luteal phase

Guess who's back with another question, lol!

I've been reading that the luteal phase generally is 10 to 16 days and doesn't really vary from woman to woman, while the time between day one and ovulation can vary a lot from woman to woman.

My question is can you have a very, very long luteal phase?  I'm talking over 20 days, would that be possible?  

I've been trying to figure out how late my period is (I never keep track and can't remember yesterday, let alone the exact date of my last period, unfortunately).  If I actually ovulated on or around 10/25, I probably should have gotten my period sometime early last week, and that means it wouldn't be too early for an accurate hpt.  But if I have a negative hpt and my period still hasn't arrived yet, if I'm not actually pregnant that would make my luteal phase longer than 24 days.  Is that possible?  

On the pill I bled every 25 days like clockwork.  I read somewhere that the luteal phase for each women doesn't really change throughout her life, meaning if yours is 14 days it will always be around 14 days with maybe a day or two variance here and there.  Even if your cycle is all thrown off (as mine could be from getting off the pill) could it cause you to ovulate later than 14 days and extend your luteal phase too?  

[JoyRenee]

Understanding Your Fertility is an awesome book.

It explains that your ovulation will determine when your period will come. You see, your period does NOT determine when you will ovulate at all. Your ovulation can change and be different every cycle.

But your ovulation will determine when your period will start. Most women will get their period 12-16 days (14 being the average) AFTER ovulation. That is the luteal phase. If you have a hormonal imbalance then it's definitely possible to have a longer luteal phase. It's also possible to have a short luteal phase, which will make it impossible to conceive (must have 10 or more days or the embryo can't implant properly before your body signals you to menstruate).

So if you have regular cycles and want to figure out your fertile window, subtract 14 from however many cycle days you have. If your cycles are always 36 days then you will most likely ovulate on or around CD22.

[Latrice414]

You took the words right out of my mouth Joy. Pretty well said

[Heather5]

Do you know for sure that you ovulated 24 days ago? In general, a luteal phase of more than 18 days is due to pregnancy! Good luck to you!

[beth0414]

i have to conclude that i ovulated last nov 5, today is nov 19=14days lutheal period..but my doc told me to take a test tom nov 20=15days only..do you think its already time to take hpt tom?

[stilltired]

Hi Heather, I am not positive I ovulated 24 days ago, but this was the only time I had intercourse recently, and if I got pregnant that would be when it happened.  But my first response test was negative so I'm not sure if my hormones are just out of whack from getting off the pill.

[Heather5]

Oh, I see! Well, let's hope it's a positive next time you test! And if not, yeah, getting off the pill can sometimes give you irregular cycles for a couple of months! So don't be too discouraged if it's negative. But, to answer one of your other questions, yes, it is definitely possible to ovulate later than day 14. Everyone's different, and some people ovulate a day or two earlier than that and others a few days (even weeks sometimes) later.  But you're right...It's always the first part of the cycle, before ovulation, that can vary. The second part (the luteal phase) is pretty much always the same, give or take a day or so.

Best of luck to you!!!

[Heather5]

Beth: I think 15 dpo is a good day to test! Make sure you use first morning urine to make sure it's concentrated enough! Best of luck tomorrow!

[beth0414]

heather-thanks for the encouragement you give us in this forum..were so blessed to have you as our buddy here..hope it will be positve tom!GOdbless you so much!

stilltired-hope it will be postive too!i know the hardships of waiting coz ive been in the same boat for 6yrs..continue hope for the best..!Godbless you in this journey!

[bluegenie2003]

How long ago did you go off the pill?  I was on birth control for about 10 years and had my period every 28 days like clockwork! I could almost time it to the hour!  However, After I stopped the pill, I was fairly regular for the first 4 months or so, but now for the last 6 months its been haywire!  I'm up to a 35 day cyle now at times!  Do you remember if you were regular before you went on BC?  

[stilltired]

Hi there--I was on the pill for 10+ years, got off for a year, but during that year I had Lyme Disease, was really sick and barely paid attention to anything.  I think my cycle was fairly regular, or at least I got a period every month, whether it was on the same schedule or not I don't know.
This time I was on the pill for only about 6 months on and off:  Yaz for a month and a half (quit mid pack in May because I was so sick from it), then off the pill for 2 months and then on Trisprintec (generic Ortho tricyclen) for 3 months, and just before I got off I took two packs without a break in order to skip my period while on vacation.  Then I got off at the end of September.  With the stopping and starting and taking two packs with no break I'm sure my cycle could very well be off.  The reason I'm so worried about pregnancy is because I experienced a very small spot of brownish discharge about 12 days after intercourse that could have been implantation bleeding.
The latest the first day of my last period could have been was Oct 3rd, which means I'm now going on 46 days without a period.  It's possible I haven't even ovulated since getting off the pill, or that my cycle is taking a holiday, but I don't know how probable for me.  

[beth0414]

i suggests to see your RE for further examination....Godbless!