Short leuteal phase?

[embiemomma]

so, after a successful FET in 2016, we have an appointment for self funded treatment for baby number 2 next week. we have unexplained infertility but i am sure it is to do with my short leuteal phase and light, short periods. I spot up to 6 days prior to my period and they are fairly light and short.(better post baby but slowly getting back to my usual) During IVF i had to have more meds to thicken my lining. I was wondering whether they would try progesterone support before going down the IVF route again? My GP, although good dismissed my spotting but I'm convinced it's related. Hoping a fertility doctor will take it more seriously. Just curious if anyone else had been offered this? I have been taking baby aspirin for 4 months with no luck... Xx

[Saya85]

Hi

I think you're right in wondering if it's progesterone support you need.

I've had a bit of a journey with it too as have others and have worked out I do need extra support

However this post recently will probably explain it a lot better to you - I don't know if you'll really get help from the NHS but maybe from your fertility clinic?

Have a read through to see if it could apply to you

healthunlocked.com/fertilit...

[Hidden]

Hi! Check out my last post. I was in a similar situation to you, spotting 5dpo, 10 days before my period. Cyclogest worked for me. A private clinic wanted to try me on clomid for a month, then clomid plus Cyclogest. I was very lucky that the NHS clinic were willing to give me Cyclogest before IVF. I asked my GP to note down my success on Cyclogest in case we need a repeat prescription when trying for our second, but I'm not holding out much hope. I'm 4 months post partum and exclusively breastfeeding so no periods yet. We'll see what my situation is when they return. If necessary, I'll see if I can get a private prescription.

I also was having very light and short periods. My first month on Cyclogest gave me a very heavy period, possibly because I'd not been spotting in the 10 days up to it. I'm sure that helped my lining (wondering if the effects on constant spotting in this way either makes the lining thicker, or it starts regenerating early during the period and therefore the hormones make it less thick/healthy?! No scientific basis for that, just my own thoughts).

Good luck with pushing for what you want. If you ever want to chat, private message me. I will be a background observer of this forum until we start trying for our second

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

That bit in the brackets was supposed to say makes the lining thinner, not thicker. Freudian slip?? 😆

[embiemomma in reply to Hidden]

thank you, our situation sounds very similar! It's so frustrating they don't seem to take it seriously. The only 2 occasions when i didn't spot was the twice i had ivf... First was unsuccessful but I was ill post egg collection and second i was pregnant! Both times on cyclogest. Surely not a coincidence?! I'm hoping as this is now private treatment they'll listen to me more rather than just saying yer, you need ivf again! It could be such a simple solution. Appointment is in 6 days so fingers crossed!! Congratulations on your happy ending ☺ my 'baby' is 2 in March! It flies by! I exclusively BF and my periods returned (with a vengeance!) at 6 months pp. That was a shock. really heavy initially, with little or no spotting, but much lighter now with spotting prior... I'm convinced my problem is implantation due to thin lining due to this. What dose of cyclogest did they put you on, and how long for? Xxx

[Hidden in reply to embiemomma]

Congratulations on your little one.

I quite agree with you. The way I discussed it with the private clinic was that it's like an avalanche, my progesterone level starts high but dips a little so I spot, losing the top layer of my lining. Progesterone evens out so no period. It then dips a little more, a bit more of my lining falls away, and so on for 10 days until my levels hit that critical point of my period starting. At some point during this journey any embryo is either trying to implant into something that is already falling away, or gets taken with the layer it has started burrowing into.

The private clinic agreed with me though said I'd need blood tests and scans about every other day to prove this. I can imagine that would come at a cost and ultimately IVF might be cheaper. If they'd be willing to offer a private prescription of progesterone without proving that then obviously go for it!

I was given 400mg daily, so only one pessary. I was to taken after I'd confirmed ovulation, so I used sticks to predict when it was due, and temperature charting to prove it had occurred. I started taking after 2 consecutive higher temperatures. I then took for 10 days before doing a pregnancy test. On BFP I continued taking until my dating scan then weaned myself off.

Good luck with your appointment. Let me know how you get on xxx

[embiemomma in reply to Hidden]

so, not the best appointment today! We saw a nurse in gynae outpatients (was expecting a doctor) so she couldn't really answer our questions and basically just did the paperwork/organised bloods for another cycle! I now have an appointment to see a consultant on 14th May (next available!) and in the meantime need to have day 2 and 21 bloods and a pelvic uss (again!) i think i actually knew more than her! I'm a nurse myself and have done my homework. Bit deflated and wondering whether to see my gp and ask her to prescribe cyclogest? Why is it sooo hard to get prescribed?! Xx

[Hidden in reply to embiemomma]

I'm so sorry you had an unhelpful and disappointing appointment. That's also really frustrating and upsetting that you have to wait so long to see the consultant. There's no harm in asking your GP for a private prescription, but in my experience they are reluctant to prescribe without direction from a consultant. I hope you get some good news soon xx

[Doglover5]

Hi not much advice to offer but in a similar situation. Been TTC 2 years and spot like clockwork 4-5 days prior to a light period. Convinced this is the issue as cycles vary from 22 days to 28 but always spot beforehand and I’m sure luteal phase is only 9 days. No dr really takes it seriously and have never been prescribed progesterone so onto first IVF cycle end of Jan. it made me feel positive knowing you had success though so thanks. I was really worried the progesterone they prescribe wouldn’t be enough even in IVF but it obviously was for you! I find it crazy they don’t at least try this before IVF myself but hey I’m no expert!

How much did that give you? I am going to push for the top dose if I can xx

[embiemomma]

hi! I'm sure that's what stopped my spotting!! I was on 3/day so 600mg in total i think, then weaned off at 13 weeks. I just wish i could buy it without a prescription and do it myself! the creams etc are a much lower dose apparently... So frustrating, especially when we are now self funding. When i see the consultant i am not leaving till he gives me a prescription or a valid reason why not. I have a gp appointment booked but not hopeful she'll prescribe them either. ☹ best of luck for your cycle! Xxx