I know that many of you ladies have experience with charting, etc. I'm frankly pretty clueless :-). Are there any natural ways to regulate your cycle, supplements perhaps? If regulation isn't possible persay are there better ways that I could try to use to predict AF?

I've consulted with my OBGYN, but his answers were either the BCP or hysterectomy, I'm not inclined toward either.

For example, in the last year or so, I've gone anywhere from 24 days to 4+mths between AF. Sometimes they are ridiculously heavy and long (7+days) or light and short. There seems to be no rhyme or reason. Symptoms are also unreliable b/c sometimes I have days of cramping/irritability/fluid retention w/o AF arriving, but other times she shows up with no symptoms or warning.

TIA, for any advice offered.

Have your cycles always been so unpredictable, Beth?
I was just thinking, if not, then this craziness could be your body gearing up for 'the change'. That can start quite early for some, and last ridiculously long. While for others, it starts late and is over fairly quickly.

Interesting thought, T. I've wondered that myself. My cycles were fairly regular up until littlest was born in '06. I also had a tubal as part of that birth and then b/f for a year. Both my mom and maternal grandmother had hysterectomies early (mid 30's for both) due to uterine issues, so that's part of my confusion.

My cycles regulated a bit when my older girls started theirs, but have now gone haywire again. That had me thinking maybe something hormonally off, but doc can't seem to find anything (nor does he want to try really). His answer was the pill or hysterectomy. I don't have peace about either.

In my heart of hearts, I'd like to reverse the tubal and go the TTC route- but with my history of difficult conceptions and nightmarish preg., that seems foolish to dh and absolutely crazy to the docs. We did the tubal in the first place based on med. advice.

So, I'm looking for some coping methods at this point I guess.

Gosh...I'd love to see you on the TTC path :) But, I can understand the concerns there as well.

When I have a few I'll try to track down some homeopathic/herbal/natural sites. I can't remember any of the cycle helping herbs right now.

It may be helpful for you to chart your cycles. You could do a pretty simple version of charting. Keep track of say, when, AF shows up, do basic CM checks, and take temperatures in the morning. With this info, you could see how regularly you are ovulating and what the length of your luteal phase is. You also may be able to gleam some info from the quality of your CM.

One great book that deals with natural remedies for your cycles and fertility, is called Fertility, Cycles, and Nutrition. It is written by an NFP teacher.

Are you under any significant stress?

Or perhaps, like Tara said, it is the start of pre-menopause. Do you have a history of earlier menopause in your family?

Thanks to you both. Ruth, I'll check into getting a copy of that book. T, anything you come across as far as links, etc. would be most appreciated.

I'm not sure about early menopause b/c of the histories of early hysterectomies in my family. My mom is also and only child and my only sister is several years younger. They both had issues with fibroids though, which I don't have. I do have significant uterine scarring from all my repeat c's which perhaps could cause heavier bleeding, though not irregular cycles.

http://wholeearthhealing.sagelakefarm.com/2008/02/15/herbs-for-womens-health.aspx

I've not browsed a lot yet, but this site looks good and mentions herbs that sounded familiar to me.