Luteal Phase Defect

Anyone with previous/current experience with luteal phase defect?  How was it firmly diagnosed and what was the initial treatments?  

[Rozy321]

I had luteal phase defect when TTC my first.  I did not have it firmly diagnosed but my doctor confirmed at my first appt/ultrasound that I had correctly self-diagnosed (ha!).   I had been chartign for 6 months and never had a temp increase after ovulation and my luteal phase was never longer than 8-9 days.  I also had breakthrough bleeding/spotting for several days before AF, and AF was very heavy, long, and painful.  After doing a lot of research, I felt fairly confident that progesterone was the culprit, and I started using an OTC progesterone cream after ovulation.  I got pregnant that same cycle.  At my first appt my doctor wasn't thrilled to learn I had started using a cream, and she prescribed oral Prometrium after my first appt, which I took through week 13 of pregnancy.  Just for the record, I'm not advocating doing anything without a Dr's supervision; I'm just telling you what I did.  ;-)

If you went the official route through your OB/GYN, if you explain your concern and give them reason to believe you may have LPD, I think they would test your progesterone levels at Day 21 of your cycle. If it is low they will have you start taking Prometrium after ovulation each month.  If you become pregnant you continue the Prometrium through the first trimester, and if you do not become pregnant you stop the Prometrium after 14 days and let your cycle begin again.  

[Rozy321]

Vitex is also an herbal supplement that is said to encourage progesterone production.  

[PsychoFan]

Thanks, Rozy.  Does the following sound familiar to your past experience?

This has happened with the last three cycles. First two cycles, my wife was on 50 mg clomid and had positive OPK readings then had her period 4 days later both times. In those two instances, she ovulated on days 18 or 20, had the early periods 4 days later; thus her cycles were only 22-25 days long. Anyway, she did not take clomid for this last cycle and the cycle was extremely prolonged. In fact, she did not ovulate (or had a period) for 2.5 months! So, 2.5 months after the last cycle, she had a positive OPK THEN 3-4 days post-ovulation, she had her period.  Temperature never really went up after ovulation.

[jteame]

My husband and I have been TTC for 6 months. I tried charting for a few months, then stopped. I have recently started again. I am noticing that I ovulate very late in my cycle. Then my luteal phase is only about 5 or 6, maybe even 7 days. I didn't realize this was a problem until doing some research today. Is this a big problem? Can you still get pregnant? Does it mean a miscarriage?

[hopefulLady]

no, it does not mean miscarriage. it only indicates that you may find it difficult to get pregnant as the fertilization + implantation process may take upto 7-10 days for some people.

I found that taking vitamin B's help to lengthen the luteal phase! hope that helps! Good luck!

[jteame]

Thanks. I have recently started taking Vitex. This is my first cycle with it, so we'll see how it goes. I think I'll keep some vitamin B's on hand too, though!