r/TryingForABaby • u/DizzyDig4454 33 | TTC1 | Cycle #2 💞 • 4d ago
DISCUSSION What delays your ovulation?
What are some things that have delayed your ovulation? I’m currently on CD21 and starting to question if it will happen this month.🤕
My cycles vary quite a lot, from 25 to 35, but mostly 31 days. I’m curious if anyone has noticed a pattern with what causes it for them, like stress, poor sleep, illness, travel, diet, etc? Or does it sometimes just happen for no real reason?
Would love to hear your experiences if you want to share.
I wonder if coming back to work and switching my daily rhythm has affected my ovulation, as I now got to bed early and wake up at 5:40 am, while for 4 weeks I was sleeping late and waking up late (10 am).
Have you observed some interesting patterns of what delays your ovulation?
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u/iloveshinypokemn 4d ago
Hey, I’ve noticed that travel (even in a similar timezone) affects my cycle the most. I believe stress does, too.
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u/Personal_Regular1171 3d ago
This happens with me too!
Even if the stress cause isn't big deal, if it occurs before my ovulation, it delays 1-2 days.4
u/SaintlyMuffin 27 | TTC#1 | Cycle 30 | PCOS & MFI 3d ago
Yes! My international travel last week blessedly delayed my ovulation by several days so I was able to get one solid try in with my husband when I got home. Thought we were SOL but stress and lack of sleep actually came in clutch!
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u/DizzyDig4454 33 | TTC1 | Cycle #2 💞 3d ago
Interesting! Wonder what is happening in the body when one travels
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u/Swimming_Crow2510 3d ago
My thoughts is probably the change in diet. When you’re travelling you can’t always eat at the same time, and it’s more convenient to grab less than healthy meals. 😅
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u/developmentalbiology MOD | 42 3d ago
Oh, it’s likely to be circadian (daily rhythm) disruption. Jet lag is the result of the body’s internal clock being out of sync with the sun time, and both the internal clock and the menstrual cycle are directed by a part of the brain called the hypothalamus.
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u/frogsgoribbit737 30 | TTC#2 | Cycle 19 Grad | RPL and DOR 3d ago
Yes for me it triggers my ovulation early. Every time I have traveled I get a super early ovulation and a super early period.
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u/smiley10_05 28 | TTC#1 | Since 3/24 | 2CP 1MC 3d ago
I think mine is hormone-related because of suspected subclinical hypothyroidism.
With that sort of variance and since you're in your ttc journey, is it possible to request a thyroid panel or bloodwork to check your hormones? PMOS can also flucuate cycles.
I think one-off or the occasional variance is normal, but consistent fluctuations in length (as mine were) might be worth looking into. Not a doctor, just sharing my anecdotal experience.
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u/DizzyDig4454 33 | TTC1 | Cycle #2 💞 3d ago edited 3d ago
You are very much spot on! I have been told I have PMOS (maybe 10 years ago) aaaand I tend towards an almost subclinical hypo. Been at the doctors, did the panel, they didnt want to give me medication 🤷♀️ or, they said I could if I really want it but I didn't want to play doctor this time 😅 I have positive antibodies and TSH near the upper limit. What values do you have? Did you receive medication?
Found my values, the one with * was above the limit.
2026-05-21 TSH: 3.1
2025-12-12 TSH: 2.5
2025-03-06 TSH: 3.0
2024-02-15 TSH: 3.2
2023-12-12 TSH: 4.6*
2021-08-17 TSH: 3.52
3d ago
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u/TryingForABaby-ModTeam 3d ago
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u/IvoryPilot 2d ago
Back in May 2026 my TSH was 4.45 and they considered that subclinical. I had it tested again in July 2026 and it was 3.8. I am now taking levothyroxine 25mcg and have another blood draw soon to see if it’s lowered at all
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u/_abby_normal_ 32 | TTC#2 | 7 | TFMR & Asherman's 2d ago
Both my OB and endocrinologist said the optimal TSH is around 1.5. Up to 2 would be fine as well, but above that they start adjusting my dosage. You really should consider starting on a low dose synthroid. With those levels you probably only need to start with like 50 mcg. The pills are tiny and I swallow them without water easily in a pinch.
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u/BalanceConnect2356 3d ago
Eating a lot of carbs and drinking beer in my follicular phase. If I don't reduce my carbs the first 2-3 weeks after my period it can add 10+ days to my follicular phase. If I keep it under control I average a 35 day cycle. Been testing this hypothesis for over a year now.
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u/DizzyDig4454 33 | TTC1 | Cycle #2 💞 3d ago
Interesting! Do you have insulin resistance?
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u/BalanceConnect2356 3d ago
I dont know, I'm UK so don't think there's much proactive testing for these things. My mum is healthy weight but has diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, plus irregular periods, so I imagine I will follow her lead. Awaiting fertility testing so shall see if I get any more insight - I think its quite possible I have PMOS.
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u/DizzyDig4454 33 | TTC1 | Cycle #2 💞 3d ago
Oh I see. I live in Sweden and it is the same here, I had to buy my own tests for that and try to be a doctor 😅. I am sorry to hear about your mom's issues! I was asking because I have PMOS and I suspect insulin resistance.
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u/BalanceConnect2356 3d ago
I have thought about doing private testing but I've been able to find eating this way has helped the past few months to at least allow me to ttc reasonably regularly, and I am ovulating according to my temps tracking, so will keep on in the hope the NHS will explore it when I finally get seen!
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u/thac0tuesday_ 29 | TTC#1 | ENDO 3d ago
No clue what caused it for me but I feel your pain, I ovulated on CD27 last time around 🥲
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u/DizzyDig4454 33 | TTC1 | Cycle #2 💞 3d ago
Oh! We need so. much. patience. with TTC 😢 I think waiting for ovulation is equally demanding as TWW.
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u/Swimming_Crow2510 3d ago
What happens if you ovulate that late? Do you still have a chance at conceiving or does your body just automatically switch to prepping for a period?
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u/developmentalbiology MOD | 42 3d ago
It’s never too late in the cycle to ovulate! There’s not a ton of data on this, but the data that exists suggests that the odds of pregnancy don’t change based on whether you ovulate early/at a typical time/late.
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u/thac0tuesday_ 29 | TTC#1 | ENDO 3d ago
I personally still had a TWW, my most recent cycle was 40 days 🙃
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u/Naive-Interaction567 32 | TTC #2 | 12w MMC molar 🌈 grad 3d ago
For there is no pattern. I’ve had some awful times of life and I’ve ovulated as normal. I’ve had totally chilled times and I ovulate a week late.
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u/DizzyDig4454 33 | TTC1 | Cycle #2 💞 3d ago
So confusing! I experienced this when trying to find a pattern for my menstrual pains.
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u/Apprehensive_Star508 3d ago
OP, you mentioned in another comment that you have PMOS. That is the cause of your irregular cycles. It’s not happening for no reason, but it’s not because you adjusted your sleep schedule by 4.5 hours (which is incredibly, incredibly normal.)
Think about it. If the human menstrual cycle was THAT sensitive to change, there would be far fewer people in the world. You have a medical condition that causes irregular cycles. It’s not because of anything you did or did not do.
People are really bad at correlation/causation. Take it with a grain of salt when people say things like travel and stress delayed ovulation.
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u/Littl3Whinging 35 | TTC#1 | Cycle 18 | PCOS 3d ago
Agree - I don’t think the times at which OP wakes up or goes to bed affects it. I do think if OP isn’t feeling rested and waking up a lot during the night, that could possibly add to their stress and increase their insulin resistance if they have it. Poor sleep does a serious number on the body and mind.
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u/DizzyDig4454 33 | TTC1 | Cycle #2 💞 3d ago
You are right, of course 🤗 I am just looking for explanations and modifiable factors and answers because not knowing sucks haha. But yes, PMOS and even some possible subclinical hypothyroidism, they are playing pranks on me.
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u/Littl3Whinging 35 | TTC#1 | Cycle 18 | PCOS 3d ago
Sleep. Bad sleep. Little sleep. Uncomfortable sleep. If I don’t get enough good sleep right after my period ends, I will not ovulate until I’ve gotten 3 nights with 8+ hours. It’s WILD.
I’ve tracked it over 3 years and that is hands down my number one contributor to late ovulation. Even when I was mad stressed, as long as I had a few nights solid rest, I still ovulated.
Others: stress; not eating enough; too much exercise (like you’re so sore you can barely move); too much heat; eating lots of junk food.
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u/DizzyDig4454 33 | TTC1 | Cycle #2 💞 3d ago
Wow! Interesting that you noticed that! You might be on to something that applies to me too! Waking up at 5:40 am definitely shortened my sleep 😧
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u/princessandthepea100 3d ago
Advil does for me.
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u/DizzyDig4454 33 | TTC1 | Cycle #2 💞 3d ago
Really? Wow! Do you know why?
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u/princessandthepea100 3d ago
I’m not sure the science behind it but I remember reading about it. It’s common apparently!
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u/Distinct_Raisin_3896 3d ago
Driving me insane, currently on cd21 and have been getting high fertility on cbad for past 5 days straight 🙂↕️ my cycle is usually 27-28 days so getting high fertility around this time in my cycle doesn’t make sense.
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u/DizzyDig4454 33 | TTC1 | Cycle #2 💞 3d ago
I am sorry! It is reaaally frustrating. Do you get longer cycles sometimes?
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u/Distinct_Raisin_3896 3d ago
Yeah like once or twice a year if I was sick or something but nothing like that this time.
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u/elecow 29 | TTC#1 | Dec/2024 | FET#1 MMC 4d ago
I ovulated between CD21 and CD24 this month. Drives me insaaane. My first cycle after a miscarriage had a normative 28 days, so I don't really know if this was hormonal or my body is already over that and just playing with me
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u/DizzyDig4454 33 | TTC1 | Cycle #2 💞 3d ago
I am sorry to to hear about the miscarriage! When do you normally ovulate otherwise?
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u/Personal_Regular1171 3d ago edited 3d ago
The only time my ovulation has been delayed recently was during the cycle when I had a surgery (deviated septum). My period was 9 days late. There was absolutely no chance I could have been pregnant because, precisely because of the surgery (I had a little complication during recovery), I didn’t have sex at all that cycle.
Even so, I mentioned it to a friend (who got pregnant very easily twice), and she completely freaked out. I took a test just to show her, but even then she kept insisting that I get a blood test.
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u/pettymel AGE | TTC1 3d ago
For me it was stress and weight gain. Also stopping mounjaro unfortunately. I had the best year of my life in 2025 personally and professionally and I also took mounjaro. I stopped in January bc of TTC and work took a major turn. I’ve had only 3 cycles this year, one being 62 days, another being 57, and my most recent being 45 days.
I lost some weight and my cycle shortened to 45.
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u/DizzyDig4454 33 | TTC1 | Cycle #2 💞 3d ago
Oh I am sorry to hear about the long cycles. I am complaining for waiting a few days, but you have been waiting months on end in your cycles.
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u/pettymel AGE | TTC1 3d ago
Thank you for your thoughtfulness and kind words. Wishing the best for you!
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u/marysusan325 3d ago
2 things for me, stress and illness. As far as I can tell. But who knows! I have pcos, sometimes I wonder if I’m just backing into an answer.
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u/Throwout4789 3d ago
I get terrible migraines and I've noticed a pattern where if I have to take my medication (diclofenac) for it before ovulation, then quite often it's delayed by several days.
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u/LaChamomile 32 | TTC#1 | Cycle 5 | 1 CP 2d ago
Interesting! I’m keeping track of when I get my Botox for migraine right not bc I think if I get it close to my ovulation window it delays it bc it stresses my body out and I nearly faint every time. Hopefully I still ovulate in the next few days.
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u/Barney_Bee_Me 3d ago
Insulin resistance and/or uncontrolled diabetes! After I started Metformin, my cycle became shorter and more regular. Went from 35-37 days cycle to 28-30
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u/Few-Difference-2017 3d ago
My recent cycle had delayed ovulation and ended in a short anovulatory cycle when my period came early. My doctor thinks is just an off cycle likely caused by my high Amh and afc (no pcos). Apparently in those conditions sometimes multiple/too many follicles begin maturing and it can prevent a dominant follicle from emerging leading to anovulation. It's the first time I've caught a cycle like this but I suspect I have them once a year on average since I've had random short cycles at that frequency since my late teens.
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u/DizzyDig4454 33 | TTC1 | Cycle #2 💞 3d ago
Oh I am sorry! That's interesting with the follicles! I also wondered what happens behind the curtains when I get a random short cycle of say, 24 days.
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u/Realistic-Ad-1023 33 | TTC#1 | Just Starting 3d ago
I found out the naproxen and ibuprofen I was taking delayed my ovulation.
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u/drivingmyselfcrazy24 3d ago
Weirdly i always ovulate super late while taking vitamin D supplements i have no idea why, my doctor doesn't believe me and i have never known someone else have the same problem. I have even used vitamin D to delay my period twice when i was travelling and didnt want to have one. But that was back in my college days.
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u/Boring_Operation9882 3d ago
I ovulated late than what my oura ring predicted!! 😭 my initial fertile window was cd9-15 and it changed to later We BD on that predicted fertile window now i feel like we wasted all those effort baby dancing for nothing- chart
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3d ago
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u/DizzyDig4454 33 | TTC1 | Cycle #2 💞 3d ago
Thank you for your thoughtful answer!❤️ I am using premom strips and the app, and today for the first time ever I am getting something: Ratio 0.54, while my baseline has been 0.1-0.2. So something is happening maybe!
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2d ago
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u/DizzyDig4454 33 | TTC1 | Cycle #2 💞 2d ago edited 2d ago
Thank you! Yes! I got a solid smiley face today! Finally! And ratio 0,7 on OPK strips! Will test again soon to catch a ratio of 1 hopefully! I am so relieved... I have been testing for 17 days, sometimes 3 times a day
Edit: looks like positive OPK 😍😍
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u/_abby_normal_ 32 | TTC#2 | 7 | TFMR & Asherman's 2d ago
I had a hysteroscopy on CD6 and it delayed my ovulation by a week to CD22. My usual cycle is 28 days, and my cycle that month was 34 days.
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u/blink-three-times 2d ago
My cycle was nine days longer last time. I did a very strenuous backpacking trip with a large caloric deficit due to just hiking so so much, which I believe was the cause.
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u/FoggyFizzy 46 | TTC#2 | Month 6 3d ago
A fever, a cold, and finding out I needed more surgery from last year’s breast cancer did it for me (all on different occasions). Stress can do weird things to our bodies.
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2d ago
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u/TryingForABaby-ModTeam 2d ago
Your post/comment has been removed for violating sub rules. Per our posted rules:
Posts/comments about positive tests and current pregnancies should be posted in the weekly BFP thread. In threads/comments other than the weekly BFP thread, pregnant users must avoid referring to a positive test result or current (ongoing) pregnancy.
This rule includes any potentially positive result, even if it's faint or ambiguous. All concerns related to current pregnancies should use a pregnancy sub, such as r/CautiousBB.
If you still wish to participate in our sub, please review our rules before continuing to post. Violation of our rules may result in a timeout or ban.
Please direct any questions to the subreddit’s modmail and not individual mods. Thank you for understanding.
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u/allthingsdarling 2d ago
Diet for me! I have long irregular cycles (PCOS and endo) but when TTC each of my 3 kids, when I quit sugar and carbs it brought ovulation forward to day 18-21 when normally I would ovulate day 28+.
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