Short Luteal Phase - HELP!!! Please...

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2003
Short Luteal Phase - HELP!!! Please...
2
Tue, 09-02-2003 - 12:25pm
Hello all!

Quick history. I've had 2 MC this year (3/31 and DC 6/19) and am currently having some testing done to figure out why. As part of the testing with the doctor, they've had me start charting, which I can't say enough good things about as I was clueless before I started.

Anyway, I have been doing it on paper until I came to this site last week and learned of fertilityfriend.com. I put my charts on there and figured out that I'm ovulating late in my cycle (cd 18 and 19) and with a 26 day cycle, my luteal phase is very short (6 and 7 days). I was doing the OPT and they kept coming back - when I was SUPPOSED to be ovulating, so I thought I wasn't -- until FF. Now I know I am, just late. The frustrating thing is that my dr. said it was too complicated to figure out when I ovulated, so I quit taking the OPTs on cd 14 or 15. *sigh*

My question for you all is this. I have an appt. on 9/17 to go over the test results -- except I haven't done the progesterone test as I had no idea I was ovulating so late. I'm SO mad I missed it last week.

I'm wondering if those of you who've been through similar situations would do. I'm trying to gather information so I can call my dr. and be knowledgeable. So, what I'm wondering is if I should try to get an earlier appt. and then possibly get on medication this month or if you would suggest I wait until next month and do the progesterone test this month and have everything in hand and then start TTC again in October.

I'm just so anxious, I want to go early and start the meds this month and start TTC this month.

Help!!!!

Carie

TTC#1

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2003
Tue, 09-02-2003 - 1:05pm
Well, you're ovulating, which is very, very good. I don't think there's any need for you to necessarily hold off on TTC until October or wait until bloodwork can come back, because with a couple of charts showing a short luteal phase that should be evidence enough.

I would ask my doctor to prescribe progesterone for your luteal phase (or rather, I'd probably insist on it) for the next cycle. I believe most women take it after ovulation, and on to about 12 weeks into a pregnancy. The most common prescription for this use is usually for vaginal suppositories.

For even more information on charting and understanding your body, I'd like to highly, highly recommend you get your hands on the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler. I find this book to be THE most helpful resource in charting, while the Fertility Friend website is a nice supplement to it. The book alone will help you arm yourself with enough "ammo" for your doctor's appointments.

Good luck to you!

Tami

Tami
Mommy to Anna 7.7.04 & Ben 11.19.06

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-22-2003
Tue, 09-02-2003 - 1:25pm
Hi there Carie,

My name's Jenn and I have also been ttc since 1/03. I think we may have similar situations. My Dr and I think I m/c two cycles ago and she thinks it's due to a short luteal phase as well and I spot four or five days before my period actually starts which my Dr. says is a sign of low progesterone. Here's what we're doing this cycle and it may help you out.

I had blood drawn on CD3 to test my thyroid, FSH, LH , etc. and the resluts were all fine. I will have my blood taken again on CD21 to test my progesterone levels. If that test comes back as low, she suggested I either start a progesterone suppository or start taking Clomid on my next cycle. She recommended the progesterone because it has less side effects than the Clomid. I asked her about taking things like Vitex, vitamen B6 and Red Raspeberry to try and lengthen my luteal phase and she told me I could try those and they wouldn't markedly effect my test on CD21. So I started taking 100mg of B6 this cycle.

I would get the test earlier if you can this month and continue ttc whether or not you get the medication. What CD day are you right now? There may be a chance that you could start the progesterone suppositories now if you are in your luteal phase.

Anyhow, I don't know if any of this helps but I wish you luck and come down and join us June Bugs in the Waiting to O or the Two week Wait thread. There's a great bunch of women there who may be able to help you out.

Good Luck,

jenn44