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

Same- brown spotting has just started for me, so AF will show properly either this eve or tomorrow. Just want to start the cycle properly so the days can count down till ov!
@AnonymousXXIX I know what you mean, I thought I was going to be one of those people that might catch on straight away no problem, god it's stressful!! I lied to the doctor and said I had been trying a little bit longer than I had, so at least in Nov if nothing happens they have said I can go back. 🤞🏽 I'm pregnant by then though!
But I know it's frustrating how long things take though isn't it! I wish I had come off before Christmas, I just had no idea!!

Yeah af started properly last night... I'll record that as an 11 day luteal phase.

Has anyone here had any luck with vitamin E, to improve uterine lining / progesterone? I kind of feel like, even if just mentally, I want to try something different next cycle. Getting to the stage now where I get really annoyed when yet another character in a tv show gets pregnant completely accidentally!

Hi everyone.

I know this thread hasn't been posted on in a while, but hoping a few of you may be able to help...

I posted on here several months ago, probably May or something now after I feared I may have a short luteal phase after stopping the pill! 6 months after stopping, and 6 months of using OPKs and charting, I've finally been able to see a clear ovulation on my chart and confirmed with OPKs, which I guess feels like a win in itself. However I started spotting yesterday at 9DPO, and AF is properly here today at 10DPO, so I guess that means I had an 8/9 day luteal phase.

Now that I seem to be ovulating (although late on CD25) what should I be doing to extend my luteal phase? I started taking Angus Castus about 5 days before I ovulated last cycle, and then added in 50mg of B6, I was already taking a B vit complex too, which I think adds up to about 60mg of B6.

What I want to know is, do you take a b-complex and extra b-6 throughout your cycle, or stop/start at different points? Wonder if maybe I should up my b-6 to more like 100mg also?

Thanks in advance xx

Hi @MintGreenLife

I have been taking b complex all through my cycle as well as the vitamin C tablets that dissolve in your drink... after ovulation I then added in additional B6. I have got a new b6 which is 100mg. So not sure what's too much tbh.
But each cycle I have had an extra day with my LP, started off with 8days, and last cycle I had spotting start at cycle day 11 for 2 days and then proper AF on 13dpo.
I'm currently on 9dpo, so just waiting to see what happens this cycle. Although I don't really feel any symptoms, so not very hopeful.

Yeah you could use the Angus cactus to try bring ovulation forward too. I also have been taking coq 10 which is meant to help egg quality.

@Blossom428 thanks so much for your reply :) that's great news that you've been able to extend your LP this way. I'm taking AC and b6 and a b vit complex already, but only started half way through my last cycle and wasn't too sure when I should be taking the additional b 6. I take ubiquinol already which I think is a higher quality form of COQ10. Maybe I'll do what you do and just add in the extra b6 after ovulation then xx

Yeah I'd add in the extra b6 after ovulation, then stopped it when AF arrived. each cycle it gave me an extra day. So fingers crossed for you too!! @MintGreenLife

Thanks @Blossom428 I'll give that a go then ☺️ Am thinking b complex, folic acid, vit d, vit c and Agnus Castus until ovulation, then extra b6 after x

Hi guys not posted here in a while
I was diagnosed with a luteul phase defect from the recurrent miscarriage team after the GP did cd21 bloods and found my progesterone to be 18 when it should be 30+
My LP is 9 days
Hospital prescribed progesterone suppositories and so far so good I’m 10dpo! Never got past 9 so it’s done it’s job
I’m on a very high dose so I think it will delay my period (it doesn’t always) meaning my LP will increase when taking it
I’m to take it till 14dpo, test (tests bfn so far and positive they’ll stay that way) then come off it for period to come

B6 and b complex did nothing
Vitamin c and d did nothing
Pre Natal vit I’ll obviously carry on
Agnus castus was AWFUL! Made me bleed/wipe brown for 10 whole days then delayed my ov to cd23! Never touching that again

Hi @Boc86 ,
Good to here your experience too! I guess everyone is different!!
Sounds very positive that you've got an extra day already for your LP, hopefully another today too 🤞🏽
I've just tested on a FRER, I think mainly because I've never really got to 10dpo, but it was as white as white come. I've got no symptoms what so ever either, so I don't really think I'm in with much luck this cycle.

I’ve started acupuncture this month to try and help lengthen my LP. I’ve found it relaxing but on 4dpo I started nausea (still got it at 6dpo) and last night at 5dpo I had cramping and this morning. Trying not to symptom spot but it’s very hard. Hope it’s not AF coming but probably is :(

@MintGreenLife I am heading for a 14+ day luteal phase over here : o (although did not track ovulation this month so not 100% sure). I wonder if it can be attributed to 2 things: having been off the pill for 8 months now, plus taking b6 & b12 during luteal phase for 3 months now. It is really hard to come to term with but possibly I am just one of those people whose bodies needed way longer to adjust post-pill? Although I have had regular periods and ovulation this whole time (if a bit short/fast!).

Scan at the end of the month to check for cysts though, which is contender nr 3 for things taking longer.

@AnonymousXXIX oh that's brilliant! It's reassuring to know it's a somewhat common side effect of coming off the pill. I have the opposite issue in that I'm ovulating late (CD25 earliest so far). I know I feel the same, I'm almost 7 months off now and seems everyone else I speak to go back to normal right away, so I've found it hard to understand why that didn't happen to me.

I had a blood test about 3 weeks ago, and it came back that my thyroid is a little sluggish, although not enough to be officially classed as 'under active'. Waiting for a referral for a scan at the moment too xx

@AnonymousXXIX what vitamins do you take the B6 just after you have ovulated?

I have been waiting for a scan since august and had a letter saying that I can’t have it due to coronavirus. So I’m thinking of having one done privately

@Proseccoprincess33 hope you don't mind me sending you a message all these months later! I spoke to you when I first came off the pill as I was worried in cycle 2-3 off the pill that I had a crazy short luteal phase of 4 days. I charted a few more cycles using OPKs and doing BBT, and both charts made it really hard to pinpoint exactly when ovulation was. Finally after six cycles I had a really clear chart I found I do in fact have a short LP of 8 days, with my temp starting to drop from 6DPO.

I've been reading back over this thread and spotted you have an underachieve thyroid? I had a blood test with the GP about 2 months ago and my TSH came back at 3.5, which I've read is no good for TTC as needs to be under 2.5. I'm also ovulating really late - the cycle I had the blood test on was the cycle when I had the clear chart, and I had the blood test done on CD21 and ovulated on CD25, however my FSH was only 4.5 4 days before I ovulated, but I'm sure that FSH should be at it's peak just before ovulation.

I was just wondering if you found out if your underachieve thyroid was impacting TTC and linked to your short LP?

This cycle I've started taking AC, B6 and a B complex, as well as Omega 3. Was hoping to see some positive changes, but at the moment I'm CD23 with no ovulation in sight.

Hope you're keeping well! x

Sorry typo, meant underactive thyroid of course x

@Frazzled2207 hope you don't mind me sending you a message all these months later! As I've said in the above message, I've recently found my TSH is 3.5. Do you mind me asking what yours was before you were treated for it? I feel like if I go back to the GP about it I will be dismissed given that it's technically in the normal range.I'm doing a private blood test to retest and also check T3 and T4 x

@HumbleBee223 sorry I just realised that I never replied to your last message! This cycle I took a b complex throughout, but stopped on CD25 to try and encourage ovulation which happened on CD30, which is standard for me since I came off the pill. Now I'm 1DPO and have started taking the B complex again and 100mg B6. Am a little worried about taking too much b vitamins though?!

What happened with your scan? I'm contemplating going private too x

@MintGreenLife okay I have been doing accupuncture for about 2 months now my luteal phase increased to 10 days last month which was the highest it’s ever been! I am going to start trying B vitamins to see if that helps. My acupuncturist also said about vitamin c?

I did a private blood test for progesterone on day 23 and it showed I ovulated so I haven’t had the scan privately I’m just going to wait for the nhs one as they said I’m still on waiting list x

Hi everyone hope you don’t mind me joining the club. I have been off the mini pill for 3 months now and started charting last month. I’m ovulating say 16 and having a leutal phase of 10 days. I know this is not the worse leutal phase but I definitely think I have a hormone imbalance as I get extremely painful boobs from ovulation right through to day of AF. Was wondering if any one else suffers from this with a short leutal phase ? I have started taking B vitamin complex with added vitamin C from this month. I can’t believe how common a short leutal phase is for people who’ve been on the mini pill for a long time (something health professionals don’t mention at all!)

Hi @Slk3558

I know, I wasn't aware of this untill I came off my pill and was researching EVERYTHING.
Like you I also took vitamin B complex and vitamin C. I also took vitamin B6 after ovulation which is meant to help. Gradually over a few months my LP got longer each month by 1 day. Your body is still sorting itself out and sometimes can take 6months to settle.

I got my BFP on 13th nov- so I am now 5+4 (early days) but this was after a LP of 8days, that then increased to 12 days.
So just letting you know that is is possible and it will happen for you 😊

@Blossom428 that’s amazing congratulations!! How many cycles did it take you before you got your bfp? And just out curiosity did you suffer with really sore boobs between ovulation and AF ? I’m just wondering if it’s linked to the short leutal phase or if it’s just my body.

Hi everyone! Hope you don't mind me joining. Can anyone advise on how I can lengthen my LP?
I came off the pill in April, first month ttc this month was unsuccessful. I have a LP of anything between 8 and 11 days, and I don't ovulate until roughly CD20-26. I had a 9 day LP this month and I'm worried that this may hold us back from ttc.

Is there anyone more clued up than me about the LP that can suggest something to try?

@Raffie13 Hi, see my message just below about what I took I help my LP.

@Slk3558 I came off the pill beginning of May- so it has taken about 6months. Sore boobs- erm I had them sometimes. But when I got my bfp I literally had no symptoms whatso ever, so though I was out.
Increase in progesterone does give you sore boobs and bloat though so may be why you feel like that.
Other people in the thread said they also spoke to their GP- mine told me to wait untill after 12 months though.

Hi @Slk3558 I’ve had exactly the same experience...came off the mini pill in August and have been charting since. I have a 32 day cycle and ovulate on day 23, giving me a 9 day LP. There doesn’t seem to be any conclusive answers about this but it’s heartening to see that people have conceived with short LPs.
I haven’t taken anything yet except folic acid and vitamin d but am considering B6. I’m worried as most people seem to have a generally short cycle and short LP whereas my cycle is within normal range but a bit on the long side, wondering if that has a bad effect.
I also get really sore boobs all the way through from ovulation til period but I thought that was normal because of progesterone?

Hi @CharityRoyall yeh I’m the same just taken folic acid. I thought sore boobs were down to the progesterone too at first but the more I’ve researched it the more I’m convinced it’s caused through hormone imbalance/ estrogen dominance/ progesterone deficiency. Because if you think about it if it’s caused by the increase in progesterone then all women would suffer it, but those with healthy levels of progesterone don’t seem have it. Plus I’m only getting this coming off the pill don’t remember having it in my late teens before I was on it. From what I understand being on the mini can cause vitamin deficiencies particularly vitamin B and the body then struggles to produce sufficient levels of progesterone. I’m still trying to understand it...but there’s definitely a link with the mini pill because we’ve been having synthetic progesterone in our systems for so long our bodies have ‘forgotten’ to produce it so it’s going to take a bit of time.

With regards to your cycle mine is 26 days so not technically classed as short either. It’s the same issue which is slightly late on the ovulation and then too short leutal phase. I have read lots of good things about vitamin C, omega 3 and vitamin B6 (ive also read it should be vitamin B complex not just B6 as the B6 needs to balanced by the b12. I think it can’t hurt to give it a try?!

As you can see I’ve spent days sifting through every article on google re leutal phase deficiency 😂