Short Luteal Phase Gang!

Hi All,

Apologies - I haven’t read all the posts. I just wanted to definitely recommend having your thyroid function checked. Mine came back in the ‘normal range’ under the NHS guidelines however when I went for investigations privately the consultant said that even though it was in the ‘normal range’ it was actually too high for someone trying to conceive - I was prescribed a low dose of thyroxine and within 3 months my luteal phase was longer and I fell pregnant. So don’t give up and find out what your numbers are - rather than them just telling you it’s ‘normal’. I can’t remember exactly how it works but I think mine was 2.6 and it shouldn’t really be more than than 2.2 for someone trying to conceive (although don’t quote me on the numbers!) I hope that helps xx

Hi all 👋 how's everyone getting on this week? I'm on day 32 of an average 32 day cycle so praying I don't come on tomorrow! I've been symptom spotting like a crazy person this month and I hate myself for it. I've convinced myself I'm pregnant and it's the worst. I generally manage to not do this and that suits me so I don't get my hopes up but I've convinced myself that all the sore nipples, twinges and cramps, waves of nausea etc mean I'm going to get my bfp. I need saving from myself!

I've resisted testing (luckily I'm pretty good with this Cos they're not cheap! Haha) but I also wondered how early you can test when you only have a 10 day LP? With a 'normal' LP people could easily get a negative test at 10 dpo but still be pregnant, so I wonder what the deal is for us with slightly shorter ones? Any ideas?

@sausageface that made me laugh 😂 But I have been close to going to a psychic my friend went to. Even though I don't believe in that sort of thing really, I thought it might give me hope, so def no judgement here.

I weirdly feel more hopefully this cycle all of a sudden. I have been more conscious of my diet, back to working out and cut down alcohol. My mindset is prob as a result of feeling healthier and better in myself. My hubby is on a health kick too and def less stressed this past week so that is also a positive.

I still had prosecco at wkend as I really do look forward to that. But if I am not successful this month I may cut it out too just to optimise egg health.

I have been so tempted to try AC supplement but I have read so much about cycles being thrown right off as a result I don't think I could cope with that. It took 3 months for things to settle after coming off bc, then I had cp the month it did settle and that threw things off again so my last cycle was my first completely normal cycle since Nov 😳

Also just in terms of staying positive my sister has exact same cycle length as me and exact same lp and got pregnant month 4 of trying with no vitamins, no meds, only folic acid. And I do believe loads of people have short lp but never realise so hopefully we will both get our bfp very soon.

Hope you've had a lovely weekend 💕❤️💕

I have everything crossed for you ❤️

@Wearenotyourkind hope you’re well. I’ve been taking just one AG a day for this cycle. I’m usually like clockwork and ovulate CD13, but this month it’s CD15. (Hopefully my LP follows suit and is longer too!) Have you experienced AG lengthening your FP as well as your LP?

Oh @Proseccoprincess33 thank god it's not just my husband! I've really struggled with the balance of letting him know it's 'that time' Cos you know, think it might encourage him and not telling him to not put him under pressure. I feel like every month the goalposts are different! To clarify he definitely does want a baby haha It's just the fear that it won't happen so it's a bit of a protection on his part if that makes sense?

Still holding onto hope for this month. Af due on Thursday next week. I had a tarot reading a few months ago (I know I know, I don't even really believe in it myself but I was having a low day at the time) but it said basically this would be my cycle so let's see. Said I'd see alligators when I conceive and I haven't stopped seeing them these last few days! (Online etc). Anything that gives me something to cling onto! I'm also being realistic don't worry, I'm not pinning my hopes on it!

Omg @sausageface yes. I get so stressed coming up to fertile week as dh has been stressed of late and isn't always in the mood. I'm trying not to tell him when fertile days are as it puts pressure on him and he can't always finish, tmi 😅 This has never been an issue prior to ttc. And all other sites ladies are dtd every day and that really isn't an option for me. Every other day for a very short period of time is my only option and without dh knowing I'm in my fertile week lol

In Feb af arrived 8dpo but my temp stayed high so I tested and I got a pregnant on digital and strong lines on first response tests for a week. Obvs it was a chemical pregnancy as af was in full force but I wonder if that was never meant to be or would it have been okay of my lp wasn't so useless 😢

I was happy in some ways as it showed I could get pregnant. I was blaming dhs Sperm for a while but hopefully that means he's okay lol its hard seeing the words pregnant as now I am craving them so much once more.

I am trying the seed cycling this month so see if it helps and I have cut out alcohol apart from one day per week as I was drinking most nights in lock down which isn't good. I'm also doing some work outs as I figure if I'm at my healthiest then I have the best shot. Dh is also on a health drive so that's good too.

I can't tell you how relieved I am to meet people in a similar situation to me 😌 I feel much less alone now xxx

So nice to chat with people in nearly identical situations! I'm 32 and trying for our first. It's such a rollercoaster of emotions isn't it! Im fine most days, then I get AF, cry that it'll never happen, I'm getting too old etc etc and then by cd2 I'm generally back to my positive thinking. My own mother told me I was running out of time the other week!!

My hopeful mood dropped a bit this month when we didn't BD as much as I would of liked due DH had some stresses that meant he just wasn't feeling it. I struggle with that (I am running out of time after all! Haha) at the same time as appreciating that it shouldn't take priority over other aspects life. Such a hard balance though isn't it! Do you guys face similar issues?

@KateMCL hello. Omg it is like reading about myself except I am 33. I ovulate exact same day 16/17 and af comes cd25/26 and I too burst out crying this month. I tried progesterone cream this month and it gave me like half a day extra which isn't great. I am CD 3 today so I went and got my day 3 bloods done. I also plan to get my day 21 bloods done for progesterone too.

I suspect low progesterone to be my issue but not sure they will do much about it from everything I have read. I am too scared to try AC as I read so many peoples stories of it messing their cycle. My cycles have only just become regular past few months after coming of bc in Nov.

Have you had any bloods done? If my prog comes back low and gp won't give prog I am going to pay privately and see if a private clinic will. That is of anything ever opens again with this pandemic.

Sorry for rant. I wish you all the baby dust this cycle xx

Thank you so much @KateMCL I think I'm still in shock! Please don't lose hope. I honestly felt like it was never going to happen for us. I'm 5+4 now, but whatever happens, I at least know I can get pregnant 💗💗💗💗

Hi all,

So glad I found this forum. I just joined mumsnet because I was starting to get a bit lonely ttc. Here's a bit about my situation:

• I'm 32, TTC #1
• Cycle 7 although only 5 actively ttc and tracking OV.
• Luteal phase has recently only been 8 days.
• Ovulation CD17-18, Cycle length is currently average 26 days but the past few months I start with spotting on CD 25 or 26.

I've been taking vit B6 along with prenatals and bought agnus castus but wasn't sure if I should try it yet. I have the drops if anyone has any advice on how and when to take it.

I know it hasn't been very long for me but when AF came a few days ago I cried my eyes out because I felt like I never even had a chance again if I ovulated on day 17/18 and started bleeding on day 26. My LP was 9-11 days but the past few months it has been around 8. I called my GP yesterday who is great but she just said there is nothing they can do right now, I thought maybe she could prescribe progesterone but she said there is nothing she could prescribe. Is prescribing progesterone not the done thing in the UK?

Some of your stories are really giving me hope, @Wearenotyourkind congratulations on your BFP and thanks for sharing, I hope you are doing well.

Hello @sausageface I hope you are well. Great you are feeling positive. Here hoping this month is for you 😊 I am cd3 so af got me on Monday and I had a wee cry and I'm okay again. I'd love a 10 day lp but my bleeding starts on 9dpo. I'm getting my day 3 bloods done tomorrow and my 21 day bloods this month to see if there is anything they can see is causing short lp.

I suspect its low progesterone but I know GPS are v reluctant to prescribe progesterone and I'm not sure that fertility clinics will privately but if it is low I'll try my best to get hold of it somehow 😊

I totally agree about the benefit of short lp is the shorter tww, haha. I ovulate like cd17 so I always find the first part of cycle drags so much 🙄 I am also upping my exercise and have reduced alcohol intake. Lock down has def made me care less about overall health so I need to address that if I want to get my bfp.

This month I'm having a bit of a 'will it ever happen' time but think lock down and lack of ability to paln anything is getting to me.

Sorry for my ramble, apparently I needed to talk also lol

Congratulations on the bfps! Wishing you both an easy pregnancy it gives me hope that I might not struggle as much as I'm assuming I will.

How's everyone else getting on? I'm at peak ovulation today of what I guess works out as cycle 5 (since using opks that is and missing the month I was too sick to move, let alone BD!) and I feel oddly hopeful! Which is a little concerning as I try to stay neutral so as not to be let down if it doesn't happen if that makes sense? Fingers crossed for the positive test in 10 days!. The upside to a short LP is also a short 2WW I guess right? Haha
I tried to up my prenatal vitamins this cycle, I've been a bit complacent as the months have gone on but really tried to miss less days this time. I've also started upping my exercise - just trying to get my 10k steps a day as that's fallen off the radar since lockdown and we've also started eating better again- this is another thing lockdown had a negative affect on when it first all happened.

Sorry for the ramble just needed to talk about where I was at! Fingers crossed this is the cycle for everyone still trying!

Thank you so much @Trying2019 I'm still in complete shock. I was convinced my LP would be a problem and was so worried about it since I started tracking. It just shows how little we actually know about our bodies. Sending you all the luck 🤞🏻🤞🏻 hang in there xx

@Wearenotyourkind im so happy for you that's a really strong positive. It gives me so much hope as i really cant imagine it happening for me. I always right myself off as soon as I spot so maybe i shouldn't.

Im so confused this cycle. Always ovulate day 18 and on day 18 I had really strong positive OPKs which was this sunday the 19th. Today i have spotting like i usually do before my period. I did have quite a dark OPK on the 11th but no where near a positive but that was my first day testing so maybe it was on its way down then. Ive never ovulated on CD 10. I took seven seas conception tablets this cycle so maybe it was them but doesnt explain my positive OPK on the 19th. I also took evening primrose oil is that meant to make u ovulate earlier? Xx

I’m going to start taking one a day this cycle then and see how it goes, fingers crossed 🤞🏻 Thanks for your help, hope your pregnancy is a smooth one xx

I started taking just one a day but then upped it to two after a month. I took from CD1 up until a positive ovulation test. Wishing you all the luck xx

@Wearenotyourkind I figured since many people take them when TTC they mustn’t be that bad, going to start taking them today. Thanks for your advice x

Hi @Nat4392 yes I think they all do say that as it's really technically for use to treat PMT. Do some research and make a decision that's right for you. But only take up until ovulation.

@Wearenotyourkind my Agnus Castus just arrived, just reading the pack and it specifically says not to take if you are trying to get pregnant?

Amazing @CooperLooper - yours is definitely going to be one tough little bean 🤞🏻🤞🏻 I'll come find the Due in December thread in a few days xx

@Wearenotyourkind so pleased for you honestly. So far I think so, I've got an early reassurance scan booked for couple of weeks time when I'm 7+3 just for peace of mind and to check for viability 🤞🏻🥰 x

Thank you so much @CooperLooper 💗 I actually still can't believe. I felt like maybe it just wasn't meant to happen. Glad hear you're recovering from surgery. Take things easy! And hoping all is okay with the pregnancy? 💕

@Wearenotyourkind that's amazing news congratulations!!! 🥰 keeping all my fingers crossed for you, hopefully that means you might be in the Dec 2020 group with me 🤞🏻

Thanks for asking after my surgery, I had it on the 9th and all went well. I had to have conscious/awake surgery because they wouldn't sedate me with being pregnant, so that was a pretty scary experience, but I'm well on the mend now.

So chuffed for you honestly xxx

Thanks @Wearenotyourkind I’ll order some now. Worth a try at least!

Sorry, forgot to add, only take up until ovulation. Sorry to hear about AF. I absolutely get it. Sending love 💕