What causes a random irregular cycle?

[AmyG89]

I was wondering if anyone had any idea what would cause a cycle to be irregular randomly?
Here is some background:
I had a M/C in March. After I was done bleeding (about 3 weeks) I had my normal period the following week. After my first normal cycle, I went on birth control pills to help regulate and to make sure I waited the recommended 3 months for my body to heal properly. I stopped the birth control in August and had normal 29-30 day cycles since then. Never missed a cycle and it was ALWAYS regular 29-30 days. My last period was Dec 6th and I started my period again last night!?? That would be a 24 day cycle? Also, I'm so bummed that I missed this month TTC because I noticed that I had horrible ovulation pains and cramping 5 days before I normally ovulate. It makes sense that my period would be 5 days early if I ovulated 5 days early but I'm just so confused why this is randomly happening?? Any one have any idea what causes this. I haven't been tracking my BBT but do you think I should so I hopefully don't miss O time in January?

Thanks for any advice = )

[Minigingerbread]

I am going through a similar situation. I had a D&C in June. 2 and a half weeks later, I bleed exactly like a normal regular period, However, 2 gynaes and my physician all say that it is NOT a real period (gynae said its probably due to my uterus adjusting itself). You mentioned that you bleed for 3 weeks after your D&C? That is very long! And do you mean that you had your period 1 week after you stopped the 3-week bleeding? I would think that it is really too soon to be a 'real' period.
I was also put on birth control to make sure my cycles 'start properly'. I found that the pills sort of forced my body to have regular 30-day cycles. My usual cycles are around 35-38 days. 2 months after I stopped taking the bc, I find that my cycles are slowly back to their original length. They are still not clockwork regular now but I think they are stabilizing. My experience with bc is that they actually do mess up my cycles (or maybe its the m/c that messed up my cycles). You have stopped the bc now. Maybe your body is also readjusting to the absence of the hormones from your bc pills. It might take a few more (whacky) cycles before they stabilize. What has been your normal cycle length before the m/c?
As for irregular cycles, well there are a thousand and one causes for that. Stress, sickness, travelling, etc. As long as you are o-ing, it should be ok. However you might need to see your gynae if your LP phase is consistently short. This you can monitor from your bbt chart.
I know how you feel. I can't wait to be pregnant again too but I have no luck so far :( Hang on there and take care to yourself!

[AmyG89]

Thank you all for the replies. I should of mentioned in the first post that I used OPK's in November and was planning on using them again this month until I noticed I had the ovulation pains and cramping 5 days early and we couldn't BD in time = (

I hate all this waiting. I just want to be pregnant again! It took me a long long time to emotionally feel ready and now that I do I just want it to happen immediately!

So ready for 2011!!

Thanks again ladies

[jenkaye21]

SunWorshipeper, thanks for the info!
But Amy, to answer your question, having a m/c can screw with your periods for quite a while (6months?+).  Even though you've been on b/c for 3 months, i'm sure there's still lingering effects from your m/c.  Hang in there!  It will happen. :)  Maybe you could try OPKs or tracking your temps to pinpoint when you ovulate.  Good luck!  

[LosingMyMindInGA]

I concur with what SunWorshiper said.  She pretty much spelled out what I would have replied with.

[SunWorshiper_26]

Here is the article I was speaking of:


 
Research Briefs from The Parent Review
No wait needed for pregnancy after miscarriage


For the best pregnancy outcomes, when should a woman try to conceive again after a miscarriage? The sooner the better, a new study suggests. Scottish researchers looked at data for nearly 31,000 women who became pregnant after an initial miscarriage. Compared to women who conceived 6 to 12 months after their miscarriage, those who became pregnant again within 6 months were 34% less likely to miscarry a second time. They were also less likely to have an ectopic pregnancy, a cesarean or preterm delivery, or a low-birth-weight infant. The highest risks of a second miscarriage and other pregnancy complications were seen among women who conceived more than 24 months after miscarriage. The findings run contrary to current guidelines by the World Health Organization to wait at least half a year to conceive after having a miscarriage, which affects approximately one in five pregnancies.

Source: British Medical Journal 341 (2010): c3967.

[SunWorshiper_26]

First of all I'm sorry for your loss. It is actually a misconception that you need to wait three months between cycles. The sooner you get pregnant again after a miscarriage the greater the chances of a healthy complication free pregnancy.

Cycles can differ in length, flow and symptoms from month to month for a variety of reasons such as stress, illness and even hormones of other women around you. Unfortunately after being on birth control it takes a bit for your body to be back to normal without the hormones which delays getting pregnant.

I would suggest using ovulation predictor kits instead of bbt as they are more accurate and tell you prior to ovulation instead of at or after ovulation like bbt would do.