Are long cycles bad for TTC

alexa · #1 February 8th, 2006, 09:26 AM

So I am on month 8 of TTC since being off BC and my cycles are soooooooooooooo long. I know the length obviously gives us less opportunity for O and all that, but could it mean something is wrong with my fertility or that my body is having trouble O. I have heard that the normal range is like 25 to 35 days. So far the shortest cycle has been 39 days and that was really exciting because some cycles have been like 6 to 8 weeks long.

How long should I wait to see if they get shorter? Does Clomid help with getting you to O sooner in your cycle and shorten it????????

A few months ago my doctor mentioned something about hormones to help with the cycle, but I am nervous about that and how it can make you feel so out of wack.

iamkc · #2 February 8th, 2006, 10:04 AM

Aw, Alexa, I'm so sorry that this is so difficult! I know that there are many women on here with excruciatingly long cycles. Yes, it CAN be a problem, mostly because you have no idea when you're going to O. There is also a cause for the long cycles--and there are many. The first step would be to go to your doc and get tested. I can't imagine that s/he would just throw you on meds before knowing what's going on. Clomid can be one answer, but it's not always the answer. Coming off of BC may be the most likely culprit, but again, you should check with your doc about that.

Just put a call in. If your doc can't do too much (but s/he should be able to!), then ask about seeing an RE. *Someone* should be able to get your cycles back on track.

I know, too, that the hormones are a little out of whack before you are regulated, but if you had no problems with BC, then chances are (I know, there are exceptions, but for the majority, this will be the case) you'll have few or no problems with the hormones to regulate you, get you to O sooner, or correct whatever the problem is.

I hope that you get answers soon. Much of my problem was that my cycles were too short. I opted out of hormones for a very long time because Depo wrecked me and I couldn't bear going back on another hormone. It was frustrating and there were TOO many reasons for it...I hated it. Your doc can reassure you and get you into a plan for shortening your cycles and getting that baby!!!

Good luck, and by all means, KEEP US UPDATED!!!

Kole'sMom · #3 February 8th, 2006, 01:35 PM

Quote:

So I am on month 8 of TTC since being off BC and my cycles are soooooooooooooo long. I know the length obviously gives us less opportunity for O and all that, but could it mean something is wrong with my fertility or that my body is having trouble O. I have heard that the normal range is like 25 to 35 days. So far the shortest cycle has been 39 days and that was really exciting because some cycles have been like 6 to 8 weeks long.

How long should I wait to see if they get shorter? Does Clomid help with getting you to O sooner in your cycle and shorten it????????

A few months ago my doctor mentioned something about hormones to help with the cycle, but I am nervous about that and how it can make you feel so out of wack.[/b]

I can relate. I went of b/c in Sept and have been ttc ever since. I had one 37 day, one 33 day and then a 60+ day cycle-how frustrating. And the 60+ cycle only eneded because I took provera to get AF to come. I went to the doctor the first 37 day cycle and I am lucky enough to have a doctor that will do bloodwork right away. I then had bloodwork done again on the 60+ cycle and both cycles my progesterone was 0.85 and then 0.65, so I was not ovulating. I took provera to get my cycle to start-25 days later I finally did!!!! Now I'm almost done taking my first round of clomid. Clomid does not solve all issues. If you have confirmed NO ovulation and there is other kinds of poor ovulation then clomid does help but you need to get bloodwork done/testing to see what your own issue is and to see what will help you. I would absolutley call your doctor ASAP. Good luck to you getting back on track and getting your bfp!!!!

alexa · #4 February 8th, 2006, 06:17 PM

Thank you so much for all your support and advise. I really needed it. I made an appointment with my doctor for next week to have my hormone levels checked and hopefully gain some insight into my cycles and whether or not I am actually O.

One more question...I should have asked when I made my appointment... Does it matter what part of your cycle you are on when you go to get your hormone levels checked?

Thanks again.

Kole'sMom · #5 February 8th, 2006, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Thank you so much for all your support and advise. I really needed it. I made an appointment with my doctor for next week to have my hormone levels checked and hopefully gain some insight into my cycles and whether or not I am actually O.

One more question...I should have asked when I made my appointment... Does it matter what part of your cycle you are on when you go to get your hormone levels checked?

Thanks again.[/b]

Yes, it does matter, alot actually. I know many people get some checked on day 3 but I'm not sure what for but I get my progesterone checked on day 21. That tells the doctor if I ovulated or not, it is the magic day for some reason.

margo1973 · #6 February 9th, 2006, 09:50 AM

It does matter when you get your hormone levels checked. Progesterone should be checked 7-9 days after ovulation or better yet 7 days before af so normally doctors will check it on CD 21 although if your cycels are very far off from 28 days then the timing of the test should be adjusted. Progesterone levels on CD 21 should let you know if you are ovulating.

Other tests might be FSH on cycle day 3 and thyroid hormones which can be tested at any point in the cycle (I think).

Good luck. Hopefully, you will get some answers soon. I really feel like we have to insist on answers with our doctors. My dr would have been happy to have me TTC for months without doing anything until I insited that she look at my temperature charts. She looked at them and agreed that my cycles were short and ordered blood tests and put me on medication.

MarieJ · #7 February 9th, 2006, 12:08 PM

I went off BCP April 04-my first cycle was 60 days, the rest were between 28-42 days. In April 05 I demanded my family doc send me to an obgyn-we knew I ovulated, but didn't really know when even with temp charting. We did blood work, an HSG and u/s. I started Clomid 50mg in Julyand in August we got pregnant and had a m/c in Oct. I started Clomid in Nov and got pregnant again with the second cycle. The Clomid helped us know when I ovulated, and likely improved my eggs and the uterine environment. And yes, it does matter when in your cycle you get your hormone levels checked. My obgyn had me checking progesterone levels on Day 25 and adjusting my Clomid dose if I didn't ovulate. I hope this helps somewhat.
Marie

alexa · #8 February 9th, 2006, 05:38 PM

Quote:

I went off BCP April 04-my first cycle was 60 days, the rest were between 28-42 days. In April 05 I demanded my family doc send me to an obgyn-we knew I ovulated, but didn't really know when even with temp charting. We did blood work, an HSG and u/s. I started Clomid 50mg in Julyand in August we got pregnant and had a m/c in Oct. I started Clomid in Nov and got pregnant again with the second cycle. The Clomid helped us know when I ovulated, and likely improved my eggs and the uterine environment. And yes, it does matter when in your cycle you get your hormone levels checked. My obgyn had me checking progesterone levels on Day 25 and adjusting my Clomid dose if I didn't ovulate. I hope this helps somewhat.
Marie[/b]

Thank you for your support and for sharing your personal stories. I made appt with Dr for next Wednesday because I have the day off. I guess I will just go in and show her my charts and ask about the hormone testing and when I can do it. I don't think I have even O yet this cycle. My last chart looks like I did, but I would like some testing to confirm whether I am or not so I can try and fix the problem, if that is what it is.

Thanks again for everything.

iamkc · #9 February 10th, 2006, 09:10 AM

Good luck! At least hormone testing is relatively simple and painless and if there's a problem, usually easily fixable!!! And I might be the freak, but I always think that it's interesting to know exactly what's going on inside me. (Not like it's my favorite thing, but interesting and oddly comforting.)

Are you going to set up testing for next cycle (if there is one, but we're hoping for O and a BFP!)?