4 day luteal phase

[Wreakingball]

Hi, new poster here.
My partner and I have been TTC for a year. Prior to this I was on the mini-pill for about 15 years.
Since I stopped the pill, my cycles and have been short (24 day average) and periods are quite light. Once they disappeared altogether for a couple of months.

I have used OPKs for the last three months, and realised that I ovulate on day 21 of my cycle, meaning that my LP has been between 4 and 6 days long over those three months. The peak OPKs are always supported by other ovulation symptoms so I’m happy they’re correct.

This seems far too short to me to support a pregnancy.
Does anyone have any experience of a LP this short? Did you fall pregnant without intervention or manage to lengthen it at all? And is there anything that could be causing it?
I’m mid thirties, healthy BMI, active… trying not to have tooooo much coffee and wine!
Thanks in advance for any replies.

I’m afraid I don’t have any advice but I’m in the same boat - TTC for 9 months and consistently a 4/5 day Luteal phase. Had a 7 day one once which for my hopes up but obviously still much too short. I’m concerned I’m not actually ovulating and have begun tests with my GP. It’s tough isn’t it, I thought I’d be pregnant by now. I hope you get answers soon!

Thanks for your reply @Desperatelyboredhousewife sorry you’re having the same issues.
I had some tests done a few months ago at the GP but the basically just said I was ovulating (that month!) so now my partner is having his tests done too before we can be referred.
I hope you get some answers too, and will let you know if I do so I can share them!

Hi ladies,

im In a similar boat and feel I’ve researched it to the end of the earth! I’ve been trying 4 cycles just on my 5th now. I have one son who was conceived first cycle since then I’ve been on cerelle.

I know have a luteal phase of 7-8 days. I’ve read ideally should be 14 but anything less then 10 is considered short! I’ve looked back to when I had my son and I had 28 day cycles and ovulated cd 14 so a regular cycle.

I was having 23-24 day cycles up until last month but I’ve managed to lengthen them to 28days by taking- vit c, vit b6 and omega 3. But this month I’ve ovulated on CD 19 and started spotting CD 27 so 8 days again! So this month I’m trying soy Isoflavones to see if I can bring ovulation forward, even if just a couple of days!!

from what I’ve read a lot of medical professionals don’t even recognise luteal phase defect as a thing, seems to depend who you get! @Desperatelyboredhousewife how was your GP?

I’ll keep you updated how I get on with the soy! I’d love to hear some sucess stories too! @Wreakingball have you spoken to your GP?

Yes, I’m also interested in if the soy works.
@ANP2020 at the time I went to see my GP I hadn’t realised how late I was ovulating , so she just did basic ovulation tests I think. I don’t really know what they actually check, she just took bloods on day 3 and day 21. I am going to wait until after DP has done his SA because she said she would refer us to the fertility clinic after that…

I found it really hard to get the day 21 test right, because I ovulate about day 23 but then obviously there’s not much time between that and my period. I’m going to try and repeat it again this month, but my first test suggested I wasn’t ovulating.

@ANP2020 my GP was actually pretty good, she referred me for tests after 6 months because my cycles were irregular after coming off the pill (they’ve actually settled down now) but she didn’t really talk much about Luteal phase, apart from to say it could suggest I’m not ovulating. She mentioned PCOS but apparently my initial bloods don’t indicate that.

Well ladies just had my last dose of soy! I’ve done it cycle days 1-5 so will start doing ovulation sticks tomorrow and will keep you updated! X

Fingers crossed!

If either of you are still watching, I’ve actually managed to pull my O date back to CD15 this month. Might be a coincidence but I’ve tried to implement a few diet and lifestyle changes. Waiting to see if these pay off and I get a longer LP.
@ANP2020 how did it go with the soy?

Hi @Wreakingball, I was just thinking only this thread! What did you change?

so Soy looks to have worked for ovulation got my OPK yesterday so likely ovulating today. So that’s CD 17 not 19 like last time so if I do get AF same time it’ll be 11 day LP

That’s really promising to hear about the soy! I might try next month, I’m CD17 today and no ovulation yet but starting to get EWCM. Keep us updated on Luteal phase after Soy!

@ANP2020 That sounds good. Hopeful for a long LP for you :)
I have done a few things, and maybe it’s coincidence that I have ovulated earlier, we’ll see. Essentially I have increased the healthy fats in my diet (avocado, olive oil, nuts, seeds, full fat yoghurt etc), and kept to two caffeinated drinks per day, and 3 alcoholic drinks per week. Also made sure I had some protein with every meal and reduced sugar slightly but not cut it out entirely.
I cut my gym sessions down from 5/6 per week to 4, and cut out all HIIT.
Tried to prioritise sleep (I would happily only have 5-6 hours per night) and generally not being too busy or stressed.
I love rushing around and doing lots but wonder if it’s not doing me any favours when TTC. Hopefully the next few cycles will show whether these changes are working. I’m a bit uncomfortable with them as I hate taking a step back!

Hey @Wreakingball and @Desperatelyboredhousewife just to update it’s now nearly the end of 8dpo and no AF yet! So the furthest I’ve got with Luteal phase for a while, so the soy worked so far! Let’s see how far I can get will keep you updated

That’s brilliant! I am also at a record 8dpo which I’m really pleased about. I know I’m out this month as OH was away during ovulation but glad my LP seems to be extending.

Congrats on the records guys! I’m a bit further behind at 6dpo but also no AF yet. Keeping fingers crossed for regular cycles for us if nothing else!

I’m definitely no scientist or doctor, and same as you, I did lots of googling and read a few articles about low progesterone being caused by excessive exercise and just decided that it was worth giving up HIIT for a few months to see if it changed anything. I was doing 5-6 quite intense gym workouts per week and I’ve dropped down to 4 now.

This month does seem to be a longer LP for me, but I’ve also done a few other things such as eating more fats and seeds, less caffeine and generally trying to reduce stress and do less with my day! It’s probably really individual but they seem like positive changes for me. Having said that, it’s a tough adjustment, and I’m hoping it will be worth it.

it’s so hard to know what to do, isn’t it!? I’ve been so tempted to just go for private blood tests etc while waiting for nhs referrals.

@Desperatelyboredhousewife I hope yours is extended too! Keep us updated! I didn’t realise we were all in our 2WW together!

@Wreakingball that sounds really positive! Even though OH was away at least you know you’ve extended that really is great news! Hopefully we can keep going to get it to another day! I’ve made it nearly till the end of 9dpo now and still no sign so that’s good! Hopefully I can make it through day 10 too!

I’ve got the most painful boobs today though! They are more painful than I’ve ever remembered? Although there’s something new symptom wise or stronger each month and AF still arrives! But I’m sure they’ve got bigger and it’s been so uncomfortable to wear a bra and my uniform today felt like they’re burning!! I did test this as on and internet cheapie and it was bfn so likely AF around the corner maybe! Who knows! No other pregnancy symptoms

Well I made it to 9dpo before AF arrived. I was hoping for 10 days but it’s much better than 4 so I’ll take it!

@Wreakingball 9dpo is better though! Hopefully 10 next month!!

I was just coming on to right I’ve just had some spotting so made it to nearly the end of 10dpo! I’ll give the soy another go this cycle!

fingers crossed for next month for us

@Wreakingball 9dpo is an amazing improvement! @ANP2020 I’m definitely going to try Soy next cycle. I’m currently 9dpo. Only thing I’ve done differently this month is I’m currently on holiday so not done any exercise (usually do 3-4 heavy weights sessions a week) and eaten and drunk more than usual! Feel bloated and sore boobs but I think that’s probably a sign of AF on the way. I get home Friday so if by some miracle AF hasn’t arrived by then I will test at the weekend