Short Luteal Phase

[NADSmith]

My husband has a low sperm count (5.2 million on his first sample), and we're seeing a fertiltiy specialist who can hopefully help us.  He is checking every possible factor, because we will proceed with either IUI or In Vitro when we have all of the information that our doctor needs.  My husband is seeing a Urologist as well, and he gave another sample of which we should get the results soon.  My day 3 bloodwork came out normal, and so did the bloodwork that I did midcyle.  My pelvic exam was also all normal.

The only issue with me so far may be a short luteal phase.  My doctor would like everything to be as right for the procedures as possible.  He wants me to chart for one more month (I'm on day 17 now), because I only started charting mid-cycle last month which didn't give him enough information, but my luteal phase was only 10 days.  I know the whole controversy with whether there's a problem with that or not, but I do want everything to be as right as possible.  My cycles vary between 30 (most typically) and 34 (rarely) days.  He says that, based on my charting and differing cycle lengths, I may have irregular menses and ovulatory dysfunction.  

My question is, what is done if there is a short luteal phase?  My doctor was talking about possibly using clomid or injectables if my hormone levels were off, but they checked out okay.  Would he possibly use those for a short luteal phase?  What else may be done?  Could this be a contributing factor to our infertility (we've been trying for over a year)?

Thanks for any suggestions/advice!

[jifnif]

well it seems you are working closely w/ your dr so always check w/ them or go by what they say...but..i would like to share my opinion.  I have a 10 day luteal phase as well.  I m/c last may but no way to the drs say it was because of my luteal phase.  I did some research on my own because my dr said that 10 was ok.  I started charting bbt and still 6mths later no bfp (i am 36 now, 35 at the time w/ one 16yr dd) so then i started taking vitex and my luteal phase lengthened to 12 days and the next month i got my bfp.  not to say for sure that it was the vitex, but it really normalized my cycles immediately, but they say it can take 3 to 6 months.  good luck!!!

[cutiemama]

If you have a lp defect, I've heard vitex (natural) or clomid and progesterone are used. LPD is very treatable.  Good luck. It seems like you're in very good hands.

[NADSmith]

Thanks for the info.  I guess I will find out in a few weeks what our plan of attack would be.  Would I have to go on Clomid & Progesterone for 4-6 months as well, though?  That would be a bit of a blow.

[Morgan277]

i have a short lp as well.  dr. put me on progesterone from O to AF each month.  its a pain in the butt quite honestly but ill just do it the months when i think there is a good chance of being prego.  the bad thing is it pushes off your af so you may falsely think your prego bc your af it late.  my dr. has me come in on my af date for a blood test so i can put closure to each month and stop the progesterone.
good luck!