Short Luteal Phase #2

[mascaraisamust]

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Hello everyone. I'm a bit of a lurker and haven't posted on here before. I just hoped that some of you could tell me what the hell is going on with my cycle and advise me what to do next. I was TTc #2 for almost 2 years when finally someone took me seriously about my short LP. First cycle of cyclogest still showed my progesterone level low so they upped the dose to 400mg x2 per day. No spotting at all and a 14 day LP! Yay! Second cycle at that dose and I got my BFP. Unfortunately that ended in late MC in October. Devastated. This was our first cycle trying again and I was gutted to have some pink on the tissue after wiping at 10dpo and again this morning at 12dpo. The cyclogest is supposed to stop the spotting. How will anything implant if my lining is breaking down still. Just feel so gutted as I have no idea what to do now. Any advice?

Hi. Just wanted to offer some hope. I'm due dc3 in a couple of weeks. LP was 7-9 days of a 21 day cycle. I was certain I couldn't conceive naturally. I was due to start clomid but fell pregnant naturally. So it can happen. I think my LP was short with dc1&2 too but I didn't know/understand enough about it. Good luck to you all.

Mrsunsure, its good that you have a plan re going private, we will probably end up doing the same as I still haven't had my referral. I was told I had to have a clear STI check before the referral form was sent off, which I got, but apparently thats only valid for 3 months until I have to go and have it re-done!! I feel like I'm having my time wasted.

I think you'll just have to google local fertility clinics and get in touch with them, we don't have any very local to us either but they seem to do evening appts which for me would avoid any gossiping at work. Make sure you take details of your previous tests with you.

I'm only 2dpo but feeling horribly bloated, I know its too early to be a symptom but I just wondered if its been caused by the agnus castus, though I've stopped it now. x

Hi newbies

MrsBadger, so sorry to hear of your late MC. I don't really have any answers, perhaps your body is still settling down.

Zippyswife, thankyou for your positive message and congrats on your pregnancy, how long were you ttc for?

Was ttc for 6 months but I was tracking my cycle from before I started ttc so I knew I had a short LP. The month I conceived I ov'd on the day I normally would so the LP that month would have been my short 7-9 days. I'm not sure how I conceived but I did. Good luck.

Mrsbadger - do a test! I spotted at 10dpo on cyclogest and I was heartbroken it hadn't worked so I tested on 12dpo and got a really decent BFP!

I should add: the spotting carried on for 7 days and it was actually implantation bleeding.

Mrsunsure - I had a recommendation from a friend but yes if you just google fertility clinic or something and then you should be able to see what's in your area.

Mine was the consultant specialising in fertility and reproductive medicine at my local Spire private hospital. I think that's a chain like Nuffield and bupa so could could start by seeing if you have a fertility dept in a local big chain private hospital?

I just had a google and emailed them all asking if they could help with my particularly problem, the one that got back to me first was the one I went with (though that this indicated they were more organised). It was a private women's hospital specialising in fetiilty and gynae issues. He is well known in the area for being fab anyway (he was on the news the other night) so felt confident he knew his stuff. You don't need a referral from the gp, just get in contact and go. I would advise like sunshine said to get all bloods/tests printed off from your doctors and take them with you and write down all the things you've tried/issues/symptoms etc as it's easy to forget when you are sat in the waiting room! Plus they'll see how clued up/frustrated you are x

Sorry for the typos, it's early

Mrs isn't it your scan today?

mrsmagoo was it pink or brown you had? I have pink and it's there every time I wipe. Im sure it's going to turn into a proper period. I have no other symptoms either. I am just devastated that the cyclogest isn't working more than not getting a BFP. I will test tomorrow morning but I'm sure I'll have my proper bleed by then.

Mrsbadger - it was brown so I guess you'll just have to wait it out and see what happens. My consultant did say to me if cyclogest didn't work he would try me on clomid to bring ovulation forward and strengthen it. Maybe suggest/discuss with your doctor?

Mascara - yep!!! It's at 2:15 I'm so excited!!

I tried clomid but it had no effect at all on my progesterone levels. I just wish I knew what the hell was going on. After everything that's happened I thought that maybe something would go right for me. Guess not!
Thanks for your reply anyway.

Mrs??!!!

Hope the scan went well Mrs?

Mrsbadger as everyone always says, until AF shows you're not out.

Pretty sure I've/am going to ovulate today.

Have my form for my progesterone level test 7days after ovulation so I reckon next Saturday is when I'll go. The path lab at the hospital should be open on a Saturday right? I reckon they'll be low as usually my temps start to drop at 6DPO and last month was only a 9 day LP

Happy thoughts x

Yeah it all went amazingly well - we're having a girl! :)

Congrats mrsmagoo!!

Amazing news congratulations!

Ah lovely news, congrats Mrsmugoo x

Can I ask for your opinion please?

Ive taken my BBT orally every day at 06:15 for the past 8 cycles.

However this cycle I started a new job and have to get up at 3am six days a week. So my temps seem to be off. Today is my one day of the week where I don't need to wake up at 3am but I still woke up to take my temp then went back to sleep.

I took it again when I woke up naturally at 07:30 today and it was 36.35C but that's at a different time.

I got my peak on a clearblue OPK a few days ago but haven't yet had a temp spike.

As I now have the forms to get my day 21 bloods done I'm wondering when to go as my temps don't look like I've ovulated..

What do you ladies think?

I think changing the time that you temp will have thrown things off. I would probably go with whichever day was 48 hours after your opk peak (or 24 if you usually ov sooner after your peak)

I think you will have to discount your temps in this cycle.

Are you using 3am now for future cycles regardless?

Do you track cm?

Thanks Mrs. Thinking of quoting new job as struggling with those times but they've asked me to hold on a few weeks to see if they can change my hours to daytime so for now I'll be sticking to 3am.

Yeah CM has been watery the past week. No EWCM for me but I don't usually get very much anyway.

Think I may go with yesterday being the day of ovulation and get the blood test next Saturday.

Thanks Mrs x

Hi everyone, I know I've been absent for a while and struggling to catch up with all the chatting!
Congratulations MrsMugoo.

I just wanted to provide an update in case it helps anyone.

So the latest is I've now had all my tests: STI tests, external pelvic scan, day 21 bloods (on day 21) and day 21 bloods (on 7dpo), and DH had sperm analysis.

Basically, even though we've only been trying for 9 months, we have our NHS referral because of my DH's SA results. Low motility and 1% morphology . They said ultimately the treatment is IVF. Absolutely gutting. Never thought those three letters were so terrifying.

The only saving grace is that they treat us a package, i.e. they will finally look at my cycle (including short LP). Plus my DH did have very high sperm count so he's looking at it in terms of %s and is absolutely sure we'll conceive naturally once my cycle is sorted! Have ordered some preseed and he's convinced it will be the magic cure! Just can't wait for ovulation now... wish it was the normal 14 days...

So, no matter what your GP says, all of the tests we've had are available from a GP without a referral, so I urge anyone to get the ball rolling on those even before the 12 month mark. If your partner suspects an issue with their sperm (e.g. mumps, thyroid, previous injury), then get them tested asap. I saw several GPs at the same practice and the one that we finally felt like we were making progress with happens to be the one from our practice who sends off all the infertility referrals, so try and find out who that is at your practice.

In terms of luteal phase, it randomly lengthened by 2 days to 11 days last month, and it confirmed my 7dpo progesterone was slightly lower than expected but definitely showed ovulation which is a relief! My GP didn't seem bothered about my luteal phase in itself, and it sounded like I would have had to wait a year to be referred for that alone, i.e. they didn't seem to recognise it as a reason for infertility. Will keep you updated with what they do on the luteal phase front. First hospital appointment is on 4th Feb!

In summary, don't wait a year before seeing the GP!

I wish you all the best of luck, I believe by sharing we can remove some of the myths and frustrations around having short LPs!