Short Luteal Phase - Should I Be Concerned?

[Calycanth]

AF showed up this morning, making this month's cycle 24 days with only a 9 day luteal phase (I O'ed on CD 15). This was my first month charting, so I don't know how long my luteal phase usually is, but my cycles are usually 28-29 days long.

I'm a little concerned. Should I be? And if so, what's the appropriate course of action?

[just_lily]

Well if it was your first month of charting, it could just be a fluke. Especially if your cycles are usually longer. (Are you sure it is AF and not implantation bleeding?)

If you do in fact have a 9 day LP, it would be considered to be too short to support a pregnancy. You would be bleeding before the egg had a chance to impant, and that just isnt going to work.

An LP defect is usually (always?) caused by an imbalance of progesterone. You can see your doctor for testing and they can prescribe a progesterone cream to help.

Or you can try to adjust things yourself with vitimins and herbs. B6 is most commonly attributed to lengthening a short LP, but there is also maca, vitex and zinc. I'm not taking any chances, and am taking them all!

I had a 7/8 day LP and started pumping myself full of supplements this cycle. I wanted to try at least one cycle with natural supplements before seeking medical help. Today is 9DPO which is crazy!

[contactmaya]

Vit b6 is also good for increasing luteal phase. You could try both a progesterone cream and 50mg of vit b6 (in a b complex vitamin) for a start.

[Calycanth]

It's definitely not implantation bleeding - no chance of that this month, unfortunately.

I'm hoping it is just a fluke, but I wanted to get the skinny in case it isn't. I'd definitely prefer to try supplements first, so thanks for the info, ladies. Gonna start taking a B complex as a precautionary measure...

[momsmyjob]

When taking b6 or any "extra" of the b vitamins it's a good idea to take it with a multivitamin or prenatal vitamin.

[Calycanth]

Originally Posted by momsmyjob

When taking b6 or any "extra" of the b vitamins it's a good idea to take it with a multivitamin or prenatal vitamin.

Will do. I've been taking prenatals since March, although I was really lax about it this month since we're currently taking a break from TTC (we'll be trying again come December). I wonder if that had anything to do with my shortened cycle.