Originally Posted by
leap_of_faith
Rainbowflower is right that generally the cause of longer cycles is later ovulation, but it might also be that something is wrong with your progesterone levels. Being on the ‘boy diet’ it’s possible that you may be slightly oestrogen dominant, which means that your uterine lining doesn’t thicken up as much as it normally would. This can delay your period and when it does come it is usually lighter than normal with a lot of clots (sorry for the TMI!).
I experienced something similar to what you describe when I first started taking thyroid medication. My usual cycle length was 28 days with ovulation consistently on CD 15 according to FF. When I started on the thyroid meds, FF showed that I ovulated anywhere from CD 10 to 13, but AF wouldn’t come unless I stopped taking the pills for a couple of days. The difference between my pre- and post-ovulation temps were also much less than normal, which is another indication of insufficient progesterone.
It was only after I started taking Maca and eating turmeric on a regular basis to increase progesterone that my cycle stabilised again. If you’re planning to start TTC soon, then it’s probably a good idea to make an appointment with your Ob/Gyn and maybe get your blood levels checked. Too little progesterone can prevent your embryos from implanting, thus preventing pregnancy altogether, or cause miscarriage a few weeks in. I know swaying lore advocates high testosterone and oestrogen and low progesterone for TTC a boy, but the fact is that progesterone is vital in preparing the uterus for pregnancy. It does no good to conceive your little boy if your uterus can’t help him stay alive.