Really irregular cycles (skipping ovulation) because of sickness?

C

cindylou

Guest
I came off birth control a few months ago so that my husband and I could (finally!) start TTC. My cycle has been absolutely crazy since then - seriously all over the place. This week, it seemed like it was finally going to settle into a semblance of something normal... I have been using OPKs for about a week and a half. I had about 6 days of fairly dark test lines, and then on Thursday I got a definite positive. By yesterday (Saturday) it was back to being "slightly" negative. I've also had an increase in cervical mucus, etc. - basically, all the signs of impending ovulation.
As of today, though, I really should have noticed a temperature shift if I had ovulated (don't you ovulate 12-48 hours after a positive OPK?), and there is nothing. In fact, if anything my temps are LOWER than before, lol! I am just so frustrated. I always had extremely irregular cycles in high school... if I was sick at all or under ANY physical stress, I didn't get a normal cycle. I always had signs of impending ovulation, though (like EWCM) so I suspect that I probably got ready to ovulate every month and then skipped it. 
It's really just getting me so frustrated and down this weekend. I feel like I am in a continual battle against my body to do anything right! My CF is "mild" (pfts in 80s-low 90s) but I have some other issues (chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia) too, and my body tends to struggle with things as a result. It's so frustrating to know, from tracking it, that I was all set to ovulate and then didn't. I haven't even been having anything particularly stressful going on this week....
My question is - does anyone else experience this? My mom has PCOS, so there is a 50% chance that I could have that as well and that could be at least part of what causes my problems. However, I've always suspected that I had low estrogen levels (among other things, I have osteopenia) rather than high ones, and I've never had many of the symptoms of PCOS (for instance, I've never had heavy periods... they've always been lighter than normal). I've always chalked the cycle irregularity up to CF, since I do know illness and stress or any kind of tax on your body can make you irregular. So, does anyone else have this problem? And if so, have you found anything short of actual infertility treatments that is helpful for it? I have started taking Vitex, hoping that will regulate my cycles, but I'm afraid that if my problem is skipped ovulation due to physical stress, it won't work.
I'm seriously considering observing "ovulation week" from now on... if it looks like I'm going to ovulate, I cancel everything and take it completely easy for a few days to give my body the best chance of doing its thing. LOL.
 
C

cindylou

Guest
I came off birth control a few months ago so that my husband and I could (finally!) start TTC. My cycle has been absolutely crazy since then - seriously all over the place. This week, it seemed like it was finally going to settle into a semblance of something normal... I have been using OPKs for about a week and a half. I had about 6 days of fairly dark test lines, and then on Thursday I got a definite positive. By yesterday (Saturday) it was back to being "slightly" negative. I've also had an increase in cervical mucus, etc. - basically, all the signs of impending ovulation.
As of today, though, I really should have noticed a temperature shift if I had ovulated (don't you ovulate 12-48 hours after a positive OPK?), and there is nothing. In fact, if anything my temps are LOWER than before, lol! I am just so frustrated. I always had extremely irregular cycles in high school... if I was sick at all or under ANY physical stress, I didn't get a normal cycle. I always had signs of impending ovulation, though (like EWCM) so I suspect that I probably got ready to ovulate every month and then skipped it.
It's really just getting me so frustrated and down this weekend. I feel like I am in a continual battle against my body to do anything right! My CF is "mild" (pfts in 80s-low 90s) but I have some other issues (chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia) too, and my body tends to struggle with things as a result. It's so frustrating to know, from tracking it, that I was all set to ovulate and then didn't. I haven't even been having anything particularly stressful going on this week....
My question is - does anyone else experience this? My mom has PCOS, so there is a 50% chance that I could have that as well and that could be at least part of what causes my problems. However, I've always suspected that I had low estrogen levels (among other things, I have osteopenia) rather than high ones, and I've never had many of the symptoms of PCOS (for instance, I've never had heavy periods... they've always been lighter than normal). I've always chalked the cycle irregularity up to CF, since I do know illness and stress or any kind of tax on your body can make you irregular. So, does anyone else have this problem? And if so, have you found anything short of actual infertility treatments that is helpful for it? I have started taking Vitex, hoping that will regulate my cycles, but I'm afraid that if my problem is skipped ovulation due to physical stress, it won't work.
I'm seriously considering observing "ovulation week" from now on... if it looks like I'm going to ovulate, I cancel everything and take it completely easy for a few days to give my body the best chance of doing its thing. LOL.
 
C

cindylou

Guest
<p>I came off birth control a few months ago so that my husband and I could (finally!) start TTC. My cycle has been absolutely crazy since then - seriously all over the place. This week, it seemed like it was finally going to settle into a semblance of something normal... I have been using OPKs for about a week and a half. I had about 6 days of fairly dark test lines, and then on Thursday I got a definite positive. By yesterday (Saturday) it was back to being "slightly" negative. I've also had an increase in cervical mucus, etc. - basically, all the signs of impending ovulation.
<p>As of today, though, I really should have noticed a temperature shift if I had ovulated (don't you ovulate 12-48 hours after a positive OPK?), and there is nothing. In fact, if anything my temps are LOWER than before, lol! I am just so frustrated. I always had extremely irregular cycles in high school... if I was sick at all or under ANY physical stress, I didn't get a normal cycle. I always had signs of impending ovulation, though (like EWCM) so I suspect that I probably got ready to ovulate every month and then skipped it.
<p>It's really just getting me so frustrated and down this weekend. I feel like I am in a continual battle against my body to do anything right! My CF is "mild" (pfts in 80s-low 90s) but I have some other issues (chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia) too, and my body tends to struggle with things as a result. It's so frustrating to know, from tracking it, that I was all set to ovulate and then didn't. I haven't even been having anything particularly stressful going on this week....
<p>My question is - does anyone else experience this? My mom has PCOS, so there is a 50% chance that I could have that as well and that could be at least part of what causes my problems. However, I've always suspected that I had low estrogen levels (among other things, I have osteopenia) rather than high ones, and I've never had many of the symptoms of PCOS (for instance, I've never had heavy periods... they've always been lighter than normal). I've always chalked the cycle irregularity up to CF, since I do know illness and stress or any kind of tax on your body can make you irregular. So, does anyone else have this problem? And if so, have you found anything short of actual infertility treatments that is helpful for it? I have started taking Vitex, hoping that will regulate my cycles, but I'm afraid that if my problem is skipped ovulation due to physical stress, it won't work.
<p>I'm seriously considering observing "ovulation week" from now on... if it looks like I'm going to ovulate, I cancel everything and take it completely easy for a few days to give my body the best chance of doing its thing. LOL.
 
M

marisalynn

New member
Hi Cindy,
I can understand how frustrating it is when you are trying to get pregnant and not having luck. My husband and I were TTC'ing for over a year before I finally got pregnant in February. As far as the ovulation kits, I wouldn't 24-48 hours after a positive test. As I see it, it's safer to be a little early and have the sperm waiting then to late and the egg be gone already. Also, in reference to the temperature, I had a lot of trouble correlating my ovulation to my temperature. I know this works really well for some people, but it just wouldn't work for me. It was probably a lot to do with me working night shift at the time, so my sleeping schedule was pretty messed up. At any rate, I had to base more solely on the ovulation kits, cervical mucus, and cervical position.
Another thing that I know is very difficult to do is to relax. There were points when we were trying that I got so frustrated I would just cry, and after a while, I just decided that whatever will be, will be. That of course doesn't mean I wanted it any less. I just resigned to the fact that I was doing everything that I could, and that the rest was in God's hands.
Good luck!
Marisa RN, 23w/CF
 
M

marisalynn

New member
Hi Cindy,
I can understand how frustrating it is when you are trying to get pregnant and not having luck. My husband and I were TTC'ing for over a year before I finally got pregnant in February. As far as the ovulation kits, I wouldn't 24-48 hours after a positive test. As I see it, it's safer to be a little early and have the sperm waiting then to late and the egg be gone already. Also, in reference to the temperature, I had a lot of trouble correlating my ovulation to my temperature. I know this works really well for some people, but it just wouldn't work for me. It was probably a lot to do with me working night shift at the time, so my sleeping schedule was pretty messed up. At any rate, I had to base more solely on the ovulation kits, cervical mucus, and cervical position.
Another thing that I know is very difficult to do is to relax. There were points when we were trying that I got so frustrated I would just cry, and after a while, I just decided that whatever will be, will be. That of course doesn't mean I wanted it any less. I just resigned to the fact that I was doing everything that I could, and that the rest was in God's hands.
Good luck!
Marisa RN, 23w/CF
 
M

marisalynn

New member
Hi Cindy,
<br />I can understand how frustrating it is when you are trying to get pregnant and not having luck. My husband and I were TTC'ing for over a year before I finally got pregnant in February. As far as the ovulation kits, I wouldn't 24-48 hours after a positive test. As I see it, it's safer to be a little early and have the sperm waiting then to late and the egg be gone already. Also, in reference to the temperature, I had a lot of trouble correlating my ovulation to my temperature. I know this works really well for some people, but it just wouldn't work for me. It was probably a lot to do with me working night shift at the time, so my sleeping schedule was pretty messed up. At any rate, I had to base more solely on the ovulation kits, cervical mucus, and cervical position.
<br />Another thing that I know is very difficult to do is to relax. There were points when we were trying that I got so frustrated I would just cry, and after a while, I just decided that whatever will be, will be. That of course doesn't mean I wanted it any less. I just resigned to the fact that I was doing everything that I could, and that the rest was in God's hands.
<br />Good luck!
<br />Marisa RN, 23w/CF
 
C

cindylou

Guest
Oh trust me, we didn't wait 24-48 hours. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> After writing that, I checked my cervical mucus again this afternoon and - shock - I actually had some slippery fertile mucus, so I'm hoping that means my body is trying again - and hoping it will succeed this time!!! I suspect that what is happening is that my body has an LH surge, but then my estrogen doesn't quite make it up to ovulation because of physical stress (because honestly, my body is ALWAYS under stress!), and so then it surges again, etc. Today my OPK was not quite positive but definitely darker than it's been since Thursday. So I'm hoping that that + the slippery mucus means it will actually work this time. I guess we will see! My temperatures are actually LOWER than they have been all week, so I definitely have not ovulated yet.

After thinking about it all day, I think the only thing I can pin it to is lack of sleep. I have really slept badly for about 4 1/2 months, since I got a virus around Christmas which increased my night cough. I cough myself awake almost every night, which obviously doesn't lead toward conducive sleep. I need a LOT of sleep, due to my family genetics as much as CF/fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue/everything else, and I do know from lots of areas of my life that when I don't get enough sleep, I don't function. So I am thinking that is probably just it. I think over the next two or three days I'm really going to take it easy and see if I can get my body really relaxed and happy and ready to let go of that egg!!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
C

cindylou

Guest
Oh trust me, we didn't wait 24-48 hours. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> After writing that, I checked my cervical mucus again this afternoon and - shock - I actually had some slippery fertile mucus, so I'm hoping that means my body is trying again - and hoping it will succeed this time!!! I suspect that what is happening is that my body has an LH surge, but then my estrogen doesn't quite make it up to ovulation because of physical stress (because honestly, my body is ALWAYS under stress!), and so then it surges again, etc. Today my OPK was not quite positive but definitely darker than it's been since Thursday. So I'm hoping that that + the slippery mucus means it will actually work this time. I guess we will see! My temperatures are actually LOWER than they have been all week, so I definitely have not ovulated yet.

After thinking about it all day, I think the only thing I can pin it to is lack of sleep. I have really slept badly for about 4 1/2 months, since I got a virus around Christmas which increased my night cough. I cough myself awake almost every night, which obviously doesn't lead toward conducive sleep. I need a LOT of sleep, due to my family genetics as much as CF/fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue/everything else, and I do know from lots of areas of my life that when I don't get enough sleep, I don't function. So I am thinking that is probably just it. I think over the next two or three days I'm really going to take it easy and see if I can get my body really relaxed and happy and ready to let go of that egg!!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
C

cindylou

Guest
Oh trust me, we didn't wait 24-48 hours. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> After writing that, I checked my cervical mucus again this afternoon and - shock - I actually had some slippery fertile mucus, so I'm hoping that means my body is trying again - and hoping it will succeed this time!!! I suspect that what is happening is that my body has an LH surge, but then my estrogen doesn't quite make it up to ovulation because of physical stress (because honestly, my body is ALWAYS under stress!), and so then it surges again, etc. Today my OPK was not quite positive but definitely darker than it's been since Thursday. So I'm hoping that that + the slippery mucus means it will actually work this time. I guess we will see! My temperatures are actually LOWER than they have been all week, so I definitely have not ovulated yet.
<br />
<br />After thinking about it all day, I think the only thing I can pin it to is lack of sleep. I have really slept badly for about 4 1/2 months, since I got a virus around Christmas which increased my night cough. I cough myself awake almost every night, which obviously doesn't lead toward conducive sleep. I need a LOT of sleep, due to my family genetics as much as CF/fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue/everything else, and I do know from lots of areas of my life that when I don't get enough sleep, I don't function. So I am thinking that is probably just it. I think over the next two or three days I'm really going to take it easy and see if I can get my body really relaxed and happy and ready to let go of that egg!!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
R

rwatterson

New member
Your weight may be an indication for not ovulating properly as well. Most CFers are underweight, and it can really cause problems with fertility sometimes. If you think you have PCOS you should really be evaluated by a reproductive endocrinologist. PCOS patients often require other medications to induce ovulation (Clomid - which is cheap and easy) and/or Metformin to regulate insulin (insulin-resistance can be a problem in some women with PCOS). It really depends what type of PCOS you may have to see what you may need to help conceive.

I'm an embryologist, so I always suggest that if you can afford it or have insurance coverage, IVF is the way to go...but if you can't afford it or don't want the aggressive treatments, I would definitely look into at least having some baseline hormones run by your OB/GYN if you cannot afford/find a good RE.
 
R

rwatterson

New member
Your weight may be an indication for not ovulating properly as well. Most CFers are underweight, and it can really cause problems with fertility sometimes. If you think you have PCOS you should really be evaluated by a reproductive endocrinologist. PCOS patients often require other medications to induce ovulation (Clomid - which is cheap and easy) and/or Metformin to regulate insulin (insulin-resistance can be a problem in some women with PCOS). It really depends what type of PCOS you may have to see what you may need to help conceive.

I'm an embryologist, so I always suggest that if you can afford it or have insurance coverage, IVF is the way to go...but if you can't afford it or don't want the aggressive treatments, I would definitely look into at least having some baseline hormones run by your OB/GYN if you cannot afford/find a good RE.
 
R

rwatterson

New member
Your weight may be an indication for not ovulating properly as well. Most CFers are underweight, and it can really cause problems with fertility sometimes. If you think you have PCOS you should really be evaluated by a reproductive endocrinologist. PCOS patients often require other medications to induce ovulation (Clomid - which is cheap and easy) and/or Metformin to regulate insulin (insulin-resistance can be a problem in some women with PCOS). It really depends what type of PCOS you may have to see what you may need to help conceive.
<br />
<br />I'm an embryologist, so I always suggest that if you can afford it or have insurance coverage, IVF is the way to go...but if you can't afford it or don't want the aggressive treatments, I would definitely look into at least having some baseline hormones run by your OB/GYN if you cannot afford/find a good RE.
 
C

cindylou

Guest
Rachel, thanks! I will get the PCOS possibility looked into, but I want to give it a bit for my hormones to regulate from being on birth control first. Sometimes I think I do have PCOS, but I have a few things that make me think it is just CF related and nothing else. For instance, I have realized I have a pattern of several skipped ovulations before having a real ovulation - this month I had about 16 days of off and on fertile cervical mucus, and even got a positive OPK two different times before my temperature shift actually happened last week. It's pretty clear that my body keeps gearing up to ovulate and then skipping it. It looks like a classic "stress" reaction, except since I'm not actually under any "stress," it's got to be just sickness. I am not underweight (I am actually really good for my height right now, just hit a BMI of 22) so that is definitely not it.
 
C

cindylou

Guest
Rachel, thanks! I will get the PCOS possibility looked into, but I want to give it a bit for my hormones to regulate from being on birth control first. Sometimes I think I do have PCOS, but I have a few things that make me think it is just CF related and nothing else. For instance, I have realized I have a pattern of several skipped ovulations before having a real ovulation - this month I had about 16 days of off and on fertile cervical mucus, and even got a positive OPK two different times before my temperature shift actually happened last week. It's pretty clear that my body keeps gearing up to ovulate and then skipping it. It looks like a classic "stress" reaction, except since I'm not actually under any "stress," it's got to be just sickness. I am not underweight (I am actually really good for my height right now, just hit a BMI of 22) so that is definitely not it.
 
C

cindylou

Guest
Rachel, thanks! I will get the PCOS possibility looked into, but I want to give it a bit for my hormones to regulate from being on birth control first. Sometimes I think I do have PCOS, but I have a few things that make me think it is just CF related and nothing else. For instance, I have realized I have a pattern of several skipped ovulations before having a real ovulation - this month I had about 16 days of off and on fertile cervical mucus, and even got a positive OPK two different times before my temperature shift actually happened last week. It's pretty clear that my body keeps gearing up to ovulate and then skipping it. It looks like a classic "stress" reaction, except since I'm not actually under any "stress," it's got to be just sickness. I am not underweight (I am actually really good for my height right now, just hit a BMI of 22) so that is definitely not it.
 
K

KLeigh

New member
Hi Cindy-
I have been TTCing for 6 months & I have noticed that I don't ovulate when the OPK's say i will. I usually ovulate like 3-4 days later... Also, i forget the technical terms for it but it's possible to ovulate without your temp. going STRAIGHT up. It can slowly shift up. I notice this some months & other months I can't even tell when i have ovulated. Have you tried using any websites? I love www.myfertilitycharts.com. you can enter all your information & it will project when you ovulate & tell you when you ovulate, if you enter in your OPK results!
But what i have realized is you really can plan everything out, but for me it is stressing me out. I am now aware of when i usually ovulate & now I'm done charting. I'm just going to use the OPKs and have fun TTCing...
Good Luck!
Kathryn
 
K

KLeigh

New member
Hi Cindy-
I have been TTCing for 6 months & I have noticed that I don't ovulate when the OPK's say i will. I usually ovulate like 3-4 days later... Also, i forget the technical terms for it but it's possible to ovulate without your temp. going STRAIGHT up. It can slowly shift up. I notice this some months & other months I can't even tell when i have ovulated. Have you tried using any websites? I love www.myfertilitycharts.com. you can enter all your information & it will project when you ovulate & tell you when you ovulate, if you enter in your OPK results!
But what i have realized is you really can plan everything out, but for me it is stressing me out. I am now aware of when i usually ovulate & now I'm done charting. I'm just going to use the OPKs and have fun TTCing...
Good Luck!
Kathryn
 
K

KLeigh

New member
Hi Cindy-
<br />I have been TTCing for 6 months & I have noticed that I don't ovulate when the OPK's say i will. I usually ovulate like 3-4 days later... Also, i forget the technical terms for it but it's possible to ovulate without your temp. going STRAIGHT up. It can slowly shift up. I notice this some months & other months I can't even tell when i have ovulated. Have you tried using any websites? I love www.myfertilitycharts.com. you can enter all your information & it will project when you ovulate & tell you when you ovulate, if you enter in your OPK results!
<br />But what i have realized is you really can plan everything out, but for me it is stressing me out. I am now aware of when i usually ovulate & now I'm done charting. I'm just going to use the OPKs and have fun TTCing...
<br />Good Luck!
<br />Kathryn
 
C

cindylou

Guest
So, a few weeks later, I understand that my body is even more messed up than I thought. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> I don't trust OPKS at all anymore - I noticed a clear pattern of delayed ovulation while my body was trying to ovulate. Last cycle, it took me 22 days of ovulation signs to actually ovulate, and this last cycle it took me 16 (the vitex working!). I got at least 2 positive OPKs this month and then never ovulated. Luckily though, I had a VERY clear temperature shift, including a huge dip on the day of ovulation. So it's pretty clear by my charts when I actually ovulated.
 
C

cindylou

Guest
So, a few weeks later, I understand that my body is even more messed up than I thought. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> I don't trust OPKS at all anymore - I noticed a clear pattern of delayed ovulation while my body was trying to ovulate. Last cycle, it took me 22 days of ovulation signs to actually ovulate, and this last cycle it took me 16 (the vitex working!). I got at least 2 positive OPKs this month and then never ovulated. Luckily though, I had a VERY clear temperature shift, including a huge dip on the day of ovulation. So it's pretty clear by my charts when I actually ovulated.
 
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