Short Luteal Phase Gang!

[Beau20]

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

Can I ask, how long is everyone's luteal phase? Mines 11 days, which I think is short but not sure!

@CycleGirl20 Optimum is 14 but 11 is actually fine- I think that say it's only a defect if it is 10 or under. Since I had my implant removed early May, mine has never been longer than 9 days 😭 Oddly my luteal symptoms are totally different this month so I am hoping that's a sign my body is getting over the implant and it might be a bit longer- might be wishful thinking but the possibility is keeping me going!

Hi @familybythesea - like you say it's very reassuring to hear that people can get pregnant with a short LP. Sorry to hear about the miscarriage. Good to hear the GP is looking into it though. I have to wait untill November before I can go back to the GP as then it will have been 12 cycles (well I did add a couple on for the purpose of the GP only letting me go back at 12 months haha). Got to be done though sometimes.

I have a 8-9 day LP but having taken the B6 laast month it gave me an extra day, so I'm hoping the same again this month too 🤞🏽

@Blossom428 I don't blame you with the GP - that's a long time to wait. I hope you end up not needing the appointment. With your LP, do you find your AF starts 'properly' straight away? I've realised this month that I have a proper flow on what would be 13/14dpo, before that it's a bit stop and start, but more than what I personally would be comfortable classifying at spotting. I'm wondering if low progesterone starts things prematurely. I never really clocked this before but was worrying about it because the tests should be CD2-4. I think this may mean I had mine too early, but who knows!
Fingers crossed the B6 does its job for both of us this month!

Maybe already mentioned but I struggled to
Conceive then found it I had very short luteal phase
I took 7 seas conception tablets (purple pack) and within two euros my cycles completely changed and regulated and I conceived very quickly. Just incase anyone wanted to try something new

Two months*

Hi girls! Just checking in. CD 14 and very positive opk today. Feels nice and normal. Gotta convince OH to DTD (he seems very busy with work!). Now fingers crossed for a normal luteal phase also. Going to take b6 and b12 for the next week. Potentially booked in for end of the month for semen analysis as well. Haven't heard anything back yet from hospital about planning a scan; is it meant to take them ages?

I’m taking the seven seas tablets and b6 and b complex and they’re doing nothing at all :(

I’m going to attempt to ask for a luteal phase progesterone test today but I will probably get told no. Any tips on asking the NHS for this as I have been off the pill since February now

@HumbleBee223 I tried last month, but they told me I need to wait until 12 cycles annoyingly.
Fingers crossed for you though as I know some GPs will be different. Just really push how you feel and make sure they take note of it.

Hi all! Currently on 7dpo and feeling hopeful for a good luteal phase; so far so good, knock wood. Taking b6 and b12 atm.

I also discovered I gained a fair bit of weight during lockdown so I have been exercising that off again (rather successfully I might add). That, combined with getting v drunk at a tiny distanced outdoors party last weekend (not on purpose, probably just literally a light weight now!) I am not all too optimistic about my fertility this month.. Honestly still hungover today I think. Still, fingers crossed right?

Hospital finally got back and let me know there's a 6 week wait for ultrasound appointments (to check for cysts) so I have another 3 weeks minimum to go on that. That's ok, I understand they're busy; was just killing me not knowing how long it'd be!

Hahah you sound exactly same position as me @AnonymousXXIX - currently 7dpo, also attended a brunch last weekend and had one too many!!
However I also think we missed it as we on dtd a few days before ovulation as OH was to tired and moody because of work when I got my peak- typical!
My LP extended last month by 1 day so I'm hoping I may get an extra one again this month making it 11days. So we shall see

@Blossom428 haha yes I think we could have dtd few times more as well but OH was just done lol.

Hi,

I’m 27 and TTC#2, I am on cycle 7 of “actively” trying I.e charting, but prior to this have not been on contraception, I have a 17 month old so know how blessed I am! I am still breastfeeding although very very rarely so don’t want it putting Down to that, I have had progesterone levels done on CD21 and they were 26, I had all other bloods done on CD3 but don’t know what the levels mean!

My LP was always 14 days but since returning they are only 9 days 😢😢 i have started vit b6 but don’t want to take Vitex due to feeding, GPS are awful with this kind of stuff!

@HumbleBee223 I asked for this test too and the GP wasn't interested because I know I am ovulating. I explained it was more to see if my progesterone is low but I think I totally lost him and he definitely didn't know about short luteal phases. In the end he fobbed me off saying I'd have to save my questions - in my case I'm being referred to a recurrent miscarriage clinic. Did you have any luck?

@AnonymousXXIX Well done on the weight loss! I'm with you on lockdown causing a few pounds to stick around - I'm a big comfort eater! I think letting your hair down here and there is good - you need to relax and live your life or ttc can become really stressful. It's my birthday next week and I'm also due to ovulate in the next few days but still planning to just enjoy myself this cycle.

@Nala19 hello! I also have a toddler, so understand what it feels like to be simultaneously grateful but have a hole in your heart for a sibling for them. Did you GP tell you if your progesterone level was 'normal'? It sounds good to me, but I am no expert. If it gives you any comfort, I got pregnant with a 9/10 day luteal phase and had no problems the first time around.

@familybythesea thanks for your reply, it was 26 and he said they like the level to be above 30... but also said there’s nothing they will do which is extremely frustrating I have asked for a senior doctor to ring me next week and rediscuss! And thankyou that’s reassuring I’m just frustrated as I’ve never expe I ended this before!

How are you getting on @AnonymousXXIX any sign of AF yet?

I've nothing as yet and my temp was still high this morning. Still no symptoms to report though waiting patiently for AF then I can begin the new cycle!

@Nala19 I am sorry you are struggling with your GP. I have had two bloodtests now, but neither on CD 21. I wasn't really told what for, or what the values would means, and my GP never even tried to explain; just said it came back 'fine'. Feels odd to go and ask specifically because I am obv not the expert!

@Blossom428 no sign of AF at all yet. I had some stabbing pains yesterday which I have had around this time the last three months (and which I am now thinking, with complete lack of medical background, could be cysts that like to play up after ovulation for some reason). Odd non-symptom: my nipples normally hurt massively between ovulation and AF, and this month, so far, they don't hurt at all.

I don't temp because it sounds like a hassle and I figured it would stress me out, but right between 8 DPO and 12 DPO it would be great to have that info!

I know, I did stop temping this month, but for some reason I just did it this morning to see what it was haha @AnonymousXXIX ... what day do you usually get AF? I forgot what your Lp usually is?
Strange with the stabbing pains, has it been confirmed you have a cyst?
Yeah I usually have some pains in my boobs too, but nothing at all.
My AF will be kind to be this time haha!

@Blossom428 well my luteal phase has been 10-12 days mostly, with a few 8 and 9, but last month I got a good 14, so I am going to classify it as irregular but short! (While ovulation is consistently day 12-14!)

I started having the stabbing pains around ovulation maybe 3 cycles ago; not just ovulation pains, like, the whole 1-2 weeks stretch between ovulation and af. Last 2 months was def worse than this month though; mainly had them yesterday and then a little bit today so far. Cysts remain unconfirmed until I can get a scan which seems at least a month away if not much more.

Update: okay woke up with sore nipples this morning (10dpo) and decided I'd take a test why not; bfn. Not feeling as optimistic about this cycle now (although still decent luteal phase).

Ahhh annoying that it's so far away to get your scan! @AnonymousXXIX
10dpo can still be too early to test though.
I'm no symptoms still and no sign of AF this morning.
Probably will get spotting at some point today though.

Hmm spotting ever so slightly now. The stupid short luteal phase means I never know whether it is implantation or af for a good two+ days : ( : (

Ohh are you... brown spotting or red?
@AnonymousXXIX
Nothing from me as of yet. If so it will be the longest LP I've had so far 🙌🏼🙌🏼

@Blossom428 light brown yesterday, dark brown today : ( just a tiny bit and not af yet but this would be a pretty classic pattern for me.

Feeling a bit sad thinking ahead of the rest of the year. Ages before the scan. And then after that? Cysts or no, more appointments. I am glad I started looking into all this this year though! I wanted to give myself a year to work out whether everything was working ok and how badly we wanted ttc... but I guess you never think that you'll actually need the year do ya!