Guinea pig for natural progesterone (luteal phase defect)

[Springbells]

Right, I'm going to give natural progesterone a go to treat short luteal phase (8 days on average) and as I think there are a few of us out there struggling with similar issues I thought I'd start this thread, in case anyone else is interested.

I'm monitoring using opks and bbt charting and will see what it does (if anything) to my cycle.

I decided against b6 as it is contraindicated as it may affect nerves. HOWEVER I know a lot of mn ladies have used it successfully without problems so this is just my personal choice, and I'm a firm believer of each to their own.

Research on natural progesterone (NOT Synthetic - which can cause nasties) indicates that it is identical to the naturally occurring hormone and is produced in high levels during the third trimester, so the tiny amounts I'll be using mimic the levels normally found in a normal cycle (and so, theoretically, should be safe for a little bean). Just a quick mention re wild yam - this requires conversion into progesterone in the lab, the body can't do it. It is used for other things in the body, apparently.

So, ridiculously long post over, keeping fx for bfps

[SaggyOldClothCatpuss]

WTF do you do with the guinea pig???

[Springbells]

Hahaha... Absolutely nothing, thank god!!!

[IlonaRN]

Hi,
I have just ordered some natural progesterone also, as it appears my luteal phase is only 9 days. I have decided to take 50mg B6 as well.
Do let us know how you get on.

[Froggy2013]

Just to note - if you start using it you must continue throughout your pregnancy, or there is a chance of miscarriage. I bought some (10 day luteal phase), but decided to wait a few more cycles after finding this out!

[Estherf]

Hi,

I had a short luteal phase (I think!) and took vit B6. My luteal phase got longer straight away, and I also stopped having spotting the few days before af. So I'm pretty sure it helped me. I had reflexology too, which made me relax if nothing else!!

[Estherf]

Meant to say.....I got bfp a couple of months later xx

[Springbells]

Estherf - what mg b6 did you take? I've got 50mg in the cupboard, and pregnacare has 10mg in it, tempted to try that first, and see if that settles it before I take hormones. Froggy - thanks for the warning, I think I'm with you on leaving it a cycle due to other things going on. Fingers crossed it will be more than 6 days this month!

[MyFancyPants]

I have a short luteal phase too, about 8-9 days. I've been on 100mg of B6 for the past few months and it has made no difference at all. I've now got some natural progesterone cream to try, however on Monday I'm having a 21 day blood test done, so thinking I should probably hold off using the cream until then.

[Andcake]

I tried the natural progesterone cream- lengthened it a bit but no bfp. I stopped then did the b6 thing and had my successful bfp which stuck. Good luck!

[Springbells]

Thanks for the info, it's a minefield isn't it? Congratulations on your bfp andcake, how much b6 were you taking?

[herethereandeverywhere]

I fixed mine with B6 too. Took a regular multivitamin PLUS B6 supplement on top. Saw difference in 1st month and was fixed after 2 months. BFP followed within 6 months.

[Andcake]

50 mg from holland and Barrett it cost less than a fiver. In 3 years prior I had 2 mc and spent hundreds on fertility tests! I took it throughout my pregnancy - mentioned to all midwives,drs etc all seemed happy particularly one dr who was part of my high risk pregnancy assessment. I had also been taking lots of other sups in the three years but this seemed to do the trick to get my lovely ds - currently wriggling on his play mat. I had been told I had about 1% chance of conceiving naturally or even with ivf due to high fsh/ low amh.

[LatieK]

Hi Springbells

Sorry to drag out an old thread, but I was wondering how your experiment went?

I am considering trying progesterone cream this cycle (cycle 13 ttc#1).

My luteal phase is usually 11 days, and I regularly get spotting in the middle. I've had two 21 day blood tests for progesterone - one was 28 and one was 31, so hovering around the 'ok' threshold of 30. Hoping the cream might just give a bit of a boost and help us conceive.

Thanks

Latie

[Springbells]

Hi latie, I had to put it on hold as other stuff going on, still have really short lp (8 days) and am taking Angus castus and b6 to see if that helps. I'm hoping everything will be sorted by next cycle and I can give cream a go. Let me know how you get on if you go for it.

[CrazyLottie]

Hi girls. I have a short luteal phase too. Around 9-10 days maximum, although has been as short as 7 or 8 (which seems like a big difference, as I thought a woman's LP was supposed to remain constant).

Been on Agnus Cactus for a while and started vitamin B6 this month, so I'll let you know how I get on. Got some progesterone cream sitting on the shelf waiting ...

I've always wondered if actually, LP might be okay and my body's hormones/ovulation are somehow not showing up on my monitor in the usual amount of time. If that makes sense?!

[Springbells]

Hi ladies, if I'm honest, I'm also a bit nervous about self medicating with hormones, but if Angus castus doesn't bring ovulation forward a bit I'm going to go for it, as because I am trying for dc#2 docs won't look twice at me. Am also considering going in for day 2 and 21 tests, and just being bolshy and asking for them! I am fairly certain I don't ovulate til day 20ish, as I get ewcm, ovulation pain and positive opks then.

[CrazyLottie]

Agnus cactus seems to have brought my ovulation forward a few days, but not done much for my LP (ie so just have shorter cycles)!

Are you temping?

Let me know what the doctor says about day 21 tests! I am also TTC number 2.

[Christelle2207]

Hi there ladies
Just wanted to butt in with a short luteal phase success story. mine was about 8/9 days for months on end, fairly useless really and GP didn't take it seriously at all. B6 and Agnus Castus did nothing for me and I was wondering about taking progesterone supplements...
Anyway I got my bfp in november. 3 things happened that month and I'm certain that it was one of the following that fixed it, probably the last but possibly a combination.
Firstly I started reflexology, got pg shortly after my third session (recommended between af and ovulation - pretty enjoyable and relaxing even if it didnt do anything!).
Secondly I started treatment for underactive thyroid once i insisted on getting tested and got diagnosed. Thinking back and from the reading I did, I'm fairly sure my thyroid affected by cycles so worthwhile anyone with cycle issues asking for simple TSH test I would say. My TSH levels had improved to close to normal within a month.
Thirdly and possibly most significantly I finally started clomid and either on its own or with combination of above it worked. This is despite clomid being usually a drug for those that dont ovulate at all - in my case it brought my ovulation forward dramatically which made the difference.
I'll never know what happened to my lp that month but I ovulated and conceived around day 12 whereas normally I wouldn't ovulate till day 19 or so. So no coincidence.
Those who are not able to take clomid yet (as you need to be referred to fertlity clinic usually to get it) may want to consider soy isoflavones which is available in tesco and supposed to be the natural alternative to clomid. Had it in my drawer but never used!
Also there is a long thread in here called "the short luteal phase gang" which I found useful -it's long but informative.
Best of luck all.

[Springbells]

crazy that's good news about ac bringing ov forward, shame it brought lp forward too. Yes, I'm temping, having clear temp differences at ovulation and, sadly, just as clear dips just before af

christelle thanks for posting your experiences, congratulations! I'm definitely willing to try all natural routes before going down the hormone route so will have a look at soy. Now off to find the gang.....

[CrazyLottie]

Helpful info Christelle - thanks!!

[LatieK]

Hi ladies, thanks for your replies. Can't write much as am away from home & on phone. Am 4 dpo, started progesterone cream on 2 dpo. Will let you know how it goes!

[Springbells]

Latie - how's it going? My ov seems to have come forward a couple of days, now to see whether lp follows it!