Can you suddenly not ovulaye?

[MunchiesMom]

I'm so confused here! I've been tracking ovulation for several months and have consistently Oed around CD 14. Last month I didn't get a + OPK. And today is CD 14 and it looks like the test line is getting lighter instead of darker! :0

What in the wold is going on here? Could I go from regularly ovulating to not at all?

[Jaimee]

OPK's do not confirm ovulation.  They only show when your body is gearing up to ovulate.  So you can get an OPK+ and see fertile cervical fluid and then not actually O.  Many common things can delay your ovulation such as stress, illness, injury, strenuous exercise, diet changes, and travel.  Often O will only be delayed by a few more days, but it could be weeks.  You'll see more fertile cervical fluid and then start to see lines on your OPK's again and you know it's time to DTD again.  Hence, when you O can vary cycle to cycle, but your luteal phase should not vary by more than 1-2 days.  And yes, it is possible to simply not O one cycle and still bleed- though this bleeding is not technically a period, but breakthrough bleeding.  OPK's are also not the most reliable things for a lot of women... you might never get a positive, might see positives for days on end, or might get random positives well after confirmed O.  I don't put much stock in OPK's, but they do work fine for some women!  The only way to confirm O is to chart your basal body temperature.  If you're interested in getting going with charting, just post!

Edited by Jaimee - 9/10/11 at 9:28am

[MunchiesMom]

Thanks for your reply. I've not really been excited about the idea of charting...it's easy to become obsessed when TTC and OPKs are enough work for me! But I do like the reliability charting could provide.

Can someone not ovulate in a given month? What herbs/supplements or medication helps with ovulation besides clomid?

[Jaimee]

Yes, you could randomly not ovulate in a given month, though if you have been regularly ovulating in the recent past it doesn't seem terribly likely that you would not be now.  BUT, I do see that you have a LO who is 17 months old.  Are you still breastfeeding?  Breastfeeding can cause irregular cycles.  It took my body over a year AFTER I got my period back to regulate to fertile cycles again after my first child.

I personally would not recommend starting herbs without knowing what the issue may (or may not be) with your cycles.  Charting will take the mystery out of it all, allowing you to see when you are fertile, when you ovulated, how long your average luteal phase is, when to test, when to expect AF, if you're pregnant, and if there is anything of concern happening with your cycle.   Delayed ovulation one cycle is really nothing to be concerned about.  A short luteal phase, on the other hand, which is very common while breastfeeding, could prevent you from sustaining a pregnancy.

Charting is a bit of extra work, but I find it truly fascinating.  I love knowing what is happening in my body.  It really becomes second nature and with sites like www.fertilityfriend.com it's easy to log your temps and other data and see your pattern emerge.  Plus, you can get lots of help from the wise mamas here on MDC if you ever need tips or help deciphering your chart.  If you'd like help getting started, just post!