Short Luteal Phase, what helped you?

Hi ladies,

I had 2 m/c before we conceived DD. I've always had irregular cycles, pretty much the same as what I have now. Either I ovulate in the middle of my cycle and end up with AF 4-7 days later or I ov later in my cycle and AF comes again 4-7 days later or I don't ov at all. Sometimes I'm getting AF every 2 weeks which is a pain in the butt. I had these issues before DD and it looks like my cycle is back to it's old self. I have been getting shocking headaches, a cpl days before AF and then lasting a week afterwards. This past month I had shocking PMS after AF, emotional and cranky, just awful :( I have an app with a FS in a month and i'm just feeling a little unsure about how he is going to help. What can be done for a short LP? After some positive stories please?

Thanks Ladies :)

I asked Dr Google and came up with Vitamin B6. I was ovulating around day 28 - 32 and then AF would arrive 4-8 days later. I started taking vitamin B6 - just the Blackmores one - on CD 8, ovulated on CD 18, fell pg and stayed pg. You could have knocked my socks off. I had a referral from my GP to start looking into other options if that cycle went the same way (which probably would have involved Clomid and progesterone), but as it turned out I didn't need it!

I used to take Vitamin B6 for horrendous PMS and it always did me good. I don't always like or trust Dr Google, but as I knew B6 does me nothing but good, I figured it was worth a try.

Good luck!

Hi Babyluv

Poor love, that really sucks. So frustrating to have a short LP, not to mention the headaches and hormones. Not fun.

I had an LP of about 9-10 days, with spotting from day 7 onwards so I always knew AF was coming. Vitex and acupuncture helped, especially Vitex - but it can have side effects and isn't for everyone.

To be honest my cycle didn't really get sorted out until after I'd seen a FS and had a lap, dye, hysteroscopy etc. Kind of 'reset' things. Again, you may not need this so the less invasive options like naturopathy etc might be a better way to start.

I hope you find something that helps, and good luck with the FS appointment.

Soory must be quick.Clomid helped.

It probably depends on what the cause is, so the FS might order some hormone blood tests and then treat accordingly. The first line of treatment for me was Clomid to regulate the follicular phase and ovulation and then progesterone pessaries to lengthen the luteal phase.

Natural treatment options from the naturopath was vitex. This worked for one cycle but then I started seeing a FS and was prescribed the above treatment so I don't know whether vitex was a coincidence of would have fixed it over the longer term.

for me it was a combination of herbs including vitex as well as taking B6 and vit D supplements.

Thanks ladies :)

My lp was shortening every cycle so I took vit b6 (actually a b group complex with about 3 in there) on the off chance it did something and fell pg that cycle! Can't guarantee it was the b6 but b vitamins are suppose to help with pms as well so it could be worth a shot while you wait for the specialist.

Hi Babyluv,
You have a really short luteal phase just like me (I'm between 4 and 8 days)! My first bit of advice is if you've been charting your cycles take all evidence possible to your FS appointment. I've had trouble getting 2 different specialists to believe that my short LP is true!

I now use progesterone pessaries twice a day from ovulation and consistently have a 13 day LP when using them. Also, I had a lot of spotting during my luteal phase so had a laparoscopy and d&c to check it out. The d&c stopped the spotting and the progesterone lengthens the luteal phase :)

Hopefully I haven't scared you - you probably won't need any surgery but maybe just progesterone supplementation. Oh - and I tried vitamin B and vitex but unfortunately it made no difference for me.

PS - I'm really encouraged hearing that you've had a healthy baby. Thank you! Sorry for your losses :hug:

Thanks Mich8,

Yes every now and then I get lucky and seem to have a normal cycle and when that happens we seem to get pregnant fairly easily but with the m/c and the unknown of when I could get a normal cycle again I just don't want to play the wait and see. Who knows how long it could take, if there's help out there I'll take it. I've been charting because I gathered he may get me to do that and so if I go with my charts already, that may help. Thanks so much, it's good to know there is something that can be done. I have been on the B6 vit from blackmores for quite a few months now too without any change.

Vitamin B6 helped me to conceive with my usually 9-10 day luteal phase.