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Conception

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Original poster

Short luteal phase - referred to fertility clinic - what next?

86 replies

kennetrose · 01/02/2021 10:03

Hi. I've been TTC with my fiancé for a few months. I track my cycles with OPKs and a TempDrop so I'm confidant I'm pinpointing ovulation each cycle. My LP is consistently 8 days. I was not on HBC - I had a copper IUD.

Because of my consistently short LP, I went to see my GP who ordered CD3 bloods (all normal) and CD21 progesterone. The first time I was 7DPO and the result was 4.1 nmol/L. Second time I was 8DPO and the result was 4.6 nmol/L (I think 12-49 nmol/L is what they're looking for). Because of this, my GP referred me to the fertility clinic, pending my fiancé's sperm analysis (we're just waiting for the results of that - he did it last week).

I've been taking vitamin B6 and vitamin C supplements since the beginning of October but they don't seem to have had any effect on lengthening my LP so far.

I've read research that suggests short LPs with no other issue can delay the time to a positive test but there isn't a significant difference in birth rates. I understand the reasons behind this now. I had a private gynaecologist remove my IUD and he said not to worry about short LP.

However what I don't understand is whether or not I have an issue. My GP said my CD21 results suggest I'm not ovulating, but that contradicts my data. What I think it shows is that my body isn't producing much progesterone, but does that mean the test is missing my peak or I'm just not producing much after ovulation? And will that prevent pregnancy or not?

So I have a lot of questions and no way of answering them until I finally get to the fertility clinic, and who knows how long that will be. Spending so much time on Reddit I see a lot of Americans get treated straight away for anything but I know UK doctors don't like overtreating and I don't know what the NHS approach normally is.

My questions are

  • has anyone been in a similar situation to me, and what was the outcome?
  • what normally happens when you get to the fertility clinic?
  • do things like Clomid and letrozole get prescribed much in the UK to treat what might be 'weak ovulation'?
OP posts:
Kitte321 · 02/02/2021 16:36

Hello. Defo not an expert but have had a short luteal phase since TTC #2 and have been seeing a private consultant.
Having looked at your day 21 results - not sure re the results. Mine have always been in pmol I think and the consultant insists it should be 30 or over (mine were 27 and 41).
My LP is consistently 8 days which he suggests indicates a weak ovulation (certainly the first result). He also believes if you get a good ovulation the body will produce the progesterone required. So far treatment has been;
Clomid - first go led to pregnancy but a miscarriage. Was monitored and suggested the lining was on the thin side.
Letrozole - now on first cycle. They are hoping this will strengthen ovulation without impacting lining.
Progesterone - if I am lucky enough to get a BFP.
Also - I tried so many supplements- nothing worked thou I think it does for others.
Hope this helps!! good luck x

Xxdxx2020 · 02/02/2021 16:03

I had a short LP of about 10-11 days when I was ttc #1, although I never sought medical help for it. I was ttc nearly a year. I have no idea if this actually helped but I looked into Chinese medicine for 'cold' and 'stagnant' types, ate a lot of chicken broth and followed advice about looking after myself and keeping warm. I got a few books on it and researched. I had 1 acupuncture session too (tho the needles in my ear freaked me out and i didn't go back).

Maybe it was nonsense, but 3 cycles later, (the cycle before I concieved) I had no spotting before af and a longer LP, the cycle after that I concieved.

It might not help everyone, and I definitely think you should see your fertility clinic, maybe it was a fluke or a placebo... but my cycles lengthened out and I have a 14 month dd now xxx

TheDaydreamBelievers · 02/02/2021 15:31

My understanding (not a doctor, just my own reading) is that a short luteal period can make it take longer to conceive (as you have said) and the concern with low progestorone is that it can be more difficult to hold a pregnancy in the early months? eg associated with first trimester miscarriage

Original poster
kennetrose · 02/02/2021 15:02

@larrythelizard I had a private fertility MOT which was reassuring but they only look at the first half of the cycle. Have you approached your GP? Can't hurt to ask - worst they can say is no.

OP posts:
larrythelizard · 02/02/2021 09:10

Following this thread - I'm on cycle 3 TTC#2 and this time round I seem to have a 9 day luteal phase. Really interested to hear what you're told.

I know very little about it but was considering a private fertility check because I don't think I'll get referred on the NHS until 6 months at the earliest (I'm almost 35).

Original poster
kennetrose · 02/02/2021 08:53

thanks @Cams50. It really sucks doesn't it?

Hope you don't have too much of a delay with the SA. Is your GP going to refer you to the fertility clinic if the results of these tests aren't good?

I've seen Americans get Clomid for similar issues but I really don't know what the UK approach is. My sense is that UK doctors just prefer to 'wait and see'. Luteal phase defect is a controversial area. I found posts on here from 2004 where people got prescribed Clomid but I feel like the NHS protocol has probably changed a lot since then as more research has been done (and funding has been cut!).

OP posts:
Cams50 · 01/02/2021 18:34

@kennetrose hi! I’ve no answers but I’m also in a similar position. This is my 10th cycle ttc and my lp is anything from 7-12 days so really short. (That 12 day one was a once off!) I’m getting my day 21 blood test this month but I feel the same as you. That I’m ovulating (using OPKs and tracking BBT) but I’m guessing my progesterone doesn’t seem to be high enough? I’ve tried lots of different supplements but nothing seems to really be working. We’ve been referred for the SA for DH but think there’s a wait because of covid. I’d be interested if clomid would be recommended in this type of situation or not. I hope you get your appointment and some answers quickly!

Original poster
kennetrose · 01/02/2021 18:19

@LondonladyTTC hope the appointment goes well! Please do share what they say.

I feel really lucky for getting seen before a year. I think what helped is that I'd called a few months earlier because I had one random long period that freaked me out, and the doctor saw that as a history of irregular periods. I also didn't describe it as short luteal phase as I know some doctors are quite dismissive of that. I just said that I track ovulation and there wasn't much time between ovulation and my period.

Also the doctor is just a nice person (some GPs really need to work on their bedside manner) and she herself is a woman in her early 30s - so maybe she knows exactly what I'm going through.

OP posts:
LondonladyTTC · 01/02/2021 13:46

Hello @kennetrose
I have a short luteal phase (8days as well) and have my first appointment with a specialist on Saturday so will let you know how that goes and what he says.

You are very lucky your GP referred you on before the year, I am going private as my GP basically said not to worry about the short luteal phase at all! cycle 11 and now taking things into my own hands! I havnt had any tests yet though so will expect they will want to do those before telling me treatment options.

Original poster
kennetrose · 01/02/2021 13:40

@glow92 I know that LPs can be wonky for a few cycles after BC and gradually lengthen. I hope yours sorts itself out!

There are a few historic threads on the topic but it seems very mixed. I read some experiences of posters in 2004 (!) but I imagine the NHS protocol has changed a lot since then.

OP posts:
glow92 · 01/02/2021 10:29

Hi @kennetrose I'm sorry I can't offer any advice but I'm really interested in your post as I too have just had an 8 day LP, I haven't been off the pill that long so I don't know if it's going to be consistent but I am a little worried.
Sending hugs đź’ś.

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