chic..i don't want to ovulate either...I'm not supposed to due to my meds..so I feel ya. Also if it has been a long time since your last monthly...your endometrium may be pretty thick...and that is what is causing some breakthrough bleeding..which is from the endometrium not being able to be completely nourished and it is shed lightly until your next menses.

if you are ovulating--yes it can be ovulation spotting. polyps, fibroids and the like will definitely cause spotting/bleeding.

I had a friend with adenomyosis--basically endometriosis within the myometrium--and she spotted on exertion a good bit.

For the past 8 months, after losing some significant weight, my menstrual cycle is much more regular. I do have one once a month and it is nowhere near as heavy as it use to be. I don't actually track my cycle...should I? And if so, how do I do it? :|

As far as knowing if I ovulate, I haven't a clue. I know this much -

I have been heavy a good portion of my life.

I was married, with the man 10 years, and I never got pregnant but also need to add that he had a lot of medical issues that affected his sperm count stuffies :o.

So, how do I know if I am actually ovulating without buying a kit cause I am poor :| :(

ok, I hope I don't get in trouble for going into biology..there are several ways to do this.

The best way is simply your cervical mucus. Basically during certain times of month your body changes the secretions you have vaginally to match where you are in your cycle. Fertile/non fertile

Here is the website I use. www.fertilityfriend.com. The basics are free. And that is all you need. They have a tutorial on the website too.

The other method explained also at the website is called the thermal method. you simply take your temperature FIRST THING every morning. You have a pre-ovulatory basal body temperature range AND you have a postovulatory temperature range. The post-o temp range is caused from the release of progesterone by the corpus luteum (structure formed after ovulation). Progesterone is the hormone responsible for maintaining the pregnancy and the uterine lining. The bbt method is used very successfully in obtaining pregnancy.

When you are temping. Your temperature will raise to signify you have ovulated. If you are tracking your cm too...you have an even better confirmation. You normally will get your period 13-15 days after ovulation. NO matter when you ovulate. If you ovulate on day 23 or day 15 you will still get it at the same set time of 12-15 days. That is called the luteal phase. Every woman's body works like this for the most part.

Let me know if you need any help with this. I am so glad your cycles are regulating.

I've always tracked my period just cuz I am nuts :dizzy:. Before this site I used to use a simple calendar.

Here's the site I use and it is free - Fertility Friend - They have a neat free iPhone/iPod Touch tracker tool as well which I love :D. I am not pregnant or trying to be yet but I just like it as it predicts for the entire year my cycle dates and ovulation days based on when I enter my last cycle date. You can change the date if and when your date changes.

HTH :)

:lol: Jen and I posted the same site

lol..pinto! great minds think alike. I'm a nut about it too! I hate suprises! Especially crampy, leaky, potentially staining ones!

Exactly! :)
Not to mention, every doctor visit came with the question - when was your last menstrual cycle?

Thanks for the site ladies, will definitely check it out :hug::hug:

I always track my periods (although I can set the clock by them) just for convenience. I want to know, if I am planning going somewhere etc. that it's not going to coincide with the heaviest day of my period.
I can very easily tell when I am ovulating - by the mucous - I think jendiet mentioned that.

omg, please see a doctor. that doesnt sound normal.
let us know if everything is ok.

Thank you, joyinSF :hug:

You can also check out the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility! I really learned a lot from that book!

Thanks for the tip, nooch :hug:

i personally just came off the pill myself (after 5 years of relying on a foil pill holder to tell me when my period was coming)- cos we're poor too =p so i found this website to help me track. Its free, no memberships; just put in the first day of your last period and what cycle you have, and it should track period - ovulation etc in a one page calendar... It is aimed at people trying to concieve but psh, i use it to monitor my period.

http://babymed.com/Tools/Fertility/C...r/Default.aspx

Thanks so much, Jinksie!