LP is suddenly and consistently shorter?

[shells_n_cheese]

I started charting in Sept 2007 to TTC #2. Through charting I found my cycles were all over the place (ranging from 30-60 days) but my LP was 14 days long (the shortest LP I ever charted was 13 days).

After having my second child, AF returned shortly after I stopped BF. I am charting to avoid now, but I am not temping this time (I temped when TTC). I still check my cervix, CM, etc, and I also get painful mittelshmerz, which really helps pinpoint O.

The last 5 cycles, all but one had an LP of of 10-12 days. Only once cycle had my usual 14 day LP.

I am wondering what the heck is going on. When we were TTC #2, I had everything tested (thyroid, ovaries etc) because it was taking a year to TTC, and I had inconsistent cycles. All tests came back normal. We are not TTC, but I am worried if we ever did, there would be a problem, and even if we never want #3, still, what the heck is wrong all of a sudden? Is this normal?

TIA!

[Catherine12]

I wouldn't be alarmed. There are many factors that affect your cycle: mood, diet, hormones (even though your youngest is weaned it can take awhile for your body to completely adjust)... there's also the phenomenon that women who spend a lot of time together tend to cycle together, so a female friend or family member could be influencing your cycle.

Personally, I have noted that my cycle is shorter now than before I had kids. I don't think it's anything to worry about.

[AugustLia23]

Progesterone deficiency is often what causes a short luteal phase. There are a number of treatments available.

I, too, have noticed a change in my cycles. Before they were quite irregular, now I have been consistently having 4-5 week cycles with my period coming on the same day every cycle.

[BarefootScientist]

I would wonder if your body is still adjusting from breastfeeding and that it will get back to normal. My LP was shorter for a while when my cycle came back, however, I was still breastfeeding at that time, so I don't know.

Otherwise, 10-12 days is usually ok for TTC, so you probably don't have to worry about it unless you have problems TTC in the future.

The other thing I thought of is, are you figuring your LP the same way as you did before? If you were temping before, and now you aren't, perhaps you are counting the days differently without realizing it? Just a thought.

Hope you figure it out!