Short Luteal Phase #2

[mascaraisamust]

For all things luteal phase, join us!

If you have a short one, have managed to extend one or haven't even a clue what one even is, here is a friendly bunch of ladies for all things TTC related!

Hi, I have read every post in this thread, and am glad to find people with the same concerns as me!

Here are my stats:
I'm 31, came off the pill 6 months ago, and TTC #1. Luteal phase has been 7-9 days every month (i use opk and temperature to date ovulation).

I've started running 3 times a week (using the couch to 5k app) and taking vit B complex from Holland and Barrett and a multivit (between the 2 I'm getting enough folic acid).

Here is my experience with GPs, just in case it helps someone:
I have always had strange periods (that was the main reason for going on the pill) and I managed to persuade a GP to send me for an ultrasound and blood tests by sticking to talking about 'period problems' rather than 'TTC problems'. All my bits and bobs seem present and correct. Yay!

However still having a short luteal phase, so I went to see a lady GP today, and she didn't think the short LP was a problem either, she just said 'you are having a period every month, that means you are ovulating, and that is the best we can hope for'. She didn't want to look at my BBT charts, saying they don't take them seriously!!

Eventually when I said I confirmed it with an oestrogen and LH dectection kit (clear blue) and said I didn't ovulate until day 20 -30 she started listening. She agreed to send me for day 21 progesterone blood test and said that before she considered referring us she would need a SA from DH and us both to visit the GUM clinic. I'll wait and see what the progesterone result is!

So I'm looking forward to hearing all of your updates, and I feel very lucky that I seem to have had some luck with my GPs.

sunshine I hope you feel better soon, I know what you mean about other people getting pregnant at the drop of a hat, even when they don't want to be! I've started involuntarily glaring at pregnant women now, sorry if it's any of you lol!

I've just booked in for my day 3 blood test (it'll actually be on day 5), the only appointment they had was for on my birthday without me having to wait another month. I am absolutely petrified already I have such a phobia I know I will pass out again. The receptionist was a bit useless, she didn't even ask me what the blood test was for, hopefully the nurse will know what shes doing when I get there. x

Welcome owl and iambear

Sunshine and Flymo big hugs! This ttc business is hard work! It's an emotional rollercoaster. We shall get our bfps! Sunshine you will get there, you're seeking advice now so you are moving in the right direction. You are in a much better position to move forward now, and much more knowledgable! It's gutting, I know...but we must hold onto that bit of positivity to keep us strong and believing we can all have our bfps.x

mascara you're brilliant at cheering us up

sunshine have you looked in to the possibility of pharmacies with 'drop-in' appointments in your area? There are loads where I live, that's where I had my bloods done. Search 'phlebotomy' if nothing comes up with 'blood test'. It worked for me as I called my nearest pharmacy, they said come straight in, and so I didn't get chance to be as scared as I usually am. Still cried though!! And don't forget to treat yourself afterwards

I might have a look at that, thanks bear. Glad I'm not the only one to cry, I nearly started crying on the phone when she said the only appointment is for my birthday and I've barely stopped crying since. But its first thing in the morning, the rest of the day I have lovely things planned. Deep breath. x

it's not good if you find giving blood so hard. It really doesn't bother me, I'm lucky. Just think eyes on the prize and then you can have lots of birthday fun x

I only have one test, when shall I test ladies... Sunday when ovia says Af is due? Monday before my private appointment? Wait until Tuesday when FF says AF is due? I'm Af doesn't catch me first! So impatient, I need to be told!

Or really wait it out and do next weekend where I'll be more like 14dpo. I think this Sunday too early

I will end up testing way too early if you don't tell me off! I'm so bad! It was 11dpo when Af came last month (I had a ten day LP woo) so that is Wednesday, so FF is right.

Do it before your private appointment, no point wasting money if you get a BFP. And in the meantime buy some more tests incase thats too early x

Just catching up. Sorry for AF Sunshine.

No idea when I may ovulate. Still ill so temperature is irratic and I have CM most likely caused by cough syrup. DH is abroad for work until Monday. Hope we don't miss the window this month.

Spent the day looking after my friends 2.5 yr old and 3month old. Two year old kept asking if I was a mummy and then I got why? Why? Why? Why? But why? Haha.

Fx for a BFP mascara!

And sunshine you're not the only one to cry. I try to stay positive and happy but as we near the year mark (we started TTC in January) I can't help but feel I have something wrong with me.

Ah dear Sunshine, sounds like you have had your hands full today then. Its hard isn't it to always put on a happy front, I'm usually an upbeat person (honest) but DH seems to get the brunt of my moods, along with you lovely ladies on here.

Haha that reminds me, I went for a coffee with a good friend today, she is planning to ttc again after xmas after having a miscarriage a few months ago (shock pregnancy)! Anyway, she was trying to convince me that I should start ttc soon, kept asking me when etc. As soon as we have happy news I'm going to tell our family and friends the struggle we've had just incase it helps someone else realise they're not the only one. xx

Sunshine12, I think that's lovely. I am also going to tell others if they ask as there must be so many people struggling in silence.

Sunshine2015, sounds like a fun day! Hope you feel better soon

I got my BFP 12dpo mascara I was trying to hold off testing to 14dpo but I got spotting at 10dpo and was convinced I was out.

In other news - I've spent the whole day throwing up. May have to go to the doctors at this rate :(

12dpo would be a week today. This has been the slowest tww ever!! Only on 5dpo

Aww Mrs, yes go to the docs. You need to keep something down! Does everyone know now then? Must be hard to keep it quiet when you're so ill!

Nope only family and one person at work. It's my husbands business though and I'm the office manager so I can pretty much get away with anything and keep it secret. I "worked from home" today.

Mascara sorry I don't have any advice about pregnancy testing... Although I agree it would be a shame to waste the money on the appointment!

I agree it's hard when people ask and you're thinking 'if only you knew'. My mum keeps dropping hints, which is almost worse than the outright questions. If she asked me straight I'd feel compelled to tell her though!

Have any of you ladies been for a 21 day blood test yet? I'm trying to work out when to have it done, some websites say it's cd 21 to make it 7 days after ovulation, but others say it's so it's done 7 days before AF. As I only have 9 days between I'm a bit stumped! When I asked the Dr she said to still go on day 21 as they would interpret the results from the next period so it would work out not making any difference? But I normally haven't even ovulated then.

I think I have 3 options:

1. go in day 21. When progesterone comes back as zero and looks like I haven't ovulated then they may refer me for not ovulating which at least is something (even though I know I am)

2. go at 7 dpo. I would expect the results to be rock bottom as this is 2 days before AF. Then they might just say 'it's normal to have low readings 2 days before AF' and totally miss the point I'm trying to make about having a short LP.

3. go on 2 dpo (7 days before AF). My concern here is that this would give a temporary 'normal' result and mask the issue that my progesterone levels must decrease shortly after that.

Aaaahhh I don't know what to do. What would you do?

As a PP said, it's so weird to know more than the doctors do! I wish I knew a biology phd student who I could persuade to use us all as guinea pigs in some new research x

Hope the sickness subsides soon mrsmugoo!

Bear, I would go at 7dpo, I think this would then show if progesterone is low which could be the reason for a short luteal phase. Are you also going also for day3 bloods? x

Iamabear the day 21 bloods need to be done 7dpo whatever cd that is for you personally.

Eg I ovulate on cd18 my day 21 bloods need to be done on cd25

so sorry for sickness mrs, hope you find something to see you through...

feel doubly depressed this morning. my office frenemy who called me out on the decaf looked at my tum this morning and gave me the quizzical eyebrows. I really wanted to shout 'I'm not pregnant I'm on my frigging period you nosey COW!!' but am a chicken... so didn't. feel like eating all the cake in the world. It's so unfair that not being pregnant is followed by cramping and bleeding! The injustice!!! (howling at the sky like snoopy)

Ah Flymo, shes sounds like a right cow, would've loved to see her face if you had shouted at her though haha!! I know, its so unfair, when we're ttc we should be exempt from period pains, its already awful enough without that.

I'm still waiting for AF to start properly, having plenty of pain and spotting so I know it won't be long x

She sounds awful Flymo and I totally agree about it being doubly unfair to not get a BFP and have bleeding/cramps.

Sorry for AF Sunshine

Hope your sickness eases soon Mrs.

I absolutely hate ttc and get so stressed and grumpy around ovulation time. Some people just seem to get pregnant so easily and effortlessly. They are so lucky. Anyway, I should be ovulating a week tomorrow or Sunday.

Hi all, sorry you're feeling grumpy today!

I agree with the others, go 7dpo, do what they advised and then they will hopefully see that they can support you with the LP issue bear

Nothing to report here apart from ive nearly done all my xmas shopping

I think that's been my distraction