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?

No... still waiting 😫 I'm feeling sick about it all now. Today is not a good day!

Hello ladies.....I'm back from my holidays, started as a 29 year old miss and came back a 30 year old Mrs!

Uh I'm sorry to hear that you are both having a bit of a rough time at the minute :(. But Boatrace- 11dpo is a big improvement isnt it? Do you think you did anything differently?

Just before I went away DH (i can say that now!) sent me a link to a book called no period now what. I wasn't going to obsess over the whole ttc thing whilst away, I even ditched all my usual pills and vits! And definitely no OPKS! But i took this book along and started to have a read and couldn't put it down. Its basically about ladies suffering from hypothalamic amenorrhea, about how stress, exercise and disordered eating can all lead to a loss of cycles and how to recover. I know that i am cycling post pill but so many of the items rang true for me- about checking calories on everything I eat, and running my life around exercise rather than the other way round etc etc. It truly was eye opening! There was a section on LP too.

On this journey the one thing i havent tried is cutting exercise and gaining weight (apparently the most fertile BMI is 22-23) In fact i am terrified of doing that- but maybe it is key?!

Hi @CatMum87 Welcome back! And congratulations on your nuptials ❤️ Hope you had a wonderful time and you're enjoying being all loved up!

Your book sounds an interesting read. Upping your BMI is something I have heard, but more along the lines if you are underweight (I think I'm around 20). I guess anything is worth trying though!

How did you feel not doing OPKs? I think I would struggle with the "not knowing"!

Thanks @Bows85! We had an amazing time- wedding/birthday/holiday all packed into one :D

It truly is an inspiring read with a mix of science, evidence and testimonials. I have a similar BMI of 20 but I have been much less than that in the past when i was running like crazy. And i do think i fall into the over-exercises camp- I get anxious if i go more than a day without working out! Some women can be super slim, go all out exercising and still have a baby, but for others we need to rest and have some body fat! It's all about cortisol and how this decreases progesterone etc. one of the authors gave a overview of her cycles and how her LP was shorter when she was was exercising due to the intensity and stress on her body-kind of makes sense!

Well i say i ditched the opks- but couldnt help doing a sneaky one when i was working from home on Wednesday when i noticed a bit of ewcm! So looks like i am ovulating on my own without any acupuncture or rattling with pills!

Have you heard anything more about your appointment? I've booked in with my GP for next week and hoping to take thing forward...

Welcome back catmum and congratulations!

Unfortunately my bmi is the highest it's ever been (25) so I need to do the opposite and exercise more, which I have been trying to do!

Af came on the 11th day so I guess it was 10 days in the end. Potentially the b50 has helped a little.

I'm also not convince all the temping/opks help. I'm keeping it up until
I see the doctor then going to quit I think. But if I get fobbed off I'm considering trying soy isoflavones. The more I read/obsess the more convinced I am that I'm not ovulating properly, that then causes low progesterone etc. AF is always light and short so feel my lining isn't building up properly either.

Pleased it looks like you're able to ovulate off your own back @CatMum87 Might save you a bob or two in acupuncture bills! When do you see your doc?

I had my FSH and LH bloods done again on Thursday (had them done the day before my BFP last cycle so were obvs irrelevant at the time!). Gonna ring up tomorrow to see what they say. Hoping results are ok.

@boatrace30 I hope you get some answers at your appt. Not long now.

Could I thread crash please? I've just finished my period... and I'm 5-6dpo!!! Started Friday at 3-4dpo.

I'm hoping this is mainly because I've just come off the pill but obviously it's a big worry for me. I'm taking maca root for hormonal balance and will call an acupuncture clinic tomorrow. I have some b6 but as I didn't ovulate till day 29 I am worried about it delaying my ovulation so might start taking it after ovulation?

Has anyone tried maca root?

I'll let you know how I get on, I'm really nervous this cycle!

Welcome mctufty. If you've only just come off the pill I wouldn't worry too much about a strange cycle and I'd possibly avoid supplements until everything has settled down. I've taken B50 for three months now, really hard to know if it's had any effect or not. I haven't tried maca root

Hi @McTufty I'd reiterate what @boatrace30 has said. Don't panic too much about your cycles after coming off the pill as I understand it can take time to get back into the swing of things.

I've not taken maca root either. I've been in two minds about taking supplements so just take a pre-conception tablet (folic acid etc) and an omega 3 every day. Scared to mess my cycles up even more than they already are!

Just called GP and my LH and FSH have come back as "normal - no action" so that's a bit of a relief. One thing to score off the list of potential problems.

Receptionist wasn't able to give me figures, but going to ask for a copy when I'm next in.

Hi ladies may I ask some thoughts and advice please ?

My cycles are 28-30 days and according to Ovia I I ovulate on cd 17-18. Making my luteal phase 10-11 days. Is this something to be concerned about? I had sore boobs and ewcm on cd18 so that does sound like I ov on cd18.

I am on cycle 5 and had a chemical cycle 2. I have a dc1 who is 7.

Should I be concerned?

Thank you everyone, I'll maybe ease off the B vitamins as I know they can be potent but I might stick with maca as it was recommended to help rid the body of the artificial pill toxins. I'll let you know how I get on!

bows really great news that your results came back as normal!

mamasbook

The others will probably know more than me but from what I've read, it's under 10 days when you perhaps need to worry, so you should be fine! There also seems to be a difference of opinion as to whether or not a short luteal phase is a problem anyway, some people seem to have been advised by their doctor that it isn't, although I don't really understand why it wouldn't be.

mamabooks, that's similar to me and I'm seeing a specialist next week is will let you know what they say. My gp was quite dismissive.
To my mind, it can't help! Implantation occurs on day6-12, average is day 9 so the way I see it pregnancy is possible if your egg travels quickly but chances of successful implantation must be reduced.

bows - really pleased about your tests. (And a little concerned that I've had none done and will turn up next week and the consultant will expect I've had all these tests!!

@catmum87 congratulations!!! Lovely news, I really hope you enjoyed every second of your wedding :) Interesting to hear about the book you were reading. I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed by how much I don't know about how our bodies actually work. I guess being on the pill for so long has made me rather naive.

I had my scan today and the doctor said she could see poly-cystic ovaries. Not sure how I feel... disappointed but not really surprised. Still need to have my blood tests. And think about what to do next.

@Boatrace30, I'll be interested to hear what your specialist says about LP duration. My GP really wasn't concerned about LP but didnt manage to adequately explain why!

cinderrose. Don't panic, I have polycystic ovaries and did have DD naturally. My suspicion is that my short LP is due to the PCO though and not ovulating properly so not getting good progesterone levels. I'll definitely report back and see what the specialists say.
Still very concerned that they'll say nothing because I've had no flipping blood tests!!

@boatrace30 thank you, I did feel a bit panicky yesterday. The impact of polycystic ovaries seems to be a very individualistic so I find the online information a bit frustrating if I'm honest... I just want to know what it means for me!! But really I know I need to be patient, my last cycle was 47 days so at this rate it's going to take a while for me to have bloods taken etc.

Good luck with your appointment next week! Fingers crossed it's helpful.

There is so so much information out there, and not one thing works for all. It's like everything is trial and error to see if it'll work for you with the constant worry that hopefully you aren't making things worse!

I've tried the B6, Vit 6, accupuncture etc etc with no luck. The only thing i havent tried is cutting down on the exercise and maybe putting on a little weight. This in theory sounds great.....eat what i want and do what i want, but i just love working out and am scared of becoming unfit!

I am sorry about your diagnosis @cinderrose but hopefully you can get the right course of treatment and get that little bun in the oven :)

I am 6dpo and have had spotting since 2dpo! So know doubt AF will arrive today/tomorrow. I have no idea why it is getting even shorter and spotting is getting earlier :(. I too think it may be as a result of my progesterone dropping too quickly/not a stong enough ovulation.

I have a GP appointment and if i make it there coincidentally that will be 7dpo so wonder if it is worth pushing for a blood test?? I'm a little nervous tbh as if she agrees to take things forward what does that involve??

On another note, what are people's thoughts on going private alongside being in the NHS system....??

Hey everyone

Picked up my LH and FSH figures today and they're within the normal range I have been reading up on so I can file those away for now.

@boatrace30 Don't worry about not having the blood tests done. I'm sure the consultant will order anything they think you need. Just frustrating when they're so dependent on specific cycle days that it takes so much longer to organise when you have long cycles. I'm looking forward to hearing what they say about LP.

@cinderrose sorry to hear about your diagnosis. But I suppose now they know what might be causing an issue, they'll be able to start sorting it out.

@Mamabooksbabynumber2 just like the other girls have said on here, shortened LP doesn't appear to be a recognised problem by every clinician so there's no real advice I can give you. In order to get a good idea of when you're ovulating, doing OPKs or temping might be a good start. Then you can determine how long your LP is. There's no harm in speaking to your doctor about your concerns. Good luck!

@CatMum87 Sorry to hear about your early spotting. So frustrating for you. I think speaking to your doctor about the next steps is a positive move. Try not to worry about what will happen, go in with questions you want answering and take it from there. It's the start of you getting a bit more advice and help with it.

In terms of going private, I'm all for it if you can afford it! Time is of the essence when TTC so I really don't blame people for wanting to get things sorted quicker. I love the NHS but it takes that little bit longer to get things moving. I am still seriously considering getting HSG done privately. It should just mean I have those results in my hand for my first appt with the consultant (whenever that should be!). I think there may be an issue if you're going to the same clinic for both NHS and private treatment. I'm not sure how that would work. Don't think they're supposed to mix and match as it creates a two tier service. I might be totally wrong there though!

Sorry for the rambling post! Hope you're all ok

Hi all,

Thanks bows. I'm getting so nervous about this appointment, feels more like a job interview for a job I really really want! I'm even preparing documents outlining all my past history!!

catmum, depending how the appointment goes I'll definitely consider going private as feel time is against me as I'm about to be 34.
But it's so expensive, a local clinic I've been recommended charges £500 per cycle of Clomid!! Good job interest rates are low!!

cinderrose, pcos is such a broad spectrum, probably better to avoid google but I would be rubbish at following that advice!!
Did they mention Clomid at all? I'm sure it would help me

boatrace I've just had my scan so far, I was away a lot this past month and missed both days when I should have had my day 3 and 21 bloods checked so I going to wait until after those tests before I see my GP to discuss. It was the doctor who scanned me that declared I definitely had poly-cystic ovaries before sending me on my merry way!

I would consider going private for sure, so long as we could afford it. I've no idea how it works and if you can mix and match between nhs and private but I'll but looking into it if that's something that can help accelerate the whole process. It's the uncertainty that really drives me crazy so whatever I can do to get answers I would probably do!

Hi all,

Just a little update in that I made it into double figures, 10 day lp. I never thought I would get there seeing as I spotted from 2dpo onwards. Everything I come across just points to low progesterone……..

I had my doctor’s appointment last week and I took DH with me. She has referred us to the fertility clinic. I explained about my short lp and spotting but whilst she listened, she didn’t seem interested or give any feedback, I think she just wanted to ‘tick a box’ for referral which is good I guess. I said I was 7dpo so was it worth doing a blood test and she said she was happy for me to have one but that it wouldn’t show anything, a low progesterone reading wouldn’t necessarily mean that I hadn’t ovulated given that I got a positive opk. Any advice as to what comes next?!

@Boatrace- £500 for one round shocked me a little bit! I still need to do my research on the whole going private thing but I didn’t realise it would be that expensive, gulp! But if it gets us that little bean quicker, and whilst we are in a financial position to do so..might be worth a shot!

How is everyone else getting along?

@CatMum87 a 10 day lp is better than you've had for a long time, so that's really promising. Maybe things are changing for you. Pleased you've managed to get a referral to the fertility clinic. Fingers crossed you get an appointment through quickly.

I'm on CD16 today. Got a bit excited at the weekend as my OPKs looked really strong! I thought "could it be..."?! But obviously not! Monday's and Tuesday's were back to faint lines and negative tests. So doesn't look like I've changed to "normal" cycles 😂 Never mind.

Is your appt tomorrow @boatrace30 ? I'm really excited for you!

bows, that's weird, as I am also cd16, and also had a strong opk at the weekend that since got fainter, but today it got stronger again so I'm hoping ovulation is on the way. DH is away all week next week so desperate to ovulate before he goes!!

catmum, is that's positive and great you've got referred. Your gp experience sounds very similar to mine. I'm guessing you'll get a letter through to book an appointment. And then it will likely be 2-3months.

Yes my appt is tomorrow. I'm seriously nervous, feels like a job interview. I've prepped loads of notes as my head will go to jelly once we're there.
I've resolved to push hard for Clomid, if they won't prescribe or at least promise to pending tests, I want a good reason why not!