Questions about anovulatory cycles!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2009
Questions about anovulatory cycles!!!
6
Wed, 03-25-2009 - 5:24pm

One of the things I've been reading involves women realizing that they're not ovulating, whether through blood work or temping, etc.

If a woman does not ovulate naturally, is it possible that she would still get a period every month? I've read about "breakthrough bleeding" but is it possible to experience this every month and have no idea that its not a "real period"??

I'm also wondering if women with anovulatory cycles can have a + OPK.

Thanks.

Cycle 1 - BFN. Diagnosed with PCOS.

http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/221fba

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2008
Wed, 03-25-2009 - 8:54pm

I know that you can be having regular periods and still not ovulating.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-08-2008
Wed, 03-25-2009 - 10:30pm

Hi, I just thought I would throw my two cents in....

I've had experience with anovulatory cycles and often times don't get my AF as a result. So, I don't think it's an accurate statement to say that you get your AF regardless of O'ing or not...

In order to O your body needs two hormones, FSH and LH, and when these two hormones surge, you get ovulation as a result. Usually, after you O, the follicle that you O'd from turns into the corpus luteum which produces progesterone. If you're pg, this corpus luteum stays in place until the placenta takes over. If you're not pg, then it shrivels up and the progesterone productions stops, causing you to shed the lining of your uterus. If, for some reason, your surge isn't enough to rupture your follicle, it CAN turn into a cyst that produces progesterone and eventually that can tapper off, leading to AF.

-Or-
If your body doesn't ever have that surge and you don't O, don't produce progesterone and don't get an AF (like in my case, usually).

Once in a great while, I will get a "period" which is the break-through bleeding you mentioned. This happens because the lining gets really built up and sort of "spontaneously erupts" (and for me, these AF are really bad, way worse than a normal AF) But the doctor will confirm this as break-through with a blood test, because it will lack the progesterone and other hormones from O'ing.

Hope this helps!!

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Me: 22, PCOS, T-Shaped Uterus


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TTC #1 06/2008


Cycle 1: Clomid 50mg CD 5-9, No O


Cycle 2: Progesterone to induce AF, Clomid 100mg CD 5-9, No O


Cycle 3: Progesterone to induce AF, Clomid 150mg CD 5-9, No O


Cycle 4: Progesterone to induce AF, HSG-No blocks, T-shaped Uterus, Start round 1 of injectables,
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2009
Thu, 03-26-2009 - 6:45am

Thank you, that was very informative. I actually have AF now, and was wondering if it was "real". I did get a + OPK and this started about 14 days later. I have every reason to think its real, but the only thing that makes me doubt it were my low, low, low temps in the second half of my cycle. I was also just diagnosed with PCOS, so that made me wonder whether or not I O'ed at all. (Some women on here have looked at my chart and said it looks like I did.)

I went yesterday for my day 3 blood work, so I guess they'll be able to tell from that, once the results are in.

Thanks.

Cycle 1 - BFN. Diagnosed with PCOS.

http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/221fba

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2009
Sat, 03-28-2009 - 12:38pm
Thanks....that is my big fear, that I can not be ovulating and have no idea.

Cycle 1 - BFN. Diagnosed with PCOS.

http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/221fba

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-28-2007
Sat, 03-28-2009 - 7:25pm
That was my problem.
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2009
Sun, 03-29-2009 - 9:00am

Thanks everyone. The nurse at my doc's office was saying that if I get a regular period (which I do - every 32ish days) and I've been getting + OPKs (just did that for the first time last cycle and I did get a positive on the digital) than I really shouldn't worry.

But.....I know that that's not true. I know that some women can get a regular period and not ovulate. I know that a + OPK doesn't necessarily mean you've ovulated. The nurse is telling me not to worry but I just want to know how I can be SURE.

I temped last cycle, my post-O temps were low...the were above the coverline, but low. It looked like a "slow rise" but then once they hit the peak, they immediately went back down. (I'd love it if someone could look and give me your opinion!)

This cycle I just ended AF and haven't temped yet. I will start up again tomorrow, when I get up at the usual time.

What is the blood work to confirm ovulation, is that Day 21???

Thanks everyone.

*********************************************************
Cycle 1 - BFN. Diagnosed with PCOS.

http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/221fba