Irregular Periods/Ovulation...

MZCsmpsns · Oct 2, 2006

Sorry if this is stupid... most of this I should already know (please don't bash me for being ignorant!), and thought I did until I started thinking about it & was like, "hey, I guess I don't really know as much as I thought I did" 
Ok, well, I've always had irregular periods (sometimes I get a normal flow every month for a few months... sometimes I go 3-4 months w/out one, sometimes I'll start to get it, it'll go away for a day or two, then will come back for half a day and go away... then a week or 2 later will come back, etc..- sometimes I'm sure it's due to my eating habits, other times not) It's also usually very random as far as around what time of the month it is. I'm wondering how ovulation is effected by this, or vise versa-? This is something I've never really worried about too much. I try my best to keep track of my periods, and have found no consistancy in anything. To the best of my knowledge ovulation happens about 2 weeks before you menstrate (i could be wrong.. again this isn't something I've haven't really educated myself on lately & it's been a looong time since I've been in sex-ed) Regardless of how often you do/don't menstrate, is ovulation still fairly consistant? 
I'm also wondering what's the most inexpensive/accurate ovulation tests? 
Any info anyone can provide and/or any good sites about this kind of thing that anyone can direct me to? I really appreciate it!!! 
BTW: I was gonna look some of this stuff on the net... but my computer is messing up right now and for some reason is having trouble w/certain sites, etc... but once it's working better I'm gonna do some more research.

IamJen · Oct 2, 2006

Well, you're still fairly young, so your body may just be working things out yet. Wrt ovulation, it would probably be having an effect on your periods, not the other way around. That is, your ovulation or lack there of, may be part of what's causing the irregularities. 
If you're really interested, you could start doing fluid checks, charting, etc. I think there may be one member here *chuckle* who could give you some advice in this area. You'd be able to find out if you're ovulating. The tests from the store are pretty inexpensive, and (some) are pretty accurate. 
You mentioned your eating habits..how do you mean? Are you over/underweight, struggling with an ED, etc?

bstutzma · Oct 2, 2006

I will join this *other member* in recommending charting. You don't need expensive OPK's (ovulation tests) to determine if you are ovulating. 
Ovulation is NOT 2 weeks before your period. It is often about that time, but it could happen anywhere in your cycle. If you chart, you can determine when you ovulate based on a shift in your basal body temperature (the temperature of your body when you just wake up). Sounds insane, I know, but I just came off the pill and on Zoebird's raves about charting, I decided to give it a try, and WOW, it is amazing how much you can learn about your body this way. I am totally addicted. Its fun, and I am so thrilled to see my body is doing well after coming off the pill. 
It does sound like you could be anovulatory. OPKs would be a horribly expensive way for you to determine this. (even the cheapest tests are like $15 for 7, and with your long cycles, you are pretty much guarenteed to miss it unless you test every day... that's gonna push you up to a ton of $$$.) I would instead buy a $10 basal body temperature thermometer and chart your cycle. Its easy, and fun! You can learn all about it on <a href="http://www.fertilityfriend.com" target="_blank">www.fertilityfriend.com</a>. They also have a 20-email (one a day) "course" on trying to conceive. Its extremely informative. If you have any questions at all you can PM me, I'm not nearly as authoritative as zoebird would be on this subject, but I know a lot about it from the last month of heavy reading and successful charting!

Snow White · Oct 2, 2006

Ovulation occurs two weeks before menstruation *on average*, so it may or may not be different in your case. As far as I'm aware the time between ovulation and menstruation is fairly consistent, whereas the time between menstruation and ovulation may be affected by all kinds of factors. Some people also bleed a bit around ovulation. 
My cycle has been dead regular since the age of 12, although it was off kilter for a while...turns out it decided to get longer, possibly because I cut out milk (which I didn't replace with soy until much later). Reducing your intake of saturated fats does lower oestradiol levels... 
But yes...charting. I'd actually be inclined to say fluids on their own ought to give you an idea of when you're ovulating, if you're in fact ovulating, but maybe someone who knows a little more can shed light on that.

flvegnewbie · Oct 2, 2006

First off, don't apologize for asking questions! That's one thing I've learned here on VB, someone else is surely to have some good advice!<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":up:"> 
Even though your in your early 20's, buy now you should be pretty regular, I would think! 
Something that sometimes "knocks" my regular cycle off is alot of extra stress. Have you been under alot of extra stress lately? 
Then next I would take a look at your diet. Have you been eating waaay too much "junk" food? It happens to the best of us, trust me!! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> 
How long has this been going on? A few months, a year or longer? I personally would try to find other outside factors that could be affecting me & then try starting with those first, to see if my body is just kinda reacting to my lifestyle during that particular time. 
If it's been going on awhile, I would probably suggest going to see your doctor, that way they could rule out any kind of slight infection you might have: kidney/urinary tract infection, yeast infection, etc. 
HTH, 
Michelle

bstutzma · Oct 2, 2006

Here is one of the "lessons" from the online course I was talking about. It explains the different phases of the cycle, and shows a chart with temperature readings, so you can see how they change after ovulation. <a href="http://www.fertilityfriend.com/courses/lesson.php?p=1;3;17195;6168" target="_blank">http://www.fertilityfriend.com/cours...1;3;17195;6168</a> 
Its pretty darn neat.

zoebird · Oct 2, 2006

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">is ovulation still fairly consistant?</div>
</div>
 
the answer to this is 'yes' and 'no.' if your cycles (hormonal) are consistant, then ovulation will be consistant, as will menstruation. 
the 'when' of ovulation and menstruation varies from woman to woman. while 'averages' indicate that women tend to menstruate every 28 days and ovulate mid-way, the fact of the matter is that averages don't function in terms of actual, individual knowledge about when an individual woman ovulates and whether or not her cycle (menstrual) is 'normal and healthy.' 
women can have long cycles (90 days) or short cycles (27 days) and have consistant, healthy cycles with consistant ovulation. Ovulation may or may not occur during the middle of a cycle (between periods)--some will occur right after mensturation, some will occur only 11 or 12 days before menses. 
to determine when and whether you're ovulating, whether or not your cycles are consistant, i also recommend fertility charting. 
if you look at the chart that bstutzma linked, it demonstrates how a cycle looks when charted. from this chart, you can learn and number of valuable things--including whether or not you're ovulating. Beyond that, if you discover that you are not ovulating, your chart can reveal to you why you are not ovulating. 
this, then, can impact your behavoirs and choices in regards to supporting a healthy fertility cycle. 
For more information about it, i highly recommend the book <a href="http://gardenoffertility.com" target="_blank">Garden of Fertility</a> by Katie Singer and <a href="http://ovusoft.com" target="_blank">Taking Charge of Your Fertility</a> by Toni Weschler. These two texts are excellent and accessable in regards to how to chart, how to read and understand your charts, and providing resourcse to consider when determining that a chart isn't healthy, why, and how to heal it (naturally or medically). 
i have learned a great deal from charting and it is also interesting and fun. it takes only a few mintues a day--and not too long to learn how to do it. i consider it a priceless tool for self knowledge and the basis for self-care gynocologically.

bstutzma · Oct 2, 2006

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by zoebird <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
i have learned a great deal from charting and it is also interesting and fun. it takes only a few mintues a day--and not too long to learn how to do it. i consider it a priceless tool for self knowledge and the basis for self-care gynocologically.</div>
</div>
 
I agree completely. I wish I had started doing this sooner! Its been a revelation to me.

zoebird · Oct 2, 2006

i wish more people would. it truly is easy to do, really fun. 
but no one ever believes me and most people tell me that it isn't real, that it doesn't work, etc. LOL

bstutzma · Oct 2, 2006

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by zoebird <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
i wish more people would. it truly is easy to do, really fun. 
but no one ever believes me and most people tell me that it isn't real, that it doesn't work, etc. LOL</div>
</div>
 
I don't think it would work well for the general population only because people are lazy, and want to be able to "do it" whenever they feel like it. But for women who want to empower themselves and their bodies, and are smart enough to use two forms of BC, I definitely have a newfound appreciation for FAM. I feel ashamed I wrote off something so quickly that I had never tried myself. 
And I suppose it takes a special type of person to find any type of chart fun ;-) But I truly do!!! I've never looked so forward to getting up at 6am as I do now ;-)

MZCsmpsns · Oct 2, 2006

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by IamJen <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
You mentioned your eating habits..how do you mean? Are you over/underweight, struggling with an ED, etc?</div>
</div>
 
I guess I'm underweight/struggling w/EDs, so I'm sure that's contributed for years. But even when I go through my stages of eating normally and healthy it's irregular. I've also had eating issues since before I started menstrating (didn't get my period until I was 15, dunno if that was related to EDs or not) <div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by flvegnewbie <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
Something that sometimes "knocks" my regular cycle off is alot of extra stress. Have you been under alot of extra stress lately? 
Then next I would take a look at your diet. Have you been eating waaay too much "junk" food? It happens to the best of us, trust me!! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> 
How long has this been going on? A few months, a year or longer?</div>
</div>
 
I've DEFINITLY had a LOT of stress lately! They were irregular before the major stress hit, although I've always been a stressed person. 
I actually rarely eat any "junk" foods. My diet is mostly healthy. I munch on some potato chips sometimes, but really not often, and that's probably the junkiest food I eat. 
And yeah, this had been going on since I started my period, so for 7+ years. 
I think I'll try the charting thing everyone mentioned. I think I'll definitly give that a go. TY all for the advice!

zoebird · Oct 3, 2006

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">i don't think it would work well for the general population only because people are lazy, and want to be able to "do it" whenever they feel like it.</div>
</div>
 
first, i don't think people are truly lazy. i think they're largely ignorant about their bodies and largely afraid of them. i'm not surprized based on some of the BS i've heard spouted in some sex ed classes by 'qualified teachers' who apparently don't know anything. A 
lso, the instutituionalization of our population in various ways has lead to a great deal of apathy and narcoticization of sex (among other things.) Instead of being viewed as a healthy biological, emotional/psychological, and social process, sex is viewed as another form of entertainment (as opposed to recreation) in order to overcome the discomfort of our apathy and institutionalization (essentially, our own suffering in certain personal and social aspects). 
thus, instead of 'doing it whenever one truly wants' which takes into consideration the biological realities, among others, people revert to a childish assertion of their 'right/need' to 'do it' whenever they 'feel' like it, when in fact they have little knowledge of their own true feelings. 
and charting, among other practices, helps understand and take into consideration not only the spirit desire for sex, but also the biological realities. 
essentially, suffering begets suffering.

bstutzma · Oct 3, 2006

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by zoebird <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
first, i don't think people are truly lazy. i think they're largely ignorant about their bodies and largely afraid of them. i'm not surprized based on some of the BS i've heard spouted in some sex ed classes by 'qualified teachers' who apparently don't know anything. A 
lso, the instutituionalization of our population in various ways has lead to a great deal of apathy and narcoticization of sex (among other things.) Instead of being viewed as a healthy biological, emotional/psychological, and social process, sex is viewed as another form of entertainment (as opposed to recreation) in order to overcome the discomfort of our apathy and institutionalization (essentially, our own suffering in certain personal and social aspects). 
thus, instead of 'doing it whenever one truly wants' which takes into consideration the biological realities, among others, people revert to a childish assertion of their 'right/need' to 'do it' whenever they 'feel' like it, when in fact they have little knowledge of their own true feelings. 
and charting, among other practices, helps understand and take into consideration not only the spirit desire for sex, but also the biological realities. 
essentially, suffering begets suffering.</div>
</div>
 
I admire your faith in people, but don't share it. I agree that sex is viewed in very skewed ways, and that charting could potentially open people's eyes to their bodies and even, potentially deepen their understanding of their own biology... but I don't give most people that kind of credit. However, I think the OP would definitely succeed in charting because she WANTS to gain that kind of insight into her body.

zoebird · Oct 3, 2006

e biggest question for me is 'how do i help others overcome their apathy, which is largely socially conditioned?' 
and recognize, of course, that i have my own apathy as well to overcome, my own social conditioning as well. 
but, i strive to overcome them in various ways, and as a yoga teacher, i'm helping others do so as well. simple practices of mindfulness go quite a long way over time. 
it's that inertia that's at issue. but even so, people are living and experiencing 'spiritual lives' whether they know it or not.

Irregular Periods/Ovulation...

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