short cycle?

[notquite]

Wondering if having a short cycle is going to make it harder to conceive? Mine are usually 24 or 25 days and my periods only last 3 days. I'm almost 28 yrs old, have been off BC for 3 years (husband had a vasectomy that he is getting reversed) and my cycles have been pretty much the same since coming off BC. When I was on BC they were typically 27 or 28 days.

Any thoughts would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Lirpa11]

I think it is ok, it's your luteal phase that is most important. Ideally you need at least 10 days after ovulation (more is better, like 14 days)before your next period, so that you can sustain a pregnancy. Do you know what day you ovulate?

 

[notquite]

I think O is around day 14, haven't temped though so I'm not sure. I have an app on my phone to keep track, its almost always spot on for my period so maybe it's correct for O too. Not sure!

 

[lora123]

I'd get some opk sticks ( ovulation predictor kit) and try to see exactly when you ovulate as not everybody will ovulate in day 14 and there isn't a way an app can track unless you enter temps, opks, cervical mucous etc.
I have shortish cycles and don't ovulate until day 17 which leaves me with a 9 day luteal phase which I'm trying to lengthen with b6 and b complex this cycle

 

[Lirpa11]

I agree with Lora, and find out when you o. A short cycle should be ok, as long as you have enough time after ovulation to form the lining for a pregnancy.

You can use vitex and B6 to lengthen it, but yin might be worth speaking about it to your doctor as well. The problem with using them before speaking to your doctor as it could mask a problem if the luteal phase is short as it would make it seem longer. Using progesterone cream can also make the luteal phase longer I think as it increases progesterone levels.

 

[FutureFrogMom]

Hi notquite,

Last October, I got pregnant (the pregnancy ended in miscarriage at 5 weeks) on cycle day 26. I had been off the birth control pill for just over a year, and my cycles were fairly regular (25-27 days), although they were on the short side. My pregnancy was the result of a one-off "nah, I'm on cycle day 26, there's no way I could get pregnant, what the heck, let's ditch the condom". We weren't trying, and we certainly never expected for me to conceive so late in my cycle.

Obviously, the miscarriage was devastating emotionally (even though we weren't actively trying), and it forced us to look at a number of factors, namely my cycle. Right after the miscarriage I got serious about temping and charting my cervical mucous and all those "fertility signs", and I soon realized that my so-called "normal" 25-27-ish day cycles were in fact not so normal. I always thought that since my periods arrived on time every month it meant that I was ovulating on cycle day 13-14 ish, but actually, I realized that I was ovulating much later, and just having a really short luteal phase. Additionally, since I came of the bcp in July 2012, I was spotting for up to 7 days before the onset of my period. Until I miscarried, I never questioned that and just figured it was my body's unique pattern or something. I now know that spotting for days like that before the onset of a period can also be a sign of luteal phase defect.

BBT charting has been one of the best decisions I've ever made. I have learned so much about my body since I started temping. I now know that it's not cycle length, as the ladies above so rightly observed, that counts, but luteal phase length. According to many doctors, a "normal" luteal phase should last between 12-17 days. Mine has been averaging 9-10 days, which is insufficient, and I now attribute my miscarriage to this condition.

B6 (between 50-100mg) and vitamin C (1000mg) can help lengthen the luteal phase. I'm also taking vitex (800mg/day). So far, it's looking positive... my temps seem to be staying elevated, and I'm at 5dpo. We'll have to see. Anyway, all that to say that the best thing for you to do would likely be to start temping, and to observe your cycle for a few months before actively ttcing. That way you can rule out any "problems" that might explain why your cycles are on the short side, and you will have more peace of mind.

All the best!

 

[SamStormchase]

Hi notquite x - firstly, I agree with all the above, Lora and FutureFrogMom (huge hugs to you). Get some OPKs, maybe a ferning test kit and start doing your BBTs. Charting for me this cycle has been wonderful. It's the first 'proper' cycle I've had since coming of bc.

Also, it definitely doesn't matter how long your period is or your cycle, as said above it's the luteal phase that counts.

I've had a defect I believe maybe in the past. Today, after charting this cycle I'm on officially 7 days post o so I am chuffed to bits with that. Let's hope I can stretch it to at least 10 this cycle.

Good luck and baby dust to EVERYONE xxx