First Day of Cycle When Unusual Bleeding Present
Question
My husband and I are trying to have a baby. It’s been since October. My last three menstrual periods were right on time every 28 days. This month I was eight days late. Took blood test and negative. Got my period for one day on the 9th day after I was supposed to get my period. Do I count the days from when I was supposed to get my period for ovulation or from the day when I got it for one day.
Answer
Last Updated: June 17, 2013
You cannot identify day 28 as the start of your menstruation, since the expected bleeding did not occur then, nor can you consider the one day of bleeding you experienced on the ninth day after you expected to begin your period as the start of your menstruation, for the following reasons:
The Billings Ovulation Method of Natural Family Planning teaches that all bleeding should be considered a fertile sign because, 1) menstrual bleeding can obscure the fertile mucus pattern in the case of an early ovulation, 2)so-called “breakthrough” bleeding can occur when estrogen is high prior to ovulation, and, 3) bleeding can occur at the implantation of the baby in the endometrium.
Breakthrough bleeding (number 2, above) may have occurred in your case when you had a single day of bleeding on day 37 (which is the ninth day past day 28). Breakthrough bleeding is not menstrual bleeding, which follows ovulation 11 to 16 days later if you’re not pregnant. Breakthrough bleeding is caused by the stimulus of rising estrogen on the endometrial cells lining the uterus prior to ovulation.
The negative pregnancy test you received after having tried to conceive during the days you thought were pre-ovulatory/ovulatory and the absence of menstruation 11 to 16 days later indicate that you probably did have a delayed ovulation. Please understand, it is not unusual to have a delayed ovulation for one reason or another, as our bodies are not mechanical clocks, but are subject to varied (often subtle) internal or external influences. “Calendar thinking”, or going strictly ‘by the dates’ belongs to the largely ineffective Rhythm Method of the past, whereas modern methods of natural family planning, such as the Billings Ovulation Method, teach you to notice and chart your changing, developing pattern of cervical mucus which indicates a state of fertility or infertility, enabling you to achieve, space, or avoid pregnancy.
If you are not pregnant by the time you read this and are still seeking pregnancy, then wait until you know you have a slippery sensation at the vulva and then enjoy intercourse for the next three to four days. Menstruation should follow 11 to 16 days later if you’re not pregnant, and you can try again the next time. Best of luck!
Carole Roadarmel
The Billings Ovulation Method of Natural Family Planning teaches that all bleeding should be considered a fertile sign because, 1) menstrual bleeding can obscure the fertile mucus pattern in the case of an early ovulation, 2)so-called “breakthrough” bleeding can occur when estrogen is high prior to ovulation, and, 3) bleeding can occur at the implantation of the baby in the endometrium.
Breakthrough bleeding (number 2, above) may have occurred in your case when you had a single day of bleeding on day 37 (which is the ninth day past day 28). Breakthrough bleeding is not menstrual bleeding, which follows ovulation 11 to 16 days later if you’re not pregnant. Breakthrough bleeding is caused by the stimulus of rising estrogen on the endometrial cells lining the uterus prior to ovulation.
The negative pregnancy test you received after having tried to conceive during the days you thought were pre-ovulatory/ovulatory and the absence of menstruation 11 to 16 days later indicate that you probably did have a delayed ovulation. Please understand, it is not unusual to have a delayed ovulation for one reason or another, as our bodies are not mechanical clocks, but are subject to varied (often subtle) internal or external influences. “Calendar thinking”, or going strictly ‘by the dates’ belongs to the largely ineffective Rhythm Method of the past, whereas modern methods of natural family planning, such as the Billings Ovulation Method, teach you to notice and chart your changing, developing pattern of cervical mucus which indicates a state of fertility or infertility, enabling you to achieve, space, or avoid pregnancy.
If you are not pregnant by the time you read this and are still seeking pregnancy, then wait until you know you have a slippery sensation at the vulva and then enjoy intercourse for the next three to four days. Menstruation should follow 11 to 16 days later if you’re not pregnant, and you can try again the next time. Best of luck!
Carole Roadarmel
Answered By:
Carole Roadarmel
Carole Roadarmel, longtime Professional Member of CANFP, taught the Billings Method of NFP in the Los Angeles Region, where she lived with her husband Stan.
