Short Leutal Phase

[Loujalou]

I think I might have a short leutal phase its 11 days but have light bleeding before the proper witch starts.

Am not sure what a doctor would say if I went there saying I had a short leutal phase - would they be able to prescribe progesterone cream or would they look at me like a loony?

My luteal phase has always been around 11 days. I think anything shorter than 10 days is considered short.

Am reading TCOYF (Taking charge of your fertility) and the author of that does say 11 says is borderline but mentions if there is bleeding before you can have a problem....

Mine was 14 days before I had my DS.

Of course if it is hindering you getting pg then it is of concern and you should see your GP. I think the average range is 12-14 but you need at least 10 days. So I think 11 is perhaps 'short' yes compared to the norm but anything under 10 or more than 14 is usually referred to as an actual luteal phase defect.

Have you been charting then? Do your charts suggest that your lp is causing a problem?

Like I said, I have a luteal phase of 11 days, sometimes 10 and had no fertility issues. I know somebody with a lp of 9 days who falls pg very easily.

TCOYF is brilliant btw.

Yup brilliant but easy to get obsessed with. Have been trying for 7 months so that is why I am looking into it. Though have only been charting for a month and a bit. But was using OPKs before that.

I know its probably not a problem and maybe the problem was more likely related to all the lube we used in the first 5 months. Its just getting me down.

Thanks for your help on this.

Hi loujalou,

My luteal phase is also 10/ 11 days - but I get light spotting 2/3 days before, this month for example spotting has just started, when I'm 8DPO, although it's pretty light. I'm not TTC yet but have been charting for a few months, and I wondered if maybe I'm ovulating a day or two earlier than I think I am (so my lp might in fact be a day or two longer). My last two charts suggest ovulation on day 18, but I'm wondering if maybe it's a day or two earlier and it's taking me a while to get a definite shift on the temps front. Need to go back to TCOYF to research this!

Anyway, my point is, maybe it's worth waiting till you've been charting for a couple more months to be more certain about the date you ovulate, unless all your signs are very clear already (CM etc - I don't have much of that to cross-reference with so I just go by temps).

also meant to add - would be interested to hear if you do find out more about potential treatments for it etc, if your doc thinks it's necessary.

Bear in mind that 7 months isn't that long. A young, fertile couple having sex at exactly the right time only have around a 25% of conception. My wonderful GP who had worked in many countries before moving to the UK was very surprised that we panic so much in this country about getting pg taking so long. It's utterly normal and in fact average for it to take a year or more to get pg with no fertility issues at all.

I'm only saying all of this to reassure you. If- especially after charting and finding out what is actually happening- you think there is cause for concern, of course you must go and ask your GP. But be reassured that it's utterly normal not to be pg after 7 months. It's bloody annoying and occupies a lot of your time and energy but there's a strong chance, especially as you already have a child, that everything is just fine.

Good luck.

And meant to say that OPKs aren't a reliable indicator of ovulation and charting will give you a much better picture of what's happening to you.

I know about OPKs but they worked last time so gave them a go again. Although I wasn't charting per se I did notice lots of EWCM the day after I got a positive result which backed up the result.

Am feeling more positive this month - well that happens each month before it goes wrong. However long it takes it will be worth it.

Not saying the OPKs don't have their uses, they do but they are not completely reliable and can be misleading in isolation. That's all I meant. Signs like EWCM as well as positive OPKs, temp shift etc much more useful and accurate.

I have not managed to totally wean myself of OPKs - they can be a good backup.