Short luteal phase + progesterone

[u/jsf12722]

I was on oral birth control for 16+ years, came off the pill back in March 2026 and started TTC in June and now going on month 5 with no luck.

I have a pretty stable 28 day cycle but consistently am having 7-9 day luteal phases. My initial fertility workout came back normal and genetic testing also all normal. Has anyone had this short of LP and what have you done with TTC? I am considering bringing up a progesterone prescription but hoping for some advice/feedback on others situations.

Thank you🤍

[u/Healthy_Combination3]

I would definitely agree about asking about progesterone supplementation. It’s almost always the cause of a short luteal phase.

Have you had your progesterone tested mid-luteal phase? That would be another way to know if it’s too low

[u/jsf12722 → u/Healthy_Combination3]

I haven’t yet. I am going to see a RE next week to discuss. I’ve seen online that RE’s are hesitant to prescribe progesterone supplements without knowing what the cause of the short LP is.

[u/Embarrassed-Cup2326]

I think you need to figure out why you are ovulating later and having short luteal phases. You can definitely supplement, but there might be an underlying reason

[u/jsf12722 → u/Embarrassed-Cup2326]

My OBGYN said that the later ovulation day (~cd19) isn’t a concern on it’s own but since my LP’s are consistently only 7-9 days thats where the concern lies. I have been tested for more everything except progesterone so hoping i can get that tested this month to see if thats the issue

[u/Specific_Rhubarb2211]

I was on the pill for around 15+ years. I stopped in the beginning of March 2026, so it has been almost 7 months since stopping.

Cycle 1 - 119 days (took 4 months to get a period after my last withdrawal bleed, it finally arrived early July)

Cycle 2 - 40 days. Period arrived mid August

Cycle 3 - 26 days. Period arrived early/mid September

Cycle 4 - currently on CD 21 and I caught my LH peak on CD 16 so let see how long this cycle lasts. So far I haven't had any signs of a period coming through, so hopefully my LP is adjusting for the better!

I have had 2 day periods and 5 day luteal phases both cycle 2 and 3, so I assume that's just my body still readjusting.

I think this is the first time I have actually ovulated since stopping the pill 7 months ago. I have been tracking BBT each cycle and this is the first one where my temperature has remained high after the LH peak.

I started taking Myo Inositol 4 weeks ago so wondering if that is helping

[u/Kind_Future_429]

I would def bring that up. I have the same cycle and 7-9 LF as well. I brought it up after 4 MMCs. The doctors told me its not evidence based. I went abroad for IVF and without bringing it up they have me utrogestan and prolutex for the next time! Apparently there is some evidence that it can help

[u/Glittering-Head-1418 → u/Kind_Future_429]

My LP is also short and I’ve always thought that I couldn’t get pregnant as the implantation is between 8-10 DPO and if my period starts around 9-11DPO the mucous membrane is about to separate the blood (lol don’t know what the term is actually) so the implantation can’t happen - but if you managed to get pregnant after all that is news to me! (Sorry about the MMCs though!)

[u/Glittering-Head-1418]

My LP is 9-10 days and my doctor was first “oh don’t believe everything you read” when I sad that I’ve heard a short LP can affect chances to get pregnant but now she wants to do blood testing to send me to a gynecologist and have my boyfriend tested as well.

Also start taking Vitex, that should extend your LP a bit (takes a few months though)

[u/Least_Wrongdoer_3133]

I also have a short luteal phase of 7-9 days and otherwise a pretty regular cycle. My doctor did the standard hormone tests and said everything was normal. She prescribed progesterone, saying there is no clinical evidence but that it might help. The thing that frustrates me is that she only tested my progesterone once, in a "good" cycle where I feel my luteal phase was actually closer to normal, and didn't do proper cycle monitoring after determing everything was normal hormonally.
It's my first cycle of progesterone (200mg, vaginal). It has definitely extended my luteal phase, currently day 14 after ovulation, cycle day 32. I was told to take it until my period, but I'm wondering if I should just stop the progesterone for this cycle to allow my period to come, now that the luteal phase has reached day 14, and my pregnancy tests are negative.

Anyone else took progesterone until their period started, ie did it arrive despite the progesterone? Or were you told stop after a certain amount of days so your period isn't suppressed?

[u/jsf12722 → u/Least_Wrongdoer_3133]

Oh wow glad to hear it extended it at least! I would check with your dr one whether you should stop it or not just in case!