https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:26:57 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/long-cycles-when-to-involve-a-doctor#post-994756 Tue, 06 Aug 2013 22:07:22 +0000 tarabonno 994756@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm in the same boat with the long cycles. Since coming off of bcps a year ago, I've had anything from 32 days to 116. So frustrating!!</p> <p>I saw my doctor and she did blood work to confirm nothing was wrong (thyroid, premature ovarian failure, etc.). Good news is that nothing was wrong, bad news is that cycles are still wonky. I have been taking Vitex to try to regulate my cycle... I'm about two months in and am in the TWW (I hope) of my most normal cycle in a while (FX), but we'll see. Supposedly vitex "kicks in" and really starts to work at the 3 month mark. </p> <p>If seeing your doctor makes you feel better, go. Just be prepared that they may say, "that's normal" and you'll have to wait it out. :sad: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/long-cycles-when-to-involve-a-doctor#post-987890 Sun, 04 Aug 2013 03:05:33 +0000 erinpye 987890@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I initially went on BC for the same reason- irregular, long cycles. When I went off, I didn't get a period for 6 months, and then they were all over the place for 2 years. I had 100 day cycles, 60 day cycles, the shortest were about 42 days, which is what they finally regulated out to being, fairly consistently. I was diagnosed with a mild case of PCOS, and thyroid issues, and have been able to get pregnant twice without treatment (aside from thyroid meds which are necessary regardless of my TTC status). Don't stress out yet- let your body regulate, give it 6 months or so of trying, and then make an appointment with an RE if you're having trouble. Also, charting really helps to know when to try, especially if you have long cycles. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/long-cycles-when-to-involve-a-doctor#post-972739 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 12:53:50 +0000 Sunshine1810 972739@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went off of BC a year before TTC just in case it took my body a while to regulate after. I had a few cycles that were around 40-45 days and I didn't call for those. I waited until I went 65 days and then I called. I ended up getting my period natrually, but blood work later confirmed PCOS. I had suspicions because of symptoms I had as a teenager which is why I was put on BC in the first place. The doctor put me on Metformin and it has regulated my cycles. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/long-cycles-when-to-involve-a-doctor#post-970737 Sun, 28 Jul 2013 16:37:46 +0000 Hismrskisses 970737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would go see your doctor. It can really help for when you want to start trying! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/long-cycles-when-to-involve-a-doctor#post-956977 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 15:31:11 +0000 IRunForFun 956977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LaughLines: I have seen my doctor, several times, about long, irregular cycles, and I'm not even TTC yet. I just wanted to catch a possible problem before I started TTC, so that I could go into things well-informed. My doctor was more than happy to work with me when I explained that we wanted to TTC "soon" and that I was concerned about my long, irregular cycles. He checked my thyroid, glucose levels, progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, FSH, LH, and did an ultrasound. Now that he knows my history he said he'd be willing to do more investigating if we don't have any luck conceiving within a few months of TTC. If you're concerned, I'd recommend checking in with your doctor just so he/she knows what's up and has your history, at the very least. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/long-cycles-when-to-involve-a-doctor#post-956936 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 15:15:14 +0000 raintreebee 956936@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Usually if there is a diagnosed condition, the 6 months/1 year rules don't apply for infertility coverage and treatment. I would definitely speak to a doc now since this was an issue pre-BC. And once you start trying TTC, you will most likely be obsessed with getting pregnant immediately :) so best to get the testing done now. Diagnosing PCOS can be done through simple blood tests sometimes, although from what I understand some types are more difficult to diagnosis and require looking at several other factors. I am not an expert on the subject, though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/long-cycles-when-to-involve-a-doctor#post-956933 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 15:14:42 +0000 ShootingStar 956933@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't give it very long because it was obvious as soon as I was off BC that I wasn't ovulating. I had one normal-ish cycle of 43 days, and then after that I never got my period naturally. I called my GYN and they had me come in for blood tests to confirm no ovulation. Two cycles in a row I gave it until around 50 days, then had blood work, then was given provera to induce a period. My GYN wouldn't do anything else for me, so I had to see an RE. The RE diagnosed me with PCOS based on blood work (high testosterone, high blood sugar) and by ultrasound where you could actually see the classic "string of pearls" cysts on my ovaries.</p> <p>In my case we were ready to try at that point, so I was much more motivated to make progress. At the time I had meant to give myself 3 months for things to regulate, but it was obvious it was never going to happen naturally. And at 34, I wasn't willing to take things the natural and slow route, like losing weight - but that is a completely valid option if you're in no rush. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/long-cycles-when-to-involve-a-doctor#post-956911 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 15:06:38 +0000 sarac 956911@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I involved mine at about the point you're at now. He was willing to be aggressive, and not to just have me wait it out. That suited me - if it would suit you, I'd suggest finding a similar doc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/long-cycles-when-to-involve-a-doctor#post-956761 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 14:14:58 +0000 pui 956761@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LaughLines: I did go to my doctor to get help about my lack of ovulation and period around CD65 (5.5 months TTC, after being off the pill for 8 months). He told me I might have PCOS and did tell me he would put me on Metformin and possibly Clomid if I did (I am assuming he meant immediately). I got tested for PCOS and various other things. I had an ultrasound and blood work, which only took about a week and then it was a week to the results. My doctor seems pretty sure I do not have PCOS, however I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism. </p> <p>After 6 weeks on Synthroid I had another blood test and it looks like my levels have all evened out very well. I still do not have AF, but as I mentioned in the last few days I have had some spotting... I really hope hypothyroidism was my only problem.</p> <p>I'm in Canada, btw, so I'm not sure if any of this would be different elsewhere. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/long-cycles-when-to-involve-a-doctor#post-956746 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 14:10:43 +0000 LaughLines 956746@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pui I saw on another thread that your doc is testing to see if you have PCOS - how long does that take? Also, if they do decide you have it will they let you use fertility drugs right away or do you have to wait a year? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/long-cycles-when-to-involve-a-doctor#post-956737 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 14:08:42 +0000 LindsayInNY 956737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Whew, those are a lot of questions, LOL...</p> <p>My first two cycles off BC were longer too despite having been completely regular before BC. I heard/read somewhere not to call my doctor until it had been longer. Since it's your first cycle off BC, I would wait it out for a bit. It takes some time for your body to rid itself of the hormones and the last thing you want to do is introduce more. See if your body regulates itself before you self-diagnose with anything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/long-cycles-when-to-involve-a-doctor#post-956729 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 14:06:12 +0000 fairefaire 956729@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've had some long (for me) cycles in the past, but my Dr. told me not to worry about it unless I missed two cycles (so anything 60+ days), in which case they'd prescribe something to jump start things. </p> <p>I don't think it hurts to go ahead and call now. Even if you aren't TTC, if there's something that might slow things down in the future, better to get that under control now then have to wait even longer once you are ready to try! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/long-cycles-when-to-involve-a-doctor#post-956726 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 14:05:21 +0000 pui 956726@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am on CD118 and my doctor told me at CD95ish that I shouldn't worry about it (!!!) I just started spotting, but if AF doesn't arrive by Friday I am probably going to ask for my period to be induced.</p> <p>In my case, it seems that BCP was the only thing keeping my cycles somewhat regular and it was only when it wore off that it stopped completely...</p> <p>I think you should call your doctor now. See what they say. I think the sooner you get checked out the better. It could just be BCP messing with you though, so don't panic yet! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/long-cycles-when-to-involve-a-doctor#post-956717 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 14:03:04 +0000 mrsmate 956717@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I called my OB about my irregular cycles after 2-3 cycles. I explained we were TTC but couldn't figure out when I was ovulating. I was 32 and had a child already, there was no reason to suspect anything wrong. OB ordered tests right away. I would call your doctor. The worst they can say is, call back when you get AF. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/long-cycles-when-to-involve-a-doctor#post-956684 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 13:55:30 +0000 LaughLines 956684@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm on day 84 of my first cycle off birth control. When i was a teenager I didn't have regular cycles either, which is what made me go on birth control in the first place and i haven't been off since now. I am not TTC yet, but I wanted to go off early to give myself time to regulate... now i'm worried it may not happen at all because maybe i have PCOS or something else that affects cycles</p> <p>My question is a two-parter: first, how long before I talk to a doctor about it? It's been 84 days which seems really long, but again, I'm not trying right now so maybe I don't need to go at all.</p> <p>Second, i'm not TTC now, but would it be to my benefit to get diagnosed with PCOS or something else sooner rather than later so when i DO want to TTC then i can get help right away vs. waiting a year? Do you have to wait a year to see an RE if you have a condition like PCOS, or only if things are "normal" and you still can't conceive within a year? </p> <p>I think that if getting diagnosed sooner would help me when i do want to try, maybe i should go see a doctor now. But if it's not going to matter and i'm not wanting to get pregnant this month anyway - should i just wait it out and see when AF actually does come? </p>