Really short Luteal phase

Feeling super disappointed…this cycle I only made it to 7 DPO before AF arrived! I seem to have such a short luteal phase and I’m ovulating so late! I only came off the pill in September, so wondering if maybe it will change in the next few months naturally. I just wonder if this is stopping us getting pregnant. This is our 3rd month TTC which doesn’t sound long but every time AF arrives I feel so sad and upset. Any advice?

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Definitely ask the GP to check your progesterone. Low progesterone is usually linked with a short luteal phase, and tbh if you’re starting your period at 7dpo there’s no real ability for the egg to implant x

Try acupuncture specifically someone that specializes in fertility!! I was having a 8 DPO (sometimes would make it to 11 DPO) and a 23 day cycle but after acupuncture my very next period i made it to 13 DPO and 28 days which i hadn’t been able to do IN A YEAR!!!! THEN I got pregnant on the second cycle after starting acupuncture!

It’s worth getting a blood test for things like hypothyroidism. My LP has been short since I came off BC with no obvious reason other than I have mild hypothyroidism (and low progesterone which is probably linked). I got put on letrozole (femara) for my luteal phase defect and successfully conceived in 2021, but now on it again ttc #2!

Oh and my average LP is 6/7 days, and can sometimes be as short as 5!

@Rosie this is good to hear because I’ve been told by a fertility nutritionist that short luteal phase is due to poor egg quality 🤷🏼‍♀️

Does anyone know if those kind of medications can be prescribed in the UK, if we have been trying for less than a year?

Progesterone definitely can be prescribed. I don’t think you’d get anything such as letrozole yet unless you had PCOS and went private x

I would speak to your GP and see what they say. I went to mine before 1 year as I had had a thyroid test done privately (mail order home testing kit) that showed an issue. If you have an underlying condition they should refer you after 6 months of trying (also if you are 35 or over). I’m based in jersey so it’s a slightly different process (all GPs are private) but they still use the NHS criteria for referrals to the fertility clinic.

I have been looking into natural ways to boost progesterone and I’ve started agnus castus and ordered seeds for seed cycling. I’ve also started coq10 and vitamin b12. and cut out all caffeine. Going to see how this cycle goes and if still really short I’ll see if GP will see me.

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