Short Luteal Phase

kzoo1280 · #1 January 2nd, 2011, 03:40 PM

So, I think I have decided I am having trouble conceiving because of a short luteal phase. Since opk testing, I found I ovulate on cd20 and AF starts around cd30. Has anyone else been diagnosed with a luteal phase defect? Was your doctor able to pinpoint it right away and get treatment started quickly? I just changed insurance this year (went on DHs) so I don't have a doctor yet. I hope to have an appointment with someone who can help me soon. Until then, any information you ladies have would be helpful.

MeganMomof5 · #2 January 2nd, 2011, 04:13 PM

I don't know much about LP defect, but I think I have one...My doctor has started me on progesterone...The last 2 months i've started spotting at 5 dpo, and in the past I usually start to spot at around 9-10 dpo, AF 12 dpo...I would ask to get your progesterone tested and hopefully it will be an easy fix...good luck!!

NutMeg76 · #3 January 2nd, 2011, 04:23 PM

I have a short LP, it was as short as 10 days, but now is getting longer and is between 11-12 days. I got it longer by controlling my diet better, eating lower carbs and staying away from inflammatory foods.

It still may not be long enough though, so just now0 literally like 5 minutes ao- I decided to try some supplements.

Going to take:
Vitex
B- complex with B-6 (helps with LP defect), biotin (hlpes for my thyroid), folic aid and B-12
EPO, again helps with the hormone balance and estrogen dominance (which is what causes the LP defect)
Vit D3, because it is a hormone precursor and supports over all hormone health
RRLT, because it is supposed to help with fertility in general

Even though we are just starting to TTC, I have had properly timed intercourse 6 out of the last 9 cycles without achieving pregnancy. So basically 'trying' for 6 months. I didn't realize how many 'close calls' we had, yet no pregnancy. Not good. So, it is time to take the bull by the horns!

kzoo1280 · #4 January 2nd, 2011, 04:24 PM

Thanks, Megan, I hope so too. I had taken that "at home fertility test" last month too which seemed to point to possibly something going on with my FSH. Researching online, it seems the two (high FSH and short luteal phase) could be related. I'm sure there is something fishy with my progesterone. Another question...DH and I have only been ttc for about 7 months. The doctors won't hold that against me, will they? Seems like a year is the bench mark they like you to wait before seeking help...

Thanks, Meghan. We've done a lot of the timed trying too in the last 7 months...I had a chemical about 4 months ago...which could have been because of the short LP. I want to try the supplements, but if it is something more serious, I don't want to keep on trying when there is no hope for me without medical intervention. I just want to KNOW!

So patience isn't my strong suit.... My fingers are crossed for all of us...

NutMeg76 · #5 January 2nd, 2011, 04:29 PM

I think a year for someone with apparently normal fertility. With a short LP and a potential FSH problem based on the fertility monitor, I would say you might be able to convince them to start sooner.

MeganMomof5 · #6 January 2nd, 2011, 04:42 PM

be careful with the b-vitamins..I took them last month and it delayed my ovulation...I read that happens often...I ended up stopping it and a few days later ovulated, and I still spotted way too soon after ovulation...I am taking b-complex, and have in the past when I got pregnant.

kzoo1280 · #7 January 2nd, 2011, 04:46 PM

Yeah, Meghan, and really I could just say we've been trying for a year...who's going to know anything different, right?

Megan, is B complex different from B vitamins? I know nothing about vitamins. I do take a prenatal vitamin but that's the extent of my knowledge...

NutMeg76 · #8 January 2nd, 2011, 04:52 PM

You can over-do it with the B vitamins, which is why I am going to take just the complex, and not extra vitamin B on top of the complex. The complex contains the proper amount of the supplements, if you take hte individual vitamins you could take too much.

Megan, I just took a look at your charts of FF and it looks like you are routinely a late ovulator, are you sure the B vitamins were the problem and not something else?

MeganMomof5 · #9 January 2nd, 2011, 05:02 PM

Nope, I only ovulated late one time which was the first cycle after Ella's birth...It's not usual for me to ovulate late and the only thing I did different was the b vitamins last cycle....I usually O around cd 14 or 15

BeccaM · #10 January 2nd, 2011, 05:09 PM

I noticed my LP was about 10/11 days so I started taking a B6 100mg with my prenatal. It did help and added an extra day or so to my LP. I would check with your doc too as there could be other reasons why it is happening.

ohnicole · #11 January 2nd, 2011, 05:39 PM

Kristin, I'm sorry you're having to deal with this

I think you should definitely be able to find a doctor willing to treat you with a short LP and the fertility test result. The only issue may be insurance coverage, if you have any. I think it makes sense to get some testing done, and maybe what you need is something like Clomid to strengthen your ovulation and lengthen your LP. I hope you are able to get it figured out quickly!

Fallen2Love · #12 January 2nd, 2011, 06:02 PM

Depends on your OB how easy or difficult the process will be to do all of the testing and such required.

I've said for YEARS now, that I had a hormone problem - I had no idea what but my cycles are super long and other symptoms of low progestrone. No doctor ever look me seriously.
When I had loss #2, I saw the only doctor who would see me and she's been amazing! We tossed around the idea of hormones playing a role, but at that point we figured it was just a fluke, freak of nature kind of thing. There must of been some kind of wierd genetic hook up right? When I got PG in October, I requested HCG and progestrone bloodwork and it was a good thing! That was our answer. Although, we didn't start progestrone it really was eye opening on a direction to go.
We did a complete blood work up w/ DH and I. Everything was normal. Step 2, knowing my progestrone dropped and an issue there, was coming in for blood work/ultrasound at various places in my cycle (CD 3 - fsh, CD 14 - ultrasound to check for signs of O, CD 21 - progestrone). That just gives them an overview of your cycle and where your hormones are. After CD 14 and CD 21 (I missed CD 3 last cycle, so I go in tomorrow for this cycle). They were able to figure out that (A) Despite having very mature follicules on CD 14, I am not O'ing at the right "time", because (B) my progestrone on CD 21 is very low. I also did the home test for FSH today (which is my true CD 3, but the office is closed as its Sunday) and both lines matched - elevated fsh. SO, that explains everything!

I had my loss 10-31. We waited 3 weeks for my hormones to kind of even out and we did the initial blood work (Thanksgiving Week). As soon as my cycle returned (12-1) I schedule the "step 2." I talked to my OB on CD 23, and we're going to start "treatment" this cycle (or should.....per our convo on 12/23). SO I started AF 12/31 and go for my CD 3 and should be starting clomid tomorrow. Its been really quick. However, if there are any issues such as cyst, fiborids, endo, or any other issues with blood work (like thryoid, or sugar levels, etc) those should be corrected first which might affect how quickly you can start a "plan." My OB said she likes to rule out everything else before blamming progestrone/LPD, even though she knew once she saw my bloodwork in October that it was progestrone.

One thing I was not prepared for was the emotional aspect. Esp. related to my losses. The poking and proading was and still is a PITB (my poor arm viens are a mess from bloodwork almost every other week), emotionally its just been very, very hard. Every step we've taken has lead back to the fact that MY body failed and I couldn't do anything about it. Even though I *knew* the answer, it was different having it confirmed. Just something I thought I'd throw out there, because its really thrown me for a loop. Its hard because hormones are one of those things that are involuntary and we can't control them. But yeah - its ramble I could go on all day!

kzoo1280 · #13 January 3rd, 2011, 03:46 AM

Thanks everyone. I hope it's something easy like just taking a supplement, but who really knows.

Fallen - I took the fertility test last month and got similar results. That really freaked me out because, researching online, high FSH seems potentially very serious. Thank you for the warning about it being emotionally hard. I can understand how getting actual results can make it more "real." I appreciate how open you have been sharing your own story. Hopefully we have happy endings

Keep me updated on how everything is going with you because I think we have similar problems...