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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.

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Original poster

Extending luteal phase

7 replies

Ejane90 · 28/02/2023 18:22

Hi all, I’m TTC but have a very short luteal phase (7dpo) so have been prescribed 400mg of cyclogest. Unfortunately it seems to be having the opposite effect as it brought my period forward by a week, followed by spotting every day thereafter. Has any else experienced this? I know some spotting is normal on progesterone but I did not expect it to change my entire cycle. Im not unsure when the first day of my cycle even is as there seems to be spotting daily.

I’m also wondering if anyone has had any success extending their luteal phase using any other method?

Thanks!

OP posts:

Sunnymummy3 · 28/02/2023 21:27

Hi, not sure if you have heard of Vitex? It extends LP and also boosts fertility ... if you Google it will get more info x

VixFromThe6ix · 28/02/2023 21:41

I had this issue with spotting and low progesterone. I was told to count your period as of your first heavy day.
For me, taking progesterone vaginally actually helped regulate my period and extend the luteal phase. I didn't have to try anything else.
Are you taking it correctly??

RosyappleA · 01/03/2023 17:24

Interested in this thread as I spot for 4 days and have a short luteal phase but funnily enough normal progesterone so it has never been suggested to me. Maybe your progesterone isn’t low? I tried VITEX but had the worst clots (never clot normally). I have heard magnesium helps. I am taking it and feel it helps but not by much maybe need to take more. Also heard it helps promote fertility there are some studies online about this. Good luck! I feel I have tried everything but my endometriosis diagnosis may explain why this is happening. I am considering having surgery for this, not sure atm.

Original poster

Ejane90 · 01/03/2023 19:19

Hi all,

Thanks for the replies.

@Sunnymummy3 I had heard of Vitex but only from a friend, my doctor never recommended it (I think maybe it can’t be taken alongside Cyclogest?) I may speak to them about it as I’m willing to try anything.

@VixFromThe6ix yes I was prescribed to take it once daily (vaginally) after ovulation. I spoke to my doctor today who advised that I should stop taking it as it’s clearly not working. Feeling quite deflated about that as now it feels like I’m not even trying to fix the problem. Great that it’s working for you though! Did it work from the first month you tried? I had wondered if my dose wasn’t strong enough but I also don’t know if I want to try it again since it has totally thrown my cycle.

@RosyappleA that’s interesting, I’ve always queried whether it was low progesterone as my bloods showed normal levels however all clinicians I have been to have deducted that it must be that as all my other tests are clear. I will definitely look into what other supplements I can take, hopefully they help somewhat! Thanks!

OP posts:

Carlotta27 · 04/03/2023 18:40

Hi there,

i have a very short (5-7 day) Luteal phase and I’m currently seeing a private specialist about it

he had prescribed me letrozole (to give ovulation a boost) and an HCG trigger shot, which also boots progesterone production, and then the cycligest. I know this is a lot but wanted to share because the two options (letrozole / HCG) May work for you as an alternative :)

also, PLEASE be careful with self medicating. I tried vitex and it caused me to stop ovulating for that cycle and the ones following.

best of luck!

Original poster

Ejane90 · 06/03/2023 10:09

Hi @Carlotta27

Thanks for the reply. I met with my specialist this morning who advised the following:
Letrozale for days 2-6, Fematab for days 10-28, and Lutinus from day 18-28.

Seems like a LOT!! I’m also so apprehensive since the Cyclogest messed up my cycle.

I hadn’t seen your message before my appointment but I might email my specialist to enquire about the HCG shot as he hadn’t mentioned that.

Did that method work for you?

OP posts:

Carlotta27 · 06/03/2023 11:45

Hello

Good to hear you have something new to try - good luck!

So I’ve just done one medicated cycle and it did extend my Luteal phase but I didn’t get pregnant, so I think I’ll be trying it a few more cycles. Hope I can try this for six cycles as I don’t want to be pushed into something more invasive like IVF or Luteal defect can be treated more simply.

Have you been trying long ? I actually very quickly worked out I had a Luteal defect and started treatment only a few cycles into TTC - I feel a bit like I’ve missed out on a fun / hopefully first few months of TTC as it’s always needed treatment :/

I haven’t heard of Fematab - does that help a specific part of the cycle ? In any case it’s good to try something new! Couod be worth asking about the HCG shot as I know the medication itself is not expensive, it gets expensive if monitoring scans I needed I think!

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