I have a question I just don't understand...

Hello!

I never really post but am a big time lurker. Mostly because I snoop around at work, but god forbid work could read what I wrote!

I don't understand and can't seem to find the answer (sorry if it's stupid). I have heard a lot of people say they don't ovulate on their own. However if you get a monthly period each month doesn't that mean you ovulated because an egg was dropped?

If you don't ovulate then wouldn't that mean you don't get a period? Sorry if that's a stupid question! I just don't get it.

Re: I have a question I just don't understand...

Not a stupid question at all! Cycles when you dont ovulate but you get a bleed are called anovulatory cycles.

From babyhopes.com:

By definition, an anovulatory cycle is a menstrual cycle in which ovulation fails to occur. This means that you do bleed but do not release an egg or ovulate. Hence the term anovulation. This is normally supposed to happen during menopause. If it does happen before then anovulation translates into difficulty in conception or infertility. Anovulatory cycles tend to occur occasionally throughout the childbearing years, but are most common during adolescence and in the years before menopause (“perimenopause”).

Basically the uterine lining builds up to the point where it can longer sustain itself, the proper shift in hormones that go with ovulation that would end in a period don't occur and the uterine lining sheds because there is just no more room for anymore. Although it looks and feels like a period technically it isn't.

I've had a glass of wine so if this doesn't make sense I'm sorry!

Re: I have a question I just don't understand...

Basically ditto to everything mrsdevito said

Also, I don't ovulate on my own. I go through fertility treatments to get pregnant and use a combo of pills and injections. Without those drugs, I do not ovulate nor do I get my period.

ETA: Just wanted to add, it's not a stupid question .. I didn't know 95% of what I know now, this time last year

Message edited 9/17/2010 1:09:47 AM.

Re: I have a question I just don't understand...

to add to the other ladies, you can def get your period without ovulating. I'm pretty sure the pill keels you from ovulating but you still get your period on it.

Re: I have a question I just don't understand...

Re: I have a question I just don't understand...

Okay that definitely makes more sense!

If I feel "ovulation pain" every month in my ovaries, then 14-15 days later my period comes, does that mean I definitely ovulate?

Calculation question...

So I am a master period tracker and have been for years, but did it to estimate when my period would come and to NOT get pregnant.

But I am wondering if I have been tracking slightly incorrectly this this whole time. I will use this past month as an example. I got my last period Aug 26th, so if I look at a calendar I go Aug 26th to Sept 2nd is 7 days, till the 9th is 14 days and to the 16th 21 days, which means today is 22dpo.

But I am thinking that is incorrect, it should be 23dpo because you count Aug 26th at D1, whereas I was counting the 26-27 one day and on from there.

Does that make sense?

I know this is trival but if I am wrong all my years of calculations are wrong, haha it annoys me.

Thanks girls and lots of dust to you all.

Re: I have a question I just don't understand...

Im glad you asked this question but I didnt know either! There is so much I need to learn!

Re: I have a question I just don't understand...

I am slightly confused by what you are asking. First, dpo = days past ovulation. So, based on what you said you were on CD22, not 22dpo (CD= cycle day)

You could CD1 as the first day of a full flow. If that was August 26th, then the 26th is CD1.

Since you are so regular, I would think you are probably ovulating because I don't know if annovulatory cycles have such regular patterns
BUT - you really can't assume these things! For conceiving purposes, the best way to find out if you O is by charting- this means tracking ovulation by taking your basal body temperature at the same time each morning the moment you wake up ....... and evaluating your cervical mucous. Fertile quality mucous will resemble egg whites. You can also check you cervical position, though this is something I never ventured into so I wouldn't be one to tell you about that

I'm not sure if I answered your question about the cycle days.. I'm honestly not a pro on natural family planning and regular cycles since I can't identify with either of those, having gone through fertility treatments and never had a normal AF cycle. One thing I do know is you can't know that you ovulated just based on if/when you get your period. If you're interested in tracking more carefully, I would read up on how to chart in the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility. It's a great resource, however the ladies on the board are excellent too!

Re: I have a question I just don't understand...

I guess the best way (and probably should have said this first) to ask is what cycle day am I am if my period was last August 26th?

I would say 23, but I think you guys will say 24.

And PennyCat, sorry meant to say CD not DPO!

Re: I have a question I just don't understand...

I'm also glad this question was asked. How common is it to not ovulate on your own?