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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Short Luteal Phase Gang!

806 replies

Beau20 · 27/02/2020 09:05

I started a thread a while ago asking for success stories but now I would love to get all the girls together who are struggling to conceive with their short Luteal Phase!

Here's a little bit about me -

TTC #1
Cycle 7
28 years old
Luteal phase average 9-10 days longest being 11 days.
Ovulation CD17-18 cycles 26-28 days long

I have had 2 pregnancies before (both termination please no flaming) both conceived without even trying, one with my current partner of 6 years. I also had a chemical in January. My last contraception was Nexplanon for 1 year and before that I was on the pill for 10 years or so (which was when I conceived previous). I have been taking 50mg sertraline for 6 months then 100mg sertraline for 6 months after that and have just stopped completely today. This is the only thing I have been doing differently since I conceived last time so part of me thinks this may affect fertility.

I'd love to hear about everyone else's journey! x

OP posts:
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Proseccoprincess33 · 30/05/2020 13:02

Oh @sausageface I am so sorry you're going through this. When will you know about your ohs results? As if you don't hsve enough to stress over at moment 😔 sending so much positive thoughts and hugs your way.

Yeah I would def lie to gp and say its over a year as some areas have moved the goal posts to 2 years of trying. I will get as much info about lpd as I can xx

Nat4392 · 30/05/2020 16:22

@sausageface so sorry to hear about your DH, I really hope you get the results you are hoping for.
I’d definitely say it’s been 12 months, they won’t entertain you otherwise.
I don’t think I could really say much about lpd for me when I see GP with mine being on average 11 days now, so it’s technically not problematically short 🤷🏻‍♀️

Whilstwewait · 30/05/2020 16:43

Hi everyone

I used to be on this thread a while ago under a different name. I deleted my account as i was getting fed up. We are on cycle 11 and had some ever so slight brown spotting today on dpo 10 or 11. My AF doesnt arrive properly until 13 days. We were referred for fertility in march just before covid (i lied and told doctors it had been a year in jan) however im thinking it'll be at least a year before treatment at which point ill be 35 nearly 36. I know a couple on here and going private. How did you come to the decision? Im so tempted xx

sausageface · 30/05/2020 17:03

Thanks guys, it really hasn't been a fun ride! They said 7-10 days for results so Tuesday at the earliest. It's been so stressful that quite frankly I'm not sure we'd be successful at ttc this month even if we were in the mood!

It's decided, once we've his results I'll tell the dr that I've been trying a year and get my bloods done. It'll be good to know at least that I'm definitely ovulating I guess!

Proseccoprincess33 · 30/05/2020 19:45

@whilstwewait tbh my mum had early menopause which started at 37 and I am now 33 so I'm not planning on hanging around. Plus the luteal phase thing has really frustrated me. If most eggs I pant on day 9 how am I ever goimg to get pregnant when my bleeding starts at day 9 🙄

I think of I was younger I'd have given more time but as I'm 33 I'm not messing. Hope you are feelimg more positive. I feel that it's just good sense at times to get everything checked out when you're a bit older rather than wasting time. Of course the cost is always an issue. We are by no means flush but we have enough set aside should I need full ivf xxx

Proseccoprincess33 · 30/05/2020 19:46

Awwww @sausageface that is sooo hard. I really hope all is okay and the relief from. That will help you relax and get your bfp ❤️ xx

KateMCL · 30/05/2020 21:13

@sausageface I really hope you and DH are okay. I will def share anything useful I learn from my appointment.
I wouldn't want to advise whether you should say you've been trying for a year or not, I think that's really up to you and depending on how responsive your GP is. I am just lucky that I have such a good GP who actually listened to me. I was open with her and told her we had only just been trying 6 months but that my cycle had really gone out of whack and that my luteal phase was max 8 days. The only reason I told my GP was because I thought it was an easy fix and that she could just prescribe me some progesterone or something. @Whilstwewait it was only when my GP called me back to say she had emailed the fertility clinic and that even though they knew we had only been trying 6 months they advised we are referred because of the short luteal phase that I really took it seriously, I'm 32 so it wasn't an age thing. I was pleased and shocked at the same time. We made the decision to go private because we were actually due to emigrate to Aus this month, my hubby is from there, and now we don't exactly know if that will be next month or longer we thought we would at least start with an appointment in London.
I know they say you should wait a year but because I am sure I have an issue going on with my cycle that might be easily treatable then I didn't want to delay another 6 months. Last month my LP was only 6 days, it is so disheartening when you just feel like you never even had a chance. We know our own bodies and if you think something might be up then I think private could be worth it but if you were already referred on the NHS then you might get your appointments and tests soon. You may not need treatment, it could be as simple as trying you on a certain drug which could happen right away. From what I heard from my GP and the fertility clinic here they are now taking the appointments from March, the only backlog is with the semen analysis tests they said, so they are doing the ones from March now. If you do get your appointment soon but just that test is causing delay you could go private just to get that test done if they let you.

Also just want to share a story of a friend of friend, she and her hubby in Australia after trying for a little while had tests done which had not so good results for either of them so they were referred directly for IVF. Their IVF was successful and they had a healthy baby, 4 months after the baby was born she got pregnant again completely naturally and a huge shock to them. I think it's a nice story and they were thrilled but I did wonder if maybe they had been rushed into IVF too soon, who knows, either that or the hormones or something helped her, but because they had been told there was an issue with both of them it was a massive surprise.

sausageface · 30/05/2020 22:53

Thank you, I really do appreciate the support. There's something about speaking anonymously to strangers that helps!

@KateMCL the story about your friend is one of the big reasons I'm reluctant to jump too soon! That being said if the bloods come back not right then clearly it'll do no harm to get things as right as possible to encourage things to kick in. I suppose. I do think I'll end up having (hopefully!) my kids close together as I'm getting older (32!) but 4 months before falling again sounds scary haha

Whilstwewait · 01/06/2020 16:35

@KateMCL @Proseccoprincess33 thank you both for sharing your experiences. It really does help hearing others and what you have been through. I have checked with doctors and we have been referred to the gynaecology department for tests. If something comes back we will go on nhs waiting list. If nothing comes back u have to be trying two years so that takes us to next January before we even go on the list. It all feels incredibly long.

Update on my LP incase anyone was still trying new things. This month mine was 12 days with no spotting. Af usually arrives 13 DPO but with spotting from day 9. God knows what helped. This month i took soy isolvones day 3-7. During LP i took vitamin d, vitamin e and vitamin c and a tablet called calc fluor as well as omega 3's. All these apart from soy are recommended for luteal phase to help implantation. Also drank a smoothies every day and did yoga. So it could be anything or just a fluke. Vitamin b6 and vitamin b complex did nothing for me so ive stopped them

Good luck with your journeys.

Proseccoprincess33 · 01/06/2020 18:10

Thanks so much for that @Whilstwewait I appreciate any tips or guidance from folk having the same struggles. Glad it helped you x

I have an appt nxt week at fertility clinic but this cycle I have started using b6, evening primrose oil (until ovulation) I have Cotinued on from last cycle taking vitamin d and vit c and flaxseed everyday as its supposed to support lining of womb building. New this month I have been doing 10,000 steps every day and I am getting acupuncture every wed for foreseeable. Not sure there's much else I can do 😂😂😂 will let yous know how I get on ❤️ xx

Whilstwewait · 01/06/2020 18:15

@proseccoprincess33 good luck next week. Keep us posted. Forgot i take EPO as well as i never notice more CM but it didnt make much difference. Drink loads of water as well which doesnt help so going to try the cough medicine trick this month. Apart from that ill do same as last month. Altho flaxseed has tempted me haha. Swear i rattle as i walk xx

Whilstwewait · 01/06/2020 18:16

@Proseccoprincess33 forgot to add. How long have you done acupuncture for? Ive beem tempted for so long x

Proseccoprincess33 · 01/06/2020 18:34

@whilstwewait I am definitely a case of shake me and I'll rattle 😂 I grind the flaxseed up and put it in my porridge with fruit and I will continue it as I actually like it.

Acupuncture first session is wed. Going to book in for morning of my fertility appt too. I will update on appt and whether any of these things helps my shite 9 day lp 😂 And ill let you know what I think of acupuncture. I'm a bit nervous 😬 xx

Whilstwewait · 01/06/2020 18:40

@proseccoprincess i think ill try the flaxseed. Do you think it would work in a smoothie? I was going to do seed cycling once but couldn't be bothered.

Funnily despite everything i feel quite positive this cycle. Maybe because i know we have private treament as a back up. I feel more in control.

Please do update us on your appointment in the clinic.

Xx

Proseccoprincess33 · 01/06/2020 20:25

@whilstwewait yeah a milkshake would work just fine. You need to grind the seeds to get full effect as the seed coverings are quite tough and difficult to absorb. I bought a coffee grinder from argos for 16 pounds which works in seconds.

I'll let you know how acupuncture and appointments go forsure. I feel a bit more positive this month too 😊 we will get there 😊 And when we do it'll feel so amazing xx

Proseccoprincess33 · 01/06/2020 20:36

Sorry smoothie is grand xx

sausageface · 04/06/2020 15:48

@Proseccoprincess33 how was your acupuncture? Was it relaxing if nothing else? I'm scared to try it incase it hurts! Haha

Nat4392 · 04/06/2020 15:54

I’m interested to hear too, I’d like to try it but I’d be so apprehensive about it hurting! I also didn’t realise treatment like that was able to be running right now.

Proseccoprincess33 · 04/06/2020 21:18

Hello you guys. Acupuncture was actually very relaxing. Definitely not sore at all. She put a good few needles around my womb and ovaries and then attached it to an electrical current machine..... I was a little concerned when she said she was going to electrify the needles 😂😂😂

She said I have a cold womb. Apparently that is common with under active thyroid which I have. She gave me an abdominal massage to help circulation I'm that area and my bbt first thing in morning was a whole 0.1 higher than it would normally would be at this time in my cycle. It may just be a coincidence but we will see tomorrow.

When I looked online about cold womb it is actually a thing 😳 and a sign of it is a short lp. I'll keep you guys posted if there is any change in lp this month.

She has taught me how to massage your womb area to improve blood supply to the reproductive organs. A key thing is keeping your feet warm apparently.

Anyway I feel more relaxed from it and am going again next week just before the fertility clinic appt. Annoyingly my appt is on the day I am due to ovulate so hopefully it's a bit later as we can't bd the days running up to appointment 🙄 I hate the thought of wasting a cycle.

Anyhow I hope you are all keeping well and as always wishing for you guys bfp this month ❤️❤️❤️ xxx

Proseccoprincess33 · 04/06/2020 21:20

In relation to treatments the British acupuncture association has given go ahead for urgent care appts and as of yesterday anyone having fertility struggles can seek acupuncture. So if you are I terested clinics are supporting people ttc as of this week ❤️

Nat4392 · 04/06/2020 21:26

@Proseccoprincess33 that sounds really interesting! I might enquire at some places near me. Did they mention doing it at any particular point during your cycle being more effective or anything?

Proseccoprincess33 · 04/06/2020 22:32

She asked me what day of my cycle I was on and I had said CD10 and I normally ovulate CD 17-19 and she had said that was perfect timing. I felt the electrical current more on my right side and she asked if I felt it more on one side as it was likely that was side I was ovulating from this month. And I am due to ovulate from right side this month (I get ovulation pains). So that was interesting.

The lady I am seeing is a specialist in fertility and she has had her own struggles so I felt I could talk to her and she understood which was nice. She says I will not have to go weekly but for first few weeks it's a good idea 😊 she sent me a fertility diet as well which I can share with you guys 😊

I have been exercising more and my bmi is fine but I know I need to cute back on the wine.

Do you guys drink much? I feel like I'm the only person on these forums that drinks fairly regularly 😕 Like in would drink every weekend. Not drunk but a good few generous glasses xx

Nat4392 · 04/06/2020 23:19

That sounds really good. Definitely gonna do some digging to find someone local to me.
I drink regularly still. Not loads by any means but me and DH drink a few times a week if not most days. Literally like a glass of wine or a g&t or a bottle of beer or something though. When AF arrives I tend to have a few glasses rather than one 🙈
As long as we’re not getting hammered every week I don’t see an issue with it, obviously if I was to get a BFP then I’d stop no problem. But for now it’s a little luxury that helps keep me sane during this time!

Whilstwewait · 05/06/2020 17:35

@proseccoprincess33 thanks so much for sharing. Sounds so good. I think i might give it a go. We are giving ourselves 3 months before looking at more tests so may be a good idea altho im trying for the relaxed approach so not sure if it'll help or make me focus on TTC too much xx

I drink too ive cut down 2 months and still not got pregnant so i wouldn't worry. If you can share the diet that will be great.

Id heard about fertility massage. Kts only allowed before ovulation and you can do it yourself xx

Proseccoprincess33 · 06/06/2020 12:00

Female Diet Plan
Pre-ovulation: from day 1 of your menstrual cycle
First day of your menstrual bleed to ovulation
Designed to regulate oestrogen levels and boost Qi, Yin, Jing, Omega 3 and blood levels.
To improve egg quality and ovulation. It is set out as a menu style for you to pick various breakfast, lunch or dinner options with specific snacks and drinks and optional supplements. Within the snack section of the pre and post ovulation menus, you will find a selection of seeds. These are very important to regulate menstrual cycles and hormones. It is known as ‘seeding’, which is a fantastic life time habit to form.

Drink options:
Avoid coffee. Try a ginseng or maca drink instead for energy levels.
Reduce tea intake. Tea contains caffeine and tannin, which can affect absorption of calcium and iron. Black (English) tea is warming, and, like coffee, it contains chlorogenic acid, which can affect levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and sperm quality. Decaf tea and decaf green tea is fine.
Avoid drinks with ice cubes or that are very cold in temperature. Room temperature only.
Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Other drinks that work, are Rooibos tea, herbal teas, hot water with lemon, hot Cacao.

Supplements:
A good quality prenatal supplement
Royal jelly or bee pollen

Snack options:
Apples, apricots, cherries, dates, figs, grapes
Almonds, cashews, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts
Boiled eggs
Oat bars
Sushi (fish) with wasabi

Breakfast options:
Eggs (scrambled, poached or boiled) with salmon and mashed avocado with either lemon and olive oil or a pinch of paprika if you feel cold.
Wheat free cereal with almond or rice milk. Try to avoid cow’s milk, as it contains abnormal amounts of oestrogen. Avoid soya milk completely.
Poached eggs with asparagus.
Oats with nuts and seeds with either almond or rice milk.
Omelette with spinach and/or potato.
Salmon with parsley, poached eggs and asparagus.
Herring and egg.

Lunch options:
Jacket potato with sardines, mackerel or eggs.
Sweet potato with choice of fillings above.
Soups are ideal: chicken, beetroot, fish, tomato and lentil.
Sushi (fish) with seaweed and wasabi.
Mixed bean (kidney, black and aduki) salad.
Chicken with steamed asparagus and baby potato.
Sardines with tomato, garlic, chickpea and feta cheese salad with lemon juice dressing.

Dinner options:
Mussels with coconut milk and lemongrass.
Salmon with steamed kelp and brown rice.
Clam linguine (wheat free) with almonds.
Trout stuffed with lemon and parsley with baby potatoes and green beans.
Lentils either baked with aubergine or as a lasagne.
Cod with steamed kale and brown rice.
Sea bass with ginger and spring onion.
Steak with a spinach, walnut and feta cheese salad and sweet potato fries.
Lamb with apricots and squash casserole.

Post-Ovulation: From ovulation until the end of your cycle
This diet is designed to boost progesterone and yang levels: thereby improving implantation and pregnancy.

Drink options:
Cold drinks should again be served at room temperature. During this phase - No lemons, oranges, grapefruit, or tangerines drinks (or fruit) once you have ovulated as these contain hesperetin, which can block progesterone.
Tea and coffee advice the same as above. Water intake advice the same as above.
Supplements
A good quality prenatal supplement.
Royal jelly or bee pollen.

Snack options
Celery sticks.
Cherries, dates and raspberries.
Chestnuts, pistachio nuts, sunflower seeds and walnuts.

Breakfast options
Spelt bread with raspberry jam.
Soft boiled eggs with anchovies and parsley.
Eggs (scrambled, poached or boiled) with salmon and mashed avocado with either lemon and olive oil or a pinch of paprika if you feel cold.
Wheat free cereal with almond or rice milk. Try to avoid cow’s milk, as it contains abnormal amounts of oestrogen. Avoid soya milk completely.

Lunch options
Prawn salad with Tabasco sauce or cayenne pepper and parsley.
Quinoa with salmon or apricots and pistachios.
Pasta (wheat free) with anchovies, crushed red peppers and tarragon.
Sweet potato soup.
Baked sweet potato with spinach and chickpeas.
Butternut squash soup.

Dinner options
Buckwheat (soba) noodles with coconut sauce (no soya), sesame seeds, cucumber and ginger.
Prawns with tomatoes, garlic and brown rice.
Anchovies with lamb and rosemary.
Lamb with sweet potato and spice curry.
Salmon with mustard seeds and lentil salad.
Spaghetti with olive oil, basil and oregano sauce.
Mussels with coconut milk, cloves, lemongrass and coriander.

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