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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

Very Short Luteal phase- help?

46 replies

Jmarie123 · 14/02/2022 13:51

Hi everyone
I’m really devastated to be honest, been actively trying for a few months now and my literal phase is SO short..usually 6 days with spotting before. Today is 4dpo and I was feeling really hopeful but just got spotting again so I guess I’m out.
I’m assuming it’s low progesterone, I have a doctors appointment tomorrow to talk about it does anyone have any advice?
What could I do?
Would really like this to happen soon for so many reasons and it’s so disheartening.
Would love any advice or reassurance.
I’ve been taking prenatal vitamins, vitamin C and tried progesterone cream this month which has obviously failed.

OP posts:
Tinkerbell098 · 14/02/2022 13:58

@Jmarie123 sounds like you're doing most of what I'd have advised (Vit C, prenatals). Hope the doctor would be able to help more. I'd also recommend acupuncture if you haven't tried before. It's great for getting your hormones in balance. Good luck xx

Original poster
Jmarie123 · 14/02/2022 14:22

@Tinkerbell098 thankyou. It just feel a bit hopeless really when we’re trying but I know my period will come and ruin it a few days later anyway. Hope the doctor can help but I’m scared I’ll be sent away as it hasn’t been 12 months ☹️

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Whatinthename20 · 14/02/2022 14:33

I have just messaged my gp today with the same issue. My luteal phase isn’t as short as yours though. I start spotting around 10 days after ovulation so around cd24. My cycle has been shorter for about 6 months now and we are ttc no.2.

Original poster
Jmarie123 · 14/02/2022 15:42

@Whatinthename20 good luck! It’s so frustrating isn’t it? I’ll let you know what my doctor says tomorrow..hopefully something helpful 🤞🏻 Let me know how you get on.

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Appleseesaw · 14/02/2022 15:43

Definitely acupuncture. It helped me.

somethingischasingme · 14/02/2022 16:03

Mine was 7 days- regular 21 day cycle. I took Agnus castus and was pregnant after 1 cycle (after 10 months trying).

Desperatelyboredhousewife · 14/02/2022 16:37

@somethingischasingme just wondering, did you take Agnus Castus after ovulation, or only leading up to? I've been taking it this cycle but wasn't sure on that part

Juno231 · 14/02/2022 16:39

Can I ask how you confirm ovulation btw?

Other than Agnus castus I believe vit b6 is meant to help with making the luteal phase longer.

Original poster
Jmarie123 · 14/02/2022 17:37

I use ovulation tests and get a clear peak around day 17/18 but start spotting around day 22 which eventually leads to my period.

I’ve not tried Angus cactus, could I ask how you used it @somethingischasingme ? Could give that a go next cycle if I get no other plan from doctors.
Thanks everyone

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somethingischasingme · 14/02/2022 23:18

Hi there 😊 do I was taking my temperature daily and noticing I ovulated on day 14 but would get my period like clockwork 7 days later. Until I looked into it I had no idea what a literal phase was! So I then researched how to lengthen a literal phase. One of the first things that came up was agnus castus. If I remember rightly the advice was to take it every day and it might take 3-6 cycles before I noticed a difference. Now maybe it was coincidence but I started taking it day one and had my usual 21 day cycle. I carried on through and was pregnant the next month. Once I was on day 28 I tested and then stopped taking it.

somethingischasingme · 14/02/2022 23:19

Luteal phase!

Original poster
Jmarie123 · 14/02/2022 23:47

@somethingischasingme thank you so much! I’ll definitely be trying that next cycle then, fingers crossed🤞🏻Congrats on your pregnancy!

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Original poster
Jmarie123 · 14/02/2022 23:57

Also do you have any particular brand you used? I’ve just had a look and the amount of it in capsules varies so much

OP posts:
Hannabanana2021 · 15/02/2022 09:22

I'm not a doctor. But have to ever had your progesterone levels checked? I'm sure there's other causes but I think a hormonal imbalance can cause this as well, treated with progesterone tablets/pessaries

Original poster
Jmarie123 · 15/02/2022 10:21

@Hannabanana2021 I haven’t yet but I have my first appointment today about it so that’s something I’m hoping will be investigated. Just hope it’s not months and months of tests and waiting before I can actually do anything ☹️ Feeling positive that hopefully there’ll be some next steps though.

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Whatinthename20 · 15/02/2022 10:35

@Jmarie123 good luck with the app and let us know how you get on

Original poster
Jmarie123 · 15/02/2022 14:23

So the I have a blood test to check progesterone and other hormones this Friday, and then I’ll be getting a letter soon for an ultrasound so I’m reassured that it’s being investigated.
I will say I was frustrated at first as she didn’t take my short luteal phase seriously as she said ovulation tests aren’t trusted and was a bit patronising showing me a diagram of the menstrual cycle, saying 4 days between ovulation and period wouldn’t necessarily be an issue 🙃 but once I explained about my prolonged periods she seemed to listen.

OP posts:
Tinkerbell098 · 15/02/2022 14:44

@Jmarie123 I have found that the GP doesn't really help with any specific issues I have, and have limited knowledge on certain things (GP didn't find my 4mm lining anything to worry about, although it is a big issue for implantation). Having said that, that's really good the GP ordered all that. That sounds like a very productive appointment. Let us know the outcome.

HelloNope · 15/02/2022 16:40

@Jmarie123 Hi OP.
Have you always had a short Luteal phase? How old are you if you don't mind me asking?

I'm 35, was on the pill until May last year, I had normal cycles (no spotting) in June/July and then I had my 2nd Covid vaccine and since August I was spotting for 7 days before my period would actually start - so annoying! I thought it was either my weight, as I've gained a lot in the last couple of years, or the vaccine...or maybe my age.

Anyway, I decided to leave it 6 months before seeing the GP as I didn't want them to fob me off. I was booked in for bloods tomorrow, but I found out last week that I'm pregnant.
I was not expecting it to happen!

The only thing I changed was taking Vitamin C daily, and I was also concerned about progesterone levels as well. I'm actually still worried about that because I think I'm also more likely to miscarry.

I started a thread about Luteal phase defect and I had a few women saying that they managed to conceive with a short Luteal phase.

I'm glad that the Dr is taking you seriously and looking into this for you, I hope this happens for you soon, I just wanted to let you know that I understand how disheartening it can be x

DogsAndGin · 15/02/2022 17:08

I have a slightly short LP and haven’t spoken to my actual GP yet, but sis is a dr and has advised me to take iron, and vit D.

I’m going to do some more research into grapefruit juice and pineapple juice, too. I never thought I’d be so open to trying this stuff - if someone told me that chewing a cactus did the trick, I’d probably try it!!

Also, apparently, online, you can get progesterone tests to take at home, as you need to ascertain consistently high levels over several days.

I am also looking into Soy Isoflavones which some people say can bring ovulation forward a few days to lengthen your LP. BUT do lots of research on the timing and dosage of taking them, as taking them after ovulation can prevent pregnancy.

Some ladies swear by evening primrose oil, taken at the correct time, too.

Best of luck to you x

Original poster
Jmarie123 · 15/02/2022 19:37

Hi @HelloNope I’m 22, my cycle use to be very regular and predictable and to be honest I did mention to my partner that I feel like it’s gone funny since I got my second vaccine but I’d not put much thought to it. Congratulations on your pregnancy though! It’s so reassuring that you still were successful, good luck with it all. How much vitC did you take?🙂

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Original poster
Jmarie123 · 15/02/2022 19:42

@DogsAndGin in exactly the same, it makes you crazy doesn’t it 😂 thanks so much for the advice I’ll have a research in to those, I’ve offered some vitD because I know my levels have been low before. Good luck to you let me how you get on!

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Mariabombia · 15/02/2022 20:12

Hey , I hope it's okay to butt in on this thread, sorry I don't have any advice for you OP but I hope your tests and scans reveal an easy solution to your short LP🤞🏻💕
I was just reading through all the comments and saw a comment from you about your lining being thin @Tinkerbell098 Could I just ask, did you have any symptoms of this or did it just come up on a scan? I have really short periods (about 2 days) & Im wondering if it could mean I too have a thin lining. I'm currently waiting for an ultrasound as I have been having pelvic pain so I'm hoping they'll be able to check that then.
I think I have spoken to you before on a different thread, hope you're doing well xx

Tinkerbell098 · 15/02/2022 22:57

@Mariabombia yes I have light periods (2 ish days and more like spotting for another 2 ish days). I never have pain/cramps that people describe. Lucky in a way but not so lucky when TTC. I had an ultrasound earlier in the month and when they measured the endometrium lining it was just 4 mm the day before ovulation. From what I’ve read this is very low. I’m yet to see my gynaecologist to truly understand what it means for me but it’s likely that this is what’s preventing me from conceiving. Good luck with your scan. Which day of the cycle will it fall?

Mariabombia · 15/02/2022 23:19

@Tinkerbell098 ah so you never get period pain or cramps then? Did the sonographer not give you any reasons why this occurs? Hope you get more answers from your gynaecologist, when do you see them? Sorry for all the questions!!
I'm going next week so it will be day 22 for me , is that a good time do you think?
I'm just wondering if they will check my lining thickness if I'm not actually going for that checking specifically if that makes sense.
I've read there are certain things you can take to improve thickness but not sure what to believe. For example I read baby aspirin can help but then I also read an article which said aspirin can be detrimental to implantation 😕