Luteal Phase??

[Pretz]

I was just wondering whether anyone could help me out....

My periods/cycles have been between 24-26 days with some 27 and 28 day cycles too! A bit hard to pin-point exactly when I ovulate but get pretty distinct ovulation pain so know it's around CD13 or CD14. This month I thought I ovulated on CD15 (which was Friday) but now I'm confused and not so sure because I am almost more sure that I ovulated today which is CD17...

My question is that if I did ovulate today (CD17) and my cycle is only going to be a 24/26 day cycle, would there be a change that I could continue a pregnancy (if I fell pregnant this month/cycle) as that would mean a short Luteal Phase (LP)?

What is considered a NORMAL LP? And what isn't?

Thanks for any help, tips, info.

[nothing2lose]

It should be okay because your luteal phase never really changes (a day each way at the most). It is only the follicular phase that changes the length of your cycles (the phase leading up to ovulation).

Hope this helps!

Good luck

ETA - anything over about a 12 day luteal phase is considered okay to sustain implantation

[Pretz]

Thanks nothing2lose but just to clarify - so you assume that if my LP has been around 12 days each month that it will be that again this month even though I only ovulated on CD17 and that if I were to get AF on CD24/CD26 that I wouldn't have a 7/8 day LP??

[AJC]

Leading up to conception of DS I was having 9-10 day LP and managed to stay pg and he is now a very active lmost 3 year old. Good luck, I started taking vitamin B6 the month we fell pg with him too.

[nothing2lose]

Thanks nothing2lose but just to clarify - so you assume that if my LP has been around 12 days each month that it will be that again this month even though I only ovulated on CD17 and that if I were to get AF on CD24/CD26 that I wouldn't have a 7/8 day LP??

The way I understand it is you will either have a longer cycle (29 days or so) or you didn't ovulate when you thought you did.

[LionsandBears]

N2l - LP can vary in length. Mine does all the time. I'm actually trying to address short LP now.

Pretz - do you temp? Or at least note CM changes? No system is 100% accurate to confirm O except ultrasound. If you ovulate on CD17 and AF turns up less than 12 days later and you regularly have short luteal phases (not just a one off), then you may wish to deal with it. I'm trying to find a natural method now and am stressing myself out on dr google.

AJC - what dose of B6 did you take? Was it in addition to a prenatal? When did you stop taking it? I took B6 cycle before last but it was 250mg per pill and that seems high based on reading I've done so I didnt take it last month.

[PumpkinZulu]

L&B, mine does too. It's quite uncommon for LP to ever vary though. Aren't we lucky?

A 'normal' LP is considered 12-14 days I think, and it should be consistent. Have you tried Vitex? That can help lengthen LP. Mine varied anywhere from 9-15 days

[AJC]

L&B - I was taking Blackmores B6 which is 240mg on top of Blackmores conceive well gold. I stopped taking both around 6-7 wks which is when I started taking Blackmores pregnancy gold. So I think all up it was around 290mg daily. I read that anything over 500mg is too much daily and especially over long period of time. perhaps speak to your Dr or a naturopath for professional advice.

Add: had been taking conceive well gOld for 6 mths and the B6 only a month when fell pg with DS. Also taking clOmid for 2 mths although it didn't seem to make me O any earlier or increase LP. Was temping too.

[Sparkles]

Hun, you shouldn't have a shorter LP just a longer cycle this month. xx

[Pretz]

Thanks all, that makes sense about having the same LP (12 days) but having a longer cycle! Kind of a relief to know!

[Lisa B]

If you are concerned about your luteal phase length then perhaps chart your cycle for a few months to see what is happening. OPKs to help predict O and temping to confirm O and document the length of your luteal phase.

For most people the follicular phase varies but the luteal phase remains the same. Obviously not always the case but generally speaking. Mine was always 9 days except when I took vitex for one cycle and then other prescribed medication after that.