Short luteal phase plus spotting but normal progesterone levels

[racingsarah]

I went off the pill 1 year ago (Jan). First definite ovulation (OPK) within 2 months. OPK consistently show ovulation every month plus temp rise and cervical fluid are in line with ovulation.  Ovulation comes between day 19-25 but usually day 21.  My cycle lengths are 26-34 days.  The problem is I usually start spotting as early as 2 days after ovulation and full period comes between 6-10 days.  Usually its 7 days so its a very short luteal phase.  Doctor did blood test.  Proved I ovulated and progesterone levels were normal though.  She said not to worry about the spotting.  When I asked about the short luteal phase and clomid she said that's for ovulating and since I was that wasn't the right track.  She said since it was under a year to just keep trying.  From what I'm reading anything less then 10 days is a LPD though.  What else could be done if I'm ovulating and my progesterone levels seem to be fine?  I need a second opinion  Should I be concerned?

Also, husband did sperm mobility test and that was fine.  We've also been very good at having consistent intercourse timing.  Thank you.  This has been very frustrating.

[racingsarah]

Thank you!  I have not even heard of prolactin.  I will look into it further.  I am taking 100mg of B6.  I started at 50 but it didn't do much so I boosted it.  I will not go any higher.  Thank you again.  This is helpful.  I'm going to do some doctor research.

[bny807]

Hello girls! back when i was dealing with the spotting (still have it if i'm not on progesterone, but not as bad since my lap) i tried B6...100mg per day, i heard it helped.. unfortunately it never helped the spotting sicne there was another issue going on.. but it can't hurt unless its above the 100mg per day.. be careful not to exceed that, since it can cause issues with your nerves.. the "recommended" value is something like 3mg.. so 100mg is plenty of a supplement.. GOOD LUCK!! keep us updated on what your doc says next week!

[findinghumility]

I just read the post before my last one.  If you do decide to try another doctor and want a different perspective you could try one trained in NaPro Technology.  You can google it to see what it's about, and those who specialize in it are usually family practice doctors or OB's. Again good luck to you!

[findinghumility]

They do have a whole section regarding B6 200-600mg/day.  Sounds promising so that's good you are doing that as I don't think it could hurt! It also has a diet that is supposed to help with short luteal phase along with lots of rest and reducing stress levels.  Everything I'm skimming through though as to do with it being caused by higher then normal prolactin levels. Have you had this checked? Good luck to you!  Keep trying! I hope you find an answer soon to what is really going on!

[racingsarah]

bny807, Thank you for your story and support.  Although I don't want others to go through the same aggravation, it's comforting to hear that I'm not alone and that I'm not being over dramatic.  What's tough to is that my current OBGYN is the first one in my life that I actually like so I really don't want to start over with a new doctor.  But I am so frustrated that she's not listening to me and keeps putting me off because it's been under a year of trying, I'm 'young' (32, which really isn't that young if you want to have a couple kids), and healthy.  My husband wants me to go to another doctor because he knows how frustrated I am.  I think I'm going to pester my doc 1 more time if my period comes in the next week.  By the time I can get in to see her again, I'll be at 1 year of trying!

[racingsarah]

Thank you so much for your support.  I will check into that book on nutrition.  I'm up for any possible things that may help. I am taking B6 as well, but that doesn't seem to be making much of a difference.  I was trying some natural progesterone cream for 2 months as well, but my doctor recommended stopping that.  She said it could cause more spotting.

[bny807]

Hello! sorry to hear about your frustrations.. i remember a while ago now searching all over the internet about my spotting.. my dr also wrote me off ( i was younger than most of the women in her practice at 27 years of age). she wouldn't even test a progesterone ahh! anyhow  she said no big deal try a full year then come back ( we had been at it for 7 or 8 months with the spotting every single month). Anyhow i was like you, opk positive typically at day 17, then af every single cycle at day 31.. with good cervical mucus and all.. most of the time spotting is no big deal whatsoever.. and can be "physiologic" but i totally understand that its concerning.. i kept thinking how can a bean implant if i'm shedding my uterine linining before it would even have a chance to implant.. it was SO frustrating!
  anyways (sorry i ramble! : )   )  i finally bugged my dr more (then found a new one!) but we did an ultrasound and a saline hysterogram- first to look for cysts, and then to look for polyps or fibroids that can cause spotting.. i ended up having a large endometriosis cyst.. which is really rare.. but at least we did the tests and i had some answers.. so i'd suggest at least getting an ultrasound and saline sono, since you've been off the pill a year, its not going to hurt anything and may help find you some answers.. most of the time its totally normal and people get pregnant no problem with it.. but i completely understand your frustration.. Also if you've been off the pill for one year and trying to get preg maybe try a pill to help with ovulation, like clomid and then ask your dr about progesterone supplements.. Turns out my progesterone was low, so thats prob the cause of my spotting, but with progesternoe it never happens... GOOD LUCK let me know if i can help with anything! : )

[findinghumility]

I agree that is too short to be comfortable with it when you are trying to conceive.  I don't have time right now but I have a great book called "Fertility Cycles and Nutrition" that has several causes etc. for short Luteal phase and some things you can try to improve it.  I will check it out in the morning and let you know what it says! Don't know if it will help, but if nothing else maybe you can rule out some of the simple things.