My cycles are very, very long. Usually 35-36 days but I have had one 67 and one 70 since quitting BC last January.

My doc thinks it is from PCOS and I was put on metformin and advised to lose weight. I am about 30 lbs overweight and supposedly that would help. Before the metformin I wasn't ovulating at all and now I do every cycle but it's soooo inconsistent and very, very frustrating. Getting to try only half as much as other people and all...

Because I am in my late 30's however, I believe we will be starting clomid when I see her in January.

Could it possibly be the low AMH?

Hey girl!
I was the same way, after I went off BC last year my periods were normal but then they slowly became longer and longer. I had 35-42 day cycles and when I went to my RE they were able to define it as PCOS.
I also like Halterbroke was put on Metformin. Mine was preventative - they wanted to make sure my levels did not increase. I am not sure if this helped with my ovulation as I am currently in my TTW for IUI.
I would do like you are, and enjoy the holidays and when you see your new RE I would ask them about PCOS.
And I know frustrating, you are not alone! Being at the end of a LONG cycle is the worst. I feel your pain. Let me know how I can help.
xo.

Thanks so much for sharing, you two! I really appreciate it.

Interestingly enough, I am pretty sure that I've had the blood work that would diagnose PCOS and it came back "normal." In addition, I remember my regular old gyn (not re) saying she highly doubted it was that just because I don't really have any other typical characteristics.

I'm wondering if acupuncture might help shorter my cycles. I feel like I've heard that before. I'm kind of nervous to go try it out though.

I also stopped eating gluten about 2 years ago and since have lost weight I really didn't need to lose. I'm not considered "underweight" for my height. I don't know if that has anything to do with it...

Ah well. I got my period yesterday, CD 40. I guess it's just on to more holiday love fests and cross my fingers and hope for the best! haha

I am looking forward to seeing a new RE though. The only thing my current RE did NOT suggest is surgery to check for endometriosis. I'm starting to think that might be a good idea...but we'll see.....

Erin - best of luck in this current TWW! Was this your first IUI? I'm considering moving on to that in the next few months...

Halter - hope all is well!

I have a very similar background as you!
Went off BC in Feb 2011 - didn't have a period on my own until July 2012 (the 2 I did have were induced by Provera)
From July 2012 to February 2013 my cycles were anywhere from 66-40 days. Since starting IF Meds in March 2013 my cycles have been much more consistent (26-33 Days)
I was told I have PCOS "like" ovaries but have not been diagnosed with it.
I basically don't ovulate on my own which is why I have long cycles. I am hoping that after all the medicated cycles I have done though that my body will kick into gear and eventually work on its own, because there doesn't seem to be anything else IF wise wrong with me. (There is plenty of other stuff wrong with me though LOL)
Oh and I found out I had a gluten allergy about 7 years ago and have been completely GF since then. I was underweight for a while, the dr's had me stop exercising, I had to add more fat into my diet, etc. But that didn't seem to get me preggo either!
Enjoy the holidays and fingers crossed that 2014 will be our year for miracles :)

I don't have much to add in the long cycle department, as I was the other way. I was typically at 24 days, which is close to the standard 28, but not good. Now that I do acupuncture, I've been at 26 pretty consistently and my cycle itself is better. I get asked about my flow in weird detail, but I get why now. A good period is indicative of a good healthy lining. So I see acupuncture as good "baby making health". I know they do treat cycle lengths in particular, so it may be worth a shot. I was nervous to try it too, but after the first session it became a weird addiction, and I love it now.

I'm really sorry to hear of AF. That bitch. I do hope you enjoy your holiday love fest, and that you get a new RE that treats you kindly and helps you. I never thought a LAP would be for me, but when it became my last test, I moved forward with it, and I'm glad I did. Even if they didn't find anything. Surgery is not ideal, but I do hope whatever you choose, you get answers and get closer to starting your family.

I was having cycles that were about 70 days in length until last spring and was getting super frustrated with it and my doctor kept saying it was just my new normal and that I should go on the birth control pill to have regular cycles if I didn't like it. Helpful.

I started using an essential oil called Progessence from Living Essentials every day. You just put a couple drops on your neck once a day all cycle. I had a positive pregnancy test 18 days after starting the oil. I was shocked. I started taking it hoping to shorten my cycles so we could start trying again in the coming months. We did go on to lose that baby but it was from chromosomal issues not anything to do with the oil.

I have started using the oil again and have a much more reliable and regular period, at about 26 days.

Not saying it's a cure-all but it is a natural supplement that has helped me?

Hey girls! So glad I have found this thread. I've been spending endless hours everyday googling everything from "conceiving with irregular periods", to "is a runny nose a sign of early pregnancy?".
It can get obsessive!
Anywho, I have always had irreg. cycles; ranging anywhere from 35 days to 43+ days. My gyno instructed my husband and I to try for a year (giving it a "whirl" every other day), also mentioning that it takes 80% of couples one flu year to conceive. She said we're a healthy, young couple and should just be patient.
We're 3-4 months in with trying and its getting to be really taxing on me emotionally. I agree with you, erinreth, the end of a long cycle is so draining. Especially with not really being able to partake in holiday partying since I keep waiting for AF to arrive or take + prey test. Its also so hard to predict ovulation- I can't say that I've ever noticed any symptoms ever. Another tolling part of this is all the money spent on pregnancy tests and the disappointment when there's no 2nd line that appears.
I suppose the moral is that we just remain patient, keep trying, eating healthy and taking pre-nates. Most older women I've spoken with in the past, like my grandmother, just say that "once you stop thinking about it, it just happens!" Easier said than done though!
Good luck to all you gals! Anyone in NYC? I'm thinking about starting a meet-up.