How can I lengthen my luteal phase naturally?

[8rubberduckies]

Since I started temping I have noticed that my luteal phase is a bit on the short side, around 9-10 days. I remember reading in a thread on here ages ago that there is a supplement which is meant to help lengthen it, but I can't remember where I read it... can anyone enlighten me?

B6! Ive been taking around 10mg and it does seem to have lengthaned my LP by a couple of days. I get mine from Holland and barratt..

Thanks gembay I just knew it would be quicker and easier to post on here than Googling it! Is 10mg the recommended dosage?

Agnus Castus is meant to help.

Ooops sorry - I meant I'm taking 150mg, not 10mg! I think they generally recommend starting off with around 50mg and increasing it if you need to.

I have mananged to increase mine from 9 to 11 days with accupuncture, chinese herbs (prescribed by accupuncturist), 100mg daily of vit B6 and a good pre-conception multi-vit (I'm taking Zita West "Zitafem") along with general healthy eating. I kind of threw everything at it so not really sure what has worked, but LP was longer after 2 months of this (and has stayed at 11 days for 2 cycles now). B6 is by far the cheapest of these things, so I'd suggest starting with this and seeing if that works for you.

Has anyone ever heard any concerns about B6 and the developing embryo? I saw on safefetus.com that it can cause nerve damage and have been too scared to take it, though I too have LP problems. Can you just stop taking it once you get a BFP??

I have been taking 100mg of Vit B6 daily and it increased my LP from 10 to 12 days too. Your body gets rid of any Vit B6 that it doesn't need - but apparently 100mg is fine to take - although am not a GP so don't quote me on that!

Good luck!

lilysma I guess you can stop taking it - but apparently people also take B6 for morning sickness.

Thanks for all your advice - I am already taking Agnus Castus and am now going to start on some Vitamin B6 as well. I have also been thinking about going for some reflexology or acupuncture, so may just do as you are doing grumpyfish and attack the problem with a triple-edged sword!

Hi Lilysma, I read (I think it was in Zita west's book) that you should continue to take B6 once you are pregnant as stopping taking it can cause misscarriage. apparently it is also good to take B12 along with B6, as this can help prevent miscarriage too. (H&B do a combined pill)

I actually had a a v. early mc this year, and I had stoppped taking the B6. I have absolutly no idea at all if thats whats caused it - it probably wasnt, but thought Id mention it...

disclaimer - Im not a doctor! just going on what I have read. In 'taking charge of your fertility' it says you can take up to 600mg of B6 (although this does seem a lot). Like lankylegs says - your body gets rid of any it doesnt need, so there's no cause to be overly worried about taking too much imho.

Hi, I'm also wondering this. It seems like this is described as an uncommon condition but actually there's a lot of women in the same boat, and the NHS don't seem to recognise this as something they can or will treat.

I realised after around 9 month of TTC that I was ovulating around day16/17, and with a cycle of between 24 and 28 days that is a bit short. After a chemical pregnancy and then a couple more months trying I've taken action, but would love to know if anyone else had success with anything else? Hoping that it's been a while since this thread was started and you've had some good news!

Started acupuncture with a fertility specialist which has moved my ovulation forward by about 3 days. Now just a waiting game. Trying to stay optimistic! Has anyone taken vitex (Angus castus) and seen any change? Apparently it can take a couple of months to make a difference. Also heard vitamin C and B6 are good which has been mentioned here. They are both in the vitamin I'm taking, which also has DHA. Not sure whether to take an additional supplement of those two!

They tell you at school that all it takes is one time, that you practically only have to look at a penis and you'll definitely be pregnant, but the reality isn't that easy (and with 40 looming it's not going to get easier!).

@rllrsk8 I have a short luteal phase too after coming off the pill - it's around 9 days now. I've started taking high dose of Vit C (1500mg) and a high strength vit B complex this cycle. There's definitely research that shows that Vit C helps to thicken lining of the uterus and mimics progesterone (the lack of which I think is the cause of a short luteal phase). I'm currently 7 DPO so if AF doesn't show on 9 DPO like it has in the past few months, I'll know the vitamins did something!

@Ocelotka fingers and toes crossed for you! Do you take another supplement, as well as the B6 and Vitamin C, like a pre-natal one? I'm a bit nervous of overdoing it - is that possible with these?

I was also on the pill for a long time, about 20 years. Hoping some of these options work! I'm 2 DPO so just have to wait now. I have started taking additional vitamin C supplements this week so hopefully that will help increase progesterone levels, and maybe the acupuncture will help too - had a session last night.

@rllrsk8 I do take a multivitamin complex as well, they are not prenatal ones but do have folic acid. I've started spotting today however so not having my hopes up for this month :( good luck to you and let me know how whether you have any success with vitamins and acupuncture!

@rllrsk8 hello again, a little update - I've been spotting very lightly for the last few days but no AF yet! I'm on DPO 11/12 now (and normally AF comes on DPO 9/10 for me), so it's an achievement!

@Ocelotka that's a good sign, going in the right direction! I'm 11 DPO now for this cycle so also just hoping but trying not to set myself up for a disappointment. But staying positive and seeing some progress at least is good 🙂