Luteal phase defect and mild PCO

[Sunshine92]

Hi all,

I’m a 26 year old of a healthy weight and have been trying to conceive for 9months. After no luck, purchasing pretty much everything on the market and negative ovulation tests I paid for a private scan which found I had mild polycystic ovaries. I have a bang on 30 day cycle and so ovulation was predicted at day 16. The private scans tracked a maturing follicle which ovulated day 20/21. The nurse said I may have a luteal phase defect and started me on progesterone pessaries for 2 weeks. However ive been reading online that anything 10 days and above is fine? Im convinced theres something else awful wrong and i will never have a baby 😔 has anyone else had a luteal phase defect? x

[Moving]

Hi Clare, I haven’t had that no but your going and if I had a gut feeling I would follow it up and get some more tests done... even if it’s to give you peace of mind

[JustKnewIt]

Hey there. Nothing of this kind I should say. My dx - born without a womb. As far as I know luteal phase defect needs adding some extra progesteron. If your nurse gave you 2 weeks frame then I guess she wants to get the right test numbers by that very point. Don't be in haste with decisions, honey. I wouldn't say you have sth awful adding your luteal phase defect at this very point. Let the things go as they are now. I believe your dr & nurse are professionals, they know what's better in your case and doing their best to help you. Wait, honey, wait and see what happens. Don't get ovewhelmed with all possible 'what ifs'. This harms only. Have you asked about any of supplements & vitamins you may use to get your body well nutrieted? Acupuncture is said to be beneficial in stress relief. A nice thing to be here among supportive groups. I hoping for you, waiting for updates. Hugs x

[Sunshine92 in reply to JustKnewIt]

Thank you for your kind reply. The progesterone pessaries sadly didn’t help and I came on my period. I have been seeing my Zita West trained acupuncturist for almost 6 months, she thinks my luteal phase is fine and is tracking my temps. She’s suggested I try I text agnus castus for a few months to see if that helps balance out my hormones, I’m also taking pregnancy related vitamins, cut out sugar and caffeine, exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet. I’ve also recently started hypnotherapy. Trying everything I can, praying that things will work out. If not I go back to my Dr in 3 months time for them to refer me to a specialist. Such a long waiting game xx

[Karinyaa]

I'm sorry you haven't been lucky yet, hun. I know it's hard. I have severe endo so cannot come up with any suggestions as for the luteal phase defect. Everything I know it needs more progesterone. And judging from your last post you weren't successful with them. At least you know for sure sth more should be done. Or that progesterone shots alone are not enough so you added those vitamins& supplements & herbals. I just want to say I believe you're on the right way. Investigating more, trying more things will change the state of things for better. You're keeping on moving and getting results. Even though they aren't satisfying yet, they do come in steadily so you and your dr can track your fertility changes. I think it's great. You just need more patience. I'm praying for you, hun x

[andylins]

Hello, dear, I'm sorry they suspect you have this. While a luteal phase defect can be very serious (Prohibiting a pregnancy until it is fixed) the good news is that in most cases it can be helped by natural therapies.

Luteal Phase Defect and low progesterone levels can be affected with a variety of methods. These include herbs, diet, supplements and/or progesterone cream.

Your diet should include EFA’s. They are important for hormone production. Many women are low in EFA’s, specifically omega 3. Some foods rich in EFA’s are: flaxseeds, walnuts, salmon, sardines, halibut, shrimp, snapper, scallops and chia seeds. Add more green leafy vegetables. They are rich in B vitamins which are necessary for proper hormonal balance.

Then consume cholesterol from eggs, coconut oil and fat from organic and grass-fed animal products. Cholesterol is necessary for hormone production. Avoid eating a ‘low-fat’ diet and make sure to eat a diet that includes whole fat sourced from grass-fed animal products. Another natural way to boost progesterone levels is taking a supplement of Vitex. I hope this message will find you well and healthy. All the best x