Short Luteal phase but progesterone levels are fine?

[Lucy1548]

Hi ladies! I’m feeling a bit stuck. We’ve been ttc for 15 months now my luteal phase has always been 9 days I’ve had my progesterone tested twice it came back fine. My cycles are regular and 28 days. I had a Skype type doctors appointment on Saturday to ask what the next steps would be, she said that because only my progesterone has been tested I needed a full fertility blood test. Today I received a text saying they are unable to do the bloods until after covid19 has passed which is understandable but, the text also said the local fertility service don’t accept referrals until the 2 year mark. Any ideas on why my luteal phase is so short? I’ve seen you can buy online female fertility blood testing but is there any point me doing that if the nhs aren’t going to do anything yet? I’m really fed up! Thank you, Lucy xx

My first question would be how do you know your luteal phase is so short?

Second would be:
And have you had all the other tests done (LH, Oestrogen, FSH....)?

Thanks for replying! Sorry I should’ve mentioned I use OvuSense to track my cycle or records your average bbt over night and plots your chart it’s supposed to be over 99% accurate! I also use opks. No for some reason my doctor has only tested progesterone but my video appointment with another doctor on Saturday she suggested booking another blood test for all the others you have mentioned!

Hi Lucy, my luteal phase is short, generally between 6-9 days and I managed to get pregnant despite everything that I read (and freaked myself out!). I started taking agnus cactus for a couple of months which lengthened it by a couple of days. Have you tried this? Also what makes you think that you might have an issue? Has your partner been for any testing... hang on in there 🤞

Hi Jlr, I did take cactus agnus for quite a few months but it didn’t change anything. When you read up online it says that anything under 10 is considered short and that you will struggle to conceive. Aawh congratulations on the pregnancy!! Yes my husband has been tested and he absolutely fine! Thank you for your reply 😊

Hmmm I'm soo sorry to hear that... slightly contraversialbut have you tried using opks? I timed sex as I have the lowest sex drive ever ☹ using clearblue digital...

Yeah I’ve started using opks as well. I’m the same really low sex drive :( I did use clear blue digital before but I found it too expensive every month. It’s just such a long waiting game isn’t it!

Hi OP. I'm so shocked that your gp won't refer for 2 years?! Are you in the uk? I've been trying for 8 months and my gp offered to do bloods early as I had a chemical and she is concerned with my LP (10 days max) and my periods are very light. I've tried every vitamin under the sun. I've had 2 progesterone test that were 13 and 19 (ovulation confirmed but needs to be over 30 to sustain a pregnancy in luteal phase). I've just had my day 2-4 bloods yesterday (FSH, LH & TSH) and gp has suggested a possible under active tyroid which is a common cause for LP defect. I was told if my day 2-4 bloods are off I'll be referred to the fertility clinic early. I am still having bloods done despite corona...

I have very very few symptoms of an under active tyroid but apparently it's common to have none.

Hi Beau, yes I’m in the UK I thought because I had passed the year mark I could be referred but apparently not... I’ve had my thyroid tested a few months with iron etc and that was ok. I’ve also tried numerous vitamins with no joy! Wow lucky you! I think I’ll be waiting a few months before I’m allowed to have another bloods. Good luck I hope you get sorted :)

@Lucy1548 that is really really poor of your GP... the NHS National guidelines that once you have been trying for 12 months you are to e referred to a fertility specialist.

I have been VERY lucky, I ensured I saw one of the GPs that specialised in fertility/family planning so that they took me seriously, and thankfully, she did. Although as I mentioned she said they won't look further into my progesterone for another 4 months but TSH or FSH abnormalities she will refer early as they won't change/level out in 4 months time so there is no point in making me wait.

I would certainly push to be refereed, it's wrong that they aren't. I imagine next steps would be for your OHs sperm to be checked.