Short Luteal Phase Gang!

[Beau20]

I started a thread a while ago asking for success stories but now I would love to get all the girls together who are struggling to conceive with their short Luteal Phase!

Here's a little bit about me -

TTC #1
Cycle 7
28 years old
Luteal phase average 9-10 days longest being 11 days.
Ovulation CD17-18 cycles 26-28 days long

I have had 2 pregnancies before (both termination please no flaming) both conceived without even trying, one with my current partner of 6 years. I also had a chemical in January. My last contraception was Nexplanon for 1 year and before that I was on the pill for 10 years or so (which was when I conceived previous). I have been taking 50mg sertraline for 6 months then 100mg sertraline for 6 months after that and have just stopped completely today. This is the only thing I have been doing differently since I conceived last time so part of me thinks this may affect fertility.

I'd love to hear about everyone else's journey! x

[Nat4392]

TTC #1
Cycle #6
27 years old
Luteal phase ranges 9-11 although last month it was 12.
Ovulating around CD13-15 and cycle length is 23-26 days.
Currently 8DPO, AF is due next week on my birthday so hopefully I’ll have a nice present this year! Not getting my hopes up again though...

[Beau20]

Hey @Nat4392!

Keeping my fingers crossed for you!! Have you always had a short LP or is it something that you've only noticed when TTC? Mine always used to be perfectly normal so now I scrutinise everything I have done in the last 3 years to mess it up!

[Nat4392]

@beau20 I’ve only been TTC since October and was on the pill prior to that so unsure. Although before the pill, my cycles were only 21 days.
First couple of cycles LP was longer then it got shorter more recently apart from the last 12 day LP.

[AsSurprisedAsYouAre]

10 or 11 days here, also had a previous pregnancy 2 1/2 years ago that we were forced to decide to terminate so THANK YOU for adding that info in your OP @beau20 because I'm always terrified to mention it on here. Been ttc since November and never noticed or knew what my luteal phase was like before getting the Fertility Friend app, been concerned it could be an issue so would love to hear some positive stories!

[Beau20]

@AsSurprisedAsYouAre how long have you been trying for?

Terminations are so common, in fact I would say most women I know of a similar age to me have had one. I don't condone it but sometimes you have to do what you have to do. I feel forever guilty and now I feel like I'm being punished for it but it is what it is sadly!

[Beau20]

@Nat4392 I suppose it's a good thing that your cycles have lengthened since stopping the pill though! x

[CheesecakeFactory87]

What is a luteal phase? Sorry for my ignorance.

[BuffaloCauliflower]

@CheesecakeFactory87 it’s the second half of your cycle from ovulation to period. A short luteal phase can be problematic for TTC

[Nat4392]

@CheesecakeFactory87 it’s the days between ovulation and AF where implantation would happen.

[CheesecakeFactory87]

Oh I see. How would you measure that? Sorry looking at TTC next year and interested as I'm surprised as I know so little about my body.

[BuffaloCauliflower]

@CheesecakeFactory87 you find out by tracking your basal body temperature, using Ovulation Predictor Kits or both together to track your cycle and find out when you ovulate, as well as when your period is. I do both and also started long before TTC as I used Natural Cycles for my contraception. There’s lots of different apps you can use though. Some you just log, others will predict for you. Reading lots here will help you learn, starting to track your cycle now will really help - though if you’re using hormonal contraceptives that could skew some results

[HavelockVetinari]

Anyone know what can be done to treat a short literal phase?

[HavelockVetinari]

*luteal

[paintfairy]

Mine isn't short but I start bleeding about 10dpo onwards. Tried vitamins, high b vits don't seem to agree with me, tried shatavari this month and I cant decide if that helped a little (breasts hurt less) but still been bleeding since Monday. Does my head in! Dr just deems it hormonal.

[Beau20]

@HavelockVetinari there are loads of theories that certain vitamins can help as below but done nothing for me -

Vitamins B6, B complex, high strength C and D
Agnus castus
Progesterone cream

I am just about to try progesterone cream this cycle nothing else has worked.

@paintfairy I read thar spotting before AF if you have a shortish luteal phase is relatively common with people with this issue/luteal phase defect. I've read it can also be due to low progesterone. I'm going to see my GP next week to see what they say as I've had a chemical twice since TTC.

[Kitte321]

Hi all. I too have a short luteal phase (7-8 days but up to 10 last month). Its driving me crazy!! In terms of me, I’m 36, TTC#2 and on cycle 8. I’ve done everything and last month was the first month that I’ve seen improvement after adding Angus Castus to the mix. So currently I have good multi vit, AC up to ovulation and b6 after. I also have EPO to help with EWCM.
I did get pregnant with #1 with a 10 day LP so there’s hope for us all!!

[paintfairy]

@Beau20 agree about progesterone but they aren't interested.

I've ordered cream to try!

[lunamoon1]

Jumping on here too if that's okay. 24, TTC#2, just started cycle 5, my LP is more or less 10 days so I know it's not super short but still short enough to cause issues I think. I took high dose omega3 last month & noticed a good change, went from ov happening on CD18-21 to CD15, also lots more EWCM, but it didn't result in a BFP unfortunately. So cycle 5 here we are.

@paintfairy what progesterone cream did you buy? I have been very tempted to try it as I think I may have low progesterone too..

[paintfairy]

@lunamoon1 now solutions - ordered from Ebay (can buy elsewhere). I looked at a few but you are meant to look out for a few things. And this one seemed to tick the boxes. So we shall see!

[Beau20]

@paintfairy they aren't interested in anything unless you've been trying for a year (which I think is ridiculous by the way, especially if you are over 25). I'm going to give it a go and see what they say.

@lunamoon1 oooh I've not tried omega 3 but I'll give that a go. I'm going to start soy isoflavones tomorrow as well for 5 days. I got the Wellspring progesterone cream, cost me £40 so better work!

[Beau20]

Also, bit of a personal question but does anyone else take or have recently been on antidepressants? I am sureee this is effecting me!

[paintfairy]

No I've never taken them. I do wonder if being on the progesterone only pill did it though.

[Beau20]

@paintfairy I had the implant and this was progesterone only, I thought the exact same thing. It's like your body has been used to so much progesterone, when you stop you are deficient - if that makes sense? I was on the combined pill last time and no issues what so ever!

[paintfairy]

@Beau20 I read taking progesterone doesn't help the body, merely hides the problem. And the more you do that, the more your body doesn't make its own.

If this is true, then taking the pop for years (or depo or implant) surely stops the body making its own because it's not needed?

I've been off the pill now completely since June 2018. With no improvement.

[lunamoon1]

@paintfairy I'll have a look, thanks!

@Beau20 I'd recommend, it seems to have made a big difference to my ovulation date which I'm glad about, hopefully it continues this cycle too. I also take 1000mg vit C with zinc daily which I really like. I might have a try of the progesterone cream, where did you get yours? I haven't sorry, did you ask your GP? Everyone is different mind you so what effects you may not effect someone else, it's so difficult!

I was on the POP too! Have been off it since about 2016 though, have promised myself I'm never going back on any form of birth control