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longer menstrual cycles

An_245723 posted:

I am 33 years old and have had normal menstrual cycles- every 28-30 days- since I started getting my period. I have been off of the pill for 1.5 years and my husband and I have recently decided to start trying to get pregnant. For the past 7 months, the length of my cycles been much longer- ranging anywhere from 35-50 days in between. I am wondering why the changes now. It is frustrating to be very late,given that we are trying to conceive. I have not made any changes to my lifestyle that I feel would cause changes to my cycle.

3 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:longer menstrual cyclesI am 33 years old and have had normal menstrual cycles- every 28-30 days- since I started getting my period. I have been off of the pill for 1.5 years and my husband and I have recently decided to start trying to get pregnant. For the past 7 months, the length of my cycles been much longer- ranging anywhere from 35-50 days in between. I am wondering why the changes now. It is frustrating to be very late,given that we are trying to conceive. I have not made any changes to my lifestyle that I feel would cause changes to my cycle.

Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP responded:

Dear An: Given that you are now trying to conceive (TTC) there are two important variables to assess with respect to your suddenly ;longer cycles:

1. Are you ovulating regularly?---Some women with longer than average cycles (average being 21-35 days) do ovulate consistently. Yet with variability of 35-50 days you may have either missed ovulations or some very erratic ones. As you have likely read it is very possible to have a flow that was not proceeded by an ovulation.

In terms of things that can interfere with regular ovulations, I have observed tha,t when women begin the process of TTC, the body can respond as though it was a type of stress. Albeit a "happy stress" like getting married, but there can be stress.

2. Premature ovarian failure--This is less common but lengthening cycles do occur during the last part of the transition into menopause. Cycles tend to shorten in our later 30's and 40's only to lengthen out and begin to miss in the late 40's.

Bottom line, I would suggest that you have a brief consult with your OB/GYN. They can check for low thyroid, elevated prolactin, or elevated cycle day 3 FSH to rule out medical conditions responsible for ovulation changes. They might ask you to do ovulation predictor kits, or even basal body temperatures, to identify when you are ovulating.

Best wishes in conceiving promptly!

Yours,
Jane

Report This| Share this:longer menstrual cyclesDear An: Given that you are now trying to conceive (TTC) there are two important variables to assess with respect to your suddenly ;longer cycles: 1. Are you ovulating regularly?---Some women with longer than average cycles (average being 21-35 days) do ovulate consistently. Yet with variability of 35-50 days you may have either missed ovulations or some very erratic ones. As you have likely read it is very possible to have a flow that was not proceeded by an ovulation. In terms of things that can interfere with regular ovulations, I have observed tha,t when women begin the process of TTC, the body can respond as though it was a type of stress. Albeit a "happy stress" like getting married, but there can be stress. 2. Premature ovarian failure--This is less common but lengthening cycles do occur during the last part of the transition into menopause. Cycles tend to shorten in our later 30's and 40's only to lengthen out and begin to miss in the late 40's. Bottom line, I would suggest that you have a brief consult with your OB/GYN. They can check for low thyroid, elevated prolactin, or elevated cycle day 3 FSH to rule out medical conditions responsible for ovulation changes. They might ask you to do ovulation predictor kits, or even basal body temperatures, to identify when you are ovulating. Best wishes in conceiving promptly! Yours, Jane

An_245723 replied to Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP's response:

Jane,

Thanks for responding, I appreciate the information.

Report This| Share this:longer menstrual cyclesJane, Thanks for responding, I appreciate the information.

An_245723 replied to Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP's response:

Jane,

Thanks for the helpful information!

Report This| Share this:longer menstrual cyclesJane, Thanks for the helpful information!

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