Long cycle / short luteal phase

[Bows85]

Hi all,
I was just wondering whether anyone might be in the same boat as me and can offer some advice/success stories?!

My DH and I have been ttc for several months now without any success.
Unfortunately my cycles have been really irregular (ranging from 31 days to 51 days) since coming off bcp last summer.

I have tracked ovulation and I do appear to be ovulating on my own but to add a big spanner into the works, it looks as though my LP is only 9/10 days.

I can find a lot of info about short cycles with a short LP, but not so much on long cycles with short LP. Anyone able to help?

Hi all my cycle is between 32-35 days long and I don't know my luteal phase!!x

Oh @Bows85........how our body plays tricks on us. I don't know if it just me but in the 2ww ha- 2 weeks, yeah i wish I am constantly on knicker watch! I dread going to the toilet in case I see anything down there! So hoping AF has staying away............

Bit of a naive questions so apologies in advance, but if you spot before AF, is it still possible for the little egg to implant during this?

Hi @youngmuumy3105, the luteal phase should ideally be around 12-14 days and you can usually get a good idea of its length by tracking changes in cervical mucus. If using opk's you can detect the surge and count how many days after that you get you period. With 32-35 days cycles hopefully your luteal phase is normal :)

Think I am 5dpo and already starting to feel a bit crampy so not holding out much hope at the minute :(

@CatMum87 oh the dreaded knicker watch! The things we have to go through  Fingers crossed AF stays away and your cramping is for a good reason!

I don't know about implantation and spotting... they do say that day 1 isn't until full flow, so maybe it can work. Spotting could also be implantation too so you never know...

Hi @youngmummy3105 I second what Cat said. OPKs are a good way of detecting when ovulation happens and then you just need to count down the days until AF arrives.

Got my docs appt for my bloods booked for tomorrow after work. Will just have to hope that day 2 is ok to have the test done 

Any sign of a +ve OPK @boatrace30 ?

Hi all, I have been following this thread with lots of interest as I find myself in exactly the same boat!

I stopped taking the pill last summer after 14 years on it and we TTC for a few months but are currently on a break due to other life upheavals (jobs changes etc). Anyway, my cycles have ranged from 36-50 days since coming off the pill. I have manged to catch my LH surge on most cycles using OPKs and reckon my LP is 9-10 days. I tend to get positive OPKs for 2 consecutive days so I count the second day as the actual day of ovulation, and the following day as 1DPO.

Have booked to see my GP mid-May - any advice for the appointment greatly received. Sounds like day 4 and day 21 bloods is the first thing they will do?

Considering acupuncture and b vitamins to help regulate everything as I've heard these can help.

Anyway, I just wanted to say hi and I'm glad to have found some people in the same situation. Hoping appointments come around quickly, or even better aren't needed at all!

Hi @cinderrose Your situation sounds exactly the same as mine! Many years on bcp followed by irregular cycles (mine range from 31-51 days).

The first appt I had with my gp was really positive. She took me seriously and didn't advise me to try for a few more months like I thought she would. She referred me to have an ultrasound to check for PCOS which came back clear.

I track ovulation and like you, tend to have 2 positive days, followed by spotting at 10dpo and AF the next day. Knowing when I o'd helped me know when to book my day 21 blood test (should be around 7dpo).

My DH had sperm analysis done (which came back normal) so your DP will likely be asked to do that too.

Then the FSH/LH blood test should be done around CD3. Unfortunately, Sod's law says that my AF should start close to bank holiday weekend! So having to have mine done at CD2 or else wait until CD6 which would be too late, I think.

After my PCOS scan came back clear, GP agreed to refer me on to see gynae consultant at fertility clinic. I'm really pleased with the service I have had with the doctor so far, I just hope it continues with the specialist. I'm dreading being fobbed off!

@CatMum87 has been using acupuncture so I'm sure she can offer you some advice about that.

Good luck with your appointment. Keep in touch and let us know how you get on

@bows85 Thank you so much for sharing your experience with the GP, it's really useful to know what to expect/ ask for in terms of tests and that you've been taken seriously. Like you, I' terrified of being fobbed off and told to come back in a few months when I know things aren't as they should be. Plus, I don't know my GP so not sure what to expect at all. Sorry to see that you're spotting today. I know how disheartening and frustrating it is.

My periods have also been really light since coming off the pill - 2 days light bleeding and a day of spotting but I have no idea if this is related or anything to be concerned about. I'm 3dpo today so the wait (and counting days/knicker watch) has begun.

Will keep popping back, looks like my app is the same time as your consultant appointment so best of luck to you too

Hi all,

Bows no sign of a positive opk so looks like my cycle will be as normal.
cinderrose. You sound exactly like me with the super light periods and 2days of +ve opks.
I'll be interested to know what your gp says as I did feel fobbed off!

Sorry, to be fair to my gp, first appt was good with day 21 blood test done but. Itching since but this referral. No sperm analysis or any other blood test, but think it's because I already have one DC

I have just bought some internet cheapy OPKs. What day should I start testing from & how often?x

I usually start around day 10. I do once a day. Aim for mid afternoon.
But when I start getting a darker line I do two a day

I will probably upload pictures onto MN anyway as I don't know what I'm looking for as it's the first time using OPKs and I don't want to miss it!x

I usually start around day 10. I do once a day. Aim for mid afternoon.
But when I start getting a darker line I do two a day

Sorry I posted twice!
Yes feel free to upload. What is important is you are looking for a line equal or darker than the control. A faint line doesn't mean anything at all!
But last month I had a line nearly as dark as the control one evening, then it got darker over they next 36hrs before fading again

Welcome @cinderrose - my periods are pretty much like yours post pill, 2 days (3 max) pretty light bleeding with a bit of spotting beforehand. I am not sure whether the light periods are a real issue, but i was on the pill for around 12 years so really cannot remember what they were like before! I don't really get any cramps or pain with them., so i guess i can't complain!

I've gone down the acupuncture route, fed up after 12 months of not much happening and whilst taking a break TTC I thought I'd see if it could help regulate things. I've been going since December and whilst i'm still not regular my cycles have been between 28 & 40 days, so much better than before! And this month I ovulated on around day 18 which is unheard of for me!

I think if helps because it feels like someone is working with me and knows my situation. Before I started i just thought is was a few needles here and there. Now I realise that it is a much more holistic approach. Currently sat here with little pressure plasters in my ears (thankfully you can't see them!) and have to wave a hot moxa stick around my tummy on daily basis!

Good luck with your blood tests later @Bows85. Did the wicked witch make a full on appearance then?! :(

6dpo here and the dreaded knicker watching continues.....I don't like it!

@youngmummy3105 I normally start doing my OPKs around day 12, not that they've ever shown a positive until way into my cycle! I live in hope!

@CatMum87 I expected full AF to happen yesterday but very little did... a tiny bit more spotting but nothing really to see. Secretly started getting my hopes up 😂 But think it's going to happen today. That will make my LP 11days with spotting on 10dpo and 11dpo.

I'm going to have my bloods done and ask whether it's worth having done again at the start of next week as well. Think today will be too early for accurate reading. They're normally quite good so think they'll agree to it.

I'm intrigued as to what a hot moxa stick is 😂!

@Bows85 you're definitely not out until AF arrives in full flow! Fingers crossed for you! These blood tests are hard to get right when your cycles aren't regular. Luckily my doctors have a walk in blood clinic Monday - Friday so no need to book.

Lol- the moxa stick is like this long black cigar made of mugwart which it releases when you heat it up. The smell is something to get used to though- although DP loves it! Granted i must look a sight sat on the sofa waving that thing over me!!!! Oh the things we do........ :D

😂 that made me laugh @CatMum87 Sounds delightful!

Yeah, just not sure when to count day 1 of my cycle... I never had spotting on the pill and god knows what my AF was like prior to starting that, so it's all a bit weird to me!

I have to admit...I did an IC HPT last night 🙈 Knew it would be negative and it was! Just a tiny bit of me still hoping...

My OPKs arrived this morning and AF has completely stopped so I am ready and Fx this is my month!!xx

@Bows85......oh the Internet cheapies! I have about ten in my drawer.....I would probably have done the same tbh, bit too convenient aren't they! How many dpo are you know though? Theres still a chance 😃.

I always counted day 1 when I got any sign of something coming out of there lol but after reading up on it, now i know it's the first day of bright red blood....which I guess works in our favour a little bit.

Oh jeez I've burnt myself and the sofa in the process of using that moxa stick- I don't tell anyone about in case they think I'm crazy!

Yay for opks @youngmummy3105, hone fully they'll give your a better idea of when your fertile week is.

Kind of odd at the minute, this but I keep feeling 'wet' down there. Off I go to the toilet fearing the worst, but so far itso just really yellow cm 😦. Fullyou expect it to turn into brown sludge by tonight. Uh this sounds disgusting doesn't it, sorry!!!

😂😂😂 At least you can be truthful about your moxa stick antics on here @CatMum87 Please be careful!

That sounds quite promising about knicker-watch... you never know...

I'm 12dpo today but the spotting is definitely heavier today and feeling more periody, if you know what I mean! So thinking today is CD1.

Had my blood test done and the nurse sneakily booked me in for Wed morning (no appts on Tues left, bloody Bank Holiday!). She said I should speak to the doc on Tues once the results are back and they can repeat the test if the doc thinks it's necessary. If not, I'll just cancel the appt. think it'll be too late anyway to be fair.

Oh I'm awful with the internet cheapies. I have got DH to hide them for the next cycle as I was going nuts. Not going to let him give them to me unless I get to 12dpo!

Haha catmum you did make me laugh. Not sure that the idea of moxa sticks will help me convince DH though!

Fingers crossed bows, you aren't out yet and sounds like your LP is a little longer at the very least?

Hmm...yeah I suppose you could say my LP has been longer but I'm thinking I might just be having a really light period... never really happened before but hey, first time for everything!

Uh so this morning it's fulls on light brown cm.......bang on 7dpo like last time. Uuurgh!!!!!

I'm going for a run tomorrow now...and going to go full on out 😂. And its my hen do tomorrow night so of course af will show up!!!

Apologies rant over hehe.

Here's the bank holiday happiness to us all ☺ xx

Shit. Sorry @CatMum87 Hope it's a false alarm.

But if it's not. Go to your hen do and get trollied! Hopefully one of the last times for a while!

Just popping on to say I always had a short LP. It varied from 7-10 days. I was 36, TTC for over a year then fell pregnant (i was in the middle of blood tests etc. but it was such a palaver getting them at the right time, then getting appointments to discuss it etc.) but had a miscarriage at 5 weeks. I assumed this was because my progesterone was too low to support the pregnancy. But the month after that I fell pregnant again - and the result is sleeping next to me now. So it can happen but I understand how frustrating it can be