Long cycle
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Forum Name: Planning Pregnancy (trying for baby)
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Topic: Long cycle
Posted By: snugglebug
Subject: Long cycle
Date Posted: 04 January 2010 at 10:39am
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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 :) ------------- Me 28, DH 29 DS born 20 Nov 2010 (4 years old) #2 due October 7 http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: freckle
Date Posted: 04 January 2010 at 10:55am
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hey Lisa,
I have a very long cycle, ranging from late 30s to my last one which was 90 days... usually 50-60 days. My cycles have been this long ever since they first started and I had no problems concieving in the past with CD40+ ovulations  The dr now suspects I may have PCOS so even if ya did it doesn't mean you'll have trouble conceiving...
I take vitex (1000mg once a day pill) and it works really well - it reduces my cycles to late 30s when I take it... ------------- mum to 3 lovely girls :D |
Posted By: snugglebug
Date Posted: 04 January 2010 at 11:08am
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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 ------------- Me 28, DH 29 DS born 20 Nov 2010 (4 years old) #2 due October 7 http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: freckle
Date Posted: 04 January 2010 at 1:44pm
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I found it works pretty fast for me...it worked the first cycle I took it and last cycle I took it when I got to about CD85 to get af started and it worked
I reckon the only prob with long cycles is you don't get to try as often but I don't believe the stuff about old eggs etc cos I have always been like this and had no problem making babies b4... Also I would think up to 40 days isn't too bad anyway
I wouldn't stress about PCOS if youve had scan and no symptoms apart from the long cycles I'd say your pretty safe to say you don't have it... ------------- mum to 3 lovely girls :D |
Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 04 January 2010 at 4:27pm
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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.... -------------   
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Posted By: Rachel1982
Date Posted: 04 January 2010 at 7:42pm
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I was having 42 day cycles when I came off the pill but just grinned and beared it - managed to get pregnant in the 4th month anyway.
Have you been on any birth control medication which could be affecting your cycle length? Mine did used to be around 28-30 days pre pill! ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: snugglebug
Date Posted: 04 January 2010 at 8:52pm
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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. ------------- Me 28, DH 29 DS born 20 Nov 2010 (4 years old) #2 due October 7 http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Rachel1982
Date Posted: 04 January 2010 at 10:07pm
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How frustrating for you :( Have you used any of the ovulation tests to make sure you are definitely oving? Your doctor should be able to get you on something to help things along now that you've been off the pill for ages. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: snugglebug
Date Posted: 05 January 2010 at 10:01am
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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 ------------- Me 28, DH 29 DS born 20 Nov 2010 (4 years old) #2 due October 7 http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: snugglebug
Date Posted: 05 January 2010 at 10:03am
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Also I get cramps/pains at the exact time ovulation should be and ewcm so I'm fairly sure I am ovulating, but I know that's not proof but it's a start. I know you can get all that and not be ovulating, but I'm hopeful. ------------- Me 28, DH 29 DS born 20 Nov 2010 (4 years old) #2 due October 7 http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 05 January 2010 at 4:47pm
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lisa if you are having 40 day cycles then you would ov somewhere from CD23 onwards.... when do you "feel" ov? -------------
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Posted By: snugglebug
Date Posted: 05 January 2010 at 7:50pm
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Hi Mel, I have been feeling it in the last couple of days, which would be about day 25-26, had ewcm for the last 3 days with most of it yesterday so yeah it seems the right time, and also this has happened on the other months too ------------- Me 28, DH 29 DS born 20 Nov 2010 (4 years old) #2 due October 7 http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: snugglebug
Date Posted: 09 January 2010 at 10:58am
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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 ------------- Me 28, DH 29 DS born 20 Nov 2010 (4 years old) #2 due October 7 http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 09 January 2010 at 11:06am
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Have tried charting? I did and it really helped get an idea of the "right" times to bd.
Post baby things are getting longer CD48 and ov or af *sigh*. I would say to make sure you are bding at least every other day from CD18 until CD30... just to be sure. Long cycles do not necessarily mean there is anything wrong. You seem to be regular so you could ask your GP to test your progesterone levels at CD33 (7 Days before AF is due) or once you have charted a cycle or 2, 7 days after ov is indicated. Wouldnt hurt to get your FSH done too on CD2 or CD3.... Hopefully the vitex kicks in for you, though bear in mind, if your hormones are fine then it wont make a difference. -------------
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Posted By: snugglebug
Date Posted: 09 January 2010 at 11:15am
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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? ------------- Me 28, DH 29 DS born 20 Nov 2010 (4 years old) #2 due October 7 http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 09 January 2010 at 2:14pm
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it can take up to 3 months to work.. some are lucky and it works first cycle... -------------
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Posted By: snugglebug
Date Posted: 09 January 2010 at 2:17pm
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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 ------------- Me 28, DH 29 DS born 20 Nov 2010 (4 years old) #2 due October 7 http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 09 January 2010 at 2:29pm
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As I said in the charting thread, there is some truth to it. It is harder for implantation to occur with an older, thining lining.. but not impossible.
My first was conceived at CD25, sadly we lost her.. but vitex bought my ov forward to CD21 the first month on it and my little bean is now 9 months old sleeping soundly in his cot. (yeah vitex). Freckle has also has a beautiful wee girl who was concieved past CD40! So its definately possible, just may take a little longer. -------------
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Posted By: Kirst84
Date Posted: 12 February 2010 at 1:10pm
| 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! |
Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 12 February 2010 at 9:43pm
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Im not sure she has been trying that long... just when she came off BCP??? Lisa??? She has had testing done from memory
Well I conceived this bubba on or around CD58 so it IS definately possible (sorry for not believing you frecks and your daughters LOL). FX its a nice healthy egg! -------------
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Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 12 February 2010 at 10:49pm
I conceived my DS on approx CD35, my cycles range from 30-100+ days  . My gynae thinks generally anything over 40 days before ov is getting a bit too long as the lining isn't the best but it's still possible.
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Posted By: snugglebug
Date Posted: 12 February 2010 at 11:05pm
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Kirst84 I haven't been TTC since March 2008, I came off BCP for a different reason, because it was giving me headaches.
We have been TTC since August last year so thats only like 5 cycles for me up to cycle 6 this month. Have done my first lot of OPKS this month and I got a positive at what seems to be the right time in my cycle so Im fairly sure things are happening as they should, hopefully my chart will prove it ------------- Me 28, DH 29 DS born 20 Nov 2010 (4 years old) #2 due October 7 http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Harley
Date Posted: 14 February 2010 at 9:11pm
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Good luck with the OPKs! They're great! I have PCOS and found using OPK's, along with charting, and pre-seed, did the trick. My cycles went from 100 days straight back to 28 after switching to mainly organic food, and taking up running. I even went without ice cream and chocolate for a month! The things we do!! In the end I got a BFP on day 25 (my cycle that month was a bit longer) and everything has been fine since so don't get down about long cycles - I think it just takes a little more work to figure out the day of ovulation. If you do think you have PCOS there is a great book at the library about foods you can take to make it better - the PCOS diet book I think? All the best ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: snugglebug
Date Posted: 15 February 2010 at 6:07pm
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Hi Harley
Thanks for your response. Im really interested to hear how diet impacted on your cycle and I will be looking into that book. So you found the exercise helped too? Im going to start swimming and eating really well in the hope that may have some impact. I dont vitex is doing much ------------- Me 28, DH 29 DS born 20 Nov 2010 (4 years old) #2 due October 7 http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: mcshort
Date Posted: 15 February 2010 at 6:27pm
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Heya, yep since having my baby my cycles have gone from 32 days (like clockwork) to anywhere from 34-40. Kinda makes me annoyed that if/when TTC it gives everyone else 3-4 more chances every year than me!
I used to find that when I changed jobs or flats my cycle would change to be in sync with my colleagues or flatmates, which always freaks me out! So perhaps I could spend less time with my friend who has always had a 40 day cycle... (I don't think I could ever go that far.) |
Posted By: freckle
Date Posted: 15 February 2010 at 6:42pm
I won't tell any of my friends who are TTC this... no one will wanna be my friend with cycles up to 90 days 
Harley - that book sounds really interesting, I'm gonna have to go to the library tomorrow I think.. ohhh and maybe start running ------------- mum to 3 lovely girls :D |
mcshort wrote:Posted By: Louisa
Date Posted: 16 February 2010 at 12:37am
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Hi, I don't have as long a cycle as some of you ladies, but mine is pretty irregular. I only stopped taking the pill last October, and my cycle hasn't settled down. Is this usual?
Any advice greatly received! Louisa 
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Posted By: Harley
Date Posted: 18 February 2010 at 8:22pm
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The swimming and eating well sounds like an awesome plan! I can only comment on what worked for me of course, but exercise certainly played a part because the moment I went a couple of weeks without running my cycles got much longer again. Louisa - I'm sure I've heard somewhere that it can take 6 months or so sometimes for your cycles to settle down after stopping the pill? If so, you don't have anything to worry about ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: sweetpea
Date Posted: 11 March 2010 at 2:15pm
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I went from having an average cycle of 28 days to 42 days from december 2009. Oh and i have never been on BCP ------------- http://daisypath.com"> 
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