Short luteal phase and breastfeeding
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Planning Pregnancy (trying for baby)
Forum Name: Planning Pregnancy (trying for baby)
Forum Description: Trying to get pregnant? Going through fertility treatment? Just planning your first or second child? There are many people out there in the same boat to help and listen and share with
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36904
Printed Date: 16 May 2025 at 9:13am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Short luteal phase and breastfeeding
Posted By: whitewave
Subject: Short luteal phase and breastfeeding
Date Posted: 29 November 2010 at 10:30pm
|
I've been charting for the last 3 months or so, after trying to conceive our 2nd child since March. Going by my charts, Fertility Friend has given me luteal phase lengths of 10 days and 7 days for the last 2 cycles.
Since I'm still breastfeeding my toddler, I'm wondering about the effect of breastfeeding on luteal phase length - I've heard it may affect progesterone levels? However, the fact that my toddler still wakes during the night and needs a BF to get back to sleep, obviously disrupts my sleep and probably affects my temperature readings. So how much stake should I put into the accuracy of my temp readings, and therefore also FF's ovulation dates? I guess I'm unsure whether I should be consulting a doctor about this, or if I should look into supplements or something. Is there anything safe I can take that may be of benefit if I do have a short luteal phase, that's alright to take when breastfeeding? I've heard that Vitex and B6 can help, is this true? I'm very confused! 
|
Replies:
Posted By: WestiesGirl
Date Posted: 29 November 2010 at 11:53pm
|
Yep Vit B6 and Vitex can help with extending the LP. It is difficult to chart when you have sleep interruptions to get a good idea of whats going on. My cycles have been between 25 - 30 days, but Im not temping so not sure what my LP is and I've just dropped BF'ing to once a day now.
I'd personally go with trying the Vitex or B6 or combination of both first and see how you go. You could talk to a naturapath for advice and supplement information etc. ------------- Our Angel July 08  Gone but not forgotten
And to complete our family, our princess has arrived 
|
Posted By: jano1
Date Posted: 30 November 2010 at 7:52am
|
I had irregualr cycles and have been on Vitex for 6 months- they are now very regular, around 28 days. I also had short luteal phases and they have also lengthened.
I think as long as you have a solid (more than 3 hour block) of sleep your temps should be reasonably accurate. Accupuncture can also help with luteal phases. |
Posted By: Emmi_
Date Posted: 30 November 2010 at 8:16am
|
I agree with the vitex and b6, b6 will help lengthen luetal phase, and the vitex helps regulate and balance your hormones.
Ive also heard good things about accupuncture. GL! ------------- 
+1 May 09 Angel
|
Posted By: rachelsea
Date Posted: 30 November 2010 at 8:20am
Hi WW, I recommend Vitex too. I took it after my m/c coz my cycles were all over the place (and pretty sure I didn't ovulate for a few months) and got pregnant with Chelsea on the 2nd cycle of taking it 
It was a naturopath who got me onto taking Vitex, probably best to talk to someone like that before taking it (although you can just buy it off the shelf). With regards to BFing, I didn't ovulate at all until after Chelsea completely weaned, so at least you are ovulating, but as I understand it your luteal phase needs to be AT LEAST 10 days in order to sustain a pregnancy. (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) Hope that helps 
ETA as for wakings and temp taking, I was still getting up to Chelsea most nights (although not BFing anymore) so sometimes wouldn't get 3hrs solid sleep, but I found that as long as I'd had some sleep my temp was still in the normal range, whether pre-ov or post-ov so could still see when I ovulated. Could be different for other people though! ------------- DD 4yrs DS 2yrs http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
|
Posted By: whitewave
Date Posted: 30 November 2010 at 2:10pm
| Thanks guys, might see if I can find a naturopath somewhere round here, and go from there. Where would you get Vitex from? |
Posted By: WestiesGirl
Date Posted: 30 November 2010 at 11:35pm
|
You should be able to get it from the Pharmacy or health shop.
GL ------------- Our Angel July 08 Gone but not forgotten
And to complete our family, our princess has arrived
|
Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 02 December 2010 at 11:46am
|
So is it only 3 hours solid sleep you need? DS is still waking some nights but not at a set time and I was wondering how taking temps would work!! ------------- 
Oct 11
|
Posted By: WestiesGirl
Date Posted: 02 December 2010 at 11:26pm
|
Yep Nutella, according to FF lessons and advice, 3 hours is the magic number ------------- Our Angel July 08 Gone but not forgotten
And to complete our family, our princess has arrived
|
Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 03 December 2010 at 6:29pm
|
BF can definately affect your LP... mine was 7 days and I started vitex and b6 and the second cycle ... well he is 8 weeks tomorrow -------------   
|
Posted By: whitewave
Date Posted: 05 December 2010 at 1:33pm
| That gives me hope, Mel! Now just gotta get hold of some Vitex and B6! |
Posted By: whitewave
Date Posted: 05 December 2010 at 10:20pm
| Mel, did you start taking the Vitex while still breastfeeding Jake? I just did a quick Google search, and found something that said nursing mothers shouldn't take it unless guided by a medical practitioner. So did you do it through a doc? |
Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 06 December 2010 at 8:29am
|
I spoke with my natropath.. GP's and herbs?? Not a likely mix.
Ignore google, vitex is given to mothers to boost supply, it is fine! Personally I would just try 50mg of B6 for 3 months or so first and see if that lengthens your LP hun and if it doesnt then think about adding vitex to the mix
GL -------------
|
Posted By: whitewave
Date Posted: 06 December 2010 at 9:47pm
| Thanks for the advice Mel, I'll try the B6 first then and see how that goes. |
Posted By: ooligator
Date Posted: 21 December 2010 at 4:03pm
|
For info. I've been taking Vitex since April 2010 and 150mg/day of B6 while BF my DD, to try and lengthen my LP.
For me, the short LP was an issue prior to conceiving my DD, so it's taking some time to sort out. The Vitex/B6 combo has helped lengthen it, and remove some PMS symptoms. I'm also ovulating earlier (around CD15/16) than I was before Vitex. But at the moment, aside from two cycles with a 12/13 day LP, I'm still around the 8/9 day LP range. However, what worked for me when TTC#1, and what I'm trying now, is acupuncture and herb treatment. I'm still taking the Vitex and B6 as they're also helpful, but for me, not enough on their own. Vitex takes 3-6 months to become fully effective, so don't be discouraged if you don't see changes instantly. B6 should start working in a cycle or two depending on the dose you take. |
Posted By: Mucky_Tiger
Date Posted: 21 December 2010 at 11:24pm
|
i dont think you will have to worry about this but taking b6 on top of the amount naturally eaten in fruit and veges builds up your uterine lining (obviously what you want to sustain a pregnancy) but if you naturally have heavy or long AF's they get heavier and longer.
I used to take a multi vitamin daily but when seeing a gyno about my 10-14 day long heavy AF's i was told to stop taking the multi vit as it wont be helping, after stopping taking them i did notice it wasnt quite as heavy and was 1-2 days shorter |
Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 22 December 2010 at 9:27am
|
wow, made not difference to mine I must say... they were just as per usual.... -------------
|
Posted By: whitewave
Date Posted: 23 December 2010 at 5:03pm
|
Thanks for the info, Mucky Tiger. My periods are usually medium flow (only heavy for a day or two) then last 4-5 days usually, so that probably (hopefully!) won't affect me too much.
Ooligator, what kind of herb treatment are you on now? I've just started taking a B complex vit (has 50mg of B6) a couple of weeks ago, and Vitex about a week or so ago. I'm not expecting it to work this cycle, but I'm hoping it will start to lengthen my LP soon. I've heard red clover tea is wonderful for fertility, so I'm thinking about sourcing some of that to try as well. |
Posted By: Birdie
Date Posted: 23 December 2010 at 10:13pm
|
Does anyone know if B6 is ok to take while BFing? ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  
|
Posted By: whitewave
Date Posted: 26 December 2010 at 10:42pm
|
Birdie, I'm still breastfeeding my toddler, and I'm taking a B complex vitamin which has 50mg of B6 in it.
Well, I'm currently on 11DPO and no sign of AF yet - so the Vitex and B6 must be working! Thanks so much for everyone's help and advice! |
Posted By: whitewave
Date Posted: 27 December 2010 at 9:26pm
I got a BFP today! I'm sure it was the B6 and Vitex, didn't expect it to work first cycle though! 
Now - do I stop taking the Vitex and B6 straight away, or will it help to keep taking them for a wee while longer? |
Posted By: rachelsea
Date Posted: 27 December 2010 at 9:44pm
|
Definitely stop taking the Vitex, I vaguely remember from when I was taking it (when ttc Chelsea) something about it levelling out progesterone and oestrogen levels, but now you want the progesterone to take over and get higher (or something like that). I took my last one the day I got my BFP.
Didn't take B6 though so don't know about that one
Oh and congrats again!!!  ------------- DD 4yrs DS 2yrs http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
|
Posted By: Birdie
Date Posted: 28 December 2010 at 4:40pm
|
Congrats Whitewave I took B6 when TTC for DD and stopped taking it as soon as I got my BFP ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
|
Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 28 December 2010 at 10:03pm
|
B6 is fine, good for ms though no more than 100mg per day and vitex must be stopped immediately
Congrats, doubt it was the vitex, think you just needed thar b6 boost  -------------
|
Posted By: whitewave
Date Posted: 29 December 2010 at 9:49pm
| Thanks guys, the Vitex is now at the back of the cupboard! |
Posted By: tictacjunkie
Date Posted: 31 December 2010 at 5:29am
| Congrats! I took vitex til 14wks with ddLittlest, weaning off it gradually, but I had been taking it for a lot longer than you have (& at 800mg per day) & progesterone deficiency was an issue with my previous mcs. (It's amphoteric- spelling?) As previously mentioned b6 is great for ms, but something not well-known is that taking b6 & folic acid can make you B12 deficient, something to keep in mind if you start to get too run down (aside from the usual first tri fatigue of course!). |
Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 31 December 2010 at 8:32pm
|
Good point, I forgot to mention that you should be taking b12 too (though if you are taking a pg mulitivit its all good) Oh and I only meant I didnt think it was the vitex because you only used it one cycle.. it might have been of course but more likely the b6 -------------
|
Posted By: whitewave
Date Posted: 31 December 2010 at 9:59pm
|
Mel, I had been expecting the Vitex to take more than one cycle to have an effect, so I agree, it probably was the B6 - I'd been taking the B6 a week or so longer as well.
I'd been taking the B6 in a B complex multivit, so I'd assume I'd be getting the extra B12 as well? I am thinking of getting a pregnancy multivit though, if they're not too expensive. |