCOYF software if that makes sense. It's the same though I will say that they have upgraded & now offer a web based version to compete with FF. I have the PC based version. A free 2 wk trial is included in the book I referenced. Of course I think you can get the same free 2 wk trial online if you want too. I like mine b/c it is on my computer & I don't have to be online to use it plus it's a one time fee instead of an annual fee plus it's easier for me to understand than FF. You can even upload your chart to the web if you want... TCOYF. HTHs.

[Fallen2Love]

No real advice - mine are getting better just with age I guess. I used to go 60+ days between periods as a teenager. Now, I can get it down to a 5 day window. When I first started charting, it was a 2+ week window for AF. For the last two cycles, I've actually started on the same CD *wow*.
MY OB has never been much help. THey have always suggested BC. Then again, we were not TTC. I would think a reproductive endo would be the best option though. Not sure about insurance and all that kinda stuff, but OB's generally just deal with minor quick fix stuff and don't get into the nitty gritty of cycle issues. I just know since I started charting, it helps me to see my cycles and all the details. They are not as "wierd" or "irregular" as I once thought. I doubt I'll ever me a girl where AF always comes on CD x.

[GoldenTickets]

Thank you Amanda, I will look into the TCOYF software also, and see which one I prefer!

Thanks for the information also Fallen2Love. I was hoping that my cycles would get regular with age, but they haven't... Each time I think they're getting ready to even out, they throw me for a loop. (I'm 28, have had AF since 13, if they were going to regulate I would think they would have by now). I started tracking my AF because I thought there might be a pattern there that I couldn't see -- a pattern never revealed itself. Really, here are the length of my cycles over the last few years, in days : 46, 26, 50, 64, 33, 40, 34, 39, 36, 66, 28, 47, 70, 39, 117.... At least with full charting I'll be able to estimate when AF might come or when I O...

Still just waiting on AF right now... It may be some time.

[GoldenTickets]

Somewhat good news today!... My ob/gyn looked at my cycles over the last three years and agreed that my cycles are irregular. She had already suggested that we use protection for the first 6-8 weeks after the D&C, but said not to worry about this now in case we get a "surprise ovulation." When I asked if there was anything we could do about the irregular cycles, she said we could try Clomid and even gave me some details on it. That's a relief that she is willing to try. She wasn't concerned about the irregular cycles otherwise....

The bad news is that my insurance plan does not cover infertility!! I can switch to a more expensive plan later this fall, which will cover infertility testing and treatments. DH was hesitant to do so when we talked about it before, simply because it is so much more expensive. I can only switch in the fall, and I don't want to wait a whole other year if something is wrong. The ob/gyn suggested going ahead and switching, and she said that they can help do all they can so I'm only on the more expensive plan for a year. We'll try for awhile until the paperwork comes out about switching, then I'm sure I can get DH to come around if we don't have our BFP yet! (But as my ob/gyn said, we're hoping for a PREGNANCY at my follow-up in 3 months!!)

I purchased a basal body thermometer, and I'm going to start that tomorrow. I think I'll stick with FF for now and see how I like it when I start using more features

[NutMeg76]

I second using the TCOYF software, it is more accurate than FF. I have recently found My Fertiltiy Charts and I like it a lot too.

Have you tried adjusting your diet to see if it helps regulate your cycles?

[GoldenTickets]

Thanks NutMeg, I will try the free trial for TCOYF. I signed up for the online beta version, but it's definitely still beta IMO!! There are definitely still many quirks in the program. I might lean toward the web-based programs, simply because I can enter information whever I am.

What will a diet change do to help regulate my cycle? I am of average height, healthy/normal weight/BMI, and eat a normal diet. (I wouldn't say I eat healthy all the time, nor do I eat junk all the time... more in-between) I don't exercise excessively, depending on the week and how busy I am, I exercise betwen 1-5 times.... with a combination of aerobic activity and muscle toning... I googled information on this, and all I could really find was that a diet change could trigger irregular cycles.

[Halfbaked]

I have irregular cycles but it's new to me. Mine were always 30 days apart until this past year where they have been 24-45 days apart. I can't give advice on the software as I just use something on my phone (I use android). I bought the book Taking Charge of your Fertility when we were ttc our second. It helped me to recognize the fertility signs such as cp, ewcm etc. Temping didn't work so great for me then and it's not looking like it's working now either but with the help of OPK's I'm hoping I can track things enough to predict O without having to BD all the time. I hope you get a surprise before having to change insurances.

Just a thought, I wonder if the Soy would help with irregular cycles.

[GoldenTickets]

Oooh, I'm excited there's fertility tracking software for the Droid. I am hoping to get a Droid later this year if my employer is able to support it through our email server (they are working on it!). I have seen my friend's "iperiod" for the iphone, which is probably similar. Having something like that in my phone would be so convenient.

I think I'll start with temping; seems the cheaper route at this point. I can always try the OPK route if no temperature patterns develop i guess. I've never heard of soy helping regulate cycles, until you mentioned it. Where did you hear about this helping cycles?

[Halfbaked]

I used Iperiod on my iphone before I switched carriers. I actually like the software I found on the Droid better since I can save my temps.
I read about the Soy Isoflavonex (sp?) here. I guess it works like clomid. If my cycles are really messed up still, I may try it next cycle.

[GoldenTickets]

I'll have to look into the soy, thanks! And if I ever get my droid (crossing my fingers!) i'll be sure to come to you with questions on the app.