What IS a "NORMAL" cycle

[Atia_Julii]

So, I have been off bc for 4 months now, and my cycles have lasted the following, in order:

31 days
36 days
37 days
39 days

I know cycles vary some, but does anyone have cycles where every month, it hits on the same day?  My cycles keep getting longer each month.  It seems like after four months of being off the pill, it should be somewhat regular, right?  I guess my cycle only varies by about 8 days, but it just seems inconsistent to me?

Any insight?

[Atia_Julii]

Thanks. . . I scheduled an appt. with my regular doc, and I guess I'll just see what she says.  

[sweetangel7]

It is drastic...I'm telling you my doctor said it can take a YEAR for your body to get back to normal after stopping bc...she even said just because one month seems like its normal, there is no guarantee for the next month...give it time, bbt and IF after a year you  are unsuccessful, then go the RE route.  I'm on month 6 of ttc after my mc and my doctor pretty much told me to slow down, enjoy being young, in love and trying to make a baby...and if after 6 more months we don't have a pregnancy, then we could go the RE route.  TTC can be a long road...and it is easy to get overwhelmed...especially when you want it so bad!  Good luck!

[Atia_Julii]

So, I posted this question on the expert forum as well, under the integrative fertility section, and below is the doctor's comment. . .

"This is not normal and I would be concerned that you are not ovulating regularly. If you are interested in conceiving, I suggest that you have a complete work up with a Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility specialist."

It just seems drastic that after 4 unsuccessful months of trying, that I should go see out a RE already.  Any opinions?  My cycles basically vary by about 8 days, but does that mean I'm not ovulating?  I've tried OPK's, and haven't been too successful.  I don't know. . . I guess I don't want to be turned away by a doctor who laughs in my face cause I haven't even been trying that long.  The experts answer has me down. :-(

[sweetangel7]

They give you the VIP membership free for a month and then after that you can pay to continue VIP and get all the extras or take the freebie membership...I liked the VIP one so I signed up...It was reasonable...I can't remember how much but worth it to me =)

[nikko*ttc]

I bought mine at walgreens for about 7 or 8 dollars. You can also get them online or even walmart. It is a special thermometer. It is acurate to two decimal points. I also used fertility friend while TTC. The membership is worth the extra money. There are lots of tools and such that are only available to members. The basics includes the chart and access to their documentation, etc. If you have other questions just let us know. There are plenty of times I would say her is my chart and what do you guys think. Once you have charted for a few months fertility friend will start predicting with good accuracy when you will O again and when your period would start. It also tells you when to test. Good luck!

[sweetangel7]

I couldn't find one at the stores so I bought one online for like 7.99 at early pregnancy tests . com They offer free shipping on order of 14.99 or more so you might want to buy a couple pregnancy tests...they have cheap ones!  Good luck...and I love Fertility Friend...after my mc in December I had a 44 day cycle, then it went to 35, and I had no idea when I was o'ing so I signed up with FF and it has been soooo helpful....you just have to be consistent and when you sign up, they email you a ton of info that might seem a bit overwhelming (it was to me) but I took my time and read it at my leisure and I learned so much!

[Atia_Julii]

I will check out fertility friend.  Anyone know where to get a BBT thermometer?

[sweetangel7]

Check out Fertility Friend...it is a website that tells you everything you need/want to know about bbt, o'ing, etc.  Basically, as far as the cycles go, as long as you are having  weeks of non bleeding and approximately a week/chunk of time where you are bleeding, that is considered a 'normal' period.  I JUST went to the doc last month and asked that question because I thought my cycles were irregular since my mc...some were 27 days, some were 30 days...He said that is perfectly normal and fine.  NOT every woman will have consistent cycles (ex. 28, 28, 28, 28....).  I was also told that it can take your body up to a year to 'regulate' after being on bc so that could be causing the cycle changes...You do need a bbt thermometer because it is more sensitive...Your temp will spike when you o and you will need to have three elevated temps to confirm o...like I said, check out Fertility Friend...it is free and great!

[Atia_Julii]

Thanks so much for your response.  That makes a lot of sense, and I think I will start charting BBT this month for sure, so I can make sure I'm O'ing.  A couple questions:

1.  Can I use a normal thermometer to check BBT or should I get a special thermometer? (and where would I get that thermometer)

2.  Is it true that right AFTER O'ing happens, that then the temp gets elevated?

Thanks! :-D

[nikko*ttc]

Actually these last three seem to be very close. If after next month your cycle is still longer than I would definitely talk to your doctor. All women are different in how they react after coming off bc. I was on depo provera for eight years. It took me about 8 months to get regulated. If you were taking the pill, I would think you would regulate by 6 months. What is really important is to keep up with your BBT to see if you are ovulating. Just because your cycle days are odd doesn't mean you aren't O'ing. The first part of your period usually difers but your luteal phase, the phase after ovulation is usually VERY consistent meaning usually within 1 day. Mine was always 15 days. I would O and then 15 days later my period would start. Once you know when you have O'd then you can start keeping track of the number of days in your luteal phase. After three months of charting bbt, if you are not o'ing and your luteal phase is not normal, then take your charts and head to the OB's office.