[CyndiBear]

Okay, so I get my period every month. My cycle lasts anywhere from 28 to 30 days.....I know I need to chart to make sure that I'm ovulating and when I'm ovulating....but can you tell from the length of your cycle, or a change in flow durring your period if you aren't ovulating or if there are any problems? Any other way to tell other than temping??

Sorry if it's a dumb question....I'm kind of embarassed that I've been trying for more than two years, (well, NTNP I guess....REALLY trying, about 7 months) and I don't know the answer....but that's what I have you girls for, right?

[Diamond2009]

I honestly dont really think there is any other way to confirm O other then temping and bloodwork at 21 days or something like that ....even with OPK's you can get a surge but not O. Why don't you temp....sorry if you already said the answer before....i've been away from this board for a while.

[MaineBean]

I don't think it's a stupid question. I really have no idea. Like, this past month where it was long and there was that weird spotting... I have no idea what that means. Was it a fluke? Did I not ovulate? Were there signs or something?

My CM isn't super obvious, so that tells me nothing. And I have no idea if there are other ways to tell- its not like I get ovulation pain or anything. Sooooo... I'm temping for now to see if I can learn some signs so that I can stop temping!

[muffin]

Unfortunately, not at home. (You could with being monitoring by a doctor) I've charted for a few years and have had pretty much every type of period, every symptom, every type of CM, CP, different length cycles, etc... and I've ovulated in every single one of them.

I know you know this already, but charting really is a great tool It sounds daunting, but becomes second nature after not very long!

[CyndiBear]

Originally Posted by Diamond2009

I honestly dont really think there is any other way to confirm O other then temping and bloodwork at 21 days or something like that ....even with OPK's you can get a surge but not O. Why don't you temp....sorry if you already said the answer before....i've been away from this board for a while.

That's what I thought....that's why I felt a little silly asking. I have a hard time with temping, because since I've gone back to work, I work funny hours, so I wake up at odd times. I worry that my temps wont be accurate, as i've heard that you should temp at the same time everyday? I've never really done it and it's a tad bit confusing to me still....I guess i need to do some research....but for some reason it's very intimidating to me.

Originally Posted by MaineBean

I don't think it's a stupid question. I really have no idea. Like, this past month where it was long and there was that weird spotting... I have no idea what that means. Was it a fluke? Did I not ovulate? Were there signs or something?

My CM isn't super obvious, so that tells me nothing. And I have no idea if there are other ways to tell- its not like I get ovulation pain or anything. Sooooo... I'm temping for now to see if I can learn some signs so that I can stop temping!

Yeah, my last 5 or 6 periods have been much lighter than I used to have, and I'm worried about it. I'm deff bleeding, and maybe I just used to bleed super heavy, but it worries me that it's suddenly so light. I'm almost scared to temp....I'm terrified of finding a problem. I don't need anymore TTC heartbreak

Originally Posted by muffin

Unfortunately, not at home. (You could with being monitoring by a doctor) I've charted for a few years and have had pretty much every type of period, every symptom, every type of CM, CP, different length cycles, etc... and I've ovulated in every single one of them.

I know you know this already, but charting really is a great tool It sounds daunting, but becomes second nature after not very long!

I always thought if you had a period, then you ovulated....I've also read that if your period is irregular it could mean you aren't ovulating, but I'm assuming that information is wrong? Most of the info I get is off the internet, so I guess it could all be wrong.
Also, DH is 41....should he get checked out? Anytime I bring it up he gets super defensive, but I'm much more serious about TTC than he is....He already has two, i think he's just doing this for me.

[muffin]

Originally Posted by CyndiBear

That's what I thought....that's why I felt a little silly asking. I have a hard time with temping, because since I've gone back to work, I work funny hours, so I wake up at odd times. I worry that my temps wont be accurate, as i've heard that you should temp at the same time everyday? I've never really done it and it's a tad bit confusing to me still....I guess i need to do some research....but for some reason it's very intimidating to me.

I work odd shifts (and rotating ones at that!) and my temps aren't perfect, but they work. As long as you don't expect perfection (and even with waking up at the exact same time every day, they're not always perfect) you might be suprised. Some womens temps are really affected by the time they temp, and others aren't. It doesn't hurt to try! I just have a default time set and never change it so I don't get those dreaded open circles of doom! If it ends up not working for you, what have you lost?

Originally Posted by CyndiBear

Yeah, my last 5 or 6 periods have been much lighter than I used to have, and I'm worried about it. I'm deff bleeding, and maybe I just used to bleed super heavy, but it worries me that it's suddenly so light. I'm almost scared to temp....I'm terrified of finding a problem. I don't need anymore TTC heartbreak

Your cycles will change as you get older (no, I'm not calling you old!) so I wouldn't worry about anything until you have reason to, OK?

Originally Posted by CyndiBear

I always thought if you had a period, then you ovulated....I've also read that if your period is irregular it could mean you aren't ovulating, but I'm assuming that information is wrong? Most of the info I get is off the internet, so I guess it could all be wrong.
Also, DH is 41....should he get checked out? Anytime I bring it up he gets super defensive, but I'm much more serious about TTC than he is....He already has two, i think he's just doing this for me.

You generally get your period after a "standard" (for you) luteal phase. Which means that say for example, you generally have a 12 day LP. That means that if you had a 29 day cycle, you likely ovulated on CD17. If you had a 26 day cycle, you likely ovulated on CD14. So while super irregular periods might indicate an ovulatory problem, a few days here and there isn't much to concern yourself with. You've been off BCP for long enough now that there shouldn't be any residual issues (like LP issues) from that. If it's irregular enough for you to be concerned, then temping is an easy (and relatively cheap - $10 BBT) way to find out if there's anything that's worth looking into.

Since you've been "actively" TTC for 7 cycles, I wouldn't be concerned enough to rush out and get a fertility workup done, but I would try charting to see if there's anything that you might be missing before you put yourself through all that. As for your DH, that's a standard test that your OB/RE would perform as part of an initial fertility workup. Charting (Goodness, I'm getting annoyed at myself now, sorry!) could help you avoid all that, KWIM? It's alot easier than a crapton of bloodtests and sonograms.

[CyndiBear]

Thankyou for the info!!! It's all a little confusing to me....if AF comes this month, I'll be sure to pick up a BBT and try temping....you're right....what will i loose by trying? Nothing....i'm just a chicken lmao! My periods are pretty normal....cycles lasting anywhere from 28-30 days. I don't think I have anything to worry about, but I want to be sure, and I'm terrified of finding out something is wrong.

I know I have ovulated, because I had a miscarriage about three years ago, and another one about two months ago. And I wouldn't have gotten pregnant at all if I didn't...so I don't really know what it is that i'm scared of....I'm just scared. lol

But thankyou for all the info....I'm afraid all of this is still very confusing.....I try and understand it as much as i can, but I just dont get it all. I feel dumb. lol!

[muffin]

(((HUGS))) Don't feel dumb! I always tell my students that the only stupid question is the one they don't ask Check out Taking Charge of Your Fertility. It explains everything so well, and I was seriously amazed by how much I learned from it! (I was failed by my sex education in school.) They likely have it at your library if you don't want to fork out the cash. (It's a little pricey)

Don't be worried about finding something wrong. DH was terrified of that, and while it turns out that we were dealing with more issues than we thought, it lifted a burden off of our shoulders, since we then had a game plan to work with, and we knew that there was something we could do about it, you know?

[RoxanneMI]

I am rather new to charting with my temp. I did it last cycle and kept it up this time even though I knew I wouldn't ovulate. I have learned a lot already.

I know its really scary thinking about all the things that may be wrong BUT IF there is an issue, then better to do what you can to figure it out, so it can be handled.

[captivate]

7 months active TTC is not really that long when you think about it.

I would definitely chart.

I know someone who Oes just after their period and has a 25 day LP which is normal for her but she thought she Oed cd 14 like normal lol.

It looks like I oed yesterday which was CD9 which means I would have to really get into BDing JUST after my period which im into doing but some arent.

I believe every woman whos TTC needs to know their cycle so if they are definitely out then at least they know.