Luteal Phase defect???

[Kooksmom]

Through temping I have discovered that my luteal phase was only 9-10 days. Had the blood work done to confirm and I have low progesterone levels. My dr says I am not having a good ovulation. He wants to put my on clomid starting next cycle. I have heard horror stories regarding clomid and was wondering what others have used? I am feeling really torn about what I want to do. And frankly, fertility drugs scare the day lights out of me!

[rach03]

I was on Clomid for 2 months for my LP defect. I conceived on the 2nd month, but unfortunately it looks like this little one's heart is starting to slow and will eventually stop. (not related to my LP, Dr thinks something else is going on since this is similar to my miscarriage earlier this year)

Clomid was not bad for me. I was on 100mg on days 3-7. It gave me headaches and a bit of visual disturbances, but by taking the meds before bed I skipped most of the side effects.

[AnnaGA]

Ditto. I took it at night, CD3-7 (100 mg). We conceived on the 3rd month. I had an LP of only 9-10 days as well, plus a late ovulation, so Clomid both helped to bump up my O day AND add days to my LP so I had a better chance of conceiving and STAYING pregnant. That's how we got Andrew, and as of now, I am charting in order to take my charts to my doc and prove to her that I need Clomid again so we can conceive again. I've had 2 m/c's without Clomid, so I am hoping that by using Clomid I will again have a successful pregnancy. To me, that is worth any side effects Clomid might have given me. (I was moody, but that's all.)

[lizziejackie]

Lp

I consistently have had a 9-10 day LP and haven't had trouble getting (and staying) pg. (Times three.) Not that a 9 day LP will work for you, but I am proof that it can work for some. GL!

[marlee]

There are alternatives to clomid but your Dr. wouldn't be the one to let you know. Do you have a Naturapath Dr.?
Is he putting you on progesterone as well?

[kemaji]

You could try acupuncture as well. Acupuncture is actually very good at regulating a woman's cycle, and can aid in getting you pg.

[durafemina]

I had a 8-9 day luteal phase with late ovulation and conceived. I was seeing a classical homeopath at the time (not specifically for that at all - but they work with your overall constitution and I had discussed my cycle with him). Vitex also helps some people, although it didn't work at all for me.
I had a couple very early miscarriages prior to getting pregnant, and honestly thought I wouldn't without clomid/other medical intervention - but there you have it. I'm 41 weeks today.

good luck

[Ammaarah]

I am dealing with LPD that varies. I've had months where my LP was around a week! Augh! I have PCOS and used Clomid to conceive my daughter. I got pregnant on the lowest dose usually given, 50 mg, on CD 3-7. It only took one round.

Clomid is very mild as fertility drugs go. I did have some hot flashes and gained a few pounds from stress eating during my Clomid cycle, but it was not as scary to me as injectibles. I am thinking of taking it again this winter, but I would like to have my daughter weaned or close to weaned before taking it. Some do use it when nursing but with my hormonal issues, I'm worried about any unnecessary exposures to hormones for my daughter.

I am getting acupuncture for a back problem but she's also doing some treatment for fertility, so I'm hoping that will help and I won't need Clomid.

[DESP&DEPRESSED]

Clomid

I Was Wanting To Know If I Used Clomid Is It Really Effective?

[DESP&DEPRESSED]

Is It Possible To Use Clomid Without A Rx? I Need Help I Have Been Trying To Get Pregnant But My Fiance Says He Does Not Want To Go Through The Process And I Scared Of Dr. I Am Very Depressed Because I Have Not Conceived And I Have Been Trying For God Knows How Long. I Really Need An Aide To Help Me? Some One Give Me Answers.

[Kooksmom]

Thanks ladies! I did get pregnant with my daughter after about 18 months of trying. I just don't think I can can do 18 months on the rollercoaster again. I tried Vitex for 2 months with no change. Before starting the clomid, I am going to try a B complex with additional B6. I was reading that B6, 50-200mg (which is water soluble so you can't take too much) can help with LPD and PMS. I am hoping that will be my saving grace.

Here are a couple of the articles I have found:

http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/preconception/36074
http://www.babyhopes.com/articles/lu...se-defect.html

[Kooksmom]

Originally Posted by DESP&DEPRESSED

Is It Possible To Use Clomid Without A Rx? I Need Help I Have Been Trying To Get Pregnant But My Fiance Says He Does Not Want To Go Through The Process And I Scared Of Dr. I Am Very Depressed Because I Have Not Conceived And I Have Been Trying For God Knows How Long. I Really Need An Aide To Help Me? Some One Give Me Answers.

You need a prescription from a Dr. for clomid. Before they will give you a prescription they will do blood work and possibly some other tests. Prior to making an appt. I had temped for 3 months which showed a LPD so we had something to go on. I have also been TTC for over 6 months with a prior history of possible infertility. Even with a month or 2 of temping you will learn a lot. I learned that I do not ovulate on CD 14, but rather CD 16-18 of a 26 day cycle. I was not BDing on the right days and discovered my LPD. Aslo, I don't always have ewcm. I have found many things on this sight and others that can help me (see previous post). I am not ready to try clomid as multiples run in my family and this will increase my chance for multiples by 10%. You 1st need to figure out what is going on with you body and know that you have a great support group here.

[aubysmas]

success with short luteal phase?

Hey all. I am so happy to have come across a few of you who have had success with shorter luteal phases. I have been searching for such testemonies for 2 years now!

I stopped nursing my daughter right after she turned 3. This was about 10 months ago. Nothing I do seems to make a difference on my LP.

When i first started charting again i was at 7 days. It has been at 9 days for about a year now. i've tried vitex for 3 months, b vitamins, and a healthy diet, all with no luck.

I had my horomones tested recently and they said that everything is "in range." I was right aroung ovulation day and my progesterone was 5.0. This appears to be on the low end of the range but i wouldn't know because no one ever went over my chart with me. ugh..

i have gone to 2 obgyns for regular exams and spoke with each about my luteal concerns. BOTH of them told me not to worry about it. Neither of them asked me any questions or seemed to take it seriously. It drives me crazy trying to navigate through all of this.

Anyway, my point is, i'm hugely relieved to hear that for SOME people, a short luteal hasn't impacted their pregnancy. My partner and I are using AI and can't afford to take risks but we've decided to try in november either way..I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR ANY AND ALL STORIES ABOUT WOMEN WITH SHORT LUTEALS THAT HAVE HAD SUCCESSFUL PREGNANCIES! Even knowing this is possible might ease my mind greatly. Who knows, maybe that will lenghten my luteal phase. : )

[Kooksmom]

Originally Posted by aubysmas

I had my horomones tested recently and they said that everything is "in range." I was right aroung ovulation day and my progesterone was 5.0. This appears to be on the low end of the range but i wouldn't know because no one ever went over my chart with me. ugh..

I found this on one website. A 21 day progesterone level is a blood test that confirms ovulation, and is done once on the 21 through 23 day of your menstrual cycle, with day one being the first day of menses. A 21 day progesterone value should be at least 6.5 ng per milliliter and it is best if it is above 18 ng per milliliter. My dr. said he felt that 11.3 was on the low side. Of course I messed up and showed up on day 22 instead of day 21. We are going to rerun the test this month again, because of that and he does not feel based on my charts that I ovulate every month. In your case, based on my internet research for myself, 5 is VERY low. I would seek out a new OB. I would even call the office of an RE and see if they know of a good OB in your area. I wish you all the best and will keep you posted if you like of my upcoming results.

[Ammaarah]

A couple people on this thread mentioned taking Vitex for a couple months but not seeing any change. From what I've read about Vitex, it usually takes at least three months and sometimes much, much longer to see any results, but it does work for many people if you keep taking it. I am on my second cycle taking and haven't noticed a difference yet, but I've got my fingers crossed.

[Kooksmom]

Originally Posted by Ammaarah

A couple people on this thread mentioned taking Vitex for a couple months but not seeing any change. From what I've read about Vitex, it usually takes at least three months and sometimes much, much longer to see any results, but it does work for many people if you keep taking it. I am on my second cycle taking and haven't noticed a difference yet, but I've got my fingers crossed.

The only reason I stopped taking vitex is because we were going to start doing blood tests and I wanted to know what my levels were with out taking any supplements. Then I came across the B6 info. I haven't seen anything that says you can't do both. I know B6 and vitex help balance the hormones, but does balancing the hormones also give you a "stronger" ovulation? It is believed that I have anovulatory months.

[poetgirl]

Originally Posted by Kooksmom

I found this on one website. A 21 day progesterone level is a blood test that confirms ovulation, and is done once on the 21 through 23 day of your menstrual cycle, with day one being the first day of menses. A 21 day progesterone value should be at least 6.5 ng per milliliter and it is best if it is above 18 ng per milliliter. My dr. said he felt that 11.3 was on the low side. Of course I messed up and showed up on day 22 instead of day 21. We are going to rerun the test this month again, because of that and he does not feel based on my charts that I ovulate every month. In your case, based on my internet research for myself, 5 is VERY low. I would seek out a new OB. I would even call the office of an RE and see if they know of a good OB in your area. I wish you all the best and will keep you posted if you like of my upcoming results.

5 is a low result but she said she got tested when she was ovulating vs. 7 dpo when it is supposed to be 15 or higher. For ovul. 5 could be fine. I'd have it retested 7 days after you ovulate.

i'm glad to come across this too becuase I've had progest. taken 3 times, 6.7, 4.2, 6.4. However my LP is not short. Can you have LPD and not have a short LP? It seems I may not be Oing strongly and def. do not have enough Progest. to support any kind of implantation. My OB says clomid which scares me for many of the reasons you expressed, but then again I am getting pretty moody and depressed from all this failed ttcing.

[poetgirl]

Originally Posted by Kooksmom

The only reason I stopped taking vitex is because we were going to start doing blood tests and I wanted to know what my levels were with out taking any supplements. Then I came across the B6 info. I haven't seen anything that says you can't do both. I know B6 and vitex help balance the hormones, but does balancing the hormones also give you a "stronger" ovulation? It is believed that I have anovulatory months.

kooksmom, i don't believe that vitex and B6 are counterindicated at all. They are 2 of the main ingred. in the stanford women's fertility blend which has all this double-blind research behind it. it made me have diarrhea unfortunately (like too much to live with--sorry) but some people swear by it. i've also done fertility acup. and herbs since July and it's just not doing what i hoped. seems it's time for something stronger...

[nonibradshaw]

I am on my third preg w/a LPD. (I am 17 weeks prego!) When I am TTC I take progesterone suppositories from day 14 (ovulation) until 10 weeks preg. (Or stop at day 28 if HPT is -)The suppositories worked great for me. I had two m/c b4 I was dx w/LPD. Since then 3 successful pregnancies! We have a high-risk ob and he is incredible. Our first ob told us there was "no such thing as LPD and m/c are always chromosonal" (she said with a smirk and a shrug)! Please, if anyone is not giving you the attention you need for this dx, find a specialist or another ob! I often thank the heavens we didn't listen to the first ob's advice. Good luck!

[mamatowill]

That is interesting about the 21 day test. I had my progesterone checked on cd23- the day before my cycle started again. This was due to an illness in my son at that time. The results that came back was that my progesterone was 8.3 which my dr thought was fine because normal ranges from 3- 50. She also felt that this was the day before my period so things would be ok but I am going to my OB in December. I have always had a short cycle. I seem to get about 11 days in the luteal phase. I am not sure if I have a LPD since both my m/cs were at different times.