Long cycle

Hey everyone

This isnt a question as such. I have a long cycle, 40 days but it seems to be my natural cycle.

Was wondering who else here has long cycles and how long? I think people tend to presume there's something wrong when your cycle is long but Ive been tested and doesn't seem to be with me, hopefully.

It would be good to talk to people who have long cycles and hear what you're doing to try and shorten them. Im taking vitex at the moment but not sure if it's helping

Thanks :)

Hi freckle, thanks for the reply. I am taking vitex, 2 a day at the moment, I have dabbled with it on and off before but kept forgetting to take it sometimes for weeks at a time so I don't think Ive given it a good chance to work. This cycle I have been having it every day so I hope I will have an improvement soon. Coincidentally the first time everI took vitex a week later AF came and it was a 32 day cycle, my shortest ever, so it must work for me in some way lol

Im so glad to hear you have conceived with a long cycle, I think some people tend to assume you wont be able to, but everything seems to be happening normally with me apart from it being long, so Im hopeful

I do worry I might still have PCOS as I have read somewhere you can have it with no symptoms or cysts on the ultrasound, but for now there's no reason to worry I guess

I also have mid to long cycles pre baby (31-37 days) and post baby 39+ (currently CD 43 and no sign of ov or AF).

Mine have lengthened and are most likely due to change in hormones due to bf but I have conceived twice with an ov on CD25 and CD21....

At first glance there is nothing wrong with me, but I do have a high number of annovulatory cylces that we never got around to investigating as I eventually did ov and fall pg.

They just suck cos you have less chances to fall pg....

Hi Rachel, I was on the BCP but I came off it in March 2008 so it's been more than long enough for my cycle to settle down, it was a bit irregular at first coming off the pill then settled into this pattern. Unfortunately I never counted the days between my cycle before that.

I have used an ovulation microscope this month but haven't had much joy with it, the results are confusing to read.

So next cycle I will be trying charting for the first time and OPK's. I won't be UTD this month I don't think as we have avoided BD around ovulation- as I am starting a new job next month for a 9 month contract so taking a few months break. But want to get my cycle shorter in that time if I can.

Is there anything you can actually take to help with your cycle apart from clomid etc? I thought it was just that they put you on that if you weren't ovulating but I don't know enough about it

lisa if you are having 40 day cycles then you would ov somewhere from CD23 onwards.... when do you "feel" ov?

Anyone else here with a long cycle?

Wondering whether to go back to the doctor but I don't really have a reason to, Im having a regular cycle... just longer....

I dont know, so frustrating

Hi Mel, I am going to start charting once AF comes this month, and going to try using OPKs as well so I'm hoping I'll be able to understand things better once I do that. I had avoided doing it before as I can see myself getting really obsessed with it, but I think it's the next step now.

I think I might try charting and then if it shows up anything concerning then I'll go back to the doctor.

My cycle has been bang on 40 days last 3 cycles, and before that it was about 38 days, and didn't count before that but seemed about the same, so I think Im safe to say it's regular for me, but sometimes people react so weirdly when I say it's 40 days I wonder if there is something wrong.

I was tested for PCOS and had an ultrasound and negative, and have been off BCP for nearly 2 years (not trying that long tho went off it for other reasons) so really, there's probably not a lot to worry about but I still do lol

Im not sure if the vitex is making a difference or not, but you need to wait 3 months don't you?

Edited by lisaas101

Ive just been reading people saying that its bad to have a longer cycle and to ovulate later as the lining becomes old etc.... Ive never heard about this is this something I should be aware of?

I have read widely that up to 40 days is ok.. and my doctor never mentioned any of this...

I get very frustrated because people say there has to be something wrong... which makes me worry even though I had the tests

Have the docters done blood tests to see if your hormone levels are showing if you are ovulating? If you have been trying since march 2008 your docter should have referred you to a specialist by now!