Short luteal phase

jennifero82386

Hi,

So I've been tracking my cycles/trying to conceive since July, which I know is still normal. However on 3  of those months (possibly 4 if this month replays pattern) I show a luteal phase (time between positive ovulation test and first day of actual flow) as less than ten days which I read is abnormal. Should I call the doctor now about this, or just note it and mention it at the year visit (if I get there)? Any experiences with this?

Thanks!!

babymish

Hi @jennifero82386

Going forwards the WTO or TWW boards are great for asking questions like this, adding new threads can make the board a little confusing. Also the search function can bring lot's of similar topics up that have already been discussed.

How long is your LP exaclty? It is not uncommon to have a shorter LP, particularly if you recently came off BCP. It can lengthen naturally over time and there are also vitamins you can try out which in some cased can help lengthen it. 

Edited: to correct tag

kcolly32

You said you're going off OPKs as to when you ovulate? That's not an accurate way to know when you're ovulating. I use OPKs but I get multiple positives throughout the month because of my multiple surges so the best way to make sure is with checking BBT. OPKs can only tell you that your body is trying to ovulate, not that it did, only temping can confirm ovulation. So maybe you're O date isn't right, if you temp and it's consistently less than 10 days then yes call your doctor but I wouldn't base off of OPKs. I would try a cycle with temps first.

Paturkey

@jennifero82386 Are you confirming ovulation through temping? That's the only way to know your LP length; OPKs just indicate a hormone surge but do not definitively indicate ovulation. If you are not temping and concerned about your LP, go ahead and start temping because otherwise you won't actually know your LP length.

Regarding talking to a doctor, I suggest you first confirm that you have a short LP before worrying about that. Good luck to you.

ETA: @kcolly32 jinx

DCHokiemom

If you know for sure when you are ovulating, then I would go to the doctor.  A short luteal phase can really hinder your ability to conceive.  There is medication that can help.  I know the whole rule is "wait a year".....but if you know something is definitely wrong, there isn't reason to wait.  I have had 3 anovulatory cycles since this summer and am getting it treated now because I know there is an issue. 

lalalorelai

Hi-- short LP person here! I am not a doctor but I can summarize what I have been able to find when researching credible sources. 

1. Experts disagree as to whether a short LP actually hinders reproduction. Some studies have shown a similar incidence of short LPs in fertile and infertile women. My own doctor wasn't concerned when I told her after 3 months of trying (and my LP is 7-8 days, so very very short) but said we could try testing after 6 months or a year. Your doctor may feel differently, though. 

2. Testing will usually involve a 7DPO (NOT CD21, as some doctors do, you want it 7 days after you ovulate) blood test of your progesterone. Some doctors recommend a progesterone panel (on 3DPO, 5DPO, 7DPO, etc.) to see how the progesterone changes throughout the luteal phase. The only way to actually test for a luteal phase defect is endometrial biopsies throughout your cycle, but many doctors don't recommend this test anymore because it doesn't accurately differentiate between fertile and infertile women. So there's no real point to it, according to some doctors. 

3. No one really knows what causes short LPs. It has been linked with extreme exercise and low bodyweight. It has also been associated with high prolactin production in the follicular phase of the cycle. Basically, the theory is that the corpus luteum doesn't fully develop, so when you ovulate there isn't enough progesterone to sustain a long enough luteal phase. Short LPs are a reflection of low progesterone, but low progesterone is just another symptom, not the actual cause. 

4. You may have read that some supplements will help lengthen an LP. I've tried many and so far nothing has worked for me. Vitamin B6 (50 mg or higher, taken in a B-complex) is the most often recommended from forums, but I haven't found any actual scientific proof. I have found randomized control studies of both high doses of Vitamin C (750 mg) and Vitex that show they lengthen LP, but I wouldn't recommend taking any supplement without first clearing it with your doctor. My doctor was fine with both B6 and C but didn't think it would help lengthen my LP. TCOYF recommends Optivite PMT or ProCycle PMS to help with a short LP. Both of these are essentially high doses of the vitamins you are probably already getting from your prenatal. 

5. As others said, I would recommend temping to confirm when you O. There are some articles by reproductive endocrinologists that claim temping is not an accurate method to diagnose luteal phase defect, but there doesn't exactly appear to be any other accurate method (see my above comment about endometrial biopsies). 

I hope this helps! My doctor seemed to think mine might be do to coming off of Mirena, but I'm now 6 months in and it hasn't gotten any better. So I plan to go back to my doctor after this cycle and ask what our next steps should be. Good luck!

Xstatic3333

@lalalorelai thanks for posting that! I have a shortish LP too (8-10 days since coming off BCP in July, confirmed by temping) and that's such helpful information.

lalalorelai

Xstatic3333 said:

@lalalorelai thanks for posting that! I have a shortish LP too (8-10 days since coming off BCP in July, confirmed by temping) and that's such helpful information.

No problem! I know firsthand how panic-inducing a short LP can be. There's so much out there that's like "YOU WILL NEVER GET PREGNANT" that it can be scary. I have spent many, many hours digging through everything on the internet with the words "short luteal phase". There's a lot of great info and a lot of crappy info. 

This article does a particular good job of describing what a luteal phase defect is, diagnosing one, and treatments. 

kcolly32

Haha @Paturkey we must've been typing at the same time, great minds think alike!

jennifero82386

Wow, thank you so much to everyone!!! I will begin temping next cycle...which will be soon because you know, short lp. ;0

mom2adoodle

I just wanted to chime in and say thank you for this thread! Couldn't have come at a better time as I just confirmed a 10 day luteal phase by temping post chemical pregnancy (which I know may sometimes be caused by short luteal phase). Sigh...I emailed my OBGYN and GP to garner their thoughts but this information was helpful. Thanks!

Kristin712

mom2adoodle said:

I just wanted to chime in and say thank you for this thread! Couldn't have come at a better time as I just confirmed a 10 day luteal phase by temping post chemical pregnancy (which I know may sometimes be caused by short luteal phase). Sigh...I emailed my OBGYN and GP to garner their thoughts but this information was helpful. Thanks!

A 10 day LP is not concerning. Also, it can take a few months for your cycles to regulate (or find a new normal) after a loss. It's been four months since mine (though I had a mc at 7 weeks) and my OB said it's normal to not be "normal" for up to six months.

mom2adoodle

Kristin712 Sorry to hear about your loss and thank you for the information.