Long cycles

[Atia_Julii]

Does anyone on this board have long cycles?  And if yes, have you been successful in TTC?

I read once on this board (the expert forum though) that any cycle over 35 days, it is very possible that the woman is not ovulating.  However, my cycles have been about 36-37 days each month, and I guess I just want to hear that there is hope out there.  Based on CM, I believe I ovulate every month, but I guess I just don't know if longer cycles are normal.

[Michele, Katy, TX]

I have used both.  The Basal Thermometer is only like $8-$10 at Walgreens or any pharmacy.  I'm sure a regular is fine.  That is what I used until recently, but the Basal Thermometer is more sensitive.  That is how I felt about OPKs also.  Plus since I use this as a NFP method, that would really be a waste of money for me.  But charting will help you to see a pattern so that way you can also use the OPKs along with the charting.

Good luck!!!

[Atia_Julii]

Thanks for your comments.  I did try OPK's, but gave up due to my long cycles, I felt like I pretty much had to test every day to find a positive.  I think I will also start charting my temps.  For charting temps, can I use a normal thermometer, or does it need to be a special one for women TTC?  I always here basal body temp, and I guess I don't know what that is exactly.

[sweetangel7]

I had a mc in Dec and my cycles have been long with the exception of one 27 day cycle...I temp and do opk's...although my temp says I ov'd last month, I never got a pos. opk and when it said I ov'd was on cycle day 8!  my cycle was 34 days so I doubt that I ov'd on day 8 OR at all for that matter...I am going to the doctor tomorrow to try to get something to help me regulate and ov and hopefully get my bfp!  Maybe you should try using opk's and if no luck, see what your doc can do to help you.  Good luck!

[Michele, Katy, TX]

I have been having pretty long cycles since I had my last baby.  She is 11 months old tomorrow.  I don't know what the heck is going on to tell you the truth.  I am not currently ttc, but I do chart my temps on fertility friend as a form of natural family planning.  I strongly recommend you doing that.  It's free and it will help you to know that you are ovulating for sure and also help you to know how long your luteal phase is.  That is important for implantation reasons.  For example, most women have an LP phase of 14-16 days.  If you are having a very short LP phase that can mean that there isn't enough time for a fertilized egg to implant itself.  CM is a hard way for me to know I am Oing because I start getting the EWCM several days before I actually ovulate.  So, I can't go based off of just that.  Oh, and just incase you didn't know, the LP phase is the time period between ovulation and the start of your period.  

Hope this helps!!!  And good luck!!!