Can you have periods that vary in length but still ovulate every month?

Question

If I had PCOS, I wouldn't have positive OPKs every month right?

Answer 1

The first half of your cycle, the time from the first day of your period until you ovulate is called the follicular phase and it can last any number of days and it can vary from cycle to cycle. The second half of your cycle, the luteal phase, is a set number of days each cycle--generally 14 but it can be anywhere from 10-18 but it will not vary from cycle to cycle. So, yes, you can ovulate each cycle eventhough your cycle varies in length. OPK's measure lutenizing hormone (lh) in the urine which peaks right before ovulation. Women with PCOS have high levels of LH in their urine most of the time so OPK's will often be positive eventhough ovulation isn't actually happening. You will need to verify ovulation using another method in combination with the OPK's. I suggest charting your BBT (basal body temps) to verify ovulation. Here's a great website that's free www.fertilityfriend.com

Answer 2

Yes it is very possible but im afraid ovulation test may steer u wrong. I tried for 1 yr and towards the end my last cycle was 60 something days, I thought I ovulated on cycle day 16 but i didnt, temps and ovulation monitor were wacky! I ended up getting preg on cycle day 38, (i used fertilityfriend.com to monitor my temps)

So yea u can ovulate every montn even if ur irregular. I would ssuggest basal temps to track ur cycles for 3 months and if u dont see that u are ovulating consult a doctor. They have alot of things they can do for PCOS