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

Just had a telephone consultation with GP who basically just told me leutal phase is always 14 days in every cycle for every woman and I am probably getting my ovulation date wrong. Even though I’ve been doing opks and charting. Basically dismissed the LPD theory and told me only folic acid is needed. What a load of B.S !!!

Bookmarking this thread as I usually have a short-ish 26 day cycle (although my last was 23 days followed by a really short and light period - argh). Haven’t started ttc yet but Natural Cycles says my luteal phase is 9-10 days on average. I am going to start testing with OPKs this month to see whether that is right.

Slightly off topic, but I have been having some really odd night sweats lately and when I googled it apparently it is a symptom of hormonal imbalance! Anyone else with low progesterone had this? It’s also a menopause symptom 😬 but I am only 31 so hopefully unlikely it is that!

@Slk3558 that’s what I mean, there seems to be a split down the middle in that some people think there is such a thing and it’s an issue, and other sources are like nahh don’t worry. I guess it can work as a few people on this thread have got pregnant with short LPs which gives me hope, but if it’s so prevalent maybe there should be more research and information on it!
I think I’m going to try the B complex and see how I go.
@thelessiknow I haven’t had night sweats or anything but that might be a hormonal thing because of coming off birth control (if recent)?

@CharityRoyall have you heard about the bright yellow urine form the vitamin B, I’m 3 days in and it’s neon yellow 😂 it’s caused by the riboflavin apparently. I think the added vitamins can only be of benefit. I got these ones www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/holland-barrett-timed-release-busy-b-complex-with-vitamin-c-caplets-500mg-60000330.
Highly recommend as they’ve got 100mg of vitamin B6 and all the other b’s plus 500 mg of vitamin C. Xx

@thelessiknow i do vaguely remember having some odd night sweats in the first few weeks after coming off the pill around my first ovulation. Think it’s just the withdrawal as @CharityRoyall said.

@Slk3558 @CharityRoyall I’ve been off the pill for 18 months so it’s hopefully not that!! Maybe my winter duvet is just too warm 😂

Hey, I'm new here and stumbled upon this post whilst researching short luteal phases. I'm 30 and we're trying to conceive for the first time and are on cycle 5 (I'm due to ovulate anytime now ). My luteal phase has been 10 days since having my implant removed and I've had a really regular cycle.
I'm 99% certain I had a chemical pregnancy last month but can't be totally sure as I wasn't seen by a GP.
I'm really concerned about my short luteal phase and this post has been amazing at giving me hope. So thank you! I've also picked up a few possible tips and will be on my way out first thing tomorrow to grab some pregnacare conception supplements - probably too late to make a difference to this cycle, but here's hoping for a Christmas miracle in my December cycle. I just wanted to say thanks

Hi everyone
I’m new to the group but have been following for a while..
I’m 25 and had my implant removed October 2019 after having it in place for 4 years. Before that I was on the pill for 4.5 years. The implant stopped my periods all together for those 4 years.
When I first had it removed last October I had a couple of ‘normal’ 27-28 day cycles. But after that it went down hill and on average I have a 23-25 day cycle and ovulate around day 15-16 (I use the clear blue ovulation kit) it’s also quite clear when I ovulate as I have a lot of EWCM and ovulation pain, so I know I am definitely ovulating but this makes my LP 7-8 days.
This is my second cycle of taking vitamins, so I’m taking vitamins C, vitamin E & D, b complex, omega 3, b12 and B6.
So far I am on 9DPO so really hoping these vitamins are giving me and extra day or two.
I have had my day 2 and day 22 blood tests this month also, so I am just waiting for my results back any day now!

I read that because the implant is progesterone only it can cause your body to not make as much as it’s used to the implant providing the progesterone hence the short LP. Will be interesting to see when I get my results back what my progesterone is. Will keep you updated.
Thank you :) xxx

Hi all, @CVR31 you have encouraged me to post too. I have been following for a while as well.

I’m 31 and had my implant removed In May after 5 years. Before that I was on the pill for 8 years. Like CVR31, I had no periods when on the implant. Since having it removed on average I have a 24 day cycle and ovulate around day 15-16 (I have been temping and using OPks). So have an 8-9 day luteal phase. I went through a phase of taking lots of supplements to try and lengthen it and ended up stressing myself out so much that I have come off all but folic acid and vitamin C and didn't temp last cycle to try and relax a little. Following the same approach this month. Also splashed out and have booked in to see a private fertility doctor at the next available appointment in January to see what he recommends (I will keep this group updated in case helpful).

@CVR31 really interesting to see what you said about progesterone contraceptives, I had actually been wondering that but hadn't seen it anywhere. Wishing you good luck for testing and delighted to hear you have made it to day 9 without AF arriving.

Xx

@HipHipHooray7 we pretty much have the same cycle then! Wonder if it’s just coincidence that we were both on the implant for the same amount of time...
have you been to your GP or gone straight for private ?
I do feel like I’m taking a lot of vitamins, but sometimes I do miss a day here and there as I work a lot of nights but this is only my second cycle taking them so going to keep going for a couple more and see.

Xx

Xx

So turns out I’ve got to 12DPO today and no sign of AF turning up apart from some mild cramps, thought this was unusual as my LP has been 7-8 days for last 9 cycles but I did a pregnant test this afternoon and I got a BFP!!!! So this makes me 3 weeks 5 days so very early.
I would definitely recommend the vitamins I was taking as it gave me an extra day last cycle and this cycle something has stuck :)

Good luck ladies xxx

Wow @CVR31 that's amazing!! Congratulations! 🥳 wishing you a happy and healthy 9 months.

@CVR31 Congratulations wishing you all the best. Thank you for posting and giving us all hope that the vitamins might actually make a difference 😊 x

Hi all
I'm new here and would love to be able to talk to some women about TTC!
I'm 31 and came off the pill over a year ago, but have been TTC since August and on cycle 4.
My cycles went a bit mad after the pill (and pregnacare tablets made them very long!) but fortunately have now regulated to 28-30 days with c10 day luteal phase.
I'm tracking my temperature which I find fascinating but it's easy to get a bit obsessed with it!
Currently 7dpo and my temperature is consistently higher than normal, which again is making me a bit obsessed with taking it. In the week when I'm working I'm much more naturally distracted from these things!!
I also did a pregnancy test today which I know is pointless because it's too early (but does anyone else do that?!)
Currently taking folic acid and Vit D but interested with what I've been reading about Vit B complex so might add to my shopping basket.
Anyway I wanted to say hi and looking forward to talking through this journey with you!

Hi all I hope you don't mind me joining. We have been TTC for 4 cycles and just got what looks like the beginnings of my period on 10dpo. I decided to temp this month and noted I ovulated on cycle day 22. On average I seem to ovulate on cd 19 and have 29 day cycles. I feel this is a short luteal phase and wondered if anyone had contacted their GP before a year of trying with this info? Also wondered if anyone taking vitamin b and if so which ones and what dose. Really appreciate any advice you can all share

Hi ladies. I think this applies to me although I don't do anything fancy when TTC like I don't do OPKs or anything like that. I just fertility friend to track my cycles. I usually have quite short cycles but they're irregular as well, so anywhere between 23 and 29 days. My period itself lasts at least 7 days, sometimes up to 10 . I have a daughter who was conceived after about 5 months when I was 23, more cycles obviously given how short some of my cycles are. I came off loestrin 20 just before we started TTC.

Now into cycle 2 of TTC no.2, but not been on any hormonal birth control for about 3 or 4 months this time. I'm not worried and am expecting it to take at least a similar amount of time as last time, probably longer just because we will likely have less sex given the demands of our job and our DD this time around.

Hey everyone, hope you don't mind me jumping on. I just wanted to see if any of you experienced spotting/ bleeding before your period as part of having a short LP?

Mine is typically 10 days but I get bleeding from 5dpo. Physically exams at doctors all ok so believe may be hormone related. Pushing for a blood test but may look into getting a private one if GP won't do it. TTC from next month so no idea it will impact but I've convinced myself it will make things difficult and it's put me in a very bad place mentally. Just so frustrating really.

Hi @Pinklilly . I am in similar situation to you I ovulate CD 16 and have 26 day cycle for last 3 months since coming off pill. After doing a lot of research I came to the conclusion it was a Luteal phase defect probably due to low progesterone output due to having been on the progesterone only pill for 8 years.
I was worried and contacted my GP with my theory and they essentially dismiss the Idea of a short luteal phase and just told me body can take time. I’ve read this on other boards as well that people have had the same response from GP. They don’t do anything unless you’ve been trying for a year.

I decided that would take charge of the situation and bought some vitamin B complex from H&B along with vitamin C 750 mg and vitamin D . These are the main vitamins for hormone production and balance. I’ve only been taking them since cd1 of this cycle and I’m on CD17 today which is my ovulation day today.

I also noticed that I was getting excruciatingly sore boobs throughout my luteal phase which also points to hormone imbalance from what I’m reading on some fertility websites.

I’m hoping to have less soreness this month and obviously a BFP lol. I will keep updating on here if the vitamins make any difference in terms of lengthening leutal phase once.

Hope that’s of some help to you x

Hi @Slk3558 I am so grateful for your reply. I also contacted my gp today explaining effectively about my sore boobs and frequency of periods. I was using the copper coil prior to trying so it isn't down to the pill and sadly my own hormonal imbalance. I will let you know what they say. It's excellent you have decided to take charge and I will go to h&b tomorrow. I'm not familiar that vitamin c helps too, is that the case? I'll keep my fingers crossed for you and would love for you to keep us updated.

Hi @Pinklilly hope your doctors appointment goes well. In response to your other points ive read that although copper coil is non hormonal it can cause excess estrogen in the body over time and result in in excess estrogen levels leading to estrogen dominance. GP will probably refute that though. Do you get quite painful periods?

Regarding vitamin C, research has shown that women who take vitamin C have significantly increased levels of progesterone in their systems, in fact, women who took 750mg of vitamin C per day had an increase of 77%. So I think it’s worth giving it a shot ?

I’m 2 DPO today and my nipples are slightly sensitive but so far they feel less heavy and sore than previous cycles.for me I feel this is a positive sign. We will see how it goes!

@sl @slk3558 how interesting I had not known that about the copper coil and will read up on that. My periods are not painful at all and to be honest when I look up signs and symptoms of low progesterone I don't have many but feel short luteal phase and very sore boobs definitely indicate it.
Such an interesting find about vitamin C, I just bought the vitamin b complex and next cycle I'll add in vit c too.

Glad your nipples feel less sore and that's definitely a positive. Please do keep me posted I am intrigued and hope it all works for you.
This ttc malarkey is so tough and such a lot to research.

@Slk3558 well in a very bizarre twist of events this has happened! So perhaps at 9dpo what I saw as spotting and a little more on 10dpo was IB rather than my period. I'm so used to starting 10dpo j didn't think much of It. But at 11dpo bleeding disappeared and my bbt still hasn't stopped so at 12dpo I decided to test and retested today (13dpo)! I feel super scared but it looks positive! I wish you the best of luck and be really keen to hear how the vitamins work for you!

@Pinklilly Amazing!! Congratulations. Wising you a happy and healthy pregnancy.

Just out of curiously I noticed you said you normally suffer with sore boobs due to LPD. How have they been this month due to fact you got BFP?

@Slk3558 so the breast pain usually resolved as soon as my period starts. Currently they are so sore that's what also got me suspicious to test. Not sore if bra is on but as soon as I take it off I feel like I'm carrying weights on me (but I have large breasts!) I feel I need to hold them but not touch my nipple as it seems very sensitive. So basically in a nutshell they seem much more sore than they do pre period. But that's my only symptom of the pregnancy so far. Not sure if that's how it is supposed to be. How are you doing with your pains post ovulation?

@Pinklilly congrats!