Luteal Defect?

OK so last month AF snuck up on me and I thought it could have been cause I didn't stay religous with the OPKing.....and maybe I had got my surge and I was just catching + days after the actual first + OPK....so no big deal....my mistake right?  Well now I don't think so....this month I know I caught my + OPK cause I got the smiley face.....so I put O 1-2 days later...and well last night I noticed a pink tinge of CM like AF is about to show....I'm praying maybe it's implantion but what if it is AF that means my luteal phase is only 11-12 days?  I haven't noticed more colored CM but I'm praying I don't and that AF holds off if she has to come......  

Here's the question that went with all the back ground....if I have a luteal defect what can I do about it??  Will my Dr. prescribe me something for it?  Does clomid help with that?  

[BabyBlue07]

I hope this will help.  I found online:

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Over the counter remedies for luteal phase defect:
The two main over the counter remedies for luteal phase defect are vitamin B6 and progesterone cream. Vitamin B6 is perfectly safe and can be taken daily in dosages from 50 mg to 200 mg. Taking vitamin B6 every day during the entire month will help to lengthen the luteal phase.
A progesterone cream is usually targeted for menopausal women; however this cream is also useful in lengthening the luteal phase. A cream with natural progesterone works best. Use about 1/4 to 1/2 a teaspoon of progesterone cream spread on the inner arm, inner thigh, neck, and chest - alternating places - twice a day from ovulation to menstruation or until the 10th week of pregnancy.

Prescription drugs for luteal phase defect:
The most common prescription drugs for luteal phase defect patients are Clomid or progesterone suppositories. Clomid is taken orally as prescribed by the doctor. The suppositories are taken through the vagina after ovulation has occurred and until either day 14 post ovulation or at some point weeks later during a pregnancy, if pregnancy occurred.

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http://co.essortment.com/whatislutealp_rlsv.htm

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Good luck

[tina1111]

B6 has helped a lot of women, including here. 11-12 days is still long enough. I'm pretty sure that under 8 days is when the problems start. I'm still hoping it's implant bleeding. :)

[Brown Eyed Gurl]

Hoping it's implantion but I'm already taking progestrone suppositories vaginally during luteal phase....and if I don't get my BFP this time I have an appointment to see my DR Dec 17th and he wanted to start me back on clomid if I'm not prego......I'm praying hard for implantion.....and I guess it's not that early for AF is it....I mean she's not hear and I could spot for a few days making AF about on time......Maybe I'm freaking for nothing?  Just keep fingers crossed it will be implantion...

[Brown Eyed Gurl]

I wonder I took the B-6 if it would have any side effect with any other meds I'm taking?  I have some B-6 and Red Rasberry leaf extract supplements....

[Heather5]

I wouldn't think the B6 would have an impact on any other meds. As for your luteal phase being 11 or 12 days, I think that's pretty good! PLUS, it might be longer than you think. I'm temping, so I know what day I ovulate, and it's usually the day of or the day after I detect my LH surge...if you're he same, your LP would be 12 or 13 days today!!! But hopefully, you're NOT starting your period today!!!

Good luck this month! Hopefully you'll get your BFP!!!

[tina1111]

It shouldn't interfere with any other meds. I do know it can take 2-3 cycles b4 you see a change in lp length. If you're at 12days lp, I wouldn't worry too much about it. 12 days isn't bad. It also can be an off cycle. My lp usually runs 14days on the dot. I have had one or two at 12 and 13 days, though. I'd keep track and see if it is your normal length before trying to lengthen it. Plus, if you are still on progesterone, it has your bases covered.

[Helen72]

If you start again on clomid your LP will be extended.  However, LP should be at least 10 days so I actually don't think that you have a LP defect.  I hope it's just implantation though!

[Brown Eyed Gurl]

Phew that makes me feel better.  I guess it's hard not to jump the gun and think something wrong when TTC.....I got my + OPK Nov. 1 so I put O at the 2nd or 3rd.  So that would put me 11-12 DPO today.. The spotting is only if I wipe a little father in not just wiping normally......so I'm pretty sure it's AF on her way then.....

[Brown Eyed Gurl]

I'm doubting it....I'm pretty sure it's AF.....oh well.  One good way to look at it is that if even this next cycle I don't get a BFP and I have a 34 day cycle which is pretty norm for me then I will get to start my clomid again on Christmas Eve mine and DH's wedding anniversary.....and meaning I won't be grouchy yet for Christmas.....I'd hate to be mean and ruin Christmas.

[mommywa]

I am sure if you have seen me post this before, you are getting tired of it, but I have my own story at the end!!!!
And I promise I will not post this again, but I am just so happy at this point that I want to share my success with you so that maybe I can help at least one person out there who may have the same problem.

Vitamin B6 supplementation and short luteal phase
Dec 03 '00



One reason that women can experience infertility is called a "short luteal phase" or a "luteal phase defect" (LPD). In real life, what is happening is that the interval from the time you ovulate until you have your period is too short. A fertilized egg needs a certain amount of time to safely implant in the uterine lining- if your hormones are telling the uterus to menstruate too soon, the pregnancy will not be able to implant firmly and you will get your period even though you may in fact have conceived.

How do you know if you have a luteal phase problem? Many women assume that if they have a short cycle (less than 29 days) they might have LPD. In fact, I have found that it is more common to have a LONGER than usual cycle- often as many as 40 days. But longer or shorter, the only way to know for sure is to use an ovulation predictor kit or chart your temperatures and cervical fluid signs for at least a month. If the interval between the day of ovulation and the first day of your period is less than 12 days, you may have LPD.

Once you know you have LPD, the next question is how to lengthen your luteal phase. Typically, a reproductive endocrinologist will supplement your progesterone level, which often works. However, I have found great success, supported by all the research I have done, with simple supplementation with vitamin B6.

The RDA or DV of B6 is extremely low- only a couple of milligrams. For this reason, most women assume they're getting plenty with their multiple or prenatal vitamin. However, the dosage typically needed to correct LPD is between 50 mg and 300 mg daily. I would advise starting out with an additional 50 for an entire cycle (start supplementing as soon as you get your period and don't forget to chart or use OPKs through the cycle to see if the LP changes). If the luteal phase does not change, or does not change enough, increase another 50 or 100 for each additional cycle until correction is seen. I don't know anyone who has had to take more than 300 mg- most see a radical change under 200.

So why does B6 work? Well, B6 is a very complex vitamin and has many actions in the body, but the most likely explanation is that B6 lowers the amount of prolactin in the system. Prolactin is a hormone that, in excess amounts, interferes with ovulation and the regularity of cycles. The majority of women that I have talked to encountered a LPD after coming off the birth control pill. Birth control pills cause a deficiency in B6, which can make your prolactin levels rise, which can in turn lead to a luteal phase defect. Supplementation with these large doses of B6 corrects the deficiency and the timing of ovulation hopefully goes back to normal.

Is there a concern about too much B6? B6 is not a vitamin prone to overdose- it is water-soluble and the excess will simply be secreted in the urine. Women who are establishing breastfeeding may want to keep their levels lower, since prolactin is also the hormone that controls milk production, but I have taken an extra 50 mg daily with no adverse affect on milk supply. But the average woman who is trying to conceive should have no problem with the short-term supplementation I am talking about here.

My own personal experience has been two episodes of LPD, both after coming off birth control (once the "regular" pill and once the minipill). In each instance my period has been 40 or more days for a period of four or five cycles, but with ovulation occuring only at day 30 or so. The first time I took B6 I only took 50 mg daily and the cycle corrected instantly- I ovulated on day 14 and got a positive pregnancy test on day 28, and a beautiful daughter 9 months later. The second time (after the minipill) I started with 50 milligrams, but began the supplementation on day 10. There was no change in the cycle, which was 42 days. The second cycle I took an extra 100 mg. Sure enough, I ovulated on day 14. I don't know whether or not I am pregnant, but I believe that even if I am not, my cycle will at least be regulated at 30 days. I plan to continue the supplementation at the current level until I am pregnant.

Hope this helps any women who are frustrated with LPD.
I read the above article and started takiing Vit B6 this month.  And this is my post from yesterday!!

If you are indeed having problems with the length of your LP, here is my story.  It has taken me 13 months and a m/c to get to this point.  I stopped taking BC pills and discovered I was having 3-7 days of spotting before my period started.  After 6 months of TTC I went to a fertility specialist.  She noted I may have a LPD.  Before we could get a lab tested I saw another doc after I found out I was pregnant, and that is when I found I had a m/c.  At that time my progesterone level was low.  They didn't know if it was because of the m/c or if it caused it.  Doing research on my own I discovered B6 taken daily of 50-200mg every day of your cycle could increase the LP.  I started taking it CD7-8 and started with 200mg.  I also used an OPK this month.  Yesterday I got my BFP!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I called the office and got a progesterone level ordered-----------my results 31!!!!!!!!
I am pregnant!!!  The nurse told me at 4 weeks anything above 25 is good and I will not have to take prometrium supplements.
Over a year and a m/c----from my point of view, B6 works!!!  At least it worked for me!

[Brown Eyed Gurl]

Oh wow now that is a miracle.  Congratulations and thanks for the advice.

[mommywa]

Thank you!!  I think it is a miracle too!  I am just too excited not to share!

[Jodes237]

Wot a relief to find this page! We have been trying for 10 months to concieve (conceive) our second child and for many of those months I could've sworn I was pregnant but then on day 30, bang on a week after ovulation, I would bleed heavily. I was finally referred to a specialist recently who said it was impossible to have less than two weeks between ovulation and your period so he stuck me on Clomid. Hopefully that will at least bring my ovulation od day 23 forward. He did mention there was a small chance I had a luteal phase defect which I have just googled and found this page!
Finally I have a name and some answers! It is good to know I am not going mad or alone in this.
So thank you for sharing your story and advice.
Do you buy this B6 over the counter at pharmacies?

[Jodes237]

Just wanted to send an update from my last post to any future LPD sufferers: I started taking 200mg of Vitamin B6 from the first day of my period and it sure worked in lengthening the luteal phase! It went on and on and my tests were coming up negative but I thought even if I'm not pregnant it's still a miracle. Then this morning on day 32 my test came up positive!!!! After nearly a year I finally see those two blue lines and it's all down to the above information! So thank-you so much and good luck to everybody else!

[mommywa]

Congratulations!!
I knew I was not the only one who could be helped by B6!
I am so happy for you!!
Happy 9 months to you!
Just wanted to know how long you had to take the B6 before your BFP????

[Jodes237]

Just a further update: I had beautiful twins in October this year – a boy and a girl! I believe I got pregnant (and stayed pregnant) as a direct result of the B6 but the twins were down to the Clomid the doctor put me on as I was already ovulating so really all it did was cause a double-ovulation. Anyway I am certainly not complaining as I am double-blessed! :)
Mommywa - I got pregnant the very first month of trying B6.