Fertilityfriend O Dates/Luteal Phase ???s

[paranoidpatty]

Hello ladies!

I'm confused about my luteal phase and the reliability of fertilityfriend.com (FF). I'm charting for my 2nd & 3rd cycles off bc pills. I keep my own chart and one on FF. I'm having doubts about their calendar predictions. Haven't been ttc yet, but was planning real soon.

First period off bc was 35 days, no charting.

2nd cycle (Oct) - 25 days long
My chart: "O" at CD11(13-day LP)
FF chart: "O" at CD16(9-day LP)

3rd cycle (Nov) - still no AF and I'm on CD29
My chart: "O" on CD15
FF chart: "O" on CD15 (so far, 14-day LP), expecting AF any time now. No BD anywhere near "O" times.

Beware: FF has NOT changed my next "O" date on their calendar even though my cycle changed to longer this month. AF has not even come yet and they still predict my NEXT "O" date as 12/16 as if my cycle is always 25 days. I can see how some women will get confused about using FF's predictions of "O" dates on the calendar. I know my cycle is irregular right now so using their calendar does not help. The chart helps though.

Question, I know the luteal phase is normally consistent even if you're irregular. But has anyone gone off bc and had problems with an irregular luteal phase? Why would FF give me a 9 day LP one month and then a 14 day LP?

[Pippsquike]

Your luteal phase would change if you ovulated on different days through out your cycle. and if you are just coming off BC you may not have "regular" cycles yet. also the "predicted" ovulation dates on FF go by past completed cycles. so the prediction for yours is coming off your past cycles that are completed. from AF to AF this cycle is not yet completed since you have not had AF yet. when it is completed your "predicted"ovulation date will probably change. Keep in mind that it is just a computer processing your data and assiging ovulation day. if you are SURE you ovulated on another day you can do a manual over ride to change it. it is hard to tell not being able to see your chart. :)

Happy Charting and good luck!

[paranoidpatty]

Thanks Pippsquikke,

I didn't realize that FF updates the next prediction date after the completed cycle.  That makes a lot of sense.  I was thinking it would change automatically after it saw my 25 day cycle went longer.

But I forgot the name of the phase before the luteal, but I thought that was the only one that varied in the amount of days???  I'm just going to be a mess till I get my hormones back in order :-)  I'm having cramps almost every day of the month too.

[nicki1010]

I have a question about FF. They say my Lphase is 9 days. my cycles are irregular. I just been getting off of BC but i have been off since May i figured i should have regulated by now. my cycle was 28,29 and my last 36. I posted before but im so confused. I guess my Question is FF chart on Lphase accurate. Im currently on cd25 cant tell you if im past O or not last couple of months i havent had ewcm,. I charted when my cycle was 28 they said i O'd on cd21. but charting was to frustrating so i gave up on it.

[Pippsquike]

"normally" the follicular phase (before ovulation) is the one that will variate if you have different lengths of cycles...such as a 28 day one cyle and then a 30 the next. Your luteal phase should be the same length each month (most womens are) BUT sometimes it's not. mine always varied when coming off birth control or after a miscarriage. maybe yours will even out in a few cycles? or maybe the dates or off. hard to tell.

Hope I wrote that ok?lol
it's easier to think what I want to say ... then to get it across to where you will understand. :)

isnt this whole charting stuff fun? bleh

[Pippsquike]

I am not quite sure what you wanted to know? Charting can be frustrating and only as accurate as the info we are inputting.
I think sometimes analizing every little thing our bodies are doing can cause much more frustration :) so i know where you are coming from  :). If you TRULY are having a Luteal phase of 9 days... maybe you should visit your MD. 10-16 days are considered normal. Most women will have right around a 14 day LP. but not all. Not sure if I helped any... and let me know if I didn't answer your question?

Good luck!

[nicki1010]

Thank you, I never analyzed my body so much until I was ttc. Im actually going to call my MD today and leave her a messg. The first couple of months i could tell when I was about to O I had a sharp pain the night before 24 hours later I had a lot of ewcm sorry tmi. Then my body changed it's so hard to keep up with changes every month. grrrr thank you for all your help=) And listening to me ramble on.=)

[paranoidpatty]

Yes, that's it, the follicular phase!! :-)  It's funny how much I've learned since charting and posting on this site.  I really appreciate the feedback because Lord knows I feel like I'm going crazy till I hear other people are going through the same thing.  

I've been running to the ladies room every hour checking for AF because my body feels like it's been on since Sunday with all these cramps I have.  I was hoping to be back on a regular 28 day cycle this month but looks like that's not happening :-(

It's funny how I trained myself to stick a thermometer in my mouth each morning half asleep!!

[Pippsquike]

I know ... I thought lordy I'll never remember to check my temps every am.... now i stick it in...doze and roll over write down my temp as i crawl out of bed.... LOL

I could do without living my life in 2 week intervals ~shrugs~
but i guess it's all worth it!

You'll have to keep us updated if AF hits or not :)

~baby dust~

[candylove]

I had a miscarriage in february2006. I also have 2 kids that are 4,7 it was easy for me to get pregnant with them. We waited 3 months to try again and still nothing Im considering clomid. How much is it? I have medical insurance will taht cover it. Who can prescribe clomid? While taking clomid can you start having intercourse right away? Do you have to have intercourse while you ovulate or does it matter. Someone said they tried clomid then they stopped for a few weeks and then got pregnant and lost the baby. Then the second time they stopped taking it for amonth then they got pregnant again and their pregnancy was a success coul that be?