For the ladies...cycle lengths and age

[Convert_in_99]

Ok I am under a doctor’s care and am not looking for medical advice, just personal experiences.

I usually have 26-28 day cycles right now. When I was in my teens and twenties they were 28-32 days long. And now I am having my longest cycle ever, 44 days and counting. I spotted for two weeks in the middle of this cycle, and now had a new recent patch of fertile CM so probably a week and a half or more at least to go. So I’m looking at a 54-58+ day cycle. What the heck? This has only happened one other time…when I was pregnant, but I’m not. I have taken half a dozen pregnancy tests (all negative) and had an ultrasound (nothing.) My doctor doesn’t seem at all alarmed. So I guess this normal for a woman in her thirties to have really long cycles?

Oh the joys of womanhood!

 

[Kelfa28]

Ok I am under a doctor’s care and am not looking for medical advice, just personal experiences.

I usually have 26-28 day cycles right now. When I was in my teens and twenties they were 28-32 days long. And now I am having my longest cycle ever, 44 days and counting. I spotted for two weeks in the middle of this cycle, and now had a new recent patch of fertile CM so probably a week and a half or more at least to go. So I’m looking at a 54-58+ day cycle. What the heck? This has only happened one other time…when I was pregnant, but I’m not. I have taken half a dozen pregnancy tests (all negative) and had an ultrasound (nothing.) My doctor doesn’t seem at all alarmed. So I guess this normal for a woman in her thirties to have really long cycles?

Oh the joys of womanhood!

Stress can be a huge indicator of long cycles. You’re body is trying to ovulate but can’t.

I’m in my early 30s and my cycles are usually around 24-28 days. Mine are usually on the short side as I have a short phase 3 (oh joy!)

Besides pregnancy and PP nursing I’ve only had 2 cycles that went past 30 days.

Both were while I was in Basic Training for the Air Force.

But you also need to account for the fact that I had been on the pill for nearly 3 years straight before I started Basic and stopped taking the pill.
So that might have been a huge factor as well but who knows?

My body seems to have this overwhelming urge to ovulate that, clearly, even EBF can’t stop…so I think it was the unbelievable amount of stress, physical exertion and stopping the pill that managed to convince my hormones to say “enough is enough!” and stop ovulating for a couple of months.

 

[EasterJoy]

It is common for someone who has had very predictable cycles to go to longer, shorter, heavier or lighter ones as perimenopause begins. Yes, those kinds of changes can start many many years before actual menopause (that is, before periods actually cease). The main thing is to see your physician if you have changes that concern you, which you have done, and get advice on what sort of changes ought to prompt a return visit.

I think this shows the value of NFP self-knowledge, even for women who have no reason to particularly try to achieve or avoid pregnancy. When you see your doctor, you just know yourself and your body better, because you’ve been paying attention and keeping records.

 

[pensmama87]

I am in my 20s and my cycles average 30-32 days (but I haven’t had regular cycles for five years due to kids - when I do have them, though, that’s how long they are). My understanding is that they will generally get shorter as I get older. That was my mother’s experience, but when she hit perimenopause she would have a bunch of short ones then one that was crazy long (several months). She never charted.

 

[AClaire11]

I’m pregnant right now but my cycles have always been 27-32 days. I’m 25.

 

[Lovemyfaith]

How old are you if you don’t mind me askin? Periomenopause can cause changes in cycle length. My gyn just told me you can skip a month and go right back to your normal length. I am 47 years old.
Be careful with NFP during any changes of course. Unless you are hoping of course!!!

 

[1ke]

Well, I wouldn’t say that was my experience in my 30s or even early 40s.

I will say it is totally my experience now that I’m probably in peri-menopause.

I had extremely clockwork cycles until about 2 years ago (I am turning 49 in a month) and then they started getting longer, and then they got super heavy (like FLOODING heavy), and now they are skipping months, like the cycle is taking 60 to 90 days, and have gotten super light.

So, honestly, it’s puberty in reverse for me. I have no idea what is coming any given day. And yes, inconsistent fertile mucus. I think I’m going to have to go to yellow stamps (Creighton) for essential sameness.

UGH!

 

[nodito]

When I’m not pregnant or nursing, my cycles are pretty consistently between 33-35 days. I have had couple of really long ones like you describe: the summer before my wedding, few times when I was travelling internationally, etc. I’m in my early 30s now, so those were all cycles that happened in my 20s.

Anything stressful or exciting going on in your life right now?

 

[Sophie_Lawrence]

My cycles have been all over the place.

I’m 46, and the thought of it being heavier scares me. Mine are already heavy about 7 days and I normally need a super tampon and a super pad.

I started at 11. I wasn’t regular at all as a teen, usually longer cycles 5-6 weeks apart. One year, I was super stressed and I think I only had a period 6 times that year.

Currently they seem to be at about 27 days. Not sure if I’m ovulating, mucus is not consistent.

I have some symptoms of PCOS, but not enough to have the diagnosis.

 

[utah_rose]

When I’m not pregnant or nursing, my cycles are pretty consistently between 33-35 days. I have had couple of really long ones like you describe: the summer before my wedding, few times when I was travelling internationally, etc. I’m in my early 30s now, so those were all cycles that happened in my 20s.

Anything stressful or exciting going on in your life right now?

Although you could be in peri menopause, you also could have a cyst that hasn’t shown up. I had the same thing in my forties, and had a hysterectomy at 50 because of pre cancerous cells. They also found a cyst the size of a grapefruit that hadn’t been diagnosed in any of the tests I underwent! I remember bleeding for most of a month, and couldn’t go camping, etc. so, if you’re having that kind of bleeding, I might suggest seeing another doctor for a second opinion!

 

[Xantippe]

Ok I am under a doctor’s care and am not looking for medical advice, just personal experiences.

I usually have 26-28 day cycles right now. When I was in my teens and twenties they were 28-32 days long. And now I am having my longest cycle ever, 44 days and counting. I spotted for two weeks in the middle of this cycle, and now had a new recent patch of fertile CM so probably a week and a half or more at least to go. So I’m looking at a 54-58+ day cycle. What the heck? This has only happened one other time…when I was pregnant, but I’m not. I have taken half a dozen pregnancy tests (all negative) and had an ultrasound (nothing.) My doctor doesn’t seem at all alarmed. So I guess this normal for a woman in her thirties to have really long cycles?

Oh the joys of womanhood!

I’ve been doing reading on perimenopause, and as I recall, a normal pattern is a period of time with shorter cycles than normal, followed by a period of longer cycles/some skipped cycles until menopause (one whole year of no cycles).

So, this is actually a fairly normal perimenopausal pattern.

The only unusual thing here is that you’re a little young.

But, it could just be stress.

 

[alphawoman]

Severe PCOS here-- no cycles for 4 years since my son was born. I’m now having induced cycles every 28 days. When I have cycled, it ranges mostly from 25 to 35 days with a clear thermal shift. When I don’t, my cycles are 1400+ days with mostly fertile mucus and temperatures in a white noise pattern. That is, a total nightmare.

 

[Regina7]

Severe PCOS here-- no cycles for 4 years since my son was born. I’m now having induced cycles every 28 days. When I have cycled, it ranges mostly from 25 to 35 days with a clear thermal shift. When I don’t, my cycles are 1400+ days with mostly fertile mucus and temperatures in a white noise pattern. That is, a total nightmare.

Wow. I just hit 100 days and I thought that was bad. PCOS stinks

 

[nodito]

Although you could be in peri menopause, you also could have a cyst that hasn’t shown up. I had the same thing in my forties, and had a hysterectomy at 50 because of pre cancerous cells. They also found a cyst the size of a grapefruit that hadn’t been diagnosed in any of the tests I underwent! I remember bleeding for most of a month, and couldn’t go camping, etc. so, if you’re having that kind of bleeding, I might suggest seeing another doctor for a second opinion!

Utah Rose, was this in response to my post or did you misquote?

 

[Anglewannabe]

Mine have definitely changed over the years. When I first started, I was 19-20 days for the first few times. Then I was 21-28 days (more often 21). In my early 20s I started to be 28-35 days more often 35. In my 30s. I was anywhere between 21-35. Oddly, when I turned 40 I started to be 28 days on the dot. The first time I was ever regular

I must say in my late 20’s my flow became less. Around the time I turned 40 it became even much less. Not so much less days but very light through out it all. Last cycle I was shocked at how light my flow was

Being 45, I must admit I am petrified when I hear stories of when in perimenopause that have extremely heavy flows. I honestly am scared of that

Angie

 

[oldgraymare2]

Well, I wouldn’t say that was my experience in my 30s or even early 40s.

I will say it is totally my experience now that I’m probably in peri-menopause.

I had extremely clockwork cycles until about 2 years ago (I am turning 49 in a month) and **then they started getting longer, and then they got super heavy (like FLOODING heavy), and now they are skipping months, like the cycle is taking 60 to 90 days, and have gotten super light.
**
So, honestly, it’s puberty in reverse for me. I have no idea what is coming any given day. And yes, inconsistent fertile mucus. I think I’m going to have to go to yellow stamps (Creighton) for essential sameness.

UGH!

You sound similar to me with your experiences, except I am a little older than you.

I have been in peri-menopause for some time, though.

I started having hot flashes first, before my cycles started becoming irregular. They would be fairly regular some months, and then start going to every two-three weeks, and then go back to monthly, and then start skipping to every 6 weeks, and then go back to monthly, and now I just went through about 6 weeks again, and then hardly anything, except I had all of the other symptoms to go along with it.

Like you, I am thinking that we will have to change NFP methods, too.

 

[alphawoman]

Wow. I just hit 100 days and I thought that was bad. PCOS stinks

Yeah, PCOS is no picnic. I’m just grateful that I have a classic presentation of PCOS that is relatively obvious to diagnose, and that I have a proactive and informed Catholic doctor managing my treatment.

Tangent: God is smart, though. He knows which crosses we need. PCOS has been a blessing in a perverse way, spiritually, because it’s forced me to read more deeply than I would otherwise have into Church teaching and bioethics, and to share that information. Our Church’s positions on life and family are so nuanced and beautiful. I have definitely come to more fully appreciate the gift of being a co-creator to my son because he feels like such an improbable miracle to me. The fact that God deigns to share this capacity with his creation is such a testament to His love and fidelity. Wow! Thank you, God!

 

[Convert_in_99]

Thank you all for sharing. Oh if only this were early menopause. I’d be on my knees thanking God for His mercy in finally sparing me the agonizing cross of my cycles causing Endometriosis. My mom didn’t start until around 50. She wasn’t totally done until like 56. I’m only 33

I wonder if being in almost constant intense pain is stress enough to cause this? Who knows. I’m ready for it to be done, so ready. Hint hint God…

 

[1ke]

You sound similar to me with your experiences, except I am a little older than you.

I have been in peri-menopause for some time, though.

I started having hot flashes first, before my cycles started becoming irregular. They would be fairly regular some months, and then start going to every two-three weeks, and then go back to monthly, and then start skipping to every 6 weeks, and then go back to monthly, and now I just went through about 6 weeks again, and then hardly anything, except I had all of the other symptoms to go along with it.

Like you, I am thinking that we will have to change NFP methods, too.

No hot flashes for me yet, but… I get night sweats. YUK!

 

[EasterJoy]

… honestly, it’s puberty in reverse for me. I have no idea what is coming any given day. And yes, inconsistent fertile mucus. I think I’m going to have to go to yellow stamps (Creighton) for essential sameness.

UGH!

For me, I realized how easily puberty let me off. I went through puberty with very few mood swings, very little pain, not many surprises. Everything was always about as easy as could be expected. Then, in my 40s, those days were over. Oh, well. Good while it lasted, and I suppose this ends eventually!