long luteal phase

[aweeonetolove]

I have charted with a fertility advisor and am assured that I can accurately pinpoint my ovulation through checking both my CV and BBT.  Within the past six months, I have had two cycles where my luteal phase has been longer than 18 days (23 days and 19 days)long but I wasn't pregnant.  Both times, my AF lasted only two days and was merely light spotting.  Is there anything I should be concerned about?  I can find no information on what it means if you have repeated long luteal phases.  Thank you for taking the time to reply.

[Forum-M.D.-SP]

Dear aweeonetolove-

I must confess that I do not understand all of your abbreviations, particularly CV and AF. At any rate, in my opinion BBTs can tell you if you have ovulated, but not exactly when. A study was done many years ago where several board certified reproductive endocrinologists were shown temperature charts and asked to pinpoint ovulation. There were many different opinions on the exact day, and not unanimous agreement. The most accurate way to determine ovulation at home is urine ovulation prediction kits, starting to test on day 11 or 12. Have intercourse the day urine turns positive, and the day after. In general, ovulation will occur 12h-36h after the urine first turns positive. The length of your luteal phase can be determined by the number of days from the day your urine turns positive until the first day of bleeding, minus one. Long luteal phases can sometimes be due to progesterone medicines - are you on these? Finally, long luteal phases are not harmful, but I would be surprised if your luteal phase is as long as 18 days consistently, with urine ovulation prediction. Finally, it is possible that your long luteal phase cycles may have been biochemical pregnancies - did you do pregnancy tests at that time?

[missb184]

A related discussion, Long luteal Phase was started.