Hi all,
it's been a few years since I have been on mumsnet and I have always had short LPs but at the time when I was trying to find out more about it there wasn't a thread on here. It is so desperately frustrating, sad and exhausting when trying to conceive and not getting anywhere. I had 18 months of quite a few lows when trying for my first and it very nearly broke my marriage. I was so desperate and couldn't understand how other people seem to just fall pregnant as if it was the most natural thing in the world (well it's meant to be isn't it?).
Anyway, I am not TTC at the moment but I suppose I wanted to write on here to show solidarity and also to say I have been through it and had a happy outcome in the end and to share what little knowledge I have about short LPs (assuming what I have been told is still correct).
I did have a MMC after 18 months which seemed like the end of the world but then fell pregnant the month after and along came my son. The only thing that changed for us was we dtd every day during my fertile phase. My cycles were very irregular so I just worked it out by general observation. There was seemingly nothing wrong with hormones but my LP was 10-12 days which in itself isn't major shortness and 'they' didn't believe it was stopping me conceiving.
However, second time round my LP shortened to 8 days and I just knew it wasn't going to translate to pregnancy so after coming up against a brick wall with my local GP I went privately and the first month of taking progesterone got a bfp which is now my second child. My progesterone wasn't low but the gynae said progesterone wouldn't hurt and there wasn't any other reason to suspect I might not get pregnant so it was worth a go. I took it from day of ovulation (which was a guess) until 12 weeks pregnant.
There doesn't seem to be much knowledge around why short LPs happen. I know online they cite things like thyroid etc, but what if yours comes back normal? My gynae said they don't really know why some women have short LPs (once other medical conditions have been ruled out). That might have changed though now.
My LP is now 7/8 days. I take magnesium and Vit B12 and a multi, but it doesn't seem to make a difference. I know if we want number 3 I will have to go back to the gynae but I feel blessed to have got this far.
I know the last thing you ladies want to hear about is babies but I thought there was no hope and I would never conceive and I did so I am saying there is hope for us with the short LPs. I didn't ever try clomid, I know that is what the NHS would have given me. I do heartily recommend my gynae who is private but so understanding and experienced. I am quite sure without his advice and support I wouldn't have my two little ones.
Good luck ladies and pm me if you would like gynae details.