Anybody knw anything about luteal phase defect?

[silarose28]

I write this post a day ago and someone suggetsed I start a new thread to see if anyone can help me.

I am new to these forums but have been reading them for ages so thought I would give it a go. I am feeling really down and feel I need to share with people who understand.

I am 35 and have been waiting for my boyfriend to come round to the idea of having babies for ages!!!! Dont mean to blame him but I now feel desperate! I have been ttc since Nov. I wouldn't really be worried yet but I have been using the clearblue fertility monitor and my luteal phase is only 5-6 days. Have had 2 day 21 progesterone tests The first was on day 23 (as the hospital was closed on day 21) and that was normal - but I got AF just a few days later. The second was day 21 and that showed no signs of ovulation. I had only had my LH surge that day so I wasn't surprised! Have now been referred for other fertility blood tests and an HSG but won't see doctor until June!!

Tried 50-100mg of vitamin b6 this month and also vitex until ovulation (this monthe only) but have got spotting today which means my luteal phase is the shortest it has ever been at 5 days!!!! Have ordered some progesterone cream for next month - does anyone know if I can take that with vitex? Also I have ordered some Maca - does anyone know if that can be taken with vitex? have also got some dong quai - is that ok with vitex?

I just wondered if anyone knows of anything that can help with this - feels pointless trying every month when I know there is no time for implantation!!!

Would love some advice as am feeling really low.

 

[DaisyDuke]

I have a lpd have been ttc for about 14 cycles with 1 m/c. I am seeing a fs but he doesnt seem to think a lp defect is a problem. He is more treating me for unexplained infertility.

Do not to count cd1 as the first day of spotting cd1 is the first day of a proper flow so ur lp maybe a few days longer than u think? If i counted mine as the 1st day of spotting mine would be crazily short. When i did feel preg i got the normal spotting then it went and i got a before i m/c.

Where u taking any birth control, cos it can take 1 month for every year u were on it to get out of ur system.

I have tried all thos supplements and nothing worked for me. I do know many girls on here with lpd that have got preg and stayed preg.

I would say u havent been ttc very long, so u never know whats round the corner, and June isnt very far away and u will have only been trc about 8 months by then.

Good luck hope it works out for u. XXX

 

[silarose28]

Hiya

Thanks for your help.

Sorry to hear about your mc and I hope you have some good news soon. I know I haven't been ttc that long - suppose I am just feeling really negative at the mo! Didn't realise that you did not count spotting as day 1 though - that extends my lp for about 1-2 days which is a start. Also - good to hear others have had success with a short lp.

I am finding this forum really helpful.

Let me know how you get on xxx

 

[DaisyDuke]

Where u on birth control before November? I'm just hoping ur lp will lenghten a little, i know ow frustrating it is

 

[silarose28]

No -I haven't taken any birth control for years. It never really suited me as I used to get loads of spotting.

It's odd because there seem to be so many different opinions on lpd. The stuff that I have read on the net generally says implantation takes at least 6 days and any LP less than 10 days is an issue. However, the nurse that I saw for blood tests didn't seem to bothered by it at all! (Same as your fs.) Very confusing.

I am thinking of maybe going to see a herbalist but it is a bit expensive and I'm not sure if it's worth it. If you don't mind me asking - which supplements did you try and for how long? Doctors don't really know much about alternative medicine and it might be worth giving it a go before I get any conventional treatment.

I hope you are feeling supported by your fs. My experience of doctors is that some are excellent and some terrible - it's just pot luck! Hopefully it wont be to long now for you xxx

 

[DaisyDuke]

Yeah i investigated a herbalist but like u say very expensive. I have found that medical people seem to think lpd is an urban myth however there happy to write off something like 30% of infertile couples to unexplained infertility? Weird hey?

I tried B6, angnus castus, maca and rasberry leaf for about 9 months.

My FS is wonderful, one of the top in the country he even has books published. He hasnt totally disregarded lpd, but i start clomid next month, which he is giving me for unexplained infertilty, but he says it will support my lp.

Ask away if there is anything else i can help u with. I know what its like to find this prob and worry, even if u havent been ttc long u still want answers and to make sure u get the best possible chance.

When u say see the dr in June is that the FS? X

 

[silarose28]

From what I have read chlomid does help with lp so good luck with that.

Yes I will be seeing the fs in June. I have been for 1 appointment with the fs nurse and she was really dismissive of lpd - so much so that I didn't really trust what she was saying. It made me worry more because the last thing I want is for anything to be overlooked!! I suppose I am lucky to have got the ball rolling early on though - some of my friends didn't use ovulation tests for ages and I am just so glad that I started testing with them straight away.

I am booked in for an HSG next week. I guess I just need to try and relax - though that's so hard when everone around you seems to be getting pregnant easily. Thanks for all of you help - I really appreciate it!

 

[DaisyDuke]

Thats wonderful to have seen the nurse already. FYI i fell preg the cycle i had my hsg, its suppose to be MAGIC and worked for me, hope u get a sticky bean. XXX

 

[renee_xx]

Some doc's don't even believe Luteal Phase Defect actually exists. In the beginning of your cycle if your follicles are strong and growing and there is enough LH hormone to sustain ovulation - LPD would be a none issue. So in my opinion it's about the strength of your hormones/follicles which develops BEFORE ovulation - which determines a short luteal phase. You should look into clomid, which can be taken for LPD because it enhances the quality/quantity of your follicles and hormones at the beginning of your cycle - which in turn will lengthen your luteal phase because you will ovulate sooner.

Another thing you can try is asking your GYN about progesterone supplements which should be taken AFTER confirmed ovulation and until your missed period (if pregnant u can continue taking them until 2nd trimester)

hope I helped
xxx

Ohh & My luteal phase averages 14-17 days and I haven't concieved in 3 years of trying. So it's not always the determining factor...

 

[renee_xx]

Some doc's don't even believe Luteal Phase Defect actually exists. In the beginning of your cycle if your follicles are strong and growing and there is enough LH hormone to sustain ovulation - LPD would be a none issue. So in my opinion it's about the strength of your hormones/follicles which develops BEFORE ovulation - which determines a short luteal phase. You should look into clomid, which can be taken for LPD because it enhances the quality/quantity of your follicles and hormones at the beginning of your cycle - which in turn will lengthen your luteal phase because you will ovulate sooner.

Another thing you can try is asking your GYN about progesterone supplements which should be taken AFTER confirmed ovulation and until your missed period (if pregnant u can continue taking them until 2nd trimester)

hope I helped
xxx

Ohh & My luteal phase averages 14-17 days and I haven't concieved in 3 years of trying. So it's not always the determining factor...

 

[silarose28]

Thanks for your help everyone.

I am going to ask the specialist about chlomid. Does anyone know how long you have to have been trying before you can try this on the NHS?
xxxx

 

[DaisyDuke]

Over a year. XXX

 

[Laughing Girl]

I've just read your thread.....and thought I'd drop by to say that we seem to have the same story.
I'd love to compare notes and also just provide and receive some moral support as I am now at my wits end.

 

[Laughing Girl]

I'd never really questioned why I spotted until we started TTC in November. Its been happening every month for at least the past 2 years. It begins on 7DPO and starts with a pink tinged CM, gradually building up over 4 days to a short burst of bright red blood on 11DPO. Nothing happens then for 3 days, and then my period starts. This happens month in month out like clockwork.
I started taking agnus castus, raspberry leaves and also B6. I take 800mg agnus castus, 800mg raspberry leaves and began by taking 50mg B6. That was 3 months ago. The first month, no change, so I upped the B6 to 100mg the next month, still no change so the third month I upped it to 150mg. This time the spotting was much heavier. I did conceive though, and then had an early miscarriage. Horrible.
I have started seeing a traditional chinese medicine fertility expert who says that my body is horribly out of sync and has prescribed lots of herbs which I brew to make a tea and drink once a day (taste worse than terrible) as well as acupuncture.
I have also changed GPs as the one I had was no use at all, and this new one seems a bit more on the case. I am going to get my blood tested on day 2 and day 21 to check fsh lh and progesterone (although I have already had them tested before) but am really concerned that I will never be able to sustain a pregnancy in the future (which is running out slightly for me at 39)

I'd be so interested to hear more about your symptoms and experiences and compare notes.

 

[wantingmore]

I spoke with my OB today because my general practicioner seems to think I have luteal phase defect due to having only 9 days between ovulation and the start of my period. According to my OB, the amount of days really has nothing to do with it. He says it is diagnosed by endometrial biopsy at a specific time of the month. If I am not pregnant this month after having a great follicle (today) CD14 and the trigger shot, he is going to do the endometrial biopsy next month.

 

[silarose28]

Glad you got somewhere with your doctor Wanting More - I have heard that soem doctors diagnose using that method and others dont - very confusing! Medical professionals seem to vary so much in how they diagnose/treat LPD - its ery confusing!!!

OMG Laughing girl cant believe we even started trying at the same time! It's just so depressing. I get spotting usually around 6 days past ovulation - it starts of very browny/pinky but over 2 days it gets heavier beofre I get AF. Yous doesn't sound quite the same as mine. Daisyduke (who is also on here) mentioned that you do not count the days that you spot before af and I have read loads of stuff that says the same thing now so hopefully your LP is longer than you think. Still I knw how worrying it is when things just don't seem right. My periods are very long (including the spotting they last for 9 days - GROAN!! - though at least 3 days of this is just light spotting at the beginning and end.)

I have heard such differing things about herbs etc. Some people have said agnus castus/b6/red raspberry leaf work wonders so I am giving it a go - thoguh I am also taking maca. I have to wait until June to see the fs so I will give them a go until then - fingers crossed. I hope your herbs help - chinese medicine has a very good reputation - maybe I should give it a go too!

I have been to see the doctor and the fertility nurse and they did the exact same blood tests on me - don't know the results of the day 2-4 ones yet though. I got referred to the fs as my progesterone tests weren't normal and I cried and acted like a stressed out wierdo to the GP - totally genuine and did the trick!!! Don't let them fob you off - after 35 the recommendations are to check with medical professionals after 6 months of trying and if there are signs that things aren't quite right they should be wiling to see you!!

I am off for an HSG this afternoon and am praying that it helps.

Take Care xxxxx

 

[silarose28]

P.s. sorry about you m/c - things must be really horrible for you at the mo. I really hope you have some luck soon. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[Laughing Girl]

Hi Silarose

Let me know how things go this afternoon and how you progress in general....

I would def recommend Chinese Traditional Medicine - its quite a complicated subject but I started to read up on it with a book called The Infertility Cure which I highly recommend. I got it from Amazon.



and lots of luck to you from one LPD chick to another

x x

 

[chocolatecat]

hi girls,
I'm in a similar boat to you guys. My lp this month was 8 days - sigh. But with no spotting before. Last month I had spotting from 5dpo, flow at 10 dpo and spotting afterwards, so a total of 14 days spotting. Before that I've had spotting/bleeding from 8-10 dpo. I tried B6 (100mg then 50 mg) but it's not helped me.
I've had spotting and bleeding for years when on BCP and implant - was pretty much every day at one point. So I had a coil that stopped my periods completely for 2 years. Had that removed last Sept to start TTC.

Anyway I saw my GP and at first she was a bit dismissive, she thought it was cervical erosion (can cause spotting) but my cervix and smear/pap test were fine. So she's sending me for a U/S to check for polyps, which can cause bleeding and stop me getting PG.

So that's 2 more possibilities for the spotting that you could badger your GP about!
Any spotting should be investigated in case of cervical cancer if you've not had a recent smear test.

Good luck girls. Please keep us up to date.

 

[silarose28]

Hi everyone

I passed a chinese medicine place yesterday and have decided to give that a go if the agnus castus doesn't work.

The HSG was slightly wierd yesterday but I keeping my fingers crossed!!

Chocolate cat - let us know how you get on. My doctors hevn't mentioned anything like that - they have just done blood tests to check hormone levels. It's so confucing how everyone seems to get something slightly different from their doctor!!!!

xxxxxx