How short is too short?

Stara · #1 March 24th, 2007, 02:32 PM

Hi all. I haven't been on this board really yet even though we just started our tenth cycle. I wanted to introduce myself and ask a question. I'm Melissa, age 25, and DH is Morgan, age 37, and we've been ttc since July '06. Only in the past 3 or 4 cycles have I gotten really serious about charting and I discovered I only have about a 10-11 day luteal phase. Is this too short? One site I read said 12 another 8, so I'm confused. Any help would be great! Thanks in advance!

tabbymichelle · #2 March 24th, 2007, 04:27 PM

I have heard that a normal LP is 12+ days and I am in the same boat.. I usually have an 11 day LP.. last cycle it ended up only being 8 so I know it's definitely too short. Implantation occurs between 7-10 days after Oing so my body is really not giving me enough time to get pg. It's easily fixed with Progesterone but I haven't been able to get into see my doctor. Maybe you could ask yours to give you some to take after you O.

Bug-n-Ed · #3 March 25th, 2007, 09:19 AM

Welcome to the boad!

As far as lp goes, it really depends on who you ask. Different doctors will have varying opinions on the matter. The OB/GYN that I recently asked told me that anything 12 or under is/can be a problem. I've heard other people's doctors say that anything under 10 days is when you need to be concerned.

There are a couple different things you can do without going to a doctor to treat a shorter lp. You can take Vit B6 to help lenghthen it or you can use progesterone cream (can get OTC at health food stores or even Wal-mart) after you are sure you ovulated. Both will help to lengthen, but it may not lengthen it to be perfect textbook 14 day lp.

I was having on average 9-10 day lp's, so the last two cycles I did stuff to help lengthen it. The first of the two I used both progesterone cream and B6. The B6 you should take everyday, not just after you O. My lp lenghtened to 12 days. The second of the two (which just ended) I used only the B6 and have once again a 12 day lp based on cm alone. So, it works, but it didn't lengthen it as much as I would have liked.

Ovulation stimulation is another way to help lenghten the lp as a stronger ovulation can produce more progesterone which can lengthen the lp. There are a couple different ways to do it without a prescription, or you can ask your doctor for a prescription of clomid. The two things you can take instead of clomid are soy isoflavens or licorice root. You take them according to package directions on the days you would take clomid and then stop. I did the licorice root this past cycle as well and it did help me ovulate earlier as I normally don't ovulate until between cd16 and 18. This last cycle I ovulated on cd12.