Dr. Nadia Khan
Obstetrics and Gynecology
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I am a 31-year-old woman. My menstrual cycle usually lasts between 27 to 30 days. I usually ovulate on day 12 of my cycle. I usually track ovulation so I know I do ovulate. I recently took a blood test that shows my MCV is 77 and my MCH is 25 both below normal range. My HbA1c was 5.90 and my ALP levels were mildly elevated as well, at 134 (report said it had to be between 42 to 128). My TSH was fine and well within range. My problem is that my follicular phase seems fine but my luteal phase keeps changing. It lasts anywhere between 14 to 18 days. I wonder, is that normal? Do I need to test myself for PCOS? I never had acne problems. I have gained weight, but that is been over five years. I have never missed a period yet.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
It is really good to know that you are very knowledgeable about your cycle routine. Let me add a few things further into it. The first thing is that the luteal phase is always fixed (14 days) while the follicular phase varies in women's cycle due to hormonal changes in the first half of the cycle. If you want to calculate your ovulation day, then we usually deduct 14 days from the total cycle length. So in your case, your ovulation day is around 14 to 16 depending on if your length is varying between 28 to 30 days in my view. Ovulation on the 12th day is possible in those women who have a cycle length of 26 days. I hope it might have cleared how to calculate ovulation day. Secondly, all your tests are normal, and you have nothing to worry for PCOS as you do not have that because the cycle length of 26 to 35 days is being considered normal for any woman and you are falling in this criteria. I hope this information has helped you. If you require any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
I wanted to tell you though that my BBT and cervical mucus changes appear to show I ovulated on day 12. Also, my period lengths vary from 26 to 30 days. I have even had shorter cycles that lasted for 25 days and once that has been 31 days which was my longest. Also, I have gained quite a bit of weight in five years. I was 48 before six years, and now I am over 65. Should I worry about this?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
If you have 26 days cycle then yes your ovulation day is 12th, and all these things are not very accurate which you have mentioned these only give an idea about it. And your period length is perfectly normal even if it is 25 days as you are having periods every month. In polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD), there is oligomenorrhea (infrequent menstruation) which you do not have. For your weight, first you have to look up for your dietary routine as it might have changed and with weight gain cycle gets infrequent. So for that, you have to watch your weight both for physical and hormonal reasons.
I hope it has helped you. If you require any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.
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Obstetrics and Gynecology
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