Ovulating day 22...Short luteal phase?

[SianieShorts]

Hi there...I’m convinced that I have a short luteal phase though this has never been diagnosed officially. I seem to ovulate day 21/22 of a 28 day cycle(see attached photo)

Does anyone have any experience or advice with regard to short luteal phase/luteal phase defect??

Many thanks in advance xx

[Masief]

Hey, one way to properly track this is to take your basal body temp with your opks. I did this for 5 cycles with clear blue and took my temp first thing in the morning before getting out of bed. It was always accurate, my temp would peak 2 days after a positive opk and then remain high for the same duration before my period arrived.

[SianieShorts in reply to Masief]

Thanks for this! X

[Millbanks]

Yes me!! I definitely have a short luteal phase and I also start spotting early too. Because of this I know I have low progesterone but it also made me suspect that my transfer window for FET was slightly out. I had an ERA test and it showed that I need an extra full day of progesterone before transfer.

I started taking vitamin B6 and it really helped to lengthen my luteal phase, in fact it also stopped me spotting early too. If you’re trying to conceive naturally I recommend getting yourself some. B6 actually helps the body produce progesterone 👍🏼 xx

[SianieShorts in reply to Millbanks]

Thanks that’s really useful xx

[sunset212]

Hi, i second what someone said about b6 helping to lengthen luteal phase, but just don't take too high as it can cause nerve damage over the longer term. keep it 50mg or under. Sometimes high doses can have the opposite effect though pushing ovulation later which happened to me. An equally effective vitamin is vitamin C 500-750mg per day can lengthen a short luteal phase. There was a study online with a large number of women taking 700mg per day of Vit C and all had 70% more progesterone levels in their body compared to the placebo group. I managed to stretch mine from 10 days to 11/12 with vitamin C i too have a 28 day cycle but i tend to have a 10/11 day luteal phase, so i ovulate day 17 or day 18. The average for a 28 day cycle they say online is between day 14 and 16 for ovulation, which would give a healthier 12-14 day luteal phase. I am borderline luteal phase defect, they say anything less than 10 days between when you ovulate and when you first day of the next cycle is a short luteal phase and thus it can make it harder to hold on to an implanted embryo to sustain a growing pregnancy. However short luteal phases can be corrected / supported with progesterone supplements in the form of pesseries or shots or both in severe cases. I have the pesseries called cyclogest ( 2 x 400mg per day 12 hours apart) from the day following ovulation until test day after transfer ( normally test on day 11 after a 5 day blast transfer) The first step would be to discuss your short luteal phase concerns with your Gynae . He/ She will likely diagnose a progesterone issue and run some tests, if you confirmed to be ovulating then the correct level of progesterone support can be prescribed to support an implanting embryo. This is one of the most correctable issues in fertility so don't overly worry!. Good luck. Just on a side note do you have PCOS as often ladies with the condition ovulate sporidcally, not at all or very late in a cycle ? I would also consider staying clear of the strip tests and buy the clearblue digital smiley face test ( the pinpoint 2 day one) as it gives an unmistakable smiley face when you have surged ready to ovulate. The strip tests can cause confusion as it can be interpreted wrong when in fact the surge has not happened yet X

[SianieShorts in reply to sunset212]

Thank you so much for your in depth response. I will definitely look into taking supplements. I don’t have PSOS and pretty sure I do ovulate every month...just later than I ought to be.

I do have an under active thyroid though which I know can contribute to the condition. GP always says my levels are where they should be now I’m on medication but I hear NHS range is quite wide.

Seeing my gynae on 9th March so compiling a list of things to ask.

Thanks again and good luck to you x