Calculate Your Fertile Window: A Guide for Irregular Periods

Question
I am 25 years old and my partner is 36 years old, I have 1 child (3 years old). Firsty day of my last period was Monday 13th June to Friday 19th June 2005.  My next one just began wednesday 27th July.  I am desperate for another child and have been trying since October 04.  Since having my child my periods have been irregular (aprox 6 -7) weeks apart.  Please can you tel me how I can work out when my fertile time is. I await your reply.

Answer
If your period is irregular, it is difficult to pinpoint the day that you ovulate. You may have to go on birth control pills for a few months in order to regulate your cycle, and then stop the pills when your cycle becomes regular. Otherwise, purchase an ovulation predictor kit from the pharmacy and try to calculate when you ovulate. Ovulation usually occurs fourteen days before the first day of your next period. If you have a 45 day cycle (from the start of one period until the start of the next period) ovulation probably occurs on cycle day #31 (fourteen days before your period). Concentrate on having sex one day prior to ovulation and up to three days after ovulation. YOu can also purchase an ovulation monitor (electric) which can help pinpoint the exact day of ovulation. Discuss all of this with your gynecologist.