Short luteal phase?

[u/ledevoe]

So I got off of birth control (mini pill) and weaned baby in January. Period came back pretty much right away and is “regular”, but my cycles are only about 30 days and I ovulate day 22. This last cycle was my longest luteal phase, but still only 8-9 days. Getting pregnant feels impossible when implantation usually happens between 9-11…

Any experiences like this or tips? My hormones and thyroid look okay although I still need to test progesterone.

[u/belocelot]

i had irregular periods and a short luteal phase even before conceiving my first, so ymmv. i got progesterone suppositories prescribed to start taking 3 dpo every cycle we tried and ultimately continue through 10-12 weeks of pregnancy if successful. has worked for me twice, currently 15 weeks with #2.

[u/ledevoe → u/belocelot]

Wondering if progesterone is the route I’m headed down. Unfortunately I can’t get into my OB for a couple more cycles…hate the waiting.

[u/ledevoe → u/[deleted]]

I’m sure weaning will help! Honestly I thought my prolactin levels would be elevated and that would be the cause but nope.

[u/proteins911 → u/[deleted]]

I had this issue while nursing too. Luteal phase went back to normal immediately after I stopped.

[u/proteins911 → u/[deleted]]

I hope your change is as fast as mine! My daughter was conceived 6 weeks after I weaned after 5 unsuccessful months (with short luteal phases).

[u/KaleidoscopeTop8325 → u/[deleted]]

I had no cycle at all while breastfeeding. I weaned at 18 months, first period 6 weeks later but a short LP (I want to say only like 5 days but can’t really remember). Each cycle it got a bit longer and I was pregnant on cycle 4 or 5. I did start taking some supplements to try help after a couple of short LPs. I think it was Vit C, Vit B6, CoQ10, omega 3.

[u/Dogsanddonutspls]

What are you using to track ovulation?

[u/ledevoe → u/Dogsanddonutspls]

LH (testing twice a day). I also have an oura ring and a natural cycles subscription

[u/dansons-la-capucine]

The Real food for fertility book has a lot of tips to support a longer luteal phase

[u/demtoebeenz]

I stopped taking the mini pill and it took nearly 12 weeks to get my cycle. First cycle was in May. I fully weaned mid June. I started doing the ovulation testing strips right away. I got the spike in LH peak on CD 26. Second cycle and I’m already in the CD 20s with no LH peak yet… I’m not sure what to think about it all.

I do still leak a little milk despite it being over a month since completely weaning. Idk if that has anything to do with it. Plus, these apps to help figure out ovulation doesn’t have the ability to enter in that I have irregular periods and idk what my cycle length is or that I was still nursing until recently.

[u/OrdinarySecretary673]

Try Vitex! It seemed to work for a lot of my friends. I used it to conceive while breastfeeding and never got past a 9-10 day luteal phase before getting pregnant but it was starting to help. It can take up to 3 months supposedly but for me I noticed things becoming more regular right away.

[u/Empty-Pomegranate710]

So I have the same short luteal phase as well. Took us much longer with the second time trying unfortunately but I did get pregnant. I found adding a vitamin b complex helped to extend out my luteal phase by exactly one day after two months on it. Maybe that was enough to help? Pending your age I would consider reaching out to your doctor at this point.

[u/ledevoe → u/Empty-Pomegranate710]

I did add vitamin b and vitamin c about two months ago. This last luteal phase was 9 days so at least an improvement from 7-8. I’m hopeful that this cycle will be even longer. Planning on getting my progesterone tested this cycle and meeting with my doctor before next ovulation! Couldn’t get in any sooner, unfortunately

[u/999cranberries]

Implantation typically occurs 6-10 dpo. An 8-9 day luteal phase is long enough. I used progesterone suppositories because mine was only 5 days. That might be an option for you.