Early Ovulation

[Ginchy]

I have been charting my cycles over the last several months in hopes of concieving. Based on positive ovulation tests and the lengths of my cycles my doctor is concerned that I may be having anovulatory cycles. Since going off the pill in Aug my cycles have ranged from 19 to 37 days long.  Last month in a 19 day cycle it looks like I ovulated on day 6 (opk and bbt).  My luteal phase would have been 2 wks long but I would have ovulated just a couple of days after my period ended. This month appears to be the same. I am scheduled to go in for a blood test next week to see if I did in fact ovulate.  My question is if it is really even possible to ovulate this early in my cycle?

[Shayne Plosker, MD]

Dear Ginchy - it is possible but uncommon to be ovulating as part of a 19 day cycle. The most accurate way to tell is to do a blood test for a hormone called progesterone which we usually do on or around day 21. Since you are having shorter cycles and your testing suggests that you have ovulated around day 6, a progesterone test 7-10 days later might be worthwhile. Progesterone testing is more accurate than is ultrasound for determining if you have ovulated. In either event (short cycles, or anovulatory cycles) clomid might be a consideration since it helps women who are not ovulating to ovulate, AND prolongs cycles in many instances. Good luck!

[Piscean_Queen]

It is possible.  My husband and I have been TTC for almost a year.  After monitoring my cycles using a OPT,  I thought that did not ovulate the last two months, so I went to a fertility specialist today.  After administering a vaginal ultrasound, he saw a well formed follicle on day 5 of my cycle.  I go back on Thursday morning to monitor the follicle with another ultrasound.  My doctor said that it is very easy to treat and after some research of my own, it seems that two main drugs are used to treat this, Lupon and Synarel.  I would see a fertility specialist if you haven't done so already.  Premature ovulation usually results in inadequate uterine lining, and immature eggs, which is not a good combination for a good pregnancy.  Hope this helps.  Jennifer

[Ginchy]

Thank you so much for your response.  I was not aware that my doc could do a vag ultrasound to check follicle growth.  I am to go in on Monday and have bloodwork done to determine if I did in fact ovulate, so we'll see.  I will definitely be asking about checking follicle growth next month.  It's really nice to know though that there is medication that can assist with the uterine lining.  I am supposed to start my second cycle of clomid next month so hopefully that will help, but if I am in fact ovulating this early, I'm glad I have the information now to at least ask about those medications and whether or not they would be right for me.  I've been trying to find out more about premature ovulation but haven't had much luck, so I really appreciate the information you have shared.  Good luck with your attempts and I really hope that this is your month!  Michelle