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

@Slk3558 I say go for it with the progesterone cream! My progesterone is normal 7 days after ovulation but that doesn't mean it continues being normal after BFP. The only issue I have with the progesterone is I get cystic acne while I'm on it. Otherwise it does no harm according to my dr.

That's fascinating that you took B complex then had 2 X CPs in a row, that's exactly what happened to me. How strange. I hope we both get a sticky BFP soon.

@GlassLily well I started using the cream about 7 dpo.. don’t know why I started so late. Had really good temps this month but dropped to cover line this morning at 10 dpo :( had lower back and tailbone pain since 8 dpo similar to what I had when I got my first BFP..really thought I’d get a BFP but BFN on frer this morn at 10 dpo. .

@MintGreenLife I am so so sorry, I never got notification of your message. I decided to have a wee look through old thread again and that's when I saw it. How are you getting on? My thyroid although underactive was always under 2.5 with the medication. That was first thing doctor ensured. I think issue with thyroid is it can inhibit ovulation, not sure it had much to do with lpd. The only thing that worked for me was getting prog suppositories viabprovate consultant. My lp was consistently 8 days and it is so infuriating. I hope you have found a solution since last we spoke. Please let me know how you are getting on and again I am so sorry xx

@Boc86 did you have any luck with the prog? I am hoping you had a similar experience to me and got your bfp xx

Anyone else had a day 21 progesterone (7 dpo for those who ovulate late) test done?

I sent for a medi checks progesterone blood test on on 7 DPO and got my results back it was 19.8 n/mol which is in the ‘inconclusive ovulation’ range as it should be more than 30 to confirm ovulation. I know I ovulated though because I temp and got my sustained temp rise as I always do after the lH surge.

So it seems I have ‘inadequate’ progesterone as many of us suspect with short leutal phase. I suspect my progesterone was either low to begin or started dropping too soon as I got my period evening of 11 DPO.

I stared taking progesterone cream about 8dpo because I was scared to take it so I guess I started it too late. I already take high dose vitamin b complex with 100 mg B6. It gave me a BFP in December which I miscarried.

Really would like to hear any success stories/ similar experiences/ advice. Xx

@Slk3558 I had my day 21 bloods done and they came back as 13.3 and the gp said it was only borderline low 🙄 I knew I had ovulated that month but this proved to me that I was deficient in progesterone and had a luteal phase defect. When I took this information to a private consultant he also did not feel it was significant but I insisted it was and that I needed prog. He gave me it and said it wouldn't make a difference and that month I got my bfp...!

I used the prog cream and it didn't really do anything. It gave me sore boobs and possibly half a day to a day more of an lp.

I took b6 also and it did increase lp one month but then delayed ov the next. I also tried acupunture and was doing that the month I got bfp. So between acupunture and the progesterone something worked.

I had 2 chemical pregnancies before I got the prog and I know it was my low prog that caused them. Sorry you're going through this, it's really shite and there are so many who do not believe in an Lpd! But it does exist and can be treated easily xx

Hello @Proseccoprincess33
The prog has increased my LP from 9 days to 11 for the last 3 months
I’m not pregnant though, I had an ectopic in November and a chemical in March x

@Boc86 I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic and chemical. That must have been so difficult. I am glad your luteal phase has increased and I hope this will eventually get you your sticky bfp ❤️

Hello, can I join you all, have been reading and finding myself nodding along.

I'm TTC no2 - 8 months in with not a sniff of a BFP.

LP ranging from 7-9 days, ovulation not until day 20 ish

Had a couple of blood tests and LMH on low range of normal and progesterone at 15.9 which I was told was also the low range of normal, but having done more reading I'm really not convinced. Paid for those privately but about to go for blood tests via GP so may see how that goes.

Sounds like anyone who's got lucky has had some sort of progesterone prescribed?!

@larrythelizard I'm sorry you find yourself in the short luteal phase gang. I was confused by responses to my prog levels too as it seems some say under 30 is v low and highlights no ovulation and yet like you I was, told 13.3 was just slightly low.

The main issue I raised was that implantation is on average day 9 and so if you're bleeding day 7 8 or 9 then your lining is breaking down before an egg can implant!

For me prog suppositories were only thing that worked. And private consultant prescribed these with no issue xx

Thanks @Proseccoprincess33 I think that's where I'll end up. Day 3 bloods booked this week.

Did you get pregnant? Or just successful in extending LP?

@larrythelizard I got pregnant the first month I had progesterone which was amazing. I'd had 2 chemicals and my lp was always 7 or 8 days. I am currently sitting with my gorgeous 8 week baby boy in my arms. If my husband and I decide to try for more in the future my first port of call will definitely be getting more progesterone. I'm not saying it's the magic cure for everything but if the timing is right and it's a good egg and sperm it gives you a much greater chance 😊

I had day 3 bloods done too and nearly collapsed as I had an fsh of 11....which is indicative of being close to perimenopause but thankfully all was OK and I did not realise but fsh can change every month. Hopefully yours will all be OK 😘

The fact you already have a child is v positive too. Xxx

Oh congratulations @Proseccoprincess33!

No issue with LP first time round which is the frustrating thing!!

@larrythelizard thank you. And my sister has a short lp also but got pregnant fine first time but second time she struggled and had a chemical pregnancy last month. I advised on prog and she got it prescribed privately and is now pregnant. Still v early days but that's both of us pregnant first month on prog which can't be coincidence xx

@Proseccoprincess33 yeah I have heard some people say that about the progesterone cream, but I’ve also heard people say it’s effective!?

Also can anyone tell when they count their leutal phase from? Do you include ovulation day in it or count from 1DPO ?

@Slk3558 yes it's def effective for some so worth a shot. And as far as I know LP is from 1DPO. Good luck xx

@Slk3558 sorry about your BFN. I have been on progesterone for a few months now and was starting to get frustrated with hormonal acne and feeling awful towards the end of my cycle. But I have just had a BFP!! Only 11DPO at the moment. I've had 3 CPs at about 4.5 weeks, so very nervous. But keeping positive and hoping for the best!

@GlassLily that’s great congratulations!!! Looks like progesterone did the trick! Hope it’s a sticky one. How was your cycle this month? What day was your ov?

Hey everyone. So I had my Day 21 progesterone tested and once again it came back low... 22.4nmol (last time it was 25ish). GP told me I probably didn't ovulate which has seriously worried me as I had what I thought were ovulation pains, EWCM and a clearly positive OPK.

I booked my test for 7dpo and my period came 5 days later on 12dpo (started spotting on 11dpo) so I'm wondering if maybe my progesterone had started dropping? Or is actually true that I probably didn't ovulate?

I have been taking 100mg of B6 for the past 2 months so already tried that. First cycle my LP shortened to 9-10 days, second cycle it went back to normal (11 days) with spotting the day before.

Would progesterone support (pessaries?) be good for me in my situation? GP won't prescribe so how could I go about it?

@acaciabluebell same thing happened to me last month but as I chart my temperature every month and Im sure I did ovulate because I had a good sustained temp spike for 10 days and post ov temps. I am sure the same thing has happened to you. We both have short leutal phases. It seems our progesterone drops too soon :( it was very disheartening for me because it did make me think if egg was fertilized was progesterone too low for implantation.

I’ve been pregnant twice (both ended miscarriage) and i can’t shake the feeling it’s due to low progesterone.

@acaciabluebell I think pessaries would help us, but my GP won’t either. Despite me telling her about my progesterone blood result. I’ve also tried private prescriptions online but the online gps are too scared to prescribe it. Unless you can get a referral on nhs to RMC, the only other option is a private gynecologist / fertility specialist but you have to pay around 200 for a consultation but I’m pretty sure they would prescribe it no problem. They understand the issues we face, GPs don’t.

@acaciabluebell one other thought is progesterone cream, I’ve started taking it yesterday on 1DPO. It cost me about £20 you can get it on vitamin websites. I’ve heard some say it’s effective and others say it’s a waste of time - but I’m desperate to try anything.

I believe There is 100% a link between short leutal phase and low progesterone / dropping too early but I’ve also heard testimonies from women who had BFPs (including myself) with a short leutal phase.

I have my own theory that it’s low in non conception cycles but the cycle where there is a fertilized egg it’s rescues the corpus Luteum and it increases just in time to sustain the lining, but miscarriage occurs because the lining didn’t get the initial nourishment in those early 1-7 dpo days and as the egg grows the lining just can’t support it. That’s why I think pessaries are important to take from 1 dpo not from BFP. That’s my theory lol

@Slk3558 Yes it sounds like we're in the exact same position. I know of a girl who had short luteal phase, TTC for 1.5 years and she got pregnant the first month she took progesterone pessaries from 1dpo. She lives in Canada though so she was able to get to get a prescription.

How does the progesterone cream work? Sorry if that's stupid question but do you just rub it on your skin? Does it actually get inside?

I have had one very early loss / chemical pregnancy and I think it's very possible that low progesterone was a factor as I was already spotting by the time I got the positive test.

I'm wondering if I should start temping? Is there any point if my blood tests are showing that I'm maybe not ovulating/low progesterone on day 21?

@acaciabluebell temping is good as it can tell you if you’ve ovulated. You will get a temp rise of your BBT of about 0.3 degrees if you have ovulated. So you can start to recognize your ovulation day / patterns and exact length of leutal phase.

Re progesterone cream it’s absorbed into the blood stream when you put it on your skin. You rub it twice a day in places like wrists/ neck /inner thighs etc where you can see veins .

I’m 2 dpo today I’ll let you know if it makes any difference for me this month.

Thank you @Slk3558 I'm 14 DPO now and still pregnant so far. My cycle was longer than usual, I didn't ovulate until CD20. I started progesterone on CD24 and have been taking it ever since (now CD34). I have tested every day and have good line progression, but have had some mild cramping so I'm a bit worried, especially until I get past AF time.