Short luteal phase advice

[seven201]

We're ttc for dc 2 and it's very early days. My cycles are usually 31 or 32 days. I used clearblue advanced ovulation predictor sticks this month and didn't get a solid smiley until day 24, which should mean ovulation on day 25. Assuming this is a 'normal' month that only leaves 7 days which is too short for fertilisation I think? I know it doesn't mean it's impossible. I've started taking b6 and vitamin c (although only started a few days ago) as I read that could help. I've tried to read up on it but a lot of advice is contradictory. When I was ttc for dc1 I know I ovulated later than normal but my cycles were a bit longer then and I can't remember the specifics. If I track my ovulation day for say 3 months and my luteal phase is still short, am I allowed to go the gp even though we won't have been trying for very long? I'm 35. Thanks in advance

Apparently 10 days and over for a luteal phase is fine -

I got mine from 8 to 11 with Vit B complex tablets - so I'd recommend keeping on with those for a while to see if they work for you?

Ooh that's promising, thank you. How long did it take you to go from 8 to 11?

Hi, in same boat. I tracked ovulation for the first time this month and I actually ran out of sticks (testing twice a day) And just got flashing smile no peak. The day after I used cheap opks and got a positive....but this would have meant I ovulated 9 days before AF due which would also count as a short LP. I am hoping it is a one off and that my period doesn't arrive on time which would then increase the LP. I was going to track it for 2 more cycles and if it is short each time then I am definitely going to see the doctor even though this is only our 4th cycle.

Hope, some of the sites I read said below 9 was a problem so at least you're not very far off. Are you going to try vit b6?

To be sure of your luteal phase, I would also take your temperature for the 3-4 months you are observing your ovulation, as a way of backing up the OPKs in case the OPKs are acting off but you are actually ovulating somewhat before they turn positive! Once you have confirmed ovulation with 3 clear elevated temperatures you could stop for the month, so hopefully not too much hassle? Or you could keep temping through the LP to see if you get an early temp drop (might suggest low progesterone if you already have LP concerns)

Thanks. I was really crap at temping last time I was ttc as it takes me a long time to realise I'm awake so I never took the reading straight away. Also I get up to pee every couple of hours sometimes so that probably affects temp. My readings made no sense whatsoever! I should try again though.

Dare I suggest vaginal temping? Obviously the ew factor puts some folks off but if you're already paying attention to cervical fluid then it's not too different - seems to result in nice clear charts with much less 'noise' in the data but appreciate it's not for everyone!

I'd never even heard of that. I'll have a google not image search! Thank you

I also have a short luteal phase- we really struggled to conceive the second time...I was tracking, temping, opks etc. Saw an ob/gyn consultant who confirmed what I had already realised. I was ovulating on day 20ish of a 26 day cycle.

She prescribed me provera, which I start one day post ovulation and take for 14 days to stave off my period and give implantation a chance. We finally fell pregnant on our third month of this.

Now trying for #3 using provera again...good luck!

Go to your GP now and ask for a hormone blood test. I'm sorry but being 35 - tell them you have been trying for more than 6 months or even a year. You need a day 3 and a day 21 test. You can not hold a pregnancy if your Lutual phase is less than 10 days. I used to have a regular 28 day cycle but as part of this I ovulated late and my lutual phase was about 11 days. When I had IVF, they kept me on progrestrone injections for 3 months to help me hold the pregnancy. The BEST way to improve your progrestone (without drugs - drugs are the very best way!) and increase your lutual phase is via acupuncture.

LP defect here too and progesterone a few days after ovulation was the only thing that worked for me with #1. Now TTC #2 I've been prescribed the same again. I tried all the usual stuff: B6/VitC/etc.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Is provera a progesterone thing?

I can't say I've been trying for longer than I have as I recently had major surgery (completely unrelated) and had to wait a while before I could ttc after it. The surgery didn't affect my cycle length at all, except for the month I had it.

If I get the right gp though and go with evidence I think they'd probably do the blood test anyway. I'll track this month and next then go to the gp so I have the two months worth of knowing when I ovulated. Is it something a gp can help with e.g. prescribe progesterone or would I be referred to a gynaecologist?

Thanks again

My GP refused to believe having a short luteal phase would affect trying to get pregnant. She kept blaming my weight. Lucky to have been able to see a gyne privately who did blood tests and confirmed the issue was short luteal phase and definitely not my weight

Provera is a small progesterone pill which she prescribed. We are trying again for #3 and this time the GP (a different doctor) prescribed it after speaking on the phone to the gyne I saw. No luck yet though, but I am now almost 43 so probably some other issue now...

I think it's worth asking the GP and if you need or can - go private? The pills themselves are very cheap and you only need 14 a month...

Thanks babyboots. I'll try the gp and cross my fingers!

I'm using OvuSense. It is so much more accurate than the opks and bbt. It's a bit more expensive but gives you a very accurate picture of your cycles.

I've never heard of that, thanks. I'm off to google it...

There's a very helpful OvuSense user group on Facebook.