Regular cycle, short luteal phase, next steps?

[NorthernLass213]

Morning everyone!

I have been TTC for about 6 cycles and no luck. I came off the pill last June and cycles returned in September. At first they were long cycles, but for the last 4 months they have been clockwork. Ovulate day 20 (validate with OPK, temping and CM) and cycle length 27/28 days. That means I have a 7-8 day luteal phase!

One cycle around Xmas I got my luteal phase to 11 days and felt so relieved, but ever since it’s been going back the other way and for the last 4 months it’s been 7/8 days - this month I have light pink spotting at 6 days!!

Last month we had a “chemical” if I can even call it that - positive test 7DPO and period 8 DPO.

I’m hesitant to try herbal remedies like vitex because my cycle is so regular and I am ovulating already.

Anyone else have experience with this? I had bloods at the GP last year before my period came back and all normal, maybe I need to request again? Did anyone go homeopath route? Or do I try over the counter progesterone?

Thanks ladies! X

I should also mention I’ve tried 50mg b6 with my prenatal for the last 2 months and no change (if anything shorter!)

Anyone???

Hi, I tried vitamins and supplements with no luck. You may want to do a progesterone test again if your AF starts that soon after ovulation. You can buy tests online but it might be worth seeing a private fertility consultant so they can do other tests for you or you can wait until you've been TTC for a year and see your GP.

I did a progesterone test, which showed mine was a bit low (I suspected this because my temps would rise slowly and my LP was 10/11 days with spotting a day before) so now I'm on my first cycle of progesterone (private prescription). Currently 8DPO so hoping it can get me past 12DPO or even better - a BFP! I'll let you know in a few days if my LP increases.

Sorry about the chemical

@unCliche thanks for the response! How did you go about finding your private clinic? I am not sure wear to look- when I do a google search they are all NHS. I’m in Yorkshire.

I hope this is your month!! Fingers crossed for you xx

I'm in Berkshire and a google search helped me find mine but this website should hopefully help you find some near you: www.hfea.gov.uk/choose-a-clinic/clinic-search/

Thank you! I'm not expecting a BFP but I'll definitely let you know if my LP gets longer!

Hi OP, I also had a short luteal phase (7-9 days) after hormonal contraceptives (I could have had it before too but didn't put any thought into my cycles!). I had a progesterone test 7 days past ovulation and was prescribed progesterone pessaries which make my luteal phase 14 days now. Still no BFP as found out my DH has a low sperm count but at least the luteal phase issue is fixed! I found my clinic after searching online and this doctor I went to had done lots of write ups about luteal phases so I knew he acknowledged the issue and had experience treating it.

@LondonladyTTC the exact story of my life! Low progesterone and DH has low sperm count! 😂 Good to hear the pessaries are working for you. What are your symptoms like on it? I thought I'd be getting crazy symptoms that would convince me I'm pregnant but I've had nothing out of the ordinary! Does your AF start while you're on it or do you have to come off it for AF to start?

@unCliche sorry to hear that you are having the same stresses! Is your OH doing anything to try to improve his count? Mine is taking wellman vitamins but that is it at the moment! When explaining his results to him, the consultant said to dtd every two days from CD7-CD21 so we may have actually been doing it too much during fertile week.

Both of the months I have been on progesterone I have spotted on 14dpo despite having one more pessary to take, so for me AF arrives regardless but I have seen a lot of comments saying that for others, it has delayed AF by a couple of days after the final pessary. I don't tend to get many unusual noticeable symptoms on them to be honest, although my boobs have been a little more tender, and and mild but unusual heartburn. I have also been given a trigger shot for ovulation so I am never sure if that symptom comes from the HCG in the trigger shot or the progesterone!

Hi @NorthernLass213, I’ve just read your post and literally I could of wrote it myself. I came off the pill in June too and have been ttc for the last 6 cycles too. I also have a short luteal phase.
I’m 9dpo today and have been spotting all day. I expect my AF to arrive tomorrow. I’ve had my post ovulation progesterone level checked and it was 69 which I believe is a good result?? My BBTs rise perfectly after ovulation and stay high. My bbt today was 37.15’c which is one of my highest ever readings but I’m spotting so I don’t understand it when supposedly my progesterone levels are really good?!
I’m wondering about asking for some progesterone pessaries too so it’s really good to hear they helped you get to 14 day luteal phase @LondonladyTTC- did you have a low progesterone before taking them? Do you have to go through a fertility consultant to get the pessaries or can a GP prescribe them? I was going to try vitamin b6 too but I’m thinking I might go with the pessaries first if I can get them x

@CH2205 I'm no doctor but it sounds like your short luteal phase isn't caused by a progesterone deficiency if your result on 7dpo was 69. Mine was 27, so classed as low.
I had mine prescribed by a private fertility consultant but if you have been TTC for over a year your GP may be able to help, mine was not able to as had only been trying for a frustrating 9 months (or 12 cycles with a short luteal phase!) at the time. I do suspect that it is more likely the GP will refer you to a specialist before prescribing anything though but obviously can't be sure!
Before I got tested at all, the fertility consultant said that another cause of a short luteal phase is something to do with womb lining- I don't know anything about it though as the tests ended up concluding it was likely to do with progesterone. Might be worth having a research.

@CH2205so similar!! Keep me posted on what you decide to do! I’ve tried b6 and nothing yet but might up to 100mg.

I have an appointment at the gp may 4th so will ask then, although I’m sure nothing will happen. Debating getting over the counter progesterone but I’m sure that’s not wise.

I’m waiting for some tests as my cycles have been a bit weird since a miscarriage a few months ago, and my luteal phase was short with spotting a few days before my period. Have tried natural things in the meantime. B6 did nothing for me, the expensive supplements (Proceive max) didn’t change it. Soy isoflavones and high vit C dose seems to have worked pretty well for me - I started both together so I can’t tell you which it would have been. Soy is meant to strengthen ovulation and give an enhanced progesterone response in luteal phase. High vit C (1000mg) is meant to support progesterone production. My second cycle and I’ve ovulated exactly on CD 14, 12 day luteal phase, no pre-period spotting, and a good quick bbt rise and clear ovulation tests. Still not pregnant but happy things are getting better

@LondonladyTTC thanks for sharing that! DH is overweight so he's working on losing weight. Hopefully that's the cause of it so at least they'll be a chance once he loses the weight. I did get him some wellmans conception vitamins but he's been doing a terrible job at taking them! We're going to book him in for another SA once AF arrives for me.

I took a FRER this morning and BFN so I'm not sure if I should continue taking the pessaries instead of wasting them on an unfertilised egg. I have a bit of cramping this morning which I suppose is usual as AF would be due within the next 1 - 2 days. Also keep getting random bouts of heart palpitations since yesterday, do you?

Haha can't believe your progesterone was 27! Mine was 27.3 😂 but I did another test while on the cyclogest and it got boosted up to 60.3, which I'm really pleased about as it means my body is responding to it! I'm currently on cycle 8 but going into cycle 9 and month 8 soon!

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 sorry to hear about your miscarriage 💔 glad to hear the vitamins and supplements are working well for you!

@NorthernLass213 I wouldn't recommend OTC progesterone without speaking to a doctor first. Were you able to find a clinic?

Wow @unCliche we really do have similar TTC experiences!  DH is overweight too but is sadly having an operation next week and it means he hasn't been able to do much exercise and definitely won't be able to work on fitness for the next few months, other than healing. He is trying to eat a lot more leafy greens and things though. I also have to give Wellman reminders! Where are you in your cycle at the moment? I am 6/7 dpo and really hoping this is our month as I expect he will be out of action for the next couple!

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 so sorry to hear about your miscarriage 

@@NorthernLass213 good luck with your GP appointment. If you have no luck with that or any of the supplements, and can afford it, I would definitely recommend seeing a private doctor. Mine was on Harley street so probably totally overpriced but just to give you an idea of costs it was 300 for the initial consultation, AMH test and progesterone test to investigate and then I think the cyclogest is about 25 a month (I also get an ovitrelle injection and the total is 83). I probably wouldn't mess with over the counter progesterone.

Aww @LondonladyTTC I wish him all the best with his operation! I'm currently 10DPO so nearing the end. I hope this is your month too! It's honestly so demoralising getting AF every cycle. Do you track BBT?

@LondonladyTTC - thanks! I’ll keep you posted. It’s really helpful to know the costs, that’s actually not as bad as I was expecting so def worth considering.

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 I’m researching soy isoflavons and that looks interesting! Might be worth trying out until I get an appointment.

Thanks so much all, seems like such a lovely thread.

@LondonladyTTC sorry about your husbands op, hope he recovers quickly 🤞Awesome they’ve seen you so quickly and and thanks for the info on prices nice appreciated. I’m London also so that’s useful. A day behind you on DPO.

@unCliche 10 dpo is still so early for a frer even to show a result so hopefully it’ll be positive! I’m hoping for you, esp with the progesterone increase.

@NorthernLass213 I think soy iso is a bit of a mixed bag, it works for some but not for others. Was worried it might mess up my cycle but luckily it had the opposite effect

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 Thanks lovely. It would have been nice to get a BFP, but I think I'm likely out this cycle. Just booked myself in for a private IVF consultation, so hopefully that should help get me a baby. Good luck with everything! I hope it all works out for you!

Also to add LondonladyTTC's input about cost. I'm in Berkshire and paid £550 for an AMH test, ultrasound scan, semen analysis and consultation. I separately ordered my progesterone tests online, did it at home and posted it back, it cost me about £45. Cyclogest was £20 for me at my local pharmacy but you can find it cheaper online, as long as you have a prescription.

@unCliche thanks for the info on costs also. I think I’ll be booking in for private consultations soon also. Good luck for the private consultation!

Have any of you been trying for long? I started in August, so not too long, but I’m over 35. I have started acupuncture though, so I might give the rest of the programme and shot, and if not head to a private clinic. I was looking at Create, but not sure, haven’t done too much research yet.

Hey @NorthernLass213 I'm sorry you're dealing with this. I have the same problem - been tracking ten months and have never had an LP longer than 8 days. Typically 7/8 days. I have been taking 100mg vitamin B6 and 1000mg vitamin C every day for six months and it's had zero effect. Went through the NHS referral process, had some tests with them and once they confirmed I was ovulating (just - progesterone test at 5dpo was 19.8, an improvement on 4.1 at 7dpo, but enough for them to be happy I was ovulating) they just didn't care any more. They said there was nothing they could do to lengthen my cycle which is just wrong but can't force them. They said there was 'potentially' enough time for implantation which I found infuriating.

I made a similar post recently and someone replied saying they were going to Manchester Fertility for LP issues and were being taken seriously so that could be an option for you? It is really a mixed bag as to whether doctors believe it or not. Personally I think it is something that is an issue in some people but not in others, and if you've given it a few unassisted cycles with no luck it's worth pursuing treatment. Unfortunately NHS rarely agree as it isn't a proven cause of infertility so private treatment is the only option usually.

I saw a Harley Street doctor last year for a fertility MOT and mentioned my short LP to her and I don't think she really believed me and said it hadn't been proven to be an issue.

I saw a different Harley Street doctor on Friday (same one recommended @LondonladyTTC who I cannot thank enough!) and he immediately believed me and agreed it was something worth treating. He said LP defect could be caused by egg quality, corpus luteum failure or a lining issue. I'm now on letrozole for a week and will get a trigger shot before ovulation, then another trigger shot at 5dpo. This should hopefully give my corpus luteum enough of a boost that my LP is longer and an embryo stands a chance. This cycle is diagnostic and if it doesn't work, then it's probably a lining issue and that can be treated instead.

@unCliche just curious what fertility clinic you're going to? Obviously PM me if you're happy to share. I am also in Berkshire. I'm very happy with my Harley Street doctor so far but if I could go somewhere more local that would be ideal.

Hi so sorry I’ve only just replied. Thanks for your messages @NorthernLass213 and @LondonladyTTC. Everything you’ve said is so helpful and I had no idea it could be anything other than a progesterone issue which clearly isn’t my issue (by my blood results).
I’ve literally just had a chemical pregnancy too. Got a positive on pregnancy test (clear blue fertility monitor) yesterday at 10dpo. Really clear result. Started my period however late last night. Pregnancy test now negative this morning. It’s a complete emotional roller coaster 😢

@kennetrose and @LondonladyTTC - who was the doctor you saw at Harley street if you don’t mind sharing? I live in Essex so could go to Harley Street if needed? Thanks so much for sharing all the info too @kennetrose- I have booked an appnt privately for Friday with a local fertility doctor/ gynaecologist so I’m going to mention what you’ve said to them.

I really hope you all get your BFPs soon and we can sort these luteal phases! X

So sorry @CH2205 you are going through a CP. It's really must be hard. I hope you're looking after yourself 💕

Just thought I'd update on my cyclogest experience. So I'm currently 12DPO and started spotting yesterday so looks like my LP will remain unchanged if AF starts today. I haven't gotten a BFP so it's just a case of waiting for a full bleed now. It sucks but who am I to stand in the way of the witch 😅

Maybe my LP isn't actually a problem as I can't say for sure if sperm has ever met egg due to DH's sperm count, so the only way to guarantee they meet is through IVF.

I probably need a higher dose of medication but not really sure I want to wait around to find out without addressing DH's sperm issues but I hope you guys can get the help you need and it gives you all a beautiful 14 day LP!

Thankyou @unCliche I’m ok. I have a feeling this may have happened before but I’ve just not known about it as this is the first cycle I’ve ever done a pregnancy test.
Sorry to hear you’ve started spotting despite the cyclogest. I hope you can get it sorted and good luck with your IVF consultation x

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 I am 36 (will be 37 by the end of the year). I am considering starting acupuncture- I recently had an assessment. How have you found it? Do you think it was the acupuncture or the supplements that have helped your luteal phase? Or a bit of both? X

@CH2205 I’m really sorry about your chemical, it’s so disappointing. Hope you’re okay.
For the luteal phase, I’m chalking it up to soy as last cycle I had a luteal phase of 12 days, with ovulation at day 14 (compared to about day 20 previously). I wasn't taking anything else different last month, and got clear opks and temp shift. Cycle last month was 26 days instead of 30, but luteal phase 2-3 days longer.
I started acupuncture 2 weeks ago, got my 3rd session this week. So far it seems okay. It’s not really relaxing and some of the needles sting. But I’ve heard a lot of good stuff about it and she seems very knowledgable and from the consultation she thinks my issue is a hormone imbalance which she can fix (spotting before period, shorter luteal phase, bad skin, bloating, not clear opks sometimes etc). She said to stay on the soy, ovulation was at day 14 again, I haven’t noticed any changes really between this and last cycle so far.
When are you starting?