Multiple day LH-surge

[Marilyn4444]

I am 37 years old and I have been trying to get pregnant for about 8 months now.
I have a very regular cycle (26-27 days).
I've been trying to take my temperature every morning and test for LH-surge starting day 8 of my cycle. My temperature doesn't spike real high after the LH-surge (maybe 0.4 degrees Celsius max), so I haven't been able to really figure out the time of my ovulation by using my body-temperature.
I have had a very consistent LH-surge reading though: it always starts on day 15 en continues through day 17 (so 3 days total). The test-line of the ovulation-kit is always similar or darker in color during those 3 days. All the days before day 15 and after day 17 the test-line is almost non-existent or way lighter in color.
What does all this mean?
When do I actually ovulate?
Is it normal to have a 3 day LH-surge?
Thanks!

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
Ovulation predictors are often very confusing!  Many people do have a positive test on more than one occasion.
I wonder however if your tests are throwing you off--based on your cycle, your ovulation should be occuring on day 13-14 of your cycle. ( I am assuming that you are counting the first day of your period as cycle day one.) The next month's menstrual period is always exactly 14 days after ovulation--so you could go back and figure out when you actually did ovulate on previous cycles.

The Clear Blue ovulation predictor is expensive, but might be worth it in your case.

Make sure you are having regular intercourse throughout your fertile time ( day 11-16)
every day  to every other day is optimal.  

You should also consider having a progesterone level drawn on day 21 of your cycle, to confirm that you are ovulating.

One other thing to consider is your ovarian reserve--this is a measure of how likely you are to conceive--given the over 35 thing ( I know!).  It usually involves a day 3 FSH level and an ultrasound with an antral follicle count.  In your case you might want to use the information to decide how much longer you want to wait before going on to the "big guns"
aka In vitro.

Good luck!
Dr B

[ileys]

A related discussion, can i be pregnant was started.

[Marilyn4444]

Thanks very much for your answer, Elaine!

I am actually already using the Clear Blue ovulation predictor (yes, it is indeed awfully expensive...) and it has been giving me the same LH-surge days for about half a year now: for my 26-27 day cycle (yes, I am counting the first day of my periond as day 1 of my cycle) I have the surge on days 15, 16 and 17. Today is actually day 17 and again: right on - the very obvious way darker test-line showed up....

This would mean that I always have at the least 9, at most 12 days from LH-surge to first menstrual day. So that is quite a bit less then the 14 days you are talking about.

I am getting a bit anxious after reading about all this. On top of my own age, my husband is already 50, so all in all unfortunately I have the feeling it might be time for some more action, like going to a gynacologist?

Thanks very much for your input!