WWGPD?

mrshall1027 · April 2014

H and I are taking a break from any medicated cycles until the beginning of next year. I haven't had a natural cycle in probably 10-12 years so I'm not to positive it will happen now, but I'm hoping this PCOS diet and exercise will surprise me. I stopped BCP at the end of last month and plan on staying off of them and hopefully I'll have a natural cycle. So, my question is should I start charting? Should I wait to see if I have a natural cycle and then start charting? Or would it just be a waste of time?

brij2006 · April 2014

Honestly, this is what we're doing right now and I'm so happy I've continued to chart. Here were my reasonings why.

1. Don't have to take a pregnancy test once a week after 28 days because I don't know where I'm at in my cycle.
2. Can catch O if it does happen even 70 days into a cycle.
3. Can also track any other signs or different diet changes. When I was on vacation I drank, and noticed that my temps dropped when I was veering from the diet. That's something I wouldn't have known made a difference if I wasn't charting.

But honestly, it's 2nd nature to me at this point. Taking my temp is NBD. I also like as much information as possible. So this gives me info on how my body is responding to the diet changes.

LooneyLife · April 2014

I'd probably wait and see if my period ever returned post BCPs before charting. If it returns on its own (even if longer than 30 days) I'd probably give temping a shot the next cycle.

iwalktheline · April 2014

When we had first started trying, I asked my doctor what she thought of me charting. She kind of advised me against it, as PCOS can make it very confusing/frustrating (I think often times a PCOS chart can look like you're gearing up to ovulate a few times, without actual ovulation happening). That said, there's really no harm at all in charting, so if you feel up to it, I would.

brij2006 · April 2014

iwalktheline said:

When we had first started trying, I asked my doctor what she thought of me charting. She kind of advised me against it, as PCOS can make it very confusing/frustrating (I think often times a PCOS chart can look like you're gearing up to ovulate a few times, without actual ovulation happening). That said, there's really no harm at all in charting, so if you feel up to it, I would.

This is something to keep in mind. If you stalk my chart for last cycle I got all of the signs to O at CD14, and even turned a positive OPK. Just to not have a temp spike.

It can definitely get frustrating with PCOS, and not be an easy chart to read.

lindsayandjamie · April 2014

I think it depends on your charting headspace. If you find it a burden, don't bother. If you like it and find it interesting go for it. I O'd on CD89 with my first bfp and I would have had no clue if it weren't for charting, so I'm a huge advocate. I did gear up to O a few times in the three months, but the temp spike confirmed. OPKs on the other hand, total waste of money IMO with long cycles.

OohSparkly13 · April 2014

I didn't chart for the first few months off birth control. I was mostly just concerned with whether I would get a bleed without Provera. Although, I didn't know as much about charting at that point.

I do know now though that I am going to start charting again as soon as this cycle is over. Even though I am pretty sure I am not ovulating, I am interested in seeing if my weight loss and diet change will affect my temps at all. The past few months I did temp, they were lower than most people's temps. I wasn't planning on charting but @brij2006 inspired me to get back at it with all the progress she has been having with her diet changes

FutureMrsWright2012 · April 2014

My issue is different from yours (DOR/unexplained), so I'm probably not the best person to respond to this, but I found charting/OPKs/etc to just be an added stress and not especially helpful (obviously, 2 years later and still no BFP ever). Like PP's have said though, if you're committed to it and don't feel like it's a big deal, then I say go for it, particularly if your cycles vary quite a bit.

GL with whatever you decide!

mrshall1027 · April 2014

Charting makes me nervous! I think I'll just wait to see if I'll have a natural cycle and start after that. I'm really not holding onto much hope of that happening, and I'm worried I'll probably just end up getting stressed out or frustrated with it all.

brij2006 · April 2014

ystaalenburg said:

Charting makes me nervous! I think I'll just wait to see if I'll have a natural cycle and start after that. I'm really not holding onto much hope of that happening, and I'm worried I'll probably just end up getting stressed out or frustrated with it all.

If you feel like you would get stressed and frustrated by it, then don't do it.

Charting with PCOS can be a head game. So you almost have to just take the temp and not think anything about what your chart is doing. For some that is very difficult and not worth it.

mrshall1027 · April 2014

brij2006 said:

ystaalenburg said:

Charting makes me nervous! I think I'll just wait to see if I'll have a natural cycle and start after that. I'm really not holding onto much hope of that happening, and I'm worried I'll probably just end up getting stressed out or frustrated with it all.

If you feel like you would get stressed and frustrated by it, then don't do it.

Charting with PCOS can be a head game. So you almost have to just take the temp and not think anything about what your chart is doing. For some that is very difficult and not worth it.

Yeah, that's exactly what I'm worried about. I read into everything! Maybe once I get this diet down and feel 100% comfortable with that, then I'll work up the nerve to start charting.

Thanks for all the advice and input!

WWGPD?

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