progesterone and short leutal phase

[hiokhiok]

Hi all,

I thought I'd share my recent (current) experience in case it helps anyone in a similar position -this relates to taking progesterone for short leutal phase. I've found looking at similar posts helpful in this hard to navigate world.

Currently been trying for almost 2 years (both late 30s) and so had been referred for fertility testing. We've done lots of tests via GP and fertility service and everything came back normal that was tested so far although hadn't been able to get an accurate "day 21" progesterone test to confirm ovulation due to slightly variable length cycle. I'd also noticed in recent months I had a leutal phase that was on the short side (9-11 days) and had spotting several (5ish) days before my period.

It took us a while to get to speak to the consultant about the test results (kept getting pushed back) but when we had the call they confirmed we have a diagnosis of unexplained infertility and said we would be referred elsewhere for IVF (which would take a while). On this same call we also agreed to do a few things while we wait for IVF: follicle tracking to get the correct day for the progesterone test (as needs to be 7 DPO); and consider either letrozole + progesterone (if test doesn't show ovulation) or take progesterone only if ovulation is confirmed (due to the spotting/short leutal phase). The latter was suggested by the consultant because "it can't do any harm" and felt like it was because of waiting for IVF.

It's the first cycle of using the progesterone (cyclogest suppositories) and I got a very clear BFP two days in a row so very pleased. Obviously I have no way of knowing that it was the progesterone that helped us this cycle but it is the only thing that has changed.

It's also still v.early days so a bit nervous it will stick. I plan to keep taking the progesterone we have left and ask for some more to be prescribed. We only got told what to do if I get a negative pregnancy test (stop taking it) and wasn't actually given guidance if I get a positive but I've read around.

If anyone also has a short leutal phase/spotting I would definitely mention to the doctor and push a bit on this as seems other people have not had doctors who suggest this. Taking the progesterone has been a tiny bit messy but not felt invasive and far less invasive than IVF (and presumably much cheaper for the NHS). I think the evidence isn't very strong progesterone helps and no guarantee what has worked for me will work for someone else (all situations are unique) but I do think that this is probably an underfunded/understudied area and also I imagine hard to research due to quite a lot of variables that will be difficult to control for.

I hope this has helped someone and I'm also interested if anyone else has similar stories.

Your post has almost made me cry with relief. I think I’m in the exact same position and I think progesterone is the problem. I’m late 30’s and have 1 DS already. We’ve been trying this time for 7 months no luck. Using tests and definitely ovulating but it’s very late on. I have a 26 day cycle and I ovulate about day 18 which is useless. I have had blood tests done at my GP which have come back ‘satisfactory’ but I feel it’s this short luteal phase that’s causing the issues. It’s just not long enough and when you research it, I should ovulate day 12.
Im not sure how to push back to the GP about the progesterone suppository as she said my results are satisfactory - not had a chat with her yet so maybe she can explain better

Thank you so much for sharing it’s given me hope. Congratulations and I wish you all the best xxx

Hi @hiokhiok Thank you for sharing this

Im currently on round 4 of letrozole. What strength of cyclogest did you take and how many dpo?

Thanks in advance

Thank you for sharing this, we've been trying for nearly 18 months, both early 30s, and I have a 10 day luteal phase. We also didn't manage to get the progesterone bloods on the correct day due to that cycle being longer than usual (typical!) but the doctors don't seem at all bothered about that, or my short LP, and I'm convinced that's part of the problem.

From what I've researched it's not necessarily implantation not happening within the 10 days that could be the problem, but the progesterone levels dropping too early then not able to sustain a pregnancy or be enough for implantation to happen anyway.

@Kermit04 did you have any luck with your GP? I feel like they just won't do anything if your results are 'satisfactory' but that's useless if your progesterone levels are dropping just after you have your bloods done.

@hiokhiok did you get the progesterone prescribed or did you get it yourself? How are you getting on now?

@Tater05 funnily enough my results WEREN'T satisfactory even though the receptionist said they were. I have low progesterone (levels are at 7) so I’ve been referred to the assisted conception unit at my local hospital. Consultation app next week so hopefully get the ball moving soon. You should be referred if you’ve been trying over a year I would imagine. I was only 6 months due to being 36

fingers crossed it all works out for us 🤞🏻

@Kermit04 I'm glad you did get referred, good you have the consultation next week and I hope you get some positivity out of it. I've been referred to gynaecology but that was back in Feb and I'm still waiting on an appointment letter. I'm giving it a couple of months then I'll look at having some private investigations because talking to GPs in the meantime is getting nowhere.

Yes fingers crossed for everyone!

Hey I’ve just come across this post, it’s so helpful. I’ve been ttc since December 2024 although first few months were a write off as I kept missing ovulation. It took me a while to figure out I was ovulating on CD21 of a 29 day cycle which means I have a short luteal phase. I’ve had 3 chemical pregnancies this year, including a MMC which showed I had a uterine lining of just 3mm at 4 weeks. I’m still waiting for a recurrent miscarriage referral from the NHS. I did end up speaking to a private gynaecologist 2 months ago, who prescribed me clomid. This did lengthen my luteal phase to 14 days but I have still spotted from 8DPO. I have had 2 back to back chemicals on clomid, so something feels like it’s working but things aren’t sticking. My gynaecologist has just prescribed me 400mg of cyclogest once per day from 2-14DPO. Really hoping this does the trick.

Will take the progesterone this month without the clomid, as didn’t take it after my MC bleed started. Will try both together for the next cycle.