[DeannaRN]

Do any of you have short cycles? Mine have been 22-24 days the past 4 months. I tend to ovulate early (day 10) too. My RE says it's because with my high FSH, my follicles start developing early before AF comes.

[sunshine]

When I'm not taking IF meds, my cycles can range anywhere from 20-25 days and very very rarely I will make it to 28 (except this cycle...day 53 and still counting- and my RE did a urine and beta last Monday that was a bfn, but I was not surprised). With clomid I went as long as 30 something days and on follistim I think AF came on day 26. That's very interesting that the high FSH can cause early ovulation. I think I read or heard somewhere anytime after day 7 is ok, so I would think day 10 is even better.

[chickycran]

I've noticed that my cycles are shorter too when I'm not receiving any treatment. I was always every 28 days but since October I've been anywhere from 21-24 days and I spot throughout the cycle (usually starting around CD14). I haven't discussed this with my RE yet, but I'll be curious to hear what he has to say about it. I'm also not sure if I am in fact ovulating while not receiving treatment. I did an OPK this cycle and so far I have had a positive surge for 4 days. I'm not sure if women with high FSH have high LH.

[DeannaRN]

I just saw my doctor this morning and asked her more about short cycles. She says that happens as we get closer to menopause and with DOR. The FSH increases to get the ovaries to make more follicles and that process starts before we get our period. My luteal phase lasts 13-14 days, which is good. So if I ovulate on day 10, my cycles are going to be only 23-24 days. It's ok as long as the uterine lining at ovulation is thick enough for implantation to occur.

I wonder about those OPK tests. I think I've had some false positives in the past. When I initially started being tested, my OB/GYN had me wait for a positive LH surge, then within 24 hrs get a estradiol level. When mine came back low two times (59 and 92), I began to wonder if I was even ovulating or if it was a false positive since they wanted to see those numbers a lot higher. That was the red flag for me that something wasn't right. My RE says she thinks a lot of women have problems with OPK's and that they are not always reliable. Interesting stuff!

[chickycran]

Deanna, Thanks for the information about short cycles and OPKs. I was looking all over the internet for stuff about why I might show a positive for 4 days now and I think you just gave me the answer. I went in for a bunch tests today to see if they can see why I have POF. I hope it is nothing serious but I also hope that they give me a reason and I'm not left wondering why my body is betraying me.

[DeannaRN]

Danielle,
I sure hope that you get some answers. It's so hard to not have answers. How long till you get the results?

I'm glad I could offer some input to your OPK question. We high FSH girls need to stick together.

[chickycran]

Hi Deanna,

The results from the genetic testing won't be back for a month so I probably won't hear anything until mid-March. I'm hoping if they see something else in the other bloodwork that they will call me right away. Did you go for all of this testing? They took 5 vials of blood and a urine sample yesterday. ugh. We high FSH girls do need to stick together and keep this board active.

[DeannaRN]

No, I never had any genetic testing done. I had some bloodwork but I think they were looking at hormone levels like thyroid, testosterone, prolactin, DHEA etc.

What are they looking for, do you know? Maybe autoimmune disorders? I thought that to have a diagnosis of POF, your FSH levels had to be up around 40. I'm just wondering if what you have is DOR, rather than POF. Just a thought since you still have periods.

It's so frustrating when you don't know what is causing your FSH to be so high. I know that feeling. Sometimes I wonder if it's a lot of stress/anxiety that can cause it. I know I've heard in chinese medicine that stress can increase FSH levels.

I would imagine if any of the other blood work came back abnormal, they would let you know right away. Good luck.

[chickycran]

I read the same thing about FSH levels needing to be over 40 for POF. Two days after getting my Dx on the phone from the nurse in the RE's office, I questioned it and asked is this really POF or DOR. She said POF but I think it is DOR because two readings of FSH were in the 20's and I still get AF. Other than high FSH and low estrogen, my other hormones all looked within the normal range when the RE tested them at CD3 - I don't know if DHEA was tested, I need to ask. When I see the RE I'm going to bring in all my research and see what he says. At least he picked up on this since the last RE didn't say a thing about it.

I was tested for a bunch of different auto-immune disorders, a CBC, and genetic tests of Fragile X and Karyotyping. The only reasons why I went ahead with the genetic tests are that 1) insurance covered it and 2) so my sister would know if she should get tested.

I think that stress and anxiety impact FSH - they impact everything else so why not FSH. Good luck to you too! I like that we can discuss our high FSH here.

[sunshine]

I had about 5 or 6 vials of b/w tested too, but I didn't have any genetic testing done- it was for hormone levels. I found out last Sunday (b/c my husband forgot to give me the message on Friday) that all my tests came back normal. Now I just need AF to show up so I can go in for my day 3 b/w. I'm sooooo nervous, but I'm going to try to relax since you were talking about the connection of stress and high FSH. I've been trying to exercise more lately and I know that helps with stress too. Ohm....Ohm....Ohm.

[chickycran]

Shelli - Great news that all your tests came back normal! I hope that your FHS comes back lower this time around too. Don't stress - I know from experience that is easier said then done. Good luck!!! Keep us posted.

I go to the RE on Monday for (cd21) a P4 test to see if I ovulated this cycle. There were only 2 antral follicles and I wasn't undergoing treatment but I got a positive surge on the OPK so they want me to come in for the test.

[DeannaRN]

I love that I have found you girls on here. It's so nice to be able to share stories and info with each other.

[anirtak]

I use to have a 28 day cycle. About 10 months ago my cyckes started to be 23-24 days long. This was on unmedicated cycles. I normally ovulated on CD 9 or CD 10. Some cycles I used OPK and other cycles were monitored and I had a trigger shot. My last cycle I ovulated on CD 10 and got my ! So it is possible! Good luck ladies!

[chickycran]

I'm so glad that I found you ladies too! I've tried other forums but everyone is just so much more friendly, supportive and helpful here.

Anirtak - Congrats on your BFP! thanks for sharing your story.

[sunshine]

I'm happy we all found each other too. It's especially great to see sucess stories like yours Katrina...and on a natural cycle too. It makes me wonder if the medications are doing more harm than good. If our FSH is already high, why are we injecting ourselves with more? However, Danielle, you seem to be responding well to the meds. I don't know it's all so confusing and I'm probably just over ananlyzing. Maybe I should go do some Yoga.