Short Luteal Phase Ladies in the TWW?

[KatieMK]

Hi ladies!

I found this thread while trying to find more information about vitex. I've only been taking it a couple of weeks, but I think I'm seeing some effects! I'm wondering if the amount I'm taking is why... For those of you who are trying it out, how much are you taking every day? It seems kinda crazy to me that I'd be affected by it within only a couple of weeks, so I'm concerned I might be overdoing it!

 

[butterbaby]

Welcome to Lillian and Katie, hopefully none of us are here for long!

Katie - I'm taking a vitex complex from my naturopath(ND) and it has 1000mg per tab. Originally I was taking 1 tab twice a day all cycle days. I saw my O date move up and LP increased to 10 days after about 2 months. Unfortunately my ND suspected it might have worsened my depression and anxiety so he told me to take 1 tab only on days 10-21. I went back to an 8 day LP so now I take 1 tab on days 10 till the next CD1. So far I feel ok and I think I O'd earlier this month so when I see my ND this week I'll ask about increasing my dose as long as I feel fine. Vitex usually takes a few cycles but some people notice a change in the first cycle. Maybe you're a lucky one!

Lil - Glad to hear you're getting answers. Hopefully they provide you with options to help your tubes. I'm so impressed by how gracefully you're taking this whole experience. You're a brave lady.

My update..Im approx. 4 dpo but not feeling confident as we only got to BD once in my fertile week as I had a UTI. It was 2 days before O though so I guess I have a small glimmer of hope. In my doubt though, I'm planning to start OPKs next month so I can be more certain about my O day. Although then my mom goes and books a 3 week trip for next February and says "so don't have a baby then." As much as I'd want her to be there I don't think I can just stop trying so I suppose if it's meant to be it will be.

 

[Lilllian]

Hi Lillian! I'm so sorry to hear about your CP. Are you sure it's a CP just because the lines are faint? I know every POAS-aholic likes to see the nice darkening progression, but I read somewhere that according to doctors the darkness of the line doesn't matter... so any updates today? Keeping you in our prayers.

Re. the progesterone test, I got this done at the ob/gyn. It's a blood test, so I don't think you can do it yourself...

Thank you- i think i did have a 3rd CP, got my AF at 14dpo and my LP is 10 days, and I'm sure I saw a line, faint as anything though, but others saw it too. Not that it matters too much but obviously I would rather my LP had just lengthened, but an extra 4 days is unlikely after only one month on the vitamins (I got my ov date correct too as I used opks and for the first time I got a positive one)

Anyway, I am starting afresh this cycle and have started to take baby aspirin on top of the vitamins to help with my uterus lining. I think I am ovulating now though and I am only cycle day 10 today (last month is was cycle day 15, before that 18 and before that days 20/21). Opks are all negative but I did get a line early on Thursday morning, so not sure if that was the end of a the LH surge or a faulty test? (I have a very short surge, as I discovered last cycle). I am have lots of ewcm and cramps and bloating which i usually go by, BUT could this be also from taking aspirin and vits too? seems very early to me.

 

[KatieMK]

Welcome to Lillian and Katie, hopefully none of us are here for long!

Katie - I'm taking a vitex complex from my naturopath(ND) and it has 1000mg per tab. Originally I was taking 1 tab twice a day all cycle days. I saw my O date move up and LP increased to 10 days after about 2 months. Unfortunately my ND suspected it might have worsened my depression and anxiety so he told me to take 1 tab only on days 10-21. I went back to an 8 day LP so now I take 1 tab on days 10 till the next CD1. So far I feel ok and I think I O'd earlier this month so when I see my ND this week I'll ask about increasing my dose as long as I feel fine. Vitex usually takes a few cycles but some people notice a change in the first cycle. Maybe you're a lucky one!

Lil - Glad to hear you're getting answers. Hopefully they provide you with options to help your tubes. I'm so impressed by how gracefully you're taking this whole experience. You're a brave lady.

My update..Im approx. 4 dpo but not feeling confident as we only got to BD once in my fertile week as I had a UTI. It was 2 days before O though so I guess I have a small glimmer of hope. In my doubt though, I'm planning to start OPKs next month so I can be more certain about my O day. Although then my mom goes and books a 3 week trip for next February and says "so don't have a baby then." As much as I'd want her to be there I don't think I can just stop trying so I suppose if it's meant to be it will be.

Thanks for the info, Butter! I'm only taking 900mg per day, so I think I feel OK about the dosage based on what your ND recommends. In fact, if my O date hadn't moved to earlier in my cycle so drastically, I'd probably worry I wasn't taking ENOUGH Vitex! Fx for you that you figure out the right combination of supplements!

This is my second cycle using OPKs, and I'm really glad I did. The OPKs are how I discovered my LP was as short as it is, and they are also how I discovered how early O was for me this cycle! I think they really help give you some answers and some peace of mind. You can't figure out a solution without narrowing down your issues first, and that's what the OPKs did for me. Plus, it means you get to pee on things which I was TOTALLY MISSING because my AF would arrive so early!

 

[macydarling]

Hi ladies, thought I would pop in from 2nd tri, hope I'm not intruding.
I too had a short luteal phase. Our 13th cycle trying was the lucky one for us. I'm not sure if it was coincidence or not but my bfp cycle was when I started taking a B6 supplement as well as a vitamin C supplement (in addition to the prenatals that already contained both of those). I really think that is what helped me!
Anyway, don't lose hope, you will get your bfp when you least expect it! I had already given up hope my bfp cycle because I felt the same as usual and got all bfns until the day af was due. Wishing you all the best and

 

[BrandiCanucks]

Mind if I join you ladies?

I had faint positives yesterday at 8dpo and woke up to the witch this morning. My cycles are give or take. The last 3, I ovulated on CD17/18 and got my period on CD30/31. It's CD28 today. So not sure if I just had a miscarriage or a chemical, but this is definitely a short phase for me. I've had other short phases as well.

My 9dpo dollar store test was still faintly positive today, just a little less positive.

 

[alikat27]

You can't figure out a solution without narrowing down your issues first, and that's what the OPKs did for me. Plus, it means you get to pee on things which I was TOTALLY MISSING because my AF would arrive so early!

Bahaha this made me laugh so much It's so true!

Welcome Macy and Brandi! Macy, so excited that you're expecting It gives me hope that one day it'll be me, even with the terrible LP haha. Brandi, any chance that it could be IB? Fingers crossed for you, hun... keep us posted.

So ladies, I'm going in for testing at a proper RE's office on Friday. Didn't even have to get a referral from my ob/gyn; I just sent an email briefly detailing my symptoms to the RE's admittance nurse and she set up an appointment right away. I'm excited about it because my intermittent spotting has gotten worse the past two cycles (I usually spot red/brown anywhere from cd 8-15 before O on cd 20/21, and then intermittent spotting all throughout the LP) so I'm exciiiiited to have some more hormone tests to see what's going on. I think I'm also going to do the HSG flush to check if there's been any damage in my right tube after my ectopic last year. So that's exciting! Hopefully we get some answers this time!

Hope you all are doing well! Anyone in the TWW yet? I'm anticipating O on Friday or Saturday, but I was away this past weekend and forgot to take my plethora of pills for two days, and it seems like my hormones may be a little off without the Vitex/B6 kick... EWCM isn't as plentiful as it normally is yet. Dargh. Still hopeful for this cycle, though! Would LOVE a New Year's baby!

Baby dust to all!

 

[macydarling]

My luteal phase was about 8 days long most of the time, sometimes 9. And I never got ewcm. Seemed as if the odds were stacked against me! But somehow it still happened, hopefully it will happen ASAP for you too! Oh and I've heard of many women getting a bfp cycle after hsg! So fx!

 

[Lilllian]

Hi Alikat Good luck with your testing

I am 1dpo today. IF I get a BFP and have a chemical again I will re-think what is going on- i have done all the research on the net that i can and I guess proper tests will be the next thing for me.

I am on baby aspirin this month so i hope this will make a difference.

 

[alikat27]

Macy, that IS a huge relief. I'm so happy everything worked out for you!

Oh and I've heard of many women getting a bfp cycle after hsg! So fx!

For real? I've never heard that! That's fantastic! All the more reason to stay positive

I am 1dpo today. IF I get a BFP and have a chemical again I will re-think what is going on- i have done all the research on the net that i can and I guess proper tests will be the next thing for me.

I am on baby aspirin this month so i hope this will make a difference.

Fx for you! I've heard about the baby aspirin too and was contemplating trying it, but hubby told me I should stick with just Vitex and B6 for at least a few more months before concluding that they don't work. He's probably right haha. I hope it works for you though!

 

[BrandiCanucks]

Nope, definitely not IB. It's gotten red and heavy now. Definitely AF.

I just went back and checked out my last cycle and it turns out, I had a 29 day cycle, with O on CD17, which is about 4 days later than my "normal". My normal cycles are 26 days with O on CD13.

This cycle was also 29 days, but O occurred on CD20. So could this have contributed to why I didn't conceive? I honestly, truly believe I did, but the LP was too short this month to implant. What would cause such a difference in LP's between cycles? Could it be that I'm still breastfeeding, and is there anything I can do to improve this?

 

[BrandiCanucks]

Here's another explanation:

What's the likelihood that the WONDFO's were lying to me?
March 27 was CD17 and that day, I had EWCM and some light pink spotting. I felt a little bit of pinching, that I thought might be O pain. I tested with a WONDFO OPK and got a BFN.

March 29 (CD19), I got a BFP OPK on a WONDFO and made the two hour trip to meet with the donor and get an insemination done. The next day(CD20), I felt pinching pains on the left for several hours that also felt like O pains.

Thought I timed that perfectly. The next day, OPKs (different brand) were negative.

AF started today, CD29.

Is it possible the EWCM and spotting on CD17 was actually my O day and WONDFO didn't pick it up right?

Or was the WONDFO right and I ovulated late, on CD20 and just had a short luteal phase this cycle?

My last cycle I O'd on CD17 (or so the Wondfo's said) and got AF on CD29

 

[alikat27]

Brandi, so sorry hun I have no idea about whether breastfeeding affects LP length/O date... possibly it does? Or it could just be stress? I've always heard, though, that O date can change but LP is pretty consistent (except in cases where Vitex/B6/etc elongate it... like pretty much all of us on this thread are hoping for!).

I'm inclined to think your WONDFOs were correct but just luck of the draw you didn't conceive this cycle. It happens... even with perfect timing the odds are only like 20-30%. That must make it so hard when you're using a long-distance donor! Fingers crossed for you next cycle.

I'm on a high today because I got a blazing positive OPK this morning A day later than I was expecting, but what the hey. There's just something about getting a positive test to make you feel better, you know? Even if it is just an OPK. It's so great to know I can pee on something and make it turn positive! Hubs and I have timed BD pretty well this cycle so I'm feeling nice and positive for the LP. Interested to see whether the doc will put me on progesterone supps tomorrow... fx he does

 

[Lilllian]

Yay for the +opk- Good Luck Alikat!!

 

[alikat27]

So I had my RE visit today! Going there is SUCH a different experience from the regular ob/gyn office. It's just a nicer environment, and the doctor I had was soooo knowledgeable and kind about everything. I really really liked her.

Except for the part when she told me she's 95% sure I have endometriosis.



TBH even that wasn't too bad. I actually didn't know too much about endo (in all of my googling, that was the one thing I hadn't really considered) but she explained how it's less about scarring and more an autoimmune disease. I've gotta go home and read more about it. But anyway, she can't confirm it unless she does surgery, and she says surgery honestly doesn't do too much to help fertility anyway, so we're just not going to do surgery. I'm happy about that!

I ended up getting scheduled for an HSG flush, which has to be postponed until next month because I ovulated today (which we confirmed on a vaginal ultrasound). Have you guys ever had an ultrasound done by the doctor and not just a technician who can't tell you anything? It was FANTASTIC! She showed me all sorts of things, including all the little undeveloped follicles on each ovary, the fact that my ovaries are back to normal size (hurrah! Maybe all the herbs I'm taking have fixed that!), and the lining of my uterus which was perfectly developed for receiving an egg. So cool to see! She concluded from the ultrasound that everything looks good from the first half of my cycle, and then prescribed progesterone (the vaginal ones, not the rub-into-your-skin cream type) which I can start taking in like 2 days. Conclusion: even though I may have endo, it doesn't look like it's very bad, and she's very hopeful about our chances to conceive.

So yaaaaayyy! I'm actually really happy coming out of that visit. It sounds like we're doing a lot of things right, and I'm hopeful that the progesterone will knock off the spotting and short LP this cycle. Thank goodness for that! Fx for this cycle, since we've timed the nookie to perfection

Anyone else in the TWW yet? Do I have any O day buddies this time?!

 

[Lil_Want2bMom]

Hi alikat
great news
I also have a HSG flush, but mine will be sometime around june, since the timing is ruined with some travel I have from work.
I also have my ultrasounds with my dr everytime, who is a fertility specialist, so I know what u mean hehe
I am on CD1 today, my cycle was 23 days, but since my tubes are blocked, I am not thinking about anything know, until I have the flush..... also DH has the sperm problem so our odds are really low..

I wish u all the baby dust on this cycle!

 

[alikat27]

Hi ladies! Missing you all and hoping this has been a promising cycle for all of you

So I started taking the progesterone suppositories (1/day) 9 days ago, and I'm pleased to report I am currently on 11dpo!! For the first time ever, with NO spotting so far!! Wow, it feels so crazy. Even though 11dpo is still pretty short for a standard LP, I can't help feeling like this is THE CYCLE (which was promptly shut down when I took a HPT this morning... negative haha unsurprising... I'm determined not to test again until Saturday to avoid any more disappointment!).

Progesterone has been an interesting thing. I honestly haven't had too many preggo symptoms. The progesterone leaks, obviously, so I've had to wear pantyliners all week, but it's not too gross, just like regular CM (although the dripping feeling constantly makes me feel like AF has started haha. So awkward). I'm bloated like CRAZY though (as though I were 5 months pregnant) and have had really bad pimples and sore throat, but nothing else so it's really not too different to the usual LP symptoms. Mostly I've just been thrilled with the lack of spotting... it's been so wonderful!

If Saturday comes and the HPT is still negative, I'm going to stop the progesterone and let AF come along. The doc wants to schedule me for an HSG flush, so we'd probably do that in the next few weeks if I'm not pregnant. So either way, exciting times!

How are all of you doing? The thread has been so quiet lately!

 

[PatriNina]

Hi girls,

I have a lot of catching up to do on your updates but life has been hectic! We've gone from being nearly broke to me landing 2 awesome freelance jobs in a matter of a month haha

I'm 8dpo today I think (not sure since OPKs were hit and miss this month), and I think AF will be around soon since I'm getting the usual PMS signs (constipation followed by (TMI) lots of bowel movements).

Alikat the one thing I did read was your last post. Were the progesterone suppositories something that your doctor prescribed? when did you begin taking them in your cycle? Right after O? Very interested in the results you get, since I'm almost positive that the low level of progesterone is my problem. Not enough money right now to do further examination but I'm keeping a close eye on my cycles for when I will head up to the doctor's office.

Good luck to everyone!

 

[alikat27]

PatriNina, you're BACK! Yay! I'm so glad to hear that your hectic month has ended in such a good way. Congrats on your jobs! What sort of freelancing work do you do? I'm so glad you were able to get your financial situation sorted out so that you're not stressed for babymaking!

Yep, my RE prescribed the progesterone suppositories (this was a proper RE, not my regular ob/gyn who didn't know anything). I started taking them the night of 2dpo, so 3 days after my first +OPK. I'm going to take them until the night of 14dpo, test on day 15, and then if it's negative, discontinue so that AF starts. This is going to be a loooong week!

Had some slight spotting this morning (12dpo)--first spotting I've had since being on the progesterone. It was very minimal, light pink spotting that only showed when I wiped (not on the pantyliner) and then a spot of brown about the size of a ballpoint pen tip. Apparently progesterone suppositories can irritate your cervix and make it bleed (unrelated to AF) so I'm not quite sure what to think at this point. I guess I'll just wait and see 3 days until testing argh!

 

[PatriNina]

Thanks for your kind words, Ali! I do freelance writing; anything from product descriptions to short novels I'm hoping to become a busy stay-at-home mom

AF just hit today, and this cycle I'm finally going to temp and use OPKs properly. Starting vit.B6 and a vit.B complex. I'm hoping for the best!

I've researched the progesterone suppositories and lots of sources talked about bleeding unrelated to AF. Hope it does its magic for you! Thanks for explaining the process