Does an 8-day luteal phase mean I have no hope? :-(

[VJONES1985]

Okay, am in cycle 3 after coming off the pill and so far my lp has been 8 days. Have been on 100mg of b6 for a month but it didn't seem to affect my last cycle. Perhaps it will this time. I am now cd9.

Yes it's 'early days' but it's making me feel so down that I have stopped talking and thinking about ttc. I just have a feeling it's going to take a long time. Started reflexology yesterday to see if that helps too.

Does an 8 day lp mean I am effectively infertile? Is there still hope for my cycle to get better? I have no idea what my lp was like before the pill.

I had a 7-8 day LP. Currently, I'm nursing my 10 day old DD. I thought there was no hope either, the pregnancy took me completely by surprise. I even had a period after I had conceived. I'm proof that it is possible and I do understand how worrying it is.

Keep DTD even if you think there is no point. We used a clear blue OPK, and DTD on the smiley days, even though I thought "this is pointless" (sexy, I know!)

It is normal to take a while to conceive a child. So I do not recommend going to a gp after 3 months ttc. The guidelines say a year of ttc before gp will do tests or investigate, 6 months if over 35yrs if that helps. And no gp should give out treatments without referral to a gynaecology so going and asking for a treatment like progesterone should not be met with a prescription. I know 3 months feels like a Long time to ttc but it really is not, even of friends got pregnant very quickly.

And with luteal phases it can be tricky to know when ovulation has happened especially if recently stopped the pill. Do you check basal temperature as well as use opk's etc?

I took b6 for a short luteal phase while ttc and it lengthened my cycle and I got pregnant a couple of months later :)

Hi just wanted to say I've had a 7-8d LP since AF returned, got a bfp a week ago so definitely don't give up hope!

Thanks all. Just a quick one to those of you recommending that I come off b6 (although I can't see what harm it could do!) - is it safe to go cold turkey or am I supposed to wean myself off? Am considering stopping it.

The harm is you've barely been off the pill 5minutes and your already throwing things at your body! Your body needs to be able to regulate naturally. It can take months for your system to sort itself out, now youre adding b6 into the mix how is it suppose to have a chance? I know you're desperate to conceive, everyone on the conception thread is but you really would benefit from trying naturally first.

Okay. Well, is it safe to just stop taking it?

Hi OP, I've a short luteal phase - in fact although I ovulate at the same time every month my cycle is only 21/22 days long every second month. I've had IVF but the consultant I saw said that the current evidence suggests luteal phases don't impact fertility. Just to prepare you that you might be told similar if you go to speak to anyone...

I have always had a 9 day LP and have 2 DCs. I tried taking herbs (agnus castus and dong quai) and vitamins (b-complex) to extend it but it stayed short no matter what! They may have helped my overall fertility though. Try not to worry.

MY LP has always been very short, under 10 days and I have 2 children
I am nervously ttc for another now and its gone down to 6/7 days. I think I haven't a hope. Interesting to read that it might be related to thyroid, my temps are very low too so I will read up some more.

I don't believe it waiting 6 months/12 months, I think find a good GP and talk to them but I start temping straight away and would go armed with your charts. Best wishes.

Hi all. Just an update. After two cycles on b6, it has made no difference at all to my lp (so another reason to think there's something wrong with me!). Am going to stop it this month but I have absolutely no hope for this cycle because my lp will still be too short even if it lengthens by one or two days. Am feeling very very down about all this and I just wish I knew that this is only temporary and then I wouldn't worry so much.

Vjones, I'm sorry. I got spotting on 9dpo yesterday and today a drop in temp with proper AF. I'm feeling very down too, but my GP won't do anything till after Christmas. So I have decided to see another GP and I won't be fobbed off. In my case my ov is always late too.

My LP is usually 8-9 days. I tried b6 and it didn't help. After a year of trying I went to the gp and was referred to the fc. Consultant said a short LP wasn't an issue, wouldn't humour my concerns at all. An hsg and dildocam showed nothing so was told 'unexplained infertility'. I doubt very much the gp will do anything at all after only 3 months. There are many hopeful stories of women who do get pg with a short LP though, as you can see from your replies. I eventually got pg on clomid, but then had a mc. Waiting for AF now so we can start trying again.

Hiya vj. I'd suggest leaving your body a couple of months to get back to normal by itself, then perhaps consider trying Angus Castus (chaste tree) it worked to lengthen my lp from 9 to 14 days. Only take it up to ov though.

Sorry, agnus not angus!!

Hi @VJONES1985 & others. Just wondering how you are getting on ? I am also in a similar boat with an 8 day LP and have been taking just boots vitamin b complex and vitamin c. Came off the pill nearly a year ago now and also have very light periods .