And now I have luteal phase defect��

[Tollygunge]

So after ttc for 2 traumatic years and a tfmr and another loss at 16 weeks and a loss at 6 weeks, I've been using clear blue flashing smile opks. Last loss was in February, so ttc for five months no joy. Went to see zita west and the doctor there, Dr ndwokue, told me that if I ovulate on cd19 (which is when I get solid smiley) I'm basically fucked as luteal phase too short. In all other pregnancies I've gotten a bfp v late on so don't think this is a new problem. He's said he will consider giving me progesterone pessaries, but will I not need clomid too?! I've just got my smiley today (cd19 of 28 day cycle) and can't even be bothered bonking as there doesn't seem any point. I also spot from cd28 and have full flow cd30. Am I screwed now?! After all the awful losses this seems like the final straw. I am 35 and have one child of 4 with same partner. Help me wise ladies of munsnet! Not opposed to clomid but think I will need to pay for it and push for it. So sad.

[Tollygunge]

Impatient bump ;)

[SaulGood]

I don't think "basically fucked" is a sufficient medical diagnosis tbh.

A normal luteal phase is between 10 and 16 days so you're only just outside of this and actually I do know people who have conceived with a 9 day lp (I'm one of them ).

Has anybody actually confirmed when you ovulate? A cb flashing smiley doesn't actually tell you when you ovulate. What investigations have you had? What picture have they given you of what's happening? What have they suggested happens next?

[Jo178]

I had this after coming off cerazette to ttc#2. I wasn't ovulating until day 21/22 with lp being only 9/10 days. I did some research and started taking high dose vit b6, evening primrose oil and agnus castus which brought ovulation forward to day 16. We conceived soon after and now have a 6 month old ds.

[Tollygunge]

I raised with Dr ndwoke the idea that opks weren't always reliable- he disagreed and said they pretty much are. Whilst he didn't say 'basically fucked' he did say, and indeed write in my letter that it would be 'impossible' to conceive with a luteal
Phase of anything less than 12 days? In terms of investigations, he wants to give me progesterone pessaries for a while then I guess he will do investigations?

[Tollygunge]

I've ordered the Angus castus and will start next cycle. Can you remember what dose vit b you took?

[SaulGood]

What?!?

A luteal phase of between 10 and 16 days is normal. I have a luteal phase of 9 days (sometimes 10) and had no problems conceiving at all because there's nothing wrong with me. In fact, I always tested positive 9dpo as do quite a few women so implantation was definitely taking place earlier than this.

Has nobody done any blood tests as the bare minimum? This 'diagnosis' just comes from your word re opks? Are you paying for this 'treatment'?

After 2 years of ttc, 2 miscarriages and a tfmr, I'd expect more medical input.

Clearly you can conceive. Something else seems to be going on. What happened after your miscarriage at 16 weeks? Did they look into possible reasons for it?

[Jo178]

Hmmm, pretty sure I took two 50 mg tablets. They were Holland and Barrett ones. I took these right through my cycle, 100mg of evening primrose and low dose agnus castus from first day of af until ov. Good luck!

[Tollygunge]

Reason for mc at 16 weeks was a huge subchirionic hematoma. I have seen many docs/ consultants who tell me the three are 'bad luck' and unlikely to be connected. I do have blood tests for clotting disorders coming up- they are v expensive and I've been waiting for a year. I've just been told my appt has been cancelled again until September by uch. In the meantime I'm going to carry on ttc, hence my concern re luteal phase defect. The Dr at Zita West seems very knowledgable and there must be a reason I'm not conceiving. Do you know if luteal phase defect can come on after a miscarriage? My ovulation dates seem to have gotten later as years have gone on.

[Tollygunge]

Btw three diff docs have told me clotting disorder unlikely hence me ttc before them