[TulipDawn]

Ok, here's the deal...

I got my Mirena IUD out this past Monday. I haven't had an actual "period" since I had the Mirena put in in June 2005 (which has been great!). Anyway, I read you aren't supposed to be charting until the first day of your mentrual cycle but since Idon't know when it's going to show up, could be today could be months, I started taking them Tuesday morning. I have just been writing them down since I can't put them in an actual chart - I made an Excel line graph to help me (I'm a nerd I know).

So I guess my questions are these:

1) Do you HAVE to have a full nights sleep before taking your temp first thing in the am before waking up?
2) Do you HAVE to start on the first day of your cycle or can you just wing it like I am and just chart EVERY day regardless and look for a pattern?
3) This is probably really weird question but can you ovulate and NOT have a period?

Thanks...this is VERY new to me so excuse my naivety.

[sjkduke]

First off, hi and

Here's my take on your questions:

1) You need to have at least 3 hours of solid sleep before taking your temp. You must take it before moving, talking, getting up, etc.
2) You can start whenever, but know that if you start mid-cycle you may not catch O--although, since you just got your Mirena out, you may not O right away.
3) You can O....and go a looong time without a period....but if you mean have the Mirena and O, it's very very unlikely. First, the Mirena has hormones in it so that you don't ovulate, and then the IUD is there to prevent an egg from implanting. When you O though, you will eventually have a period. Hope that makes sense.

Good luck!

[AliciaF]

You can also use www.fertilityfriend.com to put your temps into an online graph. The basic service is free.

Hello and

[TulipDawn]

Thank you so much. I'm not sure how well charting is going to work. For some odd reason my body wakes up at about 200-230a sometimes. I am able to go right back to sleep but it doesn't sound like it's a going to work charting

[kruff79]

Waking up and getting up are two different things, you should be fine as long as you're not getting up and talking at 2am. I would chart anyways, just make sure all you do when you wake up you roll over and go back to sleep.

Try Fertility Planner Free and better than FF.

As long as your getting 3 hours of sleep before temping you should be fine temping at 2am.

[TulipDawn]

Ok, good. I don't get out of bed. I just roll over and go back to sleep. My temps have been consistant the last few days so that's a sign... Thanks girls!!! This is exciting!