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

Omg @sausageface yes. I get so stressed coming up to fertile week as dh has been stressed of late and isn't always in the mood. I'm trying not to tell him when fertile days are as it puts pressure on him and he can't always finish, tmi 😅 This has never been an issue prior to ttc. And all other sites ladies are dtd every day and that really isn't an option for me. Every other day for a very short period of time is my only option and without dh knowing I'm in my fertile week lol

In Feb af arrived 8dpo but my temp stayed high so I tested and I got a pregnant on digital and strong lines on first response tests for a week. Obvs it was a chemical pregnancy as af was in full force but I wonder if that was never meant to be or would it have been okay of my lp wasn't so useless 😢

I was happy in some ways as it showed I could get pregnant. I was blaming dhs Sperm for a while but hopefully that means he's okay lol its hard seeing the words pregnant as now I am craving them so much once more.

I am trying the seed cycling this month so see if it helps and I have cut out alcohol apart from one day per week as I was drinking most nights in lock down which isn't good. I'm also doing some work outs as I figure if I'm at my healthiest then I have the best shot. Dh is also on a health drive so that's good too.

I can't tell you how relieved I am to meet people in a similar situation to me 😌 I feel much less alone now xxx

Oh @Proseccoprincess33 thank god it's not just my husband! I've really struggled with the balance of letting him know it's 'that time' Cos you know, think it might encourage him and not telling him to not put him under pressure. I feel like every month the goalposts are different! To clarify he definitely does want a baby haha It's just the fear that it won't happen so it's a bit of a protection on his part if that makes sense?

Still holding onto hope for this month. Af due on Thursday next week. I had a tarot reading a few months ago (I know I know, I don't even really believe in it myself but I was having a low day at the time) but it said basically this would be my cycle so let's see. Said I'd see alligators when I conceive and I haven't stopped seeing them these last few days! (Online etc). Anything that gives me something to cling onto! I'm also being realistic don't worry, I'm not pinning my hopes on it!

@Wearenotyourkind hope you’re well. I’ve been taking just one AG a day for this cycle. I’m usually like clockwork and ovulate CD13, but this month it’s CD15. (Hopefully my LP follows suit and is longer too!) Have you experienced AG lengthening your FP as well as your LP?

@sausageface that made me laugh 😂 But I have been close to going to a psychic my friend went to. Even though I don't believe in that sort of thing really, I thought it might give me hope, so def no judgement here.

I weirdly feel more hopefully this cycle all of a sudden. I have been more conscious of my diet, back to working out and cut down alcohol. My mindset is prob as a result of feeling healthier and better in myself. My hubby is on a health kick too and def less stressed this past week so that is also a positive.

I still had prosecco at wkend as I really do look forward to that. But if I am not successful this month I may cut it out too just to optimise egg health.

I have been so tempted to try AC supplement but I have read so much about cycles being thrown right off as a result I don't think I could cope with that. It took 3 months for things to settle after coming off bc, then I had cp the month it did settle and that threw things off again so my last cycle was my first completely normal cycle since Nov 😳

Also just in terms of staying positive my sister has exact same cycle length as me and exact same lp and got pregnant month 4 of trying with no vitamins, no meds, only folic acid. And I do believe loads of people have short lp but never realise so hopefully we will both get our bfp very soon.

Hope you've had a lovely weekend 💕❤️💕

I have everything crossed for you ❤️

Hi all 👋 how's everyone getting on this week? I'm on day 32 of an average 32 day cycle so praying I don't come on tomorrow! I've been symptom spotting like a crazy person this month and I hate myself for it. I've convinced myself I'm pregnant and it's the worst. I generally manage to not do this and that suits me so I don't get my hopes up but I've convinced myself that all the sore nipples, twinges and cramps, waves of nausea etc mean I'm going to get my bfp. I need saving from myself!

I've resisted testing (luckily I'm pretty good with this Cos they're not cheap! Haha) but I also wondered how early you can test when you only have a 10 day LP? With a 'normal' LP people could easily get a negative test at 10 dpo but still be pregnant, so I wonder what the deal is for us with slightly shorter ones? Any ideas?

Hi All,

Apologies - I haven’t read all the posts. I just wanted to definitely recommend having your thyroid function checked. Mine came back in the ‘normal range’ under the NHS guidelines however when I went for investigations privately the consultant said that even though it was in the ‘normal range’ it was actually too high for someone trying to conceive - I was prescribed a low dose of thyroxine and within 3 months my luteal phase was longer and I fell pregnant. So don’t give up and find out what your numbers are - rather than them just telling you it’s ‘normal’. I can’t remember exactly how it works but I think mine was 2.6 and it shouldn’t really be more than than 2.2 for someone trying to conceive (although don’t quote me on the numbers!) I hope that helps xx

@sausageface how are you getting on? Hope so much the witch stayed away 🤞 people can get positives from 10 dpo depending on when the wee egg implanted. If you still haven't got af today I would def test on an early response one. But I have no will power lol

@Teaandbiscuits123 thanks for this. I had my thyroid checked recently as I'm on medication and my level is 1.68 so it is not my root cause of short lp sadly. Delighted for you that was your issue and it was easily solved 😍

Congrats on your bfp xx

Hey @Proseccoprincess33. No AF yet. I'm gunna get a test on Monday if I haven't come on by then. I'm on a full on emotional rollercoaster of 'OMG I'm definitely pregnant' to 'why were you so stupid to think you would be this month' desperately trying not to test with a cheap one in the cupboard Cos I'd rather use a Frer one to feel confident in the result lol.

I've got sore nipples, had twinges/pains/pulls in my stomach, waves of feeling nauseous, bloody sugar dropping/feeling weak BUT I've had similar a previous month and I came on. Also for every symptom I've got a non symptom- eg I've read a thread saying my Fitbit should be tracking an increased HR but mine isn't rising etc etc. I hate the over analysing! Will let you know what goes on!

Oh I have everything crossed for you 💕💕💕 please keep me posted. I'm a few days away from ov.... My most stressed of all times lol xxx

Wishing you all the luck in the world @sausageface got my fingers crossed for you 🤞🏻 Xx

Thank you both! Will keep you updated! X

Hi lovely ladies,
Just wanted to jump in and share my journey with you. I'm 32 always had regular cycles but a short luteal phase of 9 days. I tried all the vitamins etc but no change. After a year of trying I went to my GP who did some tests and my progesterone came back about 17mnol. Repeat tests on different days and still low. So despite having regular cycles and positives on OPKs I wasn't actually ovulating (or it was a weak ovulation). So I was referred to the hospital. Clomid lengthened my luteal phase to 14 days and my progesterone shot up to 54mnol. Depite having regular follicle tracking I still didn't fall pregnant and my cycles got shorter and shorter on the clomid. In February I had my first IUI treatment with clomid and menopur injections and to my surprise it worked. I am nearly 14 weeks pregnant!
My advice would be to go and get checked out (if you haven't already) after trying for a year. I knew something wasn't right with my body. TTC is so all consuming and the minute I sought help I felt so much better mentally.
Forums like this are great and I wish I had found one when I was struggling for so long.
I wish you all the luck in the world xxx

@DisneyGirl2387 thank you for sharing! It's always good to hear other people's success stories. I'll definitely consider the gp after lockdown if I've still not fallen.

I'm feeling a little low this morning. Just went to the loo and it was brown when i wiped (sorry tmi) so I'm just waiting on AF now. I'm not sure if brown is normal for me - I think im normally pink at the beginning but I can't really think as just wasn't expecting to see anything 😩

@sausageface oh I’m so sorry, fingers crossed it doesn’t turn into AF

Quick question about going to GP after no success. You are recommended to go after 12 months of trying, can this mean 12 cycles (as the average person it will be 12 months)? My cycles are shorter so I’ll hit 12 cycles a few months before the 12 month threshold and I’d like to go sooner rather than later...

I would go after 12 cycles if your cycles are shorter. The testing takes a while as I had to wait for an appointment (weeks) and then had to have blood tests on 2 separate cycles before I could be referred further. The whole process from starting to conceive to now has taken 2 and a half years. So a lot of waiting. Good Luck xx

Oh another thing to mention. When I went for my first appointment with my GP I was told my husband had to make his own appointment. I had to have the blood tests and he had to have a semen analysis before we were referred. I naively thought the focus would just be on me so maybe warn your other half! Xx

Thanks @DisneyGirl2387 hopefully I won’t get to the point of going to the GP but I’m on cycle 9 now so got to be realistic. Fingers crossed x

Sad to say it turned into AF this afternoon. Been fine about it all day until I had to tell my husband just now and now I'm crying because somehow admitting it makes it real. Hate myself for letting myself get carried away this month and this is exactly why I try not to.
Sorry to lower the mood. I'll be fine again tomorrow. Just need to wallow this evening before picking myself back up and starting again right? Ugh.

@sausageface so sorry 😢 unfortunately we all know how you feel. That first day is always the worst. It does wonders to have a good cry though, I feel better once I’ve got it all out, like you said, by the day after things seem better and you can focus on trying again.
Have a glass of wine and forget today x

@sausageface I'm so sorry 😥 it's horrible when you have a cycle where you so much hope. This is such a heartbreaking journey. We are here with you and we will all get our bfp even if it doesn't feel like it now. Big hugs to you 💕

Thanks @Nat4392 and @Proseccoprincess33 . I've moved on now, dealt with it and put it to bed. I needed to stay off conception board yesterday as everyone's bfp were annoying me (irrational I know!) Ready to take on this cycle! Just another 19 days to go until ovulation for me 🤣 sorry for the wallowing over the weekend, back to usual me!

Hope you're both doing ok? X

@sausageface yea I know what you mean, I tend to avoid MN when AF arrives. Don’t apologise for wallowing! We all need to do it!
Nothing to report for me, currently 7DPO and trying not to think about it!

Awww @sausageface i totally get that. Is it just me or is everyone on you guys fb pregnant. I swear everytime I go on there is another announcement and whilst it is lovely it is hard to take. I have made a decision that if I get my bfp one day I will not be posting it on fb for the very reason I don't know other people's struggles and how it may impact them.

@Nat4392 I really hope this is your month 🤞

Lock down makes this all so much harder as it is hard to distract yourself 🙄

The lovely weather is def helping though 😊

@Proseccoprincess33 yes! Bloody pregnancy announcements and pregnant people everywhere! All these '10 photos that make me proud to be a mother' and all that crap. I absolutely do not expect people to not do it, I'm not that unreasonable 😂 but it's just everywhere! Always when you're at your lowest eh?

@Proseccoprincess33 @sausageface I know exactly what you mean! That photo one is doing my head in. “Let’s all do the mummy challenge!”
Yes it must be very challenging to share a photo of you and your took-one-time-to-conceive-child 🙈 call me bitter but hey! 😂